Merge pull request #53 from HueByte/dev_QOL_And_Gateway

Dev qol and gateway

.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"

README.md

@@ -95,11 +95,12 @@ graph TD
 ### Client
 
 - **Runs in your terminal** — no browser, no Electron, no 500MB of bundled Chromium
-- **13 built-in themes** — including `hacker` for when you want to feel like you're in a movie
+- **14 built-in themes** — including `hacker` for when you want to feel like you're in a movie
 - **Slash commands** — `/join`, `/send`, `/status`, `/theme`, etc.
 - **Colored nicknames** — pick your hex color, express yourself
 - **Clickable everything** — usernames, @mentions, #channels — just press Enter
-- **File/image sharing** — local files or URLs
+- **File/image sharing** — local files or URLs; drag & drop a file onto the terminal to send it; save the original behind any ASCII-art image
+- **End-to-end encrypted rooms** — password-protected channels are encrypted with a passphrase-derived key that never reaches the server, so not even the server owner can read messages or files (they can still see counts and storage size)
 - **Multi-server** — save and switch between servers
 - **Auto-reconnect** — drops happen, it rejoins your channels automatically
 - **Auto-updater** — updates in-place with automatic rollback if something goes wrong
@@ -224,7 +225,10 @@ For direct TLS without a reverse proxy, the IRC gateway can terminate TLS itself
 
 | Command | Description |
 | ------- | ----------- |
-| `/join <channel>` | Join a channel |
+| `/join <channel> [password]` | Join a channel (passphrase for encrypted channels) |
+| `/passwd <old> <new>` | Change the current encrypted channel's passphrase (creator only) |
+| `/size [s\|m\|l]` | ASCII-art size for attached images (no arg = picker) |
+| `/downloadpath [path]` | Set the download folder (no path = native folder picker) |
 | `/leave` | Leave current channel |
 | `/topic <text>` | Set channel topic (creator only) |
 | `/send <file or URL>` | Upload a file or image |
@@ -239,6 +243,8 @@ For direct TLS without a reverse proxy, the IRC gateway can terminate TLS itself
 | `/help` | Show help |
 | `/quit` | Exit |
 
+**Message actions:** **right-click a message** for a context menu — delete, save/download/play its attachment, mention the sender, view their profile, or copy the text. (Keyboard alternative: press <kbd>F6</kbd> to focus the message list, select with the arrow keys, and press <kbd>Delete</kbd>; <kbd>F6</kbd> again returns to the input.) You can always delete your own messages; moderators and above can delete others' messages, but only from users below their own role.
+
 ## Themes
 
 `/theme <name>` to switch:
@@ -247,6 +253,7 @@ For direct TLS without a reverse proxy, the IRC gateway can terminate TLS itself
 | ----- | ---- |
 | `default` | Gray on black — clean and quiet |
 | `transparent` | White on black — for fancy transparent terminals |
+| `transparentlight` | Black on transparent — dark characters for light transparent terminals |
 | `classic` | White on blue — IRC nostalgia |
 | `light` | Black on white — for the brave |
 | `hacker` | Green on black — *I'm in* |

docs/articles/architecture.md

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Terminal.Gui v2 TUI application:
 
 - **UI**: Main window, dialogs, chat renderer with ANSI color support
 - **Services**: API client with automatic token refresh, SignalR connection wrapper, audio playback (NetCoreAudio), automatic update checker (AlwaysUpToDate)
-- **Themes**: 13 built-in color themes (including transparent theme with true terminal transparency)
+- **Themes**: 14 built-in color themes (including transparent dark/light themes with true terminal transparency)
 - **Config**: Client configuration management with session persistence ("Remember Me" refresh tokens)
 
 ## Communication

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 +4,10 @@ Release history for EchoHub.
 
 ## Releases
 
+- [v0.2.12](v0.2.12.md) - End-to-End Encrypted Channels, IRC Channel Keys, Image Save & Ctrl+W Crash Fix
+- [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 +1,13 @@
 - name: Overview
   href: index.md
+- name: v0.2.12
+  href: v0.2.12.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/v0.2.12.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# v0.2.12
+
+Private channels are now genuinely private: password-protected channels are end-to-end encrypted, so the server (and its operators) can gate joins and measure storage but cannot read message or file contents. The IRC gateway grows real MODE/TOPIC support and channel keys, and the client gets image "save original", a transparent-light theme, drag-and-drop file sending, Ctrl+V paste, and a fix for the intermittent Ctrl+W crash.
+
+## New Features
+
+- **End-to-end encrypted channels** — creating a channel with a password now provisions a zero-knowledge room:
+  - The passphrase never leaves the client. It derives (PBKDF2-SHA256, 210k iterations) two keys: an *auth key* sent to the server as the join credential, and a *key-encryption key* that never leaves the machine.
+  - A random room content key encrypts every message and file with AES-256-GCM. The server only ever stores the room key *wrapped* under the passphrase, so it can gate joins and report a channel's message count, storage size, and attachments — but cannot decrypt any of it. Even the server owner cannot read a private room's contents.
+  - Members' clients cache the derived room key locally (in the per-server config, like saved sessions) so the passphrase isn't retyped every launch; joining on a new device prompts for it once.
+  - Change the passphrase with `/passwd <old> <new>` (channel creator only). The room key is re-wrapped, not rotated, so **existing history stays readable** and members who join later with the new passphrase can still read older messages.
+  - Files and images are encrypted client-side before upload; for images the ASCII-art preview is rendered on the client and stored room-encrypted too. Sending images by URL is disabled in encrypted channels (the server can't fetch-and-render without the key).
+  - End-to-end encrypted channels cannot be joined over the IRC gateway (that would require the server to hold the room key) — IRC `JOIN` returns `475` directing users to the EchoHub client.
+- Password-protected channels — set an optional password when creating a channel (masked field in the Create Channel dialog, `password` on `POST /api/channels`). Passwords are BCrypt-hashed server-side; the join gate applies on first join only (existing members and the creator are unaffected). Protected channels show a `*` marker in the channel list and `+k` in the status bar
+- Save original images — image messages now show a clickable "[↓ save original]" line under the ASCII-art preview that downloads the full-resolution original to your Downloads folder (decrypting locally in encrypted channels)
+- **Messages with attachments (Discord-style)** — a message is now text **plus** a list of attachments instead of being either text or a single file. One message can carry a caption and several files (images, audio, docs) together:
+  - Compose with a **staging tray**: `/send <file>` or dropping files onto the terminal stages them (shown on the input bar); the next Enter sends your typed caption and all staged files as one message. `/clear` drops staged files. `/send <URL>` still posts an image immediately.
+  - Each image attachment renders its own ASCII preview with its own "save original" action; audio/file attachments each get their own play/download line.
+  - In encrypted channels every attachment is encrypted individually (blob + ASCII preview), and the caption is room-encrypted — the server still stores only ciphertext and can report count/size but not contents.
+  - Up to 10 attachments per message.
+- **Right-click message menu** — right-click any message for a context menu: save/download/play its attachment, mention the sender, view their profile, copy the text, copy the message ID (for linking or command arguments), or delete the message. (Keyboard: F6 focuses the message list for arrow-key selection + Delete.) The selected message is now highlighted while the list is focused.
+- **Message deletion** — press Delete on a selected message to remove it. You can always delete your own messages; moderators and above can delete others' messages, but only from users **below their own role** (a mod can't delete an admin's or owner's message). Deleting a message also removes its attachment blobs from server storage.
+- **Customizable download folder** — `/downloadpath` opens your OS-native folder picker (Windows Explorer / macOS Finder / Linux GTK or KDE) to choose where downloaded attachments and saved images go; `/downloadpath <path>` sets it directly (the fallback when no native picker is available). Downloaded files now land in that folder (with automatic `(n)` de-duplication) instead of a temp directory.
+- `/join <channel> [password]` — join protected channels inline, or let the client prompt: joining a protected channel without a password opens a masked prompt that re-prompts on a wrong password
+- IRC channel keys — `JOIN #room <key>` works against room passwords (RFC 1459 comma-paired key lists supported); keyless or wrong-key joins get `475 ERR_BADCHANNELKEY`
+- IRC `MODE` implemented — `MODE #chan` reports `+k`/`+`, `MODE #chan +k <key>` sets and `-k` clears the room password (channel creator or admin only), ban-list probes get a clean empty reply, and `CHANMODES` is advertised in ISUPPORT
+- IRC `TOPIC` set support — the channel creator can change the topic from IRC; the change broadcasts to connected TUI clients (previously topic changes were rejected with a stub error)
+- Attach a file by drag & drop or by pasting — drop a file onto the terminal, or **copy a file in your file manager and press Ctrl+V**, to stage it as an attachment (the next Enter sends it with your caption). Multiple files at once are supported. Ctrl+V still pastes text when the clipboard holds text; Ctrl+Y is a paste alias. On Windows the copied-file paste reads the clipboard's file list directly (Windows Terminal never pastes copied files as text), with `xclip`/`wl-paste` used on Linux
+- Pick ASCII-art size for attached images — `/size` opens a Small/Medium/Large picker (40×40 / 80×80 / 120×120) with descriptions, `/size <s|m|l>` sets it directly, and `/send <file> -l` sets it for that message. The choice is a saved preference and applies to copy-paste/drag-drop images (which have no per-file flag); the current size is shown in the staging tray
+- New `TransparentLight` theme — dark characters on a transparent background, for light terminal color schemes (`/theme transparentlight`)
+- Timestamps in messages are now aware of the current culture and display the short time pattern for today's messages and the short date+time pattern for older messages.
+
+## Bug Fixes
+
+- Transparent themes no longer draw an opaque box behind the message input. The input `TextView` renders with the `Editable` visual role, which Terminal.Gui derives as an opaque color when a theme leaves it unset; the themes now pin `Editable`/`ReadOnly` to their base colors so the input matches its (transparent) background.
+- Attachments whose files have been pruned (retention cleanup deletes blobs older than `Storage:RetentionDays` but left the message rows) no longer render a dead download/preview. When channel history loads, the server checks which attachment blobs still exist: missing ones are dropped from the message, and an attachment-only message whose files are all gone is removed from the database.
+- Fixed intermittent crash on Ctrl+W — Terminal.Gui binds Ctrl+W to clipboard-cut, and Windows clipboard contention (another app holding the clipboard) threw an unhandled `Win32Exception` that took the app down. Ctrl+W now deletes the previous word (readline behavior, no clipboard), and all clipboard shortcuts (Ctrl+X/C/V/Y) are guarded so transient clipboard failures log a warning instead of crashing
+- Fixed emoji shortcode replacement permanently disabling itself if a cursor update threw mid-replacement
+- IRC `LIST` no longer leaks private channels; protected channels are marked `[+k]`
+
+## API Changes
+
+- `ChannelDto` gains `isProtected` and `isEncrypted`; `CreateChannelRequest` gains optional `password`, `encryptionSalt`, and `wrappedRoomKey`; SignalR `JoinChannel` takes an optional second `password` argument and `JoinChannelResult` gains `passwordRequired`, `encryptionSalt`, and `wrappedRoomKey` (older clients must update to join over SignalR)
+- New endpoints: `GET /api/channels/{channel}/crypto` (public crypto metadata — salt only, never the wrapped key) and `POST /api/channels/{channel}/rekey` (creator-only passphrase change)
+- The upload endpoint accepts `type` and `content` form fields for encrypted channels, where the client supplies the declared message type and room-encrypted content
+- `ImageToAsciiService` and `FileValidationHelper` moved from `EchoHub.Server` to `EchoHub.Core` so the client can render ASCII art and detect file types for encrypted uploads
+- **Message shape change**: `MessageDto` drops `Type`/`AttachmentUrl`/`AttachmentFileName`/`AttachmentFileSize` and gains `Attachments` (a list of `AttachmentDto { Kind, Url, FileName, FileSize, AsciiPreview }`, null/empty for plain text). New `Attachment` entity + table with a cascade FK to `Message`
+- New endpoint `POST /api/channels/{channel}/messages` (multipart: `content` + N `files`, plus `kind`/`preview` per file for encrypted channels) replaces the single-file `upload` endpoint; `DELETE /api/moderation/messages/{id}` now enforces the own-or-higher-role rule
+- New EF migrations `AddChannelPasswordHash`, `AddChannelEncryptionEnvelope`, and `AddMessageAttachments` (applied automatically on server start); a one-time startup data migration folds legacy single-attachment messages into the new model

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

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 - [ ] fix the chat trailing; when user scrolls up, and somebody sends a message – the chat instantly "teleports" to the very bottom
 - [x] disable the autorun of files (maybe keep for mp4? gotta do some sec research on it)
 - [x] when user creates a new channel, he gets moved to that channel; but the userlist does not refresh the state on that – it refreshes when user re-enters the channel again
-- [ ] password protected rooms
+- [x] password protected rooms (end-to-end encrypted — server cannot read contents)
 - [ ] better audio lib, current one (NetCoreAudio) does not support seek or other audio actions
 - [ ] Use options pattern for both client & server
   - ref: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/configuration/options?view=aspnetcore-10.0
@@ -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

packaging/choco/echohub.nuspec

@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@
     <id>echohub</id>
     <version>__VERSION__</version>
     <title>EchoHub</title>
-    <authors>HueByte</authors>
+    <authors>HueByte, StoneRed</authors>
     <owners>HueByte</owners>
     <requireLicenseAcceptance>false</requireLicenseAcceptance>
     <licenseUrl>https://github.com/HueByte/EchoHub/blob/master/LICENSE</licenseUrl>
-    <projectUrl>https://github.com/HueByte/EchoHub</projectUrl>
+    <projectUrl>https://echohub.voidcube.cloud/</projectUrl>
     <projectSourceUrl>https://github.com/HueByte/EchoHub</projectSourceUrl>
     <docsUrl>https://huebyte.github.io/EchoHub</docsUrl>
     <bugTrackerUrl>https://github.com/HueByte/EchoHub/issues</bugTrackerUrl>

packaging/choco/tools/LICENSE.txt

@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-MIT License
-
-Copyright (c) 2026 Hue
-
-Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
-of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
-in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
-to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
-copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
-furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
-
-The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
-copies or substantial portions of the Software.
-
-THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
-IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
-FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
-AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
-LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
-OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
-SOFTWARE.

packaging/choco/tools/VERIFICATION.txt

@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-VERIFICATION
-
-To verify the package contents:
-
-1. Download the official release from:
-   https://github.com/HueByte/EchoHub/releases
-
-2. Download: EchoHub-Client-win-x64.zip
-
-3. Calculate the SHA256 checksum:
-   - PowerShell: Get-FileHash EchoHub-Client-win-x64.zip -Algorithm SHA256
-   - Linux/macOS: sha256sum EchoHub-Client-win-x64.zip
-
-4. Compare with the checksum in chocolateyInstall.ps1 (checksum64 value).
-
-LICENSE: MIT License - see LICENSE.txt in this directory or
-https://github.com/HueByte/EchoHub/blob/master/LICENSE

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>0.2.12</Version>
     <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
     <NoWarn>$(NoWarn);CS1591</NoWarn>
   </PropertyGroup>

src/EchoHub.Client/AppOrchestrator.cs

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ using EchoHub.Client.UI.Dialogs;
 using EchoHub.Core.Constants;
 using EchoHub.Core.DTOs;
 using EchoHub.Core.Models;
+using EchoHub.Core.Security;
+using EchoHub.Core.Services;
 using Serilog;
 using Terminal.Gui.App;
 using Terminal.Gui.Views;
@@ -30,6 +32,8 @@ 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 readonly List<string> _stagedAttachments = [];
 
     private ClientConfig _config;
     private readonly UserSession _session = new();
@@ -87,10 +91,14 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         _mainWindow.OnDeleteChannelRequested += HandleDeleteChannelRequested;
         _mainWindow.OnAudioPlayRequested += HandleAudioPlayRequested;
         _mainWindow.OnFileDownloadRequested += HandleFileDownloadRequested;
+        _mainWindow.OnImageSaveRequested += HandleImageSaveRequested;
+        _mainWindow.OnDeleteMessageRequested += HandleDeleteMessageRequested;
         _mainWindow.OnCheckForUpdatesRequested += HandleCheckForUpdatesRequested;
         _mainWindow.OnRollbackRequested += HandleRollbackRequested;
         _mainWindow.OnUserProfileRequested += HandleViewProfile;
         _mainWindow.OnChannelJoinRequested += HandleChannelJoinFromMessage;
+        _mainWindow.OnSearchRequested += HandleSearchRequested;
+        _mainWindow.OnLoadMoreRequested += HandleLoadMoreRequested;
     }
 
     // ── Command Handler Wiring ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -106,6 +114,10 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         _commandHandler.OnOpenProfile += HandleCmdOpenProfile;
         _commandHandler.OnOpenServers += HandleCmdOpenServers;
         _commandHandler.OnJoinChannel += HandleCmdJoinChannel;
+        _commandHandler.OnChangeRoomPassword += HandleCmdChangeRoomPassword;
+        _commandHandler.OnClearAttachments += HandleCmdClearAttachments;
+        _commandHandler.OnSetAsciiSize += HandleCmdSetAsciiSize;
+        _commandHandler.OnSetDownloadPath += HandleCmdSetDownloadPath;
         _commandHandler.OnLeaveChannel += HandleCmdLeaveChannel;
         _commandHandler.OnSetTopic += HandleCmdSetTopic;
         _commandHandler.OnListUsers += HandleCmdListUsers;
@@ -155,32 +167,175 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         return Task.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-    private async Task HandleCmdSendFile(string target, string? size)
+    private Task HandleCmdSendFile(string target, string? size)
     {
-        if (!_conn.IsAuthenticated || !_conn.IsConnected) return;
+        if (!_conn.IsAuthenticated || !_conn.IsConnected) return Task.CompletedTask;
 
         var channel = _mainWindow.CurrentChannel;
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel)) return;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel)) return Task.CompletedTask;
 
-        try
+        // A URL image is sent immediately as its own message (it can't be staged/encrypted).
+        if (Uri.TryCreate(target, UriKind.Absolute, out var uri)
+            && (uri.Scheme == "http" || uri.Scheme == "https"))
         {
-            if (Uri.TryCreate(target, UriKind.Absolute, out var uri)
+            if (_conn.RoomKeys.HasKey(channel))
-                && (uri.Scheme == "http" || uri.Scheme == "https"))
             {
-                await _conn.Api!.SendUrlAsync(channel, target, size);
+                InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError(
+                    "Sending by URL isn't available in encrypted channels — download the file and /send it instead."));
+                return Task.CompletedTask;
+            }
+
+            RunAsync(async () => await _conn.Api!.SendUrlAsync(channel, target, size), "Send failed");
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
+
+        // Local files are staged; the next Enter sends them with the typed caption as one message.
+        if (_stagedAttachments.Count >= HubConstants.MaxAttachmentsPerMessage)
+        {
+            InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError($"You can attach at most {HubConstants.MaxAttachmentsPerMessage} files per message."));
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
+
+        // An explicit "-s/-m/-l" on /send also sets the message's ASCII size.
+        if (NormalizeAsciiSize(size) is { } flag)
+            _config.DefaultAsciiSize = flag;
+
+        _stagedAttachments.Add(target);
+        InvokeUI(RefreshStagingTray);
+        return Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
+    private Task HandleCmdClearAttachments()
+    {
+        _stagedAttachments.Clear();
+        InvokeUI(RefreshStagingTray);
+        return Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Opens the ASCII-art size picker (no argument) or sets it directly from "s"/"m"/"l" (or
+    /// small/medium/large). The choice is a persistent preference applied to attached images.
+    /// </summary>
+    private Task HandleCmdSetAsciiSize(string args)
+    {
+        var flag = NormalizeAsciiSize(args);
+        if (flag is not null)
+        {
+            InvokeUI(() => ApplyAsciiSize(flag));
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
+
+        InvokeUI(() =>
+        {
+            var choice = MessageBox.Query(_app, "ASCII Art Size",
+                "Size of the ASCII rendering for images you attach:\n\n"
+                + "  Small    40 x 40    (compact)\n"
+                + "  Medium   80 x 80    (default)\n"
+                + "  Large    120 x 120  (detailed)",
+                "Small", "Medium", "Large", "Cancel");
+
+            var picked = choice switch { 0 => "s", 1 => "m", 2 => "l", _ => null };
+            if (picked is not null)
+                ApplyAsciiSize(picked);
+        });
+        return Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
+    private void ApplyAsciiSize(string flag)
+    {
+        _config.DefaultAsciiSize = flag;
+        ConfigManager.Save(_config);
+        RefreshStagingTray();
+
+        var channel = _mainWindow.CurrentChannel;
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel))
+            _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(channel, $"Image ASCII size set to {AsciiSizeLabel(flag)}.");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Refreshes the staging tray with the current staged files and ASCII size.</summary>
+    private void RefreshStagingTray()
+    {
+        var names = _stagedAttachments.Select(Path.GetFileName).OfType<string>().ToList();
+        _mainWindow.SetStagedAttachments(names, AsciiSizeLabel(_config.DefaultAsciiSize));
+    }
+
+    private static string? NormalizeAsciiSize(string? size) => size?.Trim().ToLowerInvariant() switch
+    {
+        "s" or "small" => "s",
+        "m" or "medium" => "m",
+        "l" or "large" => "l",
+        _ => null,
+    };
+
+    private static string AsciiSizeLabel(string flag) => flag switch
+    {
+        "s" => "Small (40x40)",
+        "l" => "Large (120x120)",
+        _ => "Medium (80x80)",
+    };
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sends one message with the given caption plus all staged files as attachments, then
+    /// clears the staging tray. In encrypted channels each file is room-encrypted (blob +
+    /// ASCII preview) client-side before upload; the caption is room-encrypted too.
+    /// </summary>
+    private void SendStagedMessage(string channel, string content)
+    {
+        var staged = _stagedAttachments.ToList();
+        _stagedAttachments.Clear();
+        InvokeUI(RefreshStagingTray);
+
+        var hasRoomKey = _conn.RoomKeys.TryGetKey(channel, out var roomKey);
+        var size = _config.DefaultAsciiSize;
+
+        RunAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            var outgoing = new List<OutgoingAttachment>();
+            foreach (var path in staged)
+                outgoing.Add(await BuildOutgoingAttachmentAsync(path, hasRoomKey ? roomKey : null, size));
+
+            var wireContent = hasRoomKey && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(content)
+                ? RoomCrypto.EncryptText(content, roomKey)
+                : content;
+
+            await _conn.Api!.SendMessageWithAttachmentsAsync(channel, wireContent, outgoing, size);
+        }, "Send failed");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Reads a staged file into an <see cref="OutgoingAttachment"/>. For encrypted channels the
+    /// blob is AES-GCM encrypted, its kind is declared, and the image ASCII preview is rendered
+    /// locally (at <paramref name="size"/>) and room-encrypted — so the server never sees the
+    /// file or image contents.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static async Task<OutgoingAttachment> BuildOutgoingAttachmentAsync(string path, byte[]? roomKey, string size)
+    {
+        var fileName = Path.GetFileName(path);
+
+        if (roomKey is null)
+            return new OutgoingAttachment(File.OpenRead(path), fileName);
+
+        var bytes = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(path);
+        string declaredKind;
+        string? preview = null;
+
+        using (var ms = new MemoryStream(bytes))
+        {
+            if (FileValidationHelper.IsValidImage(ms))
+            {
+                declaredKind = "image";
+                var (w, h) = ImageToAsciiService.GetDimensions(size);
+                ms.Position = 0;
+                preview = RoomCrypto.EncryptText(new ImageToAsciiService().ConvertToAscii(ms, w, h), roomKey);
             }
             else
             {
-                await using var stream = File.OpenRead(target);
+                declaredKind = FileValidationHelper.IsAudioFile(fileName) ? "audio" : "file";
-                var fileName = Path.GetFileName(target);
-                await _conn.Api!.UploadFileAsync(channel, stream, fileName, size);
             }
         }
-        catch (Exception ex)
+
-        {
+        var encryptedBlob = RoomCrypto.EncryptBytes(bytes, roomKey);
-            Log.Error(ex, "File send failed for {Target}", target);
+        return new OutgoingAttachment(new MemoryStream(encryptedBlob), fileName, declaredKind, preview);
-            InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError($"Send failed: {ex.Message}"));
-        }
     }
 
     private async Task HandleCmdSetAvatar(string target)
@@ -213,13 +368,15 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         return Task.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-    private async Task HandleCmdJoinChannel(string channelName)
+    private async Task HandleCmdJoinChannel(string channelName, string? password)
     {
         if (!_conn.IsConnected) return;
 
         try
         {
-            var history = await _conn.JoinChannelAsync(channelName);
+            var history = await JoinChannelWithPasswordPromptAsync(channelName, password);
+            if (history is null) return; // user cancelled the password prompt
+
             InvokeUI(() =>
             {
                 _mainWindow.EnsureChannelInList(channelName);
@@ -234,6 +391,145 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Joins a channel, prompting for a password when the server requires one and
+    /// re-prompting on a wrong password. For end-to-end encrypted channels the typed
+    /// passphrase never goes to the server — a PBKDF2-derived auth key is sent instead,
+    /// and the room content key is unwrapped locally. Returns the channel history,
+    /// or null if the user cancelled the prompt.
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task<List<MessageDto>?> JoinChannelWithPasswordPromptAsync(string channelName, string? password)
+    {
+        ChannelCryptoDto? crypto = null;
+        try
+        {
+            crypto = await _conn.Api!.GetChannelCryptoAsync(channelName);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Debug(ex, "Crypto metadata unavailable for {Channel}", channelName);
+        }
+
+        while (true)
+        {
+            byte[]? kek = null;
+            var wirePassword = password;
+            if (password is not null && crypto is { IsEncrypted: true, EncryptionSalt: not null })
+            {
+                var derived = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys(password, Convert.FromBase64String(crypto.EncryptionSalt));
+                wirePassword = derived.AuthKeyHex;
+                kek = derived.KeyEncryptionKey;
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                var outcome = await _conn.JoinChannelAsync(channelName, wirePassword);
+
+                if (outcome.WrappedRoomKey is not null && !_conn.RoomKeys.HasKey(channelName))
+                {
+                    if (kek is not null && RoomCrypto.TryUnwrapRoomKey(outcome.WrappedRoomKey, kek, out var roomKey))
+                    {
+                        _conn.RoomKeys.StoreKey(channelName, roomKey);
+                        // Re-fetch so history decrypts with the now-available room key
+                        return await _conn.GetHistoryAsync(channelName);
+                    }
+
+                    return await UnlockRoomKeyAsync(channelName, outcome);
+                }
+
+                return outcome.History;
+            }
+            catch (ChannelPasswordRequiredException ex)
+            {
+                var prompt = new TaskCompletionSource<string?>(TaskCreationOptions.RunContinuationsAsynchronously);
+                var message = password is not null ? ex.Message : null;
+                InvokeUI(() => prompt.SetResult(ChannelPasswordDialog.Show(_app, channelName, message)));
+
+                password = await prompt.Task;
+                if (password is null) return null;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Member of an encrypted channel without a cached room key (e.g. a new device):
+    /// prompt for the passphrase until the room key unwraps or the user gives up.
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task<List<MessageDto>?> UnlockRoomKeyAsync(string channelName, JoinOutcome outcome)
+    {
+        if (outcome.EncryptionSalt is null || outcome.WrappedRoomKey is null)
+            return outcome.History;
+
+        var salt = Convert.FromBase64String(outcome.EncryptionSalt);
+        var message = "Enter the passphrase to unlock messages.";
+
+        while (true)
+        {
+            var prompt = new TaskCompletionSource<string?>(TaskCreationOptions.RunContinuationsAsynchronously);
+            var promptMessage = message;
+            InvokeUI(() => prompt.SetResult(ChannelPasswordDialog.Show(_app, channelName, promptMessage)));
+
+            var passphrase = await prompt.Task;
+            if (passphrase is null)
+                return outcome.History; // stays locked; placeholders render instead of content
+
+            var derived = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys(passphrase, salt);
+            if (RoomCrypto.TryUnwrapRoomKey(outcome.WrappedRoomKey, derived.KeyEncryptionKey, out var roomKey))
+            {
+                _conn.RoomKeys.StoreKey(channelName, roomKey);
+                return await _conn.GetHistoryAsync(channelName);
+            }
+
+            message = "Wrong passphrase — try again.";
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Changes the current encrypted channel's passphrase: re-derives the join credential
+    /// and re-wraps the cached room content key under the new passphrase. History is
+    /// never re-encrypted — the room key itself doesn't change.
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task HandleCmdChangeRoomPassword(string oldPassphrase, string newPassphrase)
+    {
+        if (!_conn.IsAuthenticated || !_conn.IsConnected) return;
+
+        var channel = _mainWindow.CurrentChannel;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel)) return;
+
+        try
+        {
+            var crypto = await _conn.Api!.GetChannelCryptoAsync(channel);
+            if (crypto is not { IsEncrypted: true } || crypto.EncryptionSalt is null)
+            {
+                InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError($"#{channel} is not an end-to-end encrypted channel."));
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (!_conn.RoomKeys.TryGetKey(channel, out var roomKey))
+            {
+                InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError("Unlock this channel first (rejoin it with its passphrase), then retry."));
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var oldDerived = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys(oldPassphrase, Convert.FromBase64String(crypto.EncryptionSalt));
+            var newSalt = RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt();
+            var newDerived = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys(newPassphrase, newSalt);
+
+            await _conn.Api!.RekeyChannelAsync(channel, new RekeyChannelRequest(
+                oldDerived.AuthKeyHex,
+                newDerived.AuthKeyHex,
+                Convert.ToBase64String(newSalt),
+                RoomCrypto.WrapRoomKey(roomKey, newDerived.KeyEncryptionKey)));
+
+            InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(channel,
+                "Passphrase changed. History stays readable; new members and new devices need the new passphrase."));
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError($"Passphrase change failed: {ex.Message}"));
+        }
+    }
+
     private async Task HandleCmdLeaveChannel()
     {
         if (!_conn.IsConnected) return;
@@ -551,7 +847,7 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
             InvokeUI(() =>
             {
                 if (channel.IsPublic)
-                    _mainWindow.EnsureChannelInList(channel.Name, channel.IsPublic);
+                    _mainWindow.EnsureChannelInList(channel.Name, channel.IsPublic, channel.IsProtected);
                 _mainWindow.SetChannelTopic(channel.Name, channel.Topic);
             });
         };
@@ -692,11 +988,28 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
             return;
         }
 
+        // Staged files → one message with the typed caption plus those attachments.
+        if (_stagedAttachments.Count > 0)
+        {
+            SendStagedMessage(channelName, content);
+            return;
+        }
+
         RunAsync(
             async () => await _conn.SendMessageAsync(channelName, content),
             "Send failed");
     }
 
+    private void HandleDeleteMessageRequested(Guid messageId)
+    {
+        if (!_conn.IsAuthenticated) return;
+
+        // The server enforces the hierarchy rule (own message, or Mod+ over a strictly
+        // lower role) and broadcasts the deletion; the local list updates on that event.
+        RunAsync(async () => await _conn.Api!.DeleteMessageAsync(messageId),
+            "Failed to delete message");
+    }
+
     private void HandleChannelSelected(string channelName)
     {
         if (!_conn.IsConnected) return;
@@ -704,7 +1017,16 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         RunAsync(async () =>
         {
             if (_conn.TrackChannel(channelName))
-                await _conn.JoinChannelAsync(channelName);
+            {
+                var joined = await JoinChannelWithPasswordPromptAsync(channelName, null);
+                if (joined is null)
+                {
+                    // User cancelled the password prompt — back to the default channel
+                    _conn.UntrackChannel(channelName);
+                    InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.SwitchToChannel(HubConstants.DefaultChannel));
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
 
             try
             {
@@ -720,6 +1042,31 @@ 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 +1080,38 @@ 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);
@@ -923,14 +1302,39 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
 
         RunAsync(async () =>
         {
-            var channel = await _conn.Api!.CreateChannelAsync(result.Name, result.Topic, result.IsPublic);
+            // Password rooms are end-to-end encrypted: derive the join credential and
+            // wrap a fresh room content key locally — the passphrase never leaves here.
+            string? wirePassword = null, saltB64 = null, wrappedKey = null;
+            byte[]? roomKey = null;
+            if (result.Password is not null)
+            {
+                if (result.Password.Length < ValidationConstants.MinChannelPasswordLength)
+                {
+                    InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError(
+                        $"Channel password must be at least {ValidationConstants.MinChannelPasswordLength} characters."));
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                var salt = RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt();
+                var derived = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys(result.Password, salt);
+                roomKey = RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey();
+                wirePassword = derived.AuthKeyHex;
+                saltB64 = Convert.ToBase64String(salt);
+                wrappedKey = RoomCrypto.WrapRoomKey(roomKey, derived.KeyEncryptionKey);
+            }
+
+            var channel = await _conn.Api!.CreateChannelAsync(
+                result.Name, result.Topic, result.IsPublic, wirePassword, saltB64, wrappedKey);
             if (channel is null) return;
 
-            var history = await _conn.JoinChannelAsync(channel.Name);
+            if (roomKey is not null)
+                _conn.RoomKeys.StoreKey(channel.Name, roomKey);
+
+            var history = (await _conn.JoinChannelAsync(channel.Name)).History;
 
             InvokeUI(() =>
             {
-                _mainWindow.EnsureChannelInList(channel.Name);
+                _mainWindow.EnsureChannelInList(channel.Name, channel.IsPublic, channel.IsProtected);
                 _mainWindow.SetChannelTopic(channel.Name, channel.Topic);
                 _mainWindow.SwitchToChannel(channel.Name);
                 if (history.Count > 0)
@@ -988,11 +1392,85 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         RunAsync(async () =>
         {
             InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Downloading {fileName}..."));
-            var tempPath = await _conn.Api!.DownloadFileToTempAsync(attachmentUrl, fileName);
+            var tempPath = await DownloadAttachmentAsync(attachmentUrl, fileName);
             InvokeUI(() => AudioPlayerDialog.Show(_app, _audioPlayback, tempPath, fileName));
         }, "Failed to play audio");
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Downloads an attachment to a temp file, decrypting it locally when the current
+    /// channel is end-to-end encrypted (the server stores those blobs as ciphertext).
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task<string> DownloadAttachmentAsync(string attachmentUrl, string fileName)
+    {
+        var tempPath = await _conn.Api!.DownloadFileToTempAsync(attachmentUrl, fileName);
+
+        var channel = _mainWindow.CurrentChannel;
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel) && _conn.RoomKeys.TryGetKey(channel, out var roomKey))
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var blob = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(tempPath);
+                await File.WriteAllBytesAsync(tempPath, RoomCrypto.DecryptBytes(blob, roomKey));
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Log.Warning(ex, "Attachment {File} did not decrypt with the room key — keeping raw bytes", fileName);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return tempPath;
+    }
+
+    private void HandleImageSaveRequested(string attachmentUrl, string fileName)
+    {
+        if (!_conn.IsAuthenticated) return;
+
+        RunAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Downloading {fileName}..."));
+            var tempPath = await DownloadAttachmentAsync(attachmentUrl, fileName);
+
+            var destination = DedupPath(GetDownloadDir(), fileName);
+            File.Move(tempPath, destination);
+            InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Image saved to: {destination}"));
+        }, "Failed to save image");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resolves the folder downloads are written to: the user's configured
+    /// <see cref="ClientConfig.DownloadPath"/> if set, otherwise the OS Downloads folder.
+    /// Falls back to the temp folder if neither can be created.
+    /// </summary>
+    private string GetDownloadDir()
+    {
+        var dir = _config.DownloadPath;
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(dir))
+            dir = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.UserProfile), "Downloads");
+
+        try
+        {
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(dir);
+            return dir;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Warning(ex, "Download folder {Dir} is not usable; falling back to temp", dir);
+            return Path.GetTempPath();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Appends " (n)" before the extension until the path doesn't collide with an existing file.</summary>
+    private static string DedupPath(string dir, string fileName)
+    {
+        var stem = Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(fileName);
+        var ext = Path.GetExtension(fileName);
+        var dest = Path.Combine(dir, fileName);
+        for (var i = 1; File.Exists(dest); i++)
+            dest = Path.Combine(dir, $"{stem} ({i}){ext}");
+        return dest;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// File extensions considered safe to open with the system default application.
     /// Everything else is downloaded only — never auto-opened via UseShellExecute.
@@ -1010,29 +1488,83 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         RunAsync(async () =>
         {
             InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Downloading {fileName}..."));
-            var tempPath = await _conn.Api!.DownloadFileToTempAsync(attachmentUrl, fileName);
+            var tempPath = await DownloadAttachmentAsync(attachmentUrl, fileName);
 
-            var ext = Path.GetExtension(fileName);
+            var destination = DedupPath(GetDownloadDir(), fileName);
-            if (SafeOpenExtensions.Contains(ext))
+            File.Move(tempPath, destination);
+            InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Saved to: {destination}"));
+
+            if (SafeOpenExtensions.Contains(Path.GetExtension(fileName)))
             {
                 try
                 {
-                    var psi = new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(tempPath) { UseShellExecute = true };
+                    var psi = new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(destination) { UseShellExecute = true };
                     System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(psi);
                 }
                 catch (Exception ex)
                 {
-                    Log.Warning(ex, "Failed to open file with default app: {Path}", tempPath);
+                    Log.Warning(ex, "Failed to open file with default app: {Path}", destination);
-                    InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Downloaded to: {tempPath}"));
                 }
             }
-            else
-            {
-                InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Downloaded to: {tempPath}"));
-            }
         }, "Failed to download file");
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sets the download folder. With no argument, opens the OS-native folder picker; if that
+    /// isn't available (headless, missing tool), tells the user to pass a path instead. With an
+    /// argument, sets that path directly (the fallback for machines with no native picker).
+    /// </summary>
+    private Task HandleCmdSetDownloadPath(string args)
+    {
+        var current = _config.DownloadPath ?? GetDownloadDir();
+
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(args))
+        {
+            SetDownloadPath(args.Trim());
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
+
+        RunAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            var result = await NativeFolderPicker.PickFolderAsync(current);
+            InvokeUI(() =>
+            {
+                switch (result.Outcome)
+                {
+                    case PickerOutcome.Chosen when result.Path is not null:
+                        SetDownloadPath(result.Path);
+                        break;
+                    case PickerOutcome.Cancelled:
+                        _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, "Download folder unchanged.");
+                        break;
+                    case PickerOutcome.Unavailable:
+                        _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel,
+                            $"No native folder picker here. Current download folder: {current}\nSet one with: /downloadpath <path>");
+                        break;
+                }
+            });
+        }, "Failed to open folder picker");
+
+        return Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
+    private void SetDownloadPath(string path)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(path);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            InvokeUI(() => _mainWindow.ShowError($"Can't use that folder: {ex.Message}"));
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _config.DownloadPath = path;
+        ConfigManager.Save(_config);
+        InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.AddSystemMessage(_mainWindow.CurrentChannel, $"Download folder set to: {path}"));
+    }
+
     private void HandleCheckForUpdatesRequested()
     {
         RunAsync(_updateService.CheckNowAsync, "Failed to check for updates");

src/EchoHub.Client/Commands/CommandHandler.cs

@@ -13,7 +13,11 @@ public class CommandHandler
     public event Func<string, string?, Task>? OnSendFile;
     public event Func<string?, Task>? OnOpenProfile;
     public event Func<Task>? OnOpenServers;
-    public event Func<string, Task>? OnJoinChannel;
+    public event Func<string, string?, Task>? OnJoinChannel;
+    public event Func<string, string, Task>? OnChangeRoomPassword;
+    public event Func<Task>? OnClearAttachments;
+    public event Func<string, Task>? OnSetDownloadPath;
+    public event Func<string, Task>? OnSetAsciiSize;
     public event Func<Task>? OnLeaveChannel;
     public event Func<string, Task>? OnSetTopic;
     public event Func<Task>? OnListUsers;
@@ -47,10 +51,14 @@ public class CommandHandler
             "color" => await HandleColor(args),
             "theme" => await HandleTheme(args),
             "send" => await HandleSend(args),
+            "clear" => await HandleClear(),
+            "size" or "asciisize" => await HandleAsciiSize(args),
+            "downloadpath" or "downloads" => await HandleDownloadPath(args),
             "profile" => await HandleProfile(args),
             "avatar" => await HandleAvatar(args),
             "servers" => await HandleServers(),
             "join" => await HandleJoin(args),
+            "passwd" => await HandlePasswd(args),
             "leave" => await HandleLeave(),
             "topic" => await HandleTopic(args),
             "users" => await HandleUsers(),
@@ -126,7 +134,7 @@ public class CommandHandler
     private async Task<CommandResult> HandleTheme(string args)
     {
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(args))
-            return new CommandResult(true, "Usage: /theme <name> (Default, Dark, Light, Hacker, Solarized)", IsError: true);
+            return new CommandResult(true, "Usage: /theme <name> — pick one from the User menu's theme list (e.g. Default, Transparent, TransparentLight, Hacker)", IsError: true);
 
         if (OnSetTheme is not null)
             await OnSetTheme(args.Trim());
@@ -163,6 +171,29 @@ public class CommandHandler
         return new CommandResult(true, $"Uploading: {Path.GetFileName(target)}...");
     }
 
+    private async Task<CommandResult> HandleClear()
+    {
+        if (OnClearAttachments is not null)
+            await OnClearAttachments();
+        return new CommandResult(true, "Cleared staged attachments.");
+    }
+
+    private async Task<CommandResult> HandleAsciiSize(string args)
+    {
+        // No argument → open the size picker; an argument (s/m/l or small/medium/large) sets it.
+        if (OnSetAsciiSize is not null)
+            await OnSetAsciiSize(args.Trim());
+        return new CommandResult(true);
+    }
+
+    private async Task<CommandResult> HandleDownloadPath(string args)
+    {
+        // No argument → open the native folder picker; an argument sets the path directly.
+        if (OnSetDownloadPath is not null)
+            await OnSetDownloadPath(args.Trim());
+        return new CommandResult(true);
+    }
+
     private async Task<CommandResult> HandleProfile(string args)
     {
         var username = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(args) ? null : args.Trim();
@@ -193,11 +224,28 @@ public class CommandHandler
     private async Task<CommandResult> HandleJoin(string args)
     {
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(args))
-            return new CommandResult(true, "Usage: /join <channel>", IsError: true);
+            return new CommandResult(true, "Usage: /join <channel> [password]", IsError: true);
+
+        var parts = args.Trim().Split(' ', 2, StringSplitOptions.TrimEntries);
+        var channel = parts[0].TrimStart('#');
+        var password = parts.Length > 1 && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(parts[1]) ? parts[1] : null;
 
-        var channel = args.Trim().TrimStart('#');
         if (OnJoinChannel is not null)
-            await OnJoinChannel(channel);
+            await OnJoinChannel(channel, password);
+        return new CommandResult(true);
+    }
+
+    private async Task<CommandResult> HandlePasswd(string args)
+    {
+        var parts = args.Split(' ', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries | StringSplitOptions.TrimEntries);
+        if (parts.Length != 2)
+            return new CommandResult(true, "Usage: /passwd <old passphrase> <new passphrase> — changes the current encrypted channel's passphrase", IsError: true);
+
+        if (parts[1].Length < 3)
+            return new CommandResult(true, "New passphrase must be at least 3 characters.", IsError: true);
+
+        if (OnChangeRoomPassword is not null)
+            await OnChangeRoomPassword(parts[0], parts[1]);
         return new CommandResult(true);
     }
 
@@ -339,11 +387,19 @@ public class CommandHandler
               /nick <name>                         - Set display name
               /color <#hex>                        - Set nickname color
               /theme <name>                        - Switch theme
-              /send <filepath or URL> [-s|-m|-l]      - Send file/image/audio (size flag for images)
+              /send <filepath> [-s|-m|-l]          - Stage a file to attach (Enter sends with your text)
+              /send <URL> [-s|-m|-l]               - Send an image URL immediately
+              /clear                               - Drop all staged attachments
+              /size [s|m|l]                        - ASCII art size for attached images (no arg = picker)
+            (Tip: copy a file and press Ctrl+V, or drag a file onto the window, to attach it.)
+            (Tip: right-click a message for actions — delete, save/download/play attachment,
+                  mention, view profile, copy. Or press F6 to pick a message, then Delete.)
+              /downloadpath [path]                 - Set download folder (no path = native folder picker)
               /avatar <URL or filepath>             - Set your avatar
               /profile [username]                   - View a profile
               /servers                             - Open saved servers
-              /join <channel>                      - Join a channel
+              /join <channel> [password]           - Join a channel (password if protected)
+              /passwd <old> <new>                  - Change current encrypted channel's passphrase
               /leave                               - Leave current channel
               /topic <text>                        - Set channel topic
               /users                               - List online users

src/EchoHub.Client/Config/ClientConfig.cs

@@ -6,6 +6,18 @@ public class ClientConfig
     public AccountPreset DefaultPreset { get; set; } = new();
     public string ActiveTheme { get; set; } = "Default";
     public NotificationConfig Notifications { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Folder where downloaded attachments and saved images are written. When null, the
+    /// OS Downloads folder is used. Set via the native folder picker or <c>/downloadpath</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string? DownloadPath { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// ASCII-art rendering size for images you attach: "s" (40×40), "m" (80×80), or "l" (120×120).
+    /// Applies to copy-paste/drag-drop attachments, which have no per-file size flag.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string DefaultAsciiSize { get; set; } = "m";
 }
 
 public class NotificationConfig
@@ -23,6 +35,13 @@ public class SavedServer
     public string? RefreshToken { get; set; }
     public bool RememberMe { get; set; }
     public DateTimeOffset LastConnected { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cached room content keys for end-to-end encrypted channels on this server,
+    /// keyed by channel name (base64). Like RefreshToken, these live only on the
+    /// user's machine — the server never sees them.
+    /// </summary>
+    public Dictionary<string, string> ChannelKeys { get; set; } = [];
 }
 
 public class AccountPreset

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/ApiClient.cs

@@ -185,17 +185,35 @@ public sealed class ApiClient : IDisposable
         return result?.AvatarAscii;
     }
 
-    public async Task<MessageDto?> UploadFileAsync(string channelName, Stream fileStream, string fileName, string? size = null)
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sends one message with optional text and one or more file attachments.
+    /// For end-to-end encrypted channels each attachment carries a declared kind and a
+    /// room-encrypted preview (empty when none); the caption is likewise room-encrypted.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task<MessageDto?> SendMessageWithAttachmentsAsync(
+        string channelName, string content, IReadOnlyList<OutgoingAttachment> attachments, string? size = null)
     {
         EnsureAuthenticated();
-        using var content = new MultipartFormDataContent();
+        using var form = new MultipartFormDataContent { { new StringContent(content), "content" } };
-        using var streamContent = new StreamContent(fileStream);
+
-        streamContent.Headers.ContentType = new MediaTypeHeaderValue(GetContentType(fileName));
+        foreach (var att in attachments)
-        content.Add(streamContent, "file", fileName);
+        {
+            var streamContent = new StreamContent(att.Stream);
+            streamContent.Headers.ContentType = new MediaTypeHeaderValue(GetContentType(att.FileName));
+            form.Add(streamContent, "file", att.FileName);
+
+            // Encrypted channels: one kind + preview per file, in the same order, to keep
+            // the server's index alignment (empty preview string for non-images).
+            if (att.DeclaredKind is not null)
+            {
+                form.Add(new StringContent(att.DeclaredKind), "kind");
+                form.Add(new StringContent(att.EncryptedPreview ?? string.Empty), "preview");
+            }
+        }
 
         var sizeQuery = size is not null ? $"?size={size}" : "";
         using var response = await AuthenticatedRequestAsync(() =>
-            _http.PostAsync($"/api/channels/{Uri.EscapeDataString(channelName)}/upload{sizeQuery}", content));
+            _http.PostAsync($"/api/channels/{Uri.EscapeDataString(channelName)}/messages{sizeQuery}", form));
         await EnsureSuccessAsync(response);
         return await response.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<MessageDto>();
     }
@@ -228,16 +246,40 @@ public sealed class ApiClient : IDisposable
         return tempPath;
     }
 
-    public async Task<ChannelDto?> CreateChannelAsync(string name, string? topic = null, bool isPublic = true)
+    public async Task<ChannelDto?> CreateChannelAsync(string name, string? topic = null, bool isPublic = true,
+        string? password = null, string? encryptionSalt = null, string? wrappedRoomKey = null)
     {
         EnsureAuthenticated();
-        var request = new CreateChannelRequest(name, topic, isPublic);
+        var request = new CreateChannelRequest(name, topic, isPublic, password, encryptionSalt, wrappedRoomKey);
         using var response = await AuthenticatedRequestAsync(() =>
             _http.PostAsJsonAsync("/api/channels", request));
         await EnsureSuccessAsync(response);
         return await response.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<ChannelDto>();
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fetches a channel's public crypto metadata (whether it's E2E-encrypted and its
+    /// key-derivation salt). Returns null when the channel doesn't exist.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task<ChannelCryptoDto?> GetChannelCryptoAsync(string channelName)
+    {
+        EnsureAuthenticated();
+        using var response = await AuthenticatedGetAsync($"/api/channels/{Uri.EscapeDataString(channelName)}/crypto");
+        if (response.StatusCode == System.Net.HttpStatusCode.NotFound)
+            return null;
+        await EnsureSuccessAsync(response);
+        return await response.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<ChannelCryptoDto>();
+    }
+
+    public async Task<ChannelDto?> RekeyChannelAsync(string channelName, RekeyChannelRequest request)
+    {
+        EnsureAuthenticated();
+        using var response = await AuthenticatedRequestAsync(() =>
+            _http.PostAsJsonAsync($"/api/channels/{Uri.EscapeDataString(channelName)}/rekey", request));
+        await EnsureSuccessAsync(response);
+        return await response.Content.ReadFromJsonAsync<ChannelDto>();
+    }
+
     public async Task<ChannelDto?> UpdateChannelTopicAsync(string channelName, string? topic)
     {
         EnsureAuthenticated();

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/ClipboardFiles.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+using System.Runtime.Versioning;
+using System.Text;
+using Serilog;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.Services;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Reads file paths that live on the OS clipboard as a *file list* (e.g. after copying a file in
+/// Explorer/Finder/Nautilus), which terminals do not paste as text. Lets Ctrl+V attach a copied
+/// file directly instead of requiring the user to paste a raw path.
+/// </summary>
+public static class ClipboardFiles
+{
+    public static bool TryGetFiles(out List<string> files)
+    {
+        files = [];
+        try
+        {
+            if (OperatingSystem.IsWindows())
+                return TryGetWindows(out files);
+            if (OperatingSystem.IsLinux())
+                return TryGetLinux(out files);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Warning(ex, "Reading files from the clipboard failed");
+        }
+
+        // macOS and everything else: no file-list clipboard support (text paste still works).
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    // ── Windows: CF_HDROP via the Win32 clipboard ────────────────────────────
+
+    private const uint CfHdrop = 15;
+
+    [SupportedOSPlatform("windows")]
+    private static bool TryGetWindows(out List<string> files)
+    {
+        files = [];
+        if (!IsClipboardFormatAvailable(CfHdrop))
+            return false;
+
+        // The clipboard may briefly be held by another process; a few quick retries cover that.
+        var opened = false;
+        for (var attempt = 0; attempt < 5 && !opened; attempt++)
+            opened = OpenClipboard(IntPtr.Zero);
+        if (!opened)
+            return false;
+
+        try
+        {
+            var hDrop = GetClipboardData(CfHdrop);
+            if (hDrop == IntPtr.Zero)
+                return false;
+
+            var count = DragQueryFileW(hDrop, 0xFFFFFFFF, null, 0);
+            for (uint i = 0; i < count; i++)
+            {
+                var len = DragQueryFileW(hDrop, i, null, 0);
+                if (len == 0)
+                    continue;
+
+                var sb = new StringBuilder((int)len + 1);
+                DragQueryFileW(hDrop, i, sb, (uint)sb.Capacity);
+                var path = sb.ToString();
+                if (File.Exists(path))
+                    files.Add(path);
+            }
+
+            return files.Count > 0;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            CloseClipboard();
+        }
+    }
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    [return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
+    private static extern bool OpenClipboard(IntPtr hWndNewOwner);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    [return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
+    private static extern bool CloseClipboard();
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    [return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
+    private static extern bool IsClipboardFormatAvailable(uint format);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    private static extern IntPtr GetClipboardData(uint uFormat);
+
+    [DllImport("shell32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Unicode)]
+    private static extern uint DragQueryFileW(IntPtr hDrop, uint iFile, StringBuilder? lpszFile, uint cch);
+
+    // ── Linux: text/uri-list from the clipboard via xclip or wl-paste ─────────
+
+    [SupportedOSPlatform("linux")]
+    private static bool TryGetLinux(out List<string> files)
+    {
+        files = [];
+
+        var output = RunForOutput("wl-paste", ["--type", "text/uri-list", "--no-newline"])
+            ?? RunForOutput("xclip", ["-selection", "clipboard", "-t", "text/uri-list", "-o"]);
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(output))
+            return false;
+
+        foreach (var line in output.Split('\n', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries | StringSplitOptions.TrimEntries))
+        {
+            if (!line.StartsWith("file://", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+                continue;
+            try
+            {
+                var path = new Uri(line).LocalPath;
+                if (File.Exists(path))
+                    files.Add(path);
+            }
+            catch (UriFormatException) { /* skip malformed entry */ }
+        }
+
+        return files.Count > 0;
+    }
+
+    private static string? RunForOutput(string fileName, IEnumerable<string> args)
+    {
+        var psi = new ProcessStartInfo(fileName)
+        {
+            RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+            RedirectStandardError = true,
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            CreateNoWindow = true,
+        };
+        foreach (var arg in args)
+            psi.ArgumentList.Add(arg);
+
+        try
+        {
+            using var process = Process.Start(psi);
+            if (process is null)
+                return null;
+
+            var output = process.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd();
+            process.WaitForExit(2000);
+            return process.ExitCode == 0 ? output : null;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception or FileNotFoundException)
+        {
+            return null; // tool not installed
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/ConnectionManager.cs

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ internal sealed class ConnectionManager : IAsyncDisposable
     private EchoHubConnection? _connection;
     private ApiClient? _apiClient;
     private readonly ClientEncryptionService _encryption = new();
+    private readonly RoomKeyStore _roomKeys = new();
     private readonly HashSet<string> _joinedChannels = [];
 
     // ── Properties ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ internal sealed class ConnectionManager : IAsyncDisposable
     public bool IsConnected => _connection?.IsConnected == true;
     public bool IsAuthenticated => _apiClient is not null;
     public ApiClient? Api => _apiClient;
+    public RoomKeyStore RoomKeys => _roomKeys;
 
     // ── Events (forwarded from SignalR) ───────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -101,7 +103,8 @@ internal sealed class ConnectionManager : IAsyncDisposable
             if (_connection is not null)
                 await _connection.DisposeAsync();
 
-            _connection = new EchoHubConnection(info.ServerUrl, _apiClient, _encryption);
+            _roomKeys.LoadForServer(info.ServerUrl);
+            _connection = new EchoHubConnection(info.ServerUrl, _apiClient, _encryption, _roomKeys);
             WireConnectionEvents(_connection);
             await _connection.ConnectAsync();
 
@@ -156,6 +159,7 @@ internal sealed class ConnectionManager : IAsyncDisposable
         _apiClient?.Dispose();
         _apiClient = null;
         _joinedChannels.Clear();
+        _roomKeys.Clear();
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -169,11 +173,21 @@ internal sealed class ConnectionManager : IAsyncDisposable
 
     // ── Channel Operations ────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> JoinChannelAsync(string channelName)
+    public async Task<JoinOutcome> JoinChannelAsync(string channelName, string? password = null)
     {
         if (_connection is null) throw new InvalidOperationException("Not connected");
-        _joinedChannels.Add(channelName);
+        try
-        return await _connection.JoinChannelAsync(channelName);
+        {
+            var outcome = await _connection.JoinChannelAsync(channelName, password);
+            _joinedChannels.Add(channelName);
+            return outcome;
+        }
+        catch (ChannelPasswordRequiredException)
+        {
+            // Not actually joined — don't track, or reconnects would retry a doomed join
+            _joinedChannels.Remove(channelName);
+            throw;
+        }
     }
 
     public async Task LeaveChannelAsync(string channelName)
@@ -196,8 +210,8 @@ 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

@@ -1,14 +1,39 @@
 using EchoHub.Core.Constants;
 using EchoHub.Core.DTOs;
 using EchoHub.Core.Models;
+using EchoHub.Core.Security;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.SignalR.Client;
 
 namespace EchoHub.Client.Services;
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Result of joining a channel: decrypted history plus, for end-to-end encrypted
+/// channels, the key envelope needed to unlock the room content key.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed record JoinOutcome(List<MessageDto> History, string? EncryptionSalt, string? WrappedRoomKey);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Thrown when joining a channel fails because a password is required or incorrect.
+/// The UI catches this to prompt the user and retry.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ChannelPasswordRequiredException : Exception
+{
+    public string ChannelName { get; }
+
+    public ChannelPasswordRequiredException(string channelName, string message) : base(message)
+    {
+        ChannelName = channelName;
+    }
+}
+
 public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
 {
+    public const string LockedMessagePlaceholder =
+        "[encrypted — rejoin this channel with its passphrase to unlock]";
+
     private readonly HubConnection _connection;
     private readonly ClientEncryptionService _encryption;
+    private readonly RoomKeyStore _roomKeys;
 
     public event Action<MessageDto>? OnMessageReceived;
     public event Action<string, string, UserPresenceDto?>? OnUserJoined;
@@ -26,9 +51,10 @@ public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
 
     public bool IsConnected => _connection.State == HubConnectionState.Connected;
 
-    public EchoHubConnection(string serverUrl, ApiClient apiClient, ClientEncryptionService encryption)
+    public EchoHubConnection(string serverUrl, ApiClient apiClient, ClientEncryptionService encryption, RoomKeyStore roomKeys)
     {
         _encryption = encryption;
+        _roomKeys = roomKeys;
         var hubUrl = serverUrl.TrimEnd('/') + HubConstants.ChatHubPath;
 
         _connection = new HubConnectionBuilder()
@@ -65,9 +91,7 @@ public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
     {
         _connection.On<MessageDto>(nameof(Core.Contracts.IEchoHubClient.ReceiveMessage), message =>
         {
-            // Decrypt message content received from server
+            OnMessageReceived?.Invoke(DecryptMessage(message));
-            var decrypted = message with { Content = _encryption.Decrypt(message.Content) };
-            OnMessageReceived?.Invoke(decrypted);
         });
 
         _connection.On<string, string, UserPresenceDto?>(nameof(Core.Contracts.IEchoHubClient.UserJoined), (channelName, username, presence) =>
@@ -134,12 +158,16 @@ public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
         OnConnectionStateChanged?.Invoke("Disconnected");
     }
 
-    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> JoinChannelAsync(string channelName)
+    public async Task<JoinOutcome> JoinChannelAsync(string channelName, string? password = null)
     {
-        var result = await _connection.InvokeAsync<JoinChannelResult>("JoinChannel", channelName);
+        var result = await _connection.InvokeAsync<JoinChannelResult>("JoinChannel", channelName, password);
         if (!result.Success)
+        {
+            if (result.PasswordRequired)
+                throw new ChannelPasswordRequiredException(channelName, result.Error ?? "Channel is password protected.");
             throw new InvalidOperationException(result.Error ?? "Failed to join channel.");
-        return DecryptMessages(result.History);
+        }
+        return new JoinOutcome(DecryptMessages(result.History), result.EncryptionSalt, result.WrappedRoomKey);
     }
 
     public async Task LeaveChannelAsync(string channelName)
@@ -149,14 +177,17 @@ public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
 
     public async Task SendMessageAsync(string channelName, string content)
     {
-        // Encrypt content before sending to server
+        // Room layer first (end-to-end, server can't read), then transport encryption
+        if (_roomKeys.TryGetKey(channelName, out var roomKey))
+            content = RoomCrypto.EncryptText(content, roomKey);
+
         var encrypted = _encryption.Encrypt(content);
         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);
     }
 
@@ -172,7 +203,45 @@ public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
 
     private List<MessageDto> DecryptMessages(List<MessageDto> messages)
     {
-        return messages.Select(m => m with { Content = _encryption.Decrypt(m.Content) }).ToList();
+        return messages.Select(DecryptMessage).ToList();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Strips the transport encryption, then the room layer for E2E channels, from the
+    /// message content and every attachment preview. Without the room key the content is
+    /// replaced by a locked placeholder — re-fetch history after unlocking to render it.
+    /// </summary>
+    private MessageDto DecryptMessage(MessageDto message)
+    {
+        _roomKeys.TryGetKey(message.ChannelName, out var roomKey);
+
+        var content = DecryptField(message.Content, roomKey) ?? LockedMessagePlaceholder;
+
+        List<AttachmentDto>? attachments = null;
+        if (message.Attachments is { Count: > 0 })
+        {
+            attachments = message.Attachments
+                .Select(a => a with { AsciiPreview = a.AsciiPreview is null ? null : DecryptField(a.AsciiPreview, roomKey) })
+                .ToList();
+        }
+
+        return message with { Content = content, Attachments = attachments };
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Decrypts one field: strips transport encryption, then the room layer if it is room
+    /// ciphertext. Returns null when it is room ciphertext but the room key is missing/wrong.
+    /// </summary>
+    private string? DecryptField(string value, byte[]? roomKey)
+    {
+        var plain = _encryption.Decrypt(value);
+        if (!RoomCrypto.IsRoomCiphertext(plain))
+            return plain;
+
+        if (roomKey is not null && RoomCrypto.TryDecryptText(plain, roomKey, out var decrypted))
+            return decrypted;
+
+        return null;
     }
 
     public async ValueTask DisposeAsync()

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/NativeFolderPicker.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+using System.Text;
+using Serilog;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.Services;
+
+public enum PickerOutcome
+{
+    /// <summary>The user picked a folder (<see cref="FolderPickResult.Path"/> is set).</summary>
+    Chosen,
+
+    /// <summary>The native dialog ran but the user cancelled it.</summary>
+    Cancelled,
+
+    /// <summary>No native picker is available on this machine (headless, missing tool, etc.).</summary>
+    Unavailable,
+}
+
+public sealed record FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome Outcome, string? Path);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Opens the OS-native folder chooser (Windows Explorer, macOS Finder, Linux GTK/KDE) by shelling
+/// out, so the TUI doesn't need a GUI toolkit reference. Returns <see cref="PickerOutcome.Unavailable"/>
+/// when no native dialog can run, so callers can fall back to a configured path.
+/// </summary>
+public static class NativeFolderPicker
+{
+    private const string Title = "Choose your EchoHub download folder";
+
+    public static async Task<FolderPickResult> PickFolderAsync(string? initialDir)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (RuntimeInformation.IsOSPlatform(OSPlatform.Windows))
+                return await PickWindowsAsync(initialDir);
+            if (RuntimeInformation.IsOSPlatform(OSPlatform.OSX))
+                return await PickMacAsync();
+            if (RuntimeInformation.IsOSPlatform(OSPlatform.Linux))
+                return await PickLinuxAsync(initialDir);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Warning(ex, "Native folder picker failed");
+        }
+
+        return new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Unavailable, null);
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<FolderPickResult> PickWindowsAsync(string? initialDir)
+    {
+        var safeInit = (initialDir ?? string.Empty).Replace("'", "''");
+        var script = $$"""
+            Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms
+            $d = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.FolderBrowserDialog
+            $d.Description = '{{Title}}'
+            $d.ShowNewFolderButton = $true
+            $d.SelectedPath = '{{safeInit}}'
+            if ($d.ShowDialog() -eq [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::OK) { [Console]::Out.Write($d.SelectedPath) }
+            """;
+
+        // -EncodedCommand avoids all quoting issues; FolderBrowserDialog needs an STA thread.
+        var encoded = Convert.ToBase64String(Encoding.Unicode.GetBytes(script));
+        var (started, _, stdout) = await RunAsync("powershell.exe",
+            ["-STA", "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-EncodedCommand", encoded]);
+
+        if (!started)
+            return new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Unavailable, null);
+        return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(stdout)
+            ? new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Cancelled, null)
+            : new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Chosen, stdout);
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<FolderPickResult> PickMacAsync()
+    {
+        var (started, exit, stdout) = await RunAsync("osascript",
+            ["-e", $"POSIX path of (choose folder with prompt \"{Title}\")"]);
+
+        if (!started)
+            return new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Unavailable, null);
+        return exit == 0 && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(stdout)
+            ? new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Chosen, stdout)
+            : new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Cancelled, null);
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<FolderPickResult> PickLinuxAsync(string? initialDir)
+    {
+        // No graphical session → no native picker.
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("DISPLAY"))
+            && string.IsNullOrEmpty(Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("WAYLAND_DISPLAY")))
+            return new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Unavailable, null);
+
+        var zenityArgs = new List<string> { "--file-selection", "--directory", $"--title={Title}" };
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(initialDir))
+            zenityArgs.Add($"--filename={initialDir!.TrimEnd('/')}/");
+
+        var (zStarted, zExit, zOut) = await RunAsync("zenity", zenityArgs);
+        if (zStarted)
+            return zExit == 0 && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(zOut)
+                ? new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Chosen, zOut)
+                : new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Cancelled, null);
+
+        var (kStarted, kExit, kOut) = await RunAsync("kdialog",
+            ["--getexistingdirectory", string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(initialDir) ? "." : initialDir!]);
+        if (kStarted)
+            return kExit == 0 && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(kOut)
+                ? new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Chosen, kOut)
+                : new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Cancelled, null);
+
+        return new FolderPickResult(PickerOutcome.Unavailable, null);
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<(bool Started, int ExitCode, string StdOut)> RunAsync(string fileName, IEnumerable<string> args)
+    {
+        var psi = new ProcessStartInfo(fileName)
+        {
+            RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+            RedirectStandardError = true,
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            CreateNoWindow = true,
+        };
+        foreach (var arg in args)
+            psi.ArgumentList.Add(arg);
+
+        try
+        {
+            using var process = Process.Start(psi);
+            if (process is null)
+                return (false, -1, string.Empty);
+
+            var stdout = await process.StandardOutput.ReadToEndAsync();
+            await process.WaitForExitAsync();
+            return (true, process.ExitCode, stdout.Trim());
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception or FileNotFoundException)
+        {
+            // Executable not found on PATH → treat as "no native picker".
+            return (false, -1, string.Empty);
+        }
+    }
+}

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/OutgoingAttachment.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+namespace EchoHub.Client.Services;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// One file to upload as part of a message. For end-to-end encrypted channels the stream
+/// is already ciphertext, <see cref="DeclaredKind"/> is set (image/audio/file), and
+/// <see cref="EncryptedPreview"/> holds the room-encrypted ASCII art for images.
+/// For normal channels only <see cref="Stream"/> and <see cref="FileName"/> are set.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed record OutgoingAttachment(
+    Stream Stream,
+    string FileName,
+    string? DeclaredKind = null,
+    string? EncryptedPreview = null);

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/RoomKeyStore.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+using EchoHub.Client.Config;
+using Serilog;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.Services;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Holds room content keys for end-to-end encrypted channels: in-memory for the
+/// active session, persisted per-server in the client config (like saved sessions)
+/// so users don't retype the passphrase every launch. Keys never leave this machine.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class RoomKeyStore
+{
+    private readonly Dictionary<string, byte[]> _keys = new(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    private readonly Lock _lock = new();
+    private string? _serverUrl;
+
+    /// <summary>Binds the store to a server and loads that server's cached keys from config.</summary>
+    public void LoadForServer(string serverUrl)
+    {
+        lock (_lock)
+        {
+            _serverUrl = serverUrl;
+            _keys.Clear();
+
+            var server = FindServer(ConfigManager.Load(), serverUrl);
+            if (server is null) return;
+
+            foreach (var (channel, base64) in server.ChannelKeys)
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    _keys[channel] = Convert.FromBase64String(base64);
+                }
+                catch (FormatException)
+                {
+                    Log.Warning("Ignoring malformed cached room key for #{Channel}", channel);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public bool TryGetKey(string channelName, out byte[] key)
+    {
+        lock (_lock)
+        {
+            if (_keys.TryGetValue(channelName, out var k))
+            {
+                key = k;
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        key = [];
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    public bool HasKey(string channelName) => TryGetKey(channelName, out _);
+
+    /// <summary>Stores a key for the session and persists it to the server's config entry.</summary>
+    public void StoreKey(string channelName, byte[] key)
+    {
+        lock (_lock)
+        {
+            _keys[channelName] = key;
+            Persist(server => server.ChannelKeys[channelName] = Convert.ToBase64String(key));
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void RemoveKey(string channelName)
+    {
+        lock (_lock)
+        {
+            _keys.Remove(channelName);
+            Persist(server => server.ChannelKeys.Remove(channelName));
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void Clear()
+    {
+        lock (_lock)
+        {
+            _keys.Clear();
+            _serverUrl = null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void Persist(Action<SavedServer> mutate)
+    {
+        if (_serverUrl is null) return;
+
+        try
+        {
+            var config = ConfigManager.Load();
+            var server = FindServer(config, _serverUrl);
+            if (server is null) return; // server not saved yet — key stays in-memory only
+
+            mutate(server);
+            ConfigManager.Save(config);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Warning(ex, "Failed to persist room key cache");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static SavedServer? FindServer(ClientConfig config, string url) =>
+        config.SavedServers.FirstOrDefault(s =>
+            string.Equals(s.Url, url, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+}

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/Themes/ThemeManager.cs

@@ -445,10 +445,44 @@ public static class ThemeManager
         }
     };
 
+    private static readonly Theme TransparentLightTheme = new()
+    {
+        Name = "TransparentLight",
+        Base = new ThemeColors
+        {
+            Foreground = "Black",
+            Background = "None",
+            FocusForeground = "Blue",
+            FocusBackground = "None"
+        },
+        Menu = new ThemeColors
+        {
+            Foreground = "Black",
+            Background = "None",
+            FocusForeground = "Blue",
+            FocusBackground = "None"
+        },
+        Dialog = new ThemeColors
+        {
+            Foreground = "Black",
+            Background = "Gray",
+            FocusForeground = "Blue",
+            FocusBackground = "White"
+        },
+        Status = new ThemeColors
+        {
+            Foreground = "DarkGray",
+            Background = "None",
+            FocusForeground = "DarkGray",
+            FocusBackground = "None"
+        }
+    };
+
     private static readonly List<Theme> BuiltInThemes =
     [
         DefaultTheme,
         TransparentTheme,
+        TransparentLightTheme,
         ClassicTheme,
         LightTheme,
         HackerTheme,
@@ -541,7 +575,14 @@ public static class ThemeManager
             Focus = focus,
             HotNormal = normal,
             HotFocus = focus,
-            Disabled = normal
+            Disabled = normal,
+
+            // TextView/TextField draw their editable area with the Editable/ReadOnly roles. If
+            // left unset, Terminal.Gui derives an opaque background from Normal — which renders
+            // as a solid box behind the input under transparent themes. Pin them to the theme's
+            // own colors so the input matches its background (transparent stays transparent).
+            Editable = normal,
+            ReadOnly = normal
         };
     }
 

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

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ public partial class ChatLine
     public bool IsMention { get; set; }
     public string? AttachmentUrl { get; set; }
     public string? AttachmentFileName { get; set; }
-    public MessageType? Type { get; set; }
+    public AttachmentKind? AttachmentKind { get; set; }
     public string? SenderUsername { get; set; }
     /// <summary>Number of spaces to prepend on continuation lines when this line is word-wrapped.</summary>
     public int ContinuationIndent { get; set; }
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ public partial class ChatLine
         {
             wrapped.AttachmentUrl = AttachmentUrl;
             wrapped.AttachmentFileName = AttachmentFileName;
-            wrapped.Type = Type;
+            wrapped.AttachmentKind = AttachmentKind;
             wrapped.MessageId = MessageId;
             wrapped.SenderUsername = SenderUsername;
         }

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

@@ -65,6 +65,13 @@ public class ChatListSource : IListDataSource
 
         var chatLine = _lines[item];
         var normalAttr = listView.GetAttributeForRole(VisualRole.Normal);
+
+        // Highlight the selected row (whole width) while the list has focus — used by the
+        // F6 selection flow and right-click. The custom source must draw this itself.
+        var focusAttr = selected && listView.HasFocus
+            ? listView.GetAttributeForRole(VisualRole.Focus)
+            : (Attribute?)null;
+
         var mentionBg = chatLine.IsMention ? ChatColors.MentionHighlightAttr.Background : (Color?)null;
 
         int charPos = 0;
@@ -72,11 +79,19 @@ public class ChatListSource : IListDataSource
 
         foreach (var segment in chatLine.Segments)
         {
-            var attr = segment.Color ?? normalAttr;
+            Attribute attr;
-            if (attr.Background == Color.None)
+            if (focusAttr is { } focus)
-                attr = attr with { Background = normalAttr.Background };
+            {
-            if (mentionBg.HasValue)
+                attr = focus;
-                attr = attr with { Background = mentionBg.Value };
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                attr = segment.Color ?? normalAttr;
+                if (attr.Background == Color.None)
+                    attr = attr with { Background = normalAttr.Background };
+                if (mentionBg.HasValue)
+                    attr = attr with { Background = mentionBg.Value };
+            }
             listView.SetAttribute(attr);
 
             foreach (var grapheme in GraphemeHelper.GetGraphemes(segment.Text))
@@ -91,7 +106,8 @@ public class ChatListSource : IListDataSource
             }
         }
 
-        var fillAttr = mentionBg.HasValue ? new Attribute(normalAttr.Foreground, mentionBg.Value) : normalAttr;
+        var fillAttr = focusAttr
+            ?? (mentionBg.HasValue ? new Attribute(normalAttr.Foreground, mentionBg.Value) : normalAttr);
         listView.SetAttribute(fillAttr);
         for (int i = drawnChars; i < width; i++)
             listView.AddStr(" ");

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

@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
             _channelMessages[channelName] = messages;
         }
 
-        var time = DateTimeOffset.Now.ToString("HH:mm");
+        var time = FormatDateTime(DateTimeOffset.Now);
         var textLines = text.Split('\n');
 
         messages.Add(new ChatLine(
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
     /// </summary>
     public void AddStatusMessage(string channelName, string username, string status)
     {
-        var time = DateTimeOffset.Now.ToString("HH:mm");
+        var time = FormatDateTime(DateTimeOffset.Now);
         var segments = new List<ChatSegment>
         {
             new($"[{time}] ", ChatColors.TimestampAttr),
@@ -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>
@@ -201,74 +234,81 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
 
     private List<ChatLine> FormatMessage(MessageDto message)
     {
-        var time = message.SentAt.ToLocalTime().ToString("HH:mm");
+        var time = FormatDateTime(message.SentAt);
         var senderName = message.SenderUsername + ":";
         var senderColor = HexColorHelper.ParseHexColor(message.SenderNicknameColor);
 
+        var indent = new string(' ', $"[{time}] {senderName} ".Length);
+        var pad = new string(' ', 7);
+
         var lines = new List<ChatLine>();
+        var hasContent = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(message.Content);
+        var attachments = message.Attachments ?? [];
 
-        switch (message.Type)
+        // Header line: caption text, or a summary when the message is attachments-only
+        if (hasContent)
         {
-            case MessageType.Image:
+            var displayContent = EmojiHelper.ReplaceEmoji(message.Content);
-                lines.Add(BuildChatLine(time, senderName, senderColor, " [Image]"));
+            var contentLines = displayContent.Split('\n');
-                if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(message.Content))
+            lines.Add(BuildChatLineWithMentions(time, senderName, senderColor, $" {contentLines[0].TrimEnd('\r')}"));
-                {
+            for (int i = 1; i < contentLines.Length; i++)
-                    foreach (var artLine in message.Content.Split('\n'))
+                lines.Add(new ChatLine(ChatColors.SplitMentions($"{indent}{contentLines[i].TrimEnd('\r')}")));
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            var summary = attachments.Count switch
+            {
+                0 => " ",
+                1 => $" [{attachments[0].Kind.ToString().ToLowerInvariant()}]",
+                _ => $" [{attachments.Count} attachments]",
+            };
+            lines.Add(BuildChatLine(time, senderName, senderColor, summary));
+        }
+
+        foreach (var l in lines)
+            l.ContinuationIndent = indent.Length;
+
+        // One block per attachment
+        foreach (var attachment in attachments)
+        {
+            switch (attachment.Kind)
+            {
+                case Core.Models.AttachmentKind.Image:
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(attachment.AsciiPreview))
                     {
-                        var trimmed = artLine.TrimEnd('\r');
+                        foreach (var artLine in attachment.AsciiPreview.Split('\n'))
-                        if (ChatLine.HasColorTags(trimmed))
+                        {
-                            lines.Add(ChatLine.FromColoredText("       " + trimmed));
+                            var trimmed = artLine.TrimEnd('\r');
-                        else
+                            lines.Add(ChatLine.HasColorTags(trimmed)
-                            lines.Add(new ChatLine($"       {trimmed}"));
+                                ? ChatLine.FromColoredText(pad + trimmed)
+                                : new ChatLine($"{pad}{trimmed}"));
+                        }
                     }
-                }
+                    lines.Add(AttachmentActionLine(pad,
-                break;
+                        $"[↓ save original] {attachment.FileName} [{FormatFileSize(attachment.FileSize)}]",
+                        ChatColors.FileAttr, attachment));
+                    break;
 
-            case MessageType.Audio:
+                case Core.Models.AttachmentKind.Audio:
-                var audioName = message.AttachmentFileName ?? "unknown";
+                    lines.Add(AttachmentActionLine(pad,
-                var audioSize = FormatFileSize(message.AttachmentFileSize);
+                        $"♪ [Audio: {attachment.FileName}] [{FormatFileSize(attachment.FileSize)}]",
-                var audioLine = BuildChatLineColored(time, senderName, senderColor,
+                        ChatColors.AudioAttr, attachment));
-                    $" \u266a [Audio: {audioName}] [{audioSize}]", ChatColors.AudioAttr);
+                    break;
-                audioLine.AttachmentUrl = message.AttachmentUrl;
-                audioLine.AttachmentFileName = audioName;
-                audioLine.Type = MessageType.Audio;
-                lines.Add(audioLine);
-                break;
 
-            case MessageType.File:
+                default:
-                var fileName = message.AttachmentFileName ?? "unknown";
+                    lines.Add(AttachmentActionLine(pad,
-                var fileSize = FormatFileSize(message.AttachmentFileSize);
+                        $"[File: {attachment.FileName}] [{FormatFileSize(attachment.FileSize)}]",
-                var fileLine = BuildChatLineColored(time, senderName, senderColor,
+                        ChatColors.FileAttr, attachment));
-                    $" [File: {fileName}] [{fileSize}]", ChatColors.FileAttr);
+                    break;
-                fileLine.AttachmentUrl = message.AttachmentUrl;
+            }
-                fileLine.AttachmentFileName = fileName;
+        }
-                fileLine.Type = MessageType.File;
-                lines.Add(fileLine);
-                break;
 
-            case MessageType.Text:
+        // Link embeds (from caption URLs)
-            default:
+        if (message.Embeds is { Count: > 0 })
-                var displayContent = EmojiHelper.ReplaceEmoji(message.Content);
+        {
-                var contentLines = displayContent.Split('\n');
+            var chatWidth = _chatWidth > 0 ? _chatWidth : 80;
-                var firstLine = contentLines[0].TrimEnd('\r');
+            foreach (var embed in message.Embeds)
-                lines.Add(BuildChatLineWithMentions(time, senderName, senderColor, $" {firstLine}"));
+                lines.AddRange(FormatEmbed(embed, indent, chatWidth));
-                var indent = new string(' ', $"[{time}] {senderName} ".Length);
-                for (int i = 1; i < contentLines.Length; i++)
-                {
-                    var contText = $"{indent}{contentLines[i].TrimEnd('\r')}";
-                    lines.Add(new ChatLine(ChatColors.SplitMentions(contText)));
-                }
-
-                foreach (var l in lines)
-                    l.ContinuationIndent = indent.Length;
-
-                if (message.Embeds is { Count: > 0 })
-                {
-                    var chatWidth = _chatWidth > 0 ? _chatWidth : 80;
-                    foreach (var embed in message.Embeds)
-                        lines.AddRange(FormatEmbed(embed, indent, chatWidth));
-                }
-                break;
         }
 
         foreach (var line in lines)
@@ -277,7 +317,7 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
             line.SenderUsername = message.SenderUsername;
         }
 
-        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentUser) && message.Type == MessageType.Text)
+        if (hasContent && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentUser))
         {
             var pattern = $@"@{Regex.Escape(_currentUser)}\b";
             if (Regex.IsMatch(message.Content, pattern, RegexOptions.IgnoreCase))
@@ -290,6 +330,23 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
         return lines;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Builds a clickable attachment line carrying the metadata the message list uses to
+    /// route activation (play audio, download file, save original image).
+    /// </summary>
+    private static ChatLine AttachmentActionLine(string pad, string text, Attribute color, AttachmentDto attachment)
+    {
+        var line = new ChatLine(new List<ChatSegment>
+        {
+            new(pad, null),
+            new(text, color),
+        });
+        line.AttachmentUrl = attachment.Url;
+        line.AttachmentFileName = attachment.FileName;
+        line.AttachmentKind = attachment.Kind;
+        return line;
+    }
+
     private static ChatLine BuildChatLine(string time, string senderName, Attribute? senderColor, string suffix)
     {
         var segments = new List<ChatSegment>
@@ -392,6 +449,14 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
         return result;
     }
 
+    private static string FormatDateTime(DateTimeOffset timestamp)
+    {
+        if (timestamp.Date == DateTimeOffset.Now.Date)
+            return timestamp.ToLocalTime().ToString("t");
+        else
+            return timestamp.ToLocalTime().ToString("g");
+    }
+
     internal static string FormatFileSize(long? bytes)
     {
         if (bytes is null or 0)

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

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+using Terminal.Gui.App;
+using Terminal.Gui.ViewBase;
+using Terminal.Gui.Views;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.UI.Dialogs;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Prompts for a channel password when joining a protected channel.
+/// Returns the entered password, or null if the user cancels.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ChannelPasswordDialog
+{
+    public static string? Show(IApplication app, string channelName, string? message = null)
+    {
+        string? result = null;
+
+        var dialog = new Dialog { Title = $"Join #{channelName}", Width = 50, Height = 10, CommandsToBubbleUp = [] };
+
+        var infoLabel = new Label
+        {
+            Text = message ?? $"#{channelName} is password protected.",
+            X = 1,
+            Y = 1
+        };
+
+        var passwordLabel = new Label { Text = "Password:", X = 1, Y = 3 };
+        var passwordField = new TextField { X = 11, Y = 3, Width = Dim.Fill(2), Secret = true };
+
+        var joinButton = new Button
+        {
+            Text = "Join",
+            IsDefault = true,
+            X = Pos.Center() - 9,
+            Y = 5
+        };
+
+        var cancelButton = new Button
+        {
+            Text = "Cancel",
+            X = Pos.Center() + 2,
+            Y = 5
+        };
+
+        joinButton.Accepting += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            var password = passwordField.Text;
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(password))
+            {
+                MessageBox.ErrorQuery(app, "Error", "Password is required.", "OK");
+                return;
+            }
+
+            result = password;
+            e.Handled = true;
+            app.RequestStop();
+        };
+
+        cancelButton.Accepting += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            result = null;
+            e.Handled = true;
+            app.RequestStop();
+        };
+
+        dialog.Add(infoLabel, passwordLabel, passwordField, joinButton, cancelButton);
+
+        passwordField.SetFocus();
+        app.Run(dialog);
+
+        return result;
+    }
+}

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

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ using Terminal.Gui.ViewBase;
 
 namespace EchoHub.Client.UI.Dialogs;
 
-public record CreateChannelResult(string Name, string? Topic, bool IsPublic);
+public record CreateChannelResult(string Name, string? Topic, bool IsPublic, string? Password);
 
 public sealed class CreateChannelDialog
 {
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ public sealed class CreateChannelDialog
     {
         CreateChannelResult? result = null;
 
-        var dialog = new Dialog { Title = "Create Channel", Width = 50, Height = 14, CommandsToBubbleUp = [] };
+        var dialog = new Dialog { Title = "Create Channel", Width = 50, Height = 16, CommandsToBubbleUp = [] };
 
         var nameLabel = new Label { Text = "Name:", X = 1, Y = 1 };
         var nameField = new TextField { X = 10, Y = 1, Width = Dim.Fill(2) };
@@ -20,19 +20,22 @@ public sealed class CreateChannelDialog
         var topicLabel = new Label { Text = "Topic:", X = 1, Y = 3 };
         var topicField = new TextField { X = 10, Y = 3, Width = Dim.Fill(2) };
 
+        var passwordLabel = new Label { Text = "Password:", X = 1, Y = 5 };
+        var passwordField = new TextField { X = 11, Y = 5, Width = Dim.Fill(2), Secret = true };
+
         var publicCheckbox = new CheckBox
         {
             Text = "Public (visible to all users)",
             X = 1,
-            Y = 5,
+            Y = 7,
             Value = CheckState.Checked
         };
 
         var hintLabel = new Label
         {
-            Text = "Lowercase letters, digits, hyphens, underscores (2-100 chars)",
+            Text = "Name: a-z, 0-9, -, _ (2-100 chars). Empty password = open channel.",
             X = 1,
-            Y = 7,
+            Y = 9,
         };
 
         var createButton = new Button
@@ -40,14 +43,14 @@ public sealed class CreateChannelDialog
             Text = "Create",
             IsDefault = true,
             X = Pos.Center() - 10,
-            Y = 9
+            Y = 11
         };
 
         var cancelButton = new Button
         {
             Text = "Cancel",
             X = Pos.Center() + 5,
-            Y = 9
+            Y = 11
         };
 
         createButton.Accepting += (s, e) =>
@@ -63,8 +66,12 @@ public sealed class CreateChannelDialog
             if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(topic))
                 topic = null;
 
+            var password = passwordField.Text;
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(password))
+                password = null;
+
             var isPublic = publicCheckbox.Value == CheckState.Checked;
-            result = new CreateChannelResult(name, topic, isPublic);
+            result = new CreateChannelResult(name, topic, isPublic, password);
             e.Handled = true;
             app.RequestStop();
         };
@@ -76,7 +83,8 @@ public sealed class CreateChannelDialog
             app.RequestStop();
         };
 
-        dialog.Add(nameLabel, nameField, topicLabel, topicField, publicCheckbox, hintLabel, createButton, cancelButton);
+        dialog.Add(nameLabel, nameField, topicLabel, topicField, passwordLabel, passwordField,
+            publicCheckbox, hintLabel, createButton, cancelButton);
 
         nameField.SetFocus();
         app.Run(dialog);

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/Helpers/DroppedFileParser.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+using System.Text;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.UI.Helpers;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Recognizes a dragged-and-dropped file (or files) that a terminal delivers into the input as an
+/// absolute path. Terminals differ: some paste the whole path at once, others send it character by
+/// character; either way this checks whether the current input text resolves to existing file(s).
+/// </summary>
+public static class DroppedFileParser
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cheap pre-check so callers only stat the filesystem when the input plausibly holds a path:
+    /// a quoted path, a Windows drive path (<c>X:\</c>/<c>X:/</c>), a UNC path (<c>\\</c>), or a
+    /// POSIX absolute path (<c>/</c>). Normal chat text never starts this way.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool LooksLikePath(string text)
+    {
+        var t = text.TrimStart();
+        if (t.Length < 3)
+            return false;
+        if (t[0] is '"' or '/')
+            return true;
+        if (t.StartsWith(@"\\", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            return true;
+        return char.IsLetter(t[0]) && t[1] == ':' && (t[2] == '\\' || t[2] == '/');
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns true when <paramref name="text"/> resolves to one or more existing files.
+    /// Handles a single path (quoted or not, possibly containing spaces) and multiple
+    /// space-separated (optionally quoted) paths. <paramref name="fileExists"/> is injectable
+    /// for testing; production passes <see cref="File.Exists"/>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool TryGetFiles(string text, out List<string> files, Func<string, bool>? fileExists = null)
+    {
+        fileExists ??= File.Exists;
+        files = [];
+
+        var trimmed = text.Trim();
+        if (trimmed.Length < 3 || trimmed.Length > 4096 || trimmed.Contains('\n'))
+            return false;
+
+        // Single path, possibly quoted and/or containing spaces.
+        var unquoted = StripQuotes(trimmed);
+        if (Path.IsPathFullyQualified(unquoted) && fileExists(unquoted))
+        {
+            files.Add(unquoted);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        // Multiple files: space-separated tokens, each optionally quoted.
+        foreach (var token in TokenizeQuoted(trimmed))
+        {
+            if (!Path.IsPathFullyQualified(token) || !fileExists(token))
+            {
+                files.Clear();
+                return false;
+            }
+            files.Add(token);
+        }
+
+        return files.Count > 0;
+    }
+
+    private static string StripQuotes(string s) =>
+        s.Length >= 2 && ((s[0] == '"' && s[^1] == '"') || (s[0] == '\'' && s[^1] == '\''))
+            ? s[1..^1]
+            : s;
+
+    private static IEnumerable<string> TokenizeQuoted(string input)
+    {
+        var current = new StringBuilder();
+        var quote = '\0';
+
+        foreach (var c in input)
+        {
+            if (quote != '\0')
+            {
+                if (c == quote) quote = '\0';
+                else current.Append(c);
+            }
+            else if (c is '"' or '\'')
+            {
+                quote = c;
+            }
+            else if (c == ' ')
+            {
+                if (current.Length > 0)
+                {
+                    yield return current.ToString();
+                    current.Clear();
+                }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                current.Append(c);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (current.Length > 0)
+            yield return current.ToString();
+    }
+}

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

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ public class ChannelListSource : IListDataSource
 {
     private readonly List<string> _channelNames = [];
     private readonly Dictionary<string, int> _unreadCounts = [];
+    private readonly HashSet<string> _protectedChannels = [];
     private string _activeChannel = string.Empty;
 
     public event NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler? CollectionChanged;
@@ -28,13 +29,17 @@ public class ChannelListSource : IListDataSource
     private static readonly Attribute NormalAttr = new(Color.DarkGray, Color.None);
     private static readonly Attribute BadgeAttr = new(Color.BrightYellow, Color.None);
 
-    public void Update(List<string> channels, Dictionary<string, int> unread, string activeChannel)
+    public void Update(List<string> channels, Dictionary<string, int> unread, string activeChannel,
+        IReadOnlySet<string>? protectedChannels = null)
     {
         _channelNames.Clear();
         _channelNames.AddRange(channels);
         _unreadCounts.Clear();
         foreach (var kv in unread)
             _unreadCounts[kv.Key] = kv.Value;
+        _protectedChannels.Clear();
+        if (protectedChannels is not null)
+            _protectedChannels.UnionWith(protectedChannels);
         _activeChannel = activeChannel;
         MaxItemLength = channels.Count > 0 ? channels.Max(c => c.Length + 6) : 0;
         if (!SuspendCollectionChangedEvent)
@@ -57,7 +62,8 @@ public class ChannelListSource : IListDataSource
         var normalAttr = listView.GetAttributeForRole(VisualRole.Normal);
         var focusAttr = listView.GetAttributeForRole(VisualRole.Focus);
         var prefix = isActive ? "> " : "  ";
-        var channelText = $"#{name}";
+        // Trailing * marks password-protected (+k) channels
+        var channelText = _protectedChannels.Contains(name) ? $"#{name}*" : $"#{name}";
         var badge = hasUnread ? $" ({unread})" : "";
 
         // Resolve Transparent backgrounds to the view's actual background

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;
@@ -6,6 +7,7 @@ using EchoHub.Client.UI.Helpers;
 using EchoHub.Client.UI.ListSources;
 using EchoHub.Core.DTOs;
 using EchoHub.Core.Models;
+using Serilog;
 using Terminal.Gui.App;
 using Terminal.Gui.Configuration;
 using Terminal.Gui.Drawing;
@@ -38,7 +40,9 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     private readonly UserListSource _usersListSource;
     private bool _usersPanelVisible = true;
     private const int UsersPanelWidth = 22;
+    private const string DefaultInputTitle = "Message │ Enter=send │ Tab=complete │ Ctrl+K=search │ F6=pick message";
     private static readonly Key F2Key = Key.F2;
+    private bool _hasStagedAttachments;
 
     internal static readonly string AppVersion =
         typeof(MainWindow).Assembly.GetName().Version?.ToString(3) ?? "?";
@@ -48,12 +52,18 @@ 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;
+    private static readonly Key CtrlVKey = Key.V.WithCtrl;
+    private static readonly Key CtrlXKey = Key.X.WithCtrl;
+    private static readonly Key CtrlCKey = Key.C.WithCtrl;
+    private static readonly Key CtrlYKey = Key.Y.WithCtrl;
+    private static readonly Key F6Key = Key.F6;
 
     // Available slash commands for Tab autocomplete
     private static readonly string[] SlashCommands =
     [
         "/status", "/nick", "/color", "/theme", "/send",
-        "/avatar", "/profile", "/servers", "/join", "/leave",
+        "/avatar", "/profile", "/servers", "/join", "/passwd", "/leave", "/clear", "/size", "/downloadpath",
         "/topic", "/users", "/kick", "/ban", "/unban",
         "/mute", "/unmute", "/role", "/nuke", "/test-sound", "/quit", "/help"
     ];
@@ -61,6 +71,7 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     private readonly List<string> _channelNames = [];
     private readonly Dictionary<string, string?> _channelTopics = [];
     private readonly Dictionary<string, bool> _channelPublic = [];
+    private readonly HashSet<string> _channelProtected = [];
     private readonly ChannelListSource _channelListSource;
     private readonly ChatMessageManager _messageManager;
     private string _connectionStatus = "Disconnected";
@@ -116,6 +127,11 @@ 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>
@@ -141,6 +157,16 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     /// </summary>
     public event Action<string, string>? OnFileDownloadRequested;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fired when the user activates an image's "[save original]" line. Parameters: attachmentUrl, fileName.
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action<string, string>? OnImageSaveRequested;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fired when the user presses Delete on the selected message. Parameter is the message id.
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action<Guid>? OnDeleteMessageRequested;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Fired when the user activates a username (in userlist or message). Parameter is the username.
     /// </summary>
@@ -151,11 +177,17 @@ 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 +248,18 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         };
         _messageList.Source = new ChatListSource();
         _messageList.Accepting += OnMessageListAccepting;
+        _messageList.KeyDown += OnMessageListKeyDown;
+        _messageList.MouseEvent += OnMessageListMouseEvent;
+        _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 = DefaultInputTitle,
             X = 22,
             Y = Pos.Bottom(_chatFrame),
             Width = Dim.Fill(UsersPanelWidth),
@@ -237,6 +274,10 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
             Height = Dim.Fill(),
             WordWrap = true
         };
+        // Terminal.Gui binds Ctrl+W to Command.Cut, whose OS clipboard write can throw
+        // Win32Exception when another process holds the clipboard, crashing the app.
+        // Rebind it to delete-word-backward (readline behavior), which never touches the clipboard.
+        _inputField.KeyBindings.ReplaceCommands(Key.W.WithCtrl, Command.KillWordLeft);
         _inputField.KeyDown += OnInputKeyDown;
         _inputField.ContentsChanged += OnInputContentsChanged;
         _inputFrame.Add(_inputField);
@@ -290,6 +331,27 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         KeyDown += OnWindowKeyDown;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Updates the attachment staging indicator shown on the input frame's title, including the
+    /// current ASCII-art size for images. Passing an empty list restores the default hint.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void SetStagedAttachments(IReadOnlyList<string> fileNames, string asciiSizeLabel)
+    {
+        _hasStagedAttachments = fileNames.Count > 0;
+        if (fileNames.Count == 0)
+        {
+            _inputFrame.Title = DefaultInputTitle;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            var names = string.Join(", ", fileNames);
+            if (names.Length > 45)
+                names = names[..42] + "...";
+            _inputFrame.Title = $"📎 {fileNames.Count}: {names} │ art: {asciiSizeLabel} (/size) │ Enter=send │ /clear";
+        }
+        _inputFrame.SetNeedsDraw();
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Applies the currently registered color schemes to all views.
     /// Call after theme changes to refresh colors.
@@ -427,19 +489,26 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         // Audio/file attachments take priority
         if (line.AttachmentUrl is not null && line.AttachmentFileName is not null)
         {
-            if (line.Type == MessageType.Audio)
+            if (line.AttachmentKind == AttachmentKind.Audio)
             {
                 OnAudioPlayRequested?.Invoke(line.AttachmentUrl, line.AttachmentFileName);
                 e.Handled = true;
                 return;
             }
 
-            if (line.Type == MessageType.File)
+            if (line.AttachmentKind == AttachmentKind.File)
             {
                 OnFileDownloadRequested?.Invoke(line.AttachmentUrl, line.AttachmentFileName);
                 e.Handled = true;
                 return;
             }
+
+            if (line.AttachmentKind == AttachmentKind.Image)
+            {
+                OnImageSaveRequested?.Invoke(line.AttachmentUrl, line.AttachmentFileName);
+                e.Handled = true;
+                return;
+            }
         }
 
         var lineText = line.ToString();
@@ -472,6 +541,139 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         }
     }
 
+    private void OnMessageListKeyDown(object? sender, Key e)
+    {
+        // F6 returns focus to the input box.
+        if (e.KeyCode == F6Key.KeyCode)
+        {
+            _inputField.SetFocus();
+            e.Handled = true;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (e.KeyCode != Key.Delete.KeyCode && e.KeyCode != Key.Backspace.KeyCode)
+            return;
+
+        if (_messageList.Source is not ChatListSource source)
+            return;
+
+        var index = _messageList.SelectedItem;
+        if (!index.HasValue || index.Value < 0 || index.Value >= source.Count)
+            return;
+
+        var line = source.GetLine(index.Value);
+        if (line?.MessageId is not { } messageId)
+            return;
+
+        // Server enforces the real permission (own message, or Mod+ over a lower role);
+        // the client just confirms intent and lets the server reject if disallowed.
+        ConfirmDeleteMessage(messageId);
+        e.Handled = true;
+    }
+
+    private void OnMessageListMouseEvent(object? sender, Mouse e)
+    {
+        if (!e.Flags.HasFlag(MouseFlags.RightButtonClicked))
+            return;
+
+        if (_messageList.Source is not ChatListSource source || source.Count == 0 || e.Position is not { } pos)
+            return;
+
+        var index = _messageList.TopItem + pos.Y;
+        if (index < 0 || index >= source.Count)
+            return;
+
+        // Select the right-clicked row (so the menu acts on it and it highlights), then show the menu.
+        _messageList.SelectedItem = index;
+        _messageList.SetFocus();
+
+        var line = source.GetLine(index);
+        if (line is null)
+            return;
+
+        ShowMessageContextMenu(line, e.ScreenPosition);
+        e.Handled = true;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Builds and shows a right-click context menu for a message line: attachment actions,
+    /// mention/profile for the sender, copy, and delete (permission enforced server-side).
+    /// </summary>
+    private void ShowMessageContextMenu(ChatLine line, System.Drawing.Point screenPosition)
+    {
+        var items = new List<View>();
+        var sender = line.SenderUsername;
+
+        if (line.AttachmentKind is { } kind && line.AttachmentUrl is { } url && line.AttachmentFileName is { } name)
+        {
+            switch (kind)
+            {
+                case AttachmentKind.Image:
+                    items.Add(new MenuItem("Save original image", "", () => OnImageSaveRequested?.Invoke(url, name), Key.Empty));
+                    break;
+                case AttachmentKind.Audio:
+                    items.Add(new MenuItem("Play audio", "", () => OnAudioPlayRequested?.Invoke(url, name), Key.Empty));
+                    break;
+                default:
+                    items.Add(new MenuItem("Download file", "", () => OnFileDownloadRequested?.Invoke(url, name), Key.Empty));
+                    break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (sender is not null)
+        {
+            items.Add(new MenuItem($"Mention @{sender}", "", () => MentionUser(sender), Key.Empty));
+            items.Add(new MenuItem($"View {sender}'s profile", "", () => OnUserProfileRequested?.Invoke(sender), Key.Empty));
+        }
+
+        items.Add(new MenuItem("Copy text", "", () => CopyToClipboard(line.ToString()), Key.Empty));
+
+        if (line.MessageId is { } messageId)
+        {
+            items.Add(new MenuItem("Copy message ID", "", () => CopyToClipboard(messageId.ToString()), Key.Empty));
+            items.Add(new Line());
+            items.Add(new MenuItem("Delete message", "", () => ConfirmDeleteMessage(messageId), Key.Empty));
+        }
+
+        if (items.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        var menu = new PopoverMenu(items);
+        _app.Popovers?.Register(menu);
+        menu.MakeVisible(screenPosition);
+    }
+
+    private void MentionUser(string username)
+    {
+        _inputField.InsertText($"@{username} ");
+        _inputField.SetFocus();
+    }
+
+    private void CopyToClipboard(string text)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            _app.Clipboard?.TrySetClipboardData(text);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Warning(ex, "Copy to clipboard failed");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void ConfirmDeleteMessage(Guid messageId)
+    {
+        var confirm = MessageBox.Query(_app, "Delete Message", "Delete this message?", "Delete", "Cancel");
+        if (confirm == 0)
+            OnDeleteMessageRequested?.Invoke(messageId);
+    }
+
+    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;
@@ -501,7 +703,9 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         else if (e.KeyCode == EnterKey.KeyCode)
         {
             var text = _inputField.Text?.Trim() ?? string.Empty;
-            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(text) && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_messageManager.CurrentChannel))
+            // Send when there's text, or when only attachments are staged (empty caption).
+            if ((!string.IsNullOrEmpty(text) || _hasStagedAttachments)
+                && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_messageManager.CurrentChannel))
             {
                 OnMessageSubmitted?.Invoke(_messageManager.CurrentChannel, text);
                 _inputField.Text = string.Empty;
@@ -513,6 +717,56 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
             _app.RequestStop();
             e.Handled = true;
         }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == CtrlKKey.KeyCode)
+        {
+            ShowSearchDialog();
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == F6Key.KeyCode)
+        {
+            // Move focus into the message list so you can select a message (arrows) and
+            // delete it (Delete). F6 again returns focus here. (Esc is the app quit key.)
+            FocusMessageList();
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == CtrlVKey.KeyCode || e.KeyCode == CtrlYKey.KeyCode)
+        {
+            // If a file was copied in the OS file manager, the clipboard holds a file list
+            // (not text) — attach it. Otherwise paste text. This is the reliable path on
+            // Windows Terminal, which never pastes copied files as text.
+            if (ClipboardFiles.TryGetFiles(out var pastedFiles))
+                StageFiles(pastedFiles);
+            else
+                GuardedClipboardAction(() => _inputField.Paste(), "paste");
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == CtrlXKey.KeyCode)
+        {
+            GuardedClipboardAction(() => _inputField.Cut(), "cut");
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == CtrlCKey.KeyCode)
+        {
+            GuardedClipboardAction(() => _inputField.Copy(), "copy");
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Runs a clipboard-backed edit action, swallowing transient OS clipboard failures
+    /// (e.g. another process holding the Windows clipboard) that would otherwise
+    /// propagate out of the input loop and crash the app.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void GuardedClipboardAction(Action action, string operation)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            action();
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Log.Warning(ex, "Clipboard {Operation} failed", operation);
+        }
     }
 
     private bool _suppressEmojiReplace;
@@ -526,6 +780,27 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(text))
             return;
 
+        // A file dropped onto the terminal is delivered as its absolute path inserted into the
+        // input — often character by character (this Terminal.Gui build has no bracketed-paste
+        // coalescing). As soon as the input resolves to existing file path(s), route them
+        // through /send (which stages them) instead of leaving a raw path to be sent as a message.
+        if (DroppedFileParser.LooksLikePath(text) && DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles(text, out var droppedFiles)
+            && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_messageManager.CurrentChannel))
+        {
+            _suppressEmojiReplace = true;
+            try
+            {
+                _inputField.Text = string.Empty;
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                _suppressEmojiReplace = false;
+            }
+
+            StageFiles(droppedFiles);
+            return;
+        }
+
         var replaced = EmojiHelper.ReplaceEmoji(text);
         if (replaced == text)
             return;
@@ -535,9 +810,15 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         var newCol = Math.Max(0, _inputField.CurrentColumn + lengthDelta);
 
         _suppressEmojiReplace = true;
-        _inputField.Text = replaced;
+        try
-        _inputField.InsertionPoint = new System.Drawing.Point(newCol, _inputField.CurrentRow);
+        {
-        _suppressEmojiReplace = false;
+            _inputField.Text = replaced;
+            _inputField.InsertionPoint = new System.Drawing.Point(newCol, _inputField.CurrentRow);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _suppressEmojiReplace = false;
+        }
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -572,6 +853,23 @@ 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);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Routes files (from a drop or a file-clipboard paste) through the /send pipeline, which
+    /// stages them; the next Enter sends them with any typed caption.
+    /// </summary>
+    private void StageFiles(IEnumerable<string> files)
+    {
+        var channel = _messageManager.CurrentChannel;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel))
+            return;
+
+        foreach (var file in files)
+            OnMessageSubmitted?.Invoke(channel, $"/send \"{file}\"");
     }
 
     private void OnChatViewportChanged()
@@ -597,6 +895,16 @@ 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 +915,26 @@ 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>
@@ -615,11 +943,14 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         _channelNames.Clear();
         _channelTopics.Clear();
         _channelPublic.Clear();
+        _channelProtected.Clear();
         foreach (var ch in channels)
         {
             _channelNames.Add(ch.Name);
             _channelTopics[ch.Name] = ch.Topic;
             _channelPublic[ch.Name] = ch.IsPublic;
+            if (ch.IsProtected)
+                _channelProtected.Add(ch.Name);
         }
         RefreshChannelList();
     }
@@ -627,13 +958,23 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     /// <summary>
     /// Ensure a channel exists in the left panel list (used for private channels joined via /join).
     /// </summary>
-    public void EnsureChannelInList(string channelName, bool? isPublic = null)
+    public void EnsureChannelInList(string channelName, bool? isPublic = null, bool? isProtected = null)
     {
         if (isPublic.HasValue)
             _channelPublic[channelName] = isPublic.Value;
 
+        if (isProtected.HasValue)
+        {
+            if (isProtected.Value) _channelProtected.Add(channelName);
+            else _channelProtected.Remove(channelName);
+        }
+
         if (_channelNames.Contains(channelName))
+        {
+            if (isProtected.HasValue)
+                RefreshChannelList();
             return;
+        }
 
         _channelNames.Add(channelName);
         RefreshChannelList();
@@ -647,6 +988,7 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         _channelNames.Remove(channelName);
         _channelTopics.Remove(channelName);
         _channelPublic.Remove(channelName);
+        _channelProtected.Remove(channelName);
         RefreshChannelList();
     }
 
@@ -732,6 +1074,8 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         {
             _channelPublic.TryGetValue(currentChannel, out var isPublic);
             var typeSuffix = isPublic ? "public" : "private";
+            if (_channelProtected.Contains(currentChannel))
+                typeSuffix += " +k";
             Write($" \u2502 #{currentChannel} - {typeSuffix}", normalAttr);
         }
 
@@ -795,6 +1139,7 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         _messageManager.ClearAll();
         _channelTopics.Clear();
         _channelPublic.Clear();
+        _channelProtected.Clear();
         _channelListSource.Update([], [], string.Empty);
         _channelList.Source = _channelListSource;
         _chatFrame.Title = "Chat";
@@ -814,6 +1159,26 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         _inputField.SetFocus();
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Moves focus into the message list for selection (arrows) and deletion (Delete). Selects the
+    /// most recent message when nothing is selected. No-op when the channel has no messages.
+    /// </summary>
+    private void FocusMessageList()
+    {
+        if (_messageList.Source is not ChatListSource source || source.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        if (!_messageList.SelectedItem.HasValue
+            || _messageList.SelectedItem < 0
+            || _messageList.SelectedItem >= source.Count)
+        {
+            _messageList.SelectedItem = source.Count - 1;
+        }
+
+        _messageList.SetFocus();
+        _messageList.SetNeedsDraw();
+    }
+
     private void RefreshMessages()
     {
         var messages = _messageManager.GetMessages(_messageManager.CurrentChannel);
@@ -855,7 +1220,7 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     /// </summary>
     private void RefreshChannelList()
     {
-        _channelListSource.Update(_channelNames, _messageManager.GetUnreadCounts(), _messageManager.CurrentChannel);
+        _channelListSource.Update(_channelNames, _messageManager.GetUnreadCounts(), _messageManager.CurrentChannel, _channelProtected);
         _channelList.Source = _channelListSource;
 
         // Restore selection to current channel

src/EchoHub.Core/Constants/HubConstants.cs

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ public static class HubConstants
     public const int MaxFileSizeBytes = 100 * 1024 * 1024; // 100 MB
     public const int MaxAvatarSizeBytes = 2 * 1024 * 1024; // 2 MB
     public const int MaxMessageNewlines = 30;
+    public const int MaxAttachmentsPerMessage = 10;
     public const int MaxConsecutiveNewlines = 1;
     public const int AsciiArtWidth = 80;
     public const int AsciiArtHeight = 40;

src/EchoHub.Core/Constants/ValidationConstants.cs

@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@ public static partial class ValidationConstants
     public const string HexColorPattern = @"^#[0-9a-fA-F]{6}$";
 
     public const int MaxPasswordLength = 128;
+    public const int MinChannelPasswordLength = 3;
     public const int MaxDisplayNameLength = 100;
     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/IChannelService.cs

@@ -6,17 +6,23 @@ public interface IChannelService
 {
     // Channel CRUD
     Task<PaginatedResponse<ChannelDto>> GetChannelsAsync(Guid userId, int offset, int limit);
-    Task<ChannelOperationResult> CreateChannelAsync(Guid creatorUserId, string name, string? topic, bool isPublic);
+    Task<ChannelOperationResult> CreateChannelAsync(Guid creatorUserId, string name, string? topic, bool isPublic,
+        string? password = null, string? encryptionSalt = null, string? wrappedRoomKey = null);
     Task<ChannelOperationResult> UpdateTopicAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName, string? topic);
+    Task<ChannelOperationResult> SetChannelPasswordAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName, string? password);
+    Task<ChannelOperationResult> RekeyChannelAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName,
+        string oldPassword, string newPassword, string newEncryptionSalt, string newWrappedRoomKey);
     Task<ChannelOperationResult> DeleteChannelAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName);
 
     // Channel queries
     Task<(string? Topic, bool Exists)> GetChannelTopicAsync(string channelName);
     Task<List<ChannelListItem>> GetChannelListAsync();
     Task<ChannelDto?> GetChannelByNameAsync(string channelName);
+    Task<ChannelCryptoDto?> GetChannelCryptoAsync(string channelName);
+    Task<(string? EncryptionSalt, string? WrappedRoomKey)> GetChannelKeyEnvelopeAsync(string channelName);
 
     // Membership
-    Task<(bool Success, string? Error)> EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(Guid userId, string channelName);
+    Task<(bool Success, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired)> EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(Guid userId, string channelName, string? password = null);
 }
 
-public record ChannelListItem(string Name, string? Topic, int OnlineCount);
+public record ChannelListItem(string Name, string? Topic, int OnlineCount, bool IsPublic = true, bool IsProtected = false);

src/EchoHub.Core/Contracts/IChatService.cs

@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@ public interface IChatService
     Task<string?> UserDisconnectedAsync(string connectionId);
 
     // Channel operations
-    Task<(List<MessageDto> History, string? Error)> JoinChannelAsync(string connectionId, Guid userId, string username, string channelName);
+    Task<(List<MessageDto> History, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired)> JoinChannelAsync(string connectionId, Guid userId, string username, string channelName, string? password = null);
     Task LeaveChannelAsync(string connectionId, string username, string channelName);
 
     // 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.Core/DTOs/ChatDtos.cs

@@ -8,20 +8,31 @@ public record MessageDto(
     string SenderUsername,
     string? SenderNicknameColor,
     string ChannelName,
-    MessageType Type,
-    string? AttachmentUrl,
-    string? AttachmentFileName,
     DateTimeOffset SentAt,
-    long? AttachmentFileSize = null,
+    List<AttachmentDto>? Attachments = null,
     List<EmbedDto>? Embeds = null);
 
+/// <summary>
+/// A file attached to a message. <see cref="AsciiPreview"/> holds the color-tag art for
+/// images (null otherwise). For end-to-end encrypted channels the content behind
+/// <see cref="Url"/> and the preview are ciphertext the server cannot read.
+/// </summary>
+public record AttachmentDto(
+    AttachmentKind Kind,
+    string Url,
+    string FileName,
+    long FileSize,
+    string? AsciiPreview = null);
+
 public record ChannelDto(
     Guid Id,
     string Name,
     string? Topic,
     bool IsPublic,
     int MessageCount,
-    DateTimeOffset CreatedAt);
+    DateTimeOffset CreatedAt,
+    bool IsProtected = false,
+    bool IsEncrypted = false);
 
 public record UserDto(
     Guid Id,
@@ -33,13 +44,41 @@ public record UserDto(
 
 public record SendMessageRequest(string ChannelName, string Content);
 
-public record CreateChannelRequest(string Name, string? Topic = null, bool IsPublic = true);
+public record CreateChannelRequest(
+    string Name,
+    string? Topic = null,
+    bool IsPublic = true,
+    string? Password = null,
+    string? EncryptionSalt = null,
+    string? WrappedRoomKey = null);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Public crypto metadata for a channel — enough for a client to derive its join
+/// credential from a passphrase. Never includes the wrapped room key.
+/// </summary>
+public record ChannelCryptoDto(bool IsEncrypted, string? EncryptionSalt);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Passphrase change for an encrypted channel: the client proves knowledge of the old
+/// passphrase (old auth key), then supplies the re-wrapped room key under the new one.
+/// </summary>
+public record RekeyChannelRequest(
+    string OldPassword,
+    string NewPassword,
+    string NewEncryptionSalt,
+    string NewWrappedRoomKey);
 
 public record UpdateTopicRequest(string? Topic);
 
 public record SendUrlRequest(string Url);
 
-public record JoinChannelResult(bool Success, List<MessageDto> History, string? Error = null);
+public record JoinChannelResult(
+    bool Success,
+    List<MessageDto> History,
+    string? Error = null,
+    bool PasswordRequired = false,
+    string? EncryptionSalt = null,
+    string? WrappedRoomKey = null);
 
 public record EmbedDto(
     string? SiteName,

src/EchoHub.Core/EchoHub.Core.csproj

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
 
   <PropertyGroup>
     <TargetFramework>net10.0</TargetFramework>
@@ -6,4 +6,8 @@
     <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
   </PropertyGroup>
 
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <PackageReference Include="SixLabors.ImageSharp" Version="3.1.12" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+
 </Project>

src/EchoHub.Core/Models/Attachment.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+namespace EchoHub.Core.Models;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// A file attached to a message (image, audio, or any file). A message may carry
+/// zero or more attachments alongside its text content (Discord-style).
+/// </summary>
+public class Attachment
+{
+    public Guid Id { get; set; }
+    public Guid MessageId { get; set; }
+    public Message? Message { get; set; }
+
+    public AttachmentKind Kind { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>Relative download URL, e.g. <c>/api/files/{fileId}</c>.</summary>
+    public required string Url { get; set; }
+    public required string FileName { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>Stored blob size in bytes (ciphertext size for encrypted channels).</summary>
+    public long FileSize { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Rendered ASCII-art preview for images (color-tag format). Null for audio/files.
+    /// Stored encrypted-at-rest when database encryption is enabled, and room-encrypted
+    /// for end-to-end encrypted channels.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string? AsciiPreview { get; set; }
+}

src/EchoHub.Core/Models/AttachmentKind.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+namespace EchoHub.Core.Models;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The kind of a message attachment. Determines how the client renders it
+/// (ASCII preview for images, a play affordance for audio, a download line for files).
+/// </summary>
+public enum AttachmentKind
+{
+    Image,
+    Audio,
+    File
+}

src/EchoHub.Core/Models/Channel.cs

@@ -6,6 +6,13 @@ public class Channel
     public required string Name { get; set; }
     public string? Topic { get; set; }
     public bool IsPublic { get; set; } = true;
+    public string? PasswordHash { get; set; }
+
+    // End-to-end encryption envelope (client-generated; server cannot decrypt room content).
+    // EncryptionSalt: PBKDF2 salt for passphrase-derived keys. WrappedRoomKey: the room
+    // content key encrypted under the passphrase-derived key-encryption key.
+    public string? EncryptionSalt { get; set; }
+    public string? WrappedRoomKey { get; set; }
     public DateTimeOffset CreatedAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
     public Guid CreatedByUserId { get; set; }
 

src/EchoHub.Core/Models/Message.cs

@@ -3,11 +3,10 @@ namespace EchoHub.Core.Models;
 public class Message
 {
     public Guid Id { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>The message text/caption. May be empty when the message only carries attachments.</summary>
     public required string Content { get; set; }
-    public MessageType Type { get; set; } = MessageType.Text;
+
-    public string? AttachmentUrl { get; set; }
-    public string? AttachmentFileName { get; set; }
-    public long? AttachmentFileSize { get; set; }
     public string? EmbedJson { get; set; }
     public DateTimeOffset SentAt { get; set; } = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
 
@@ -16,4 +15,16 @@ public class Message
 
     public Guid SenderUserId { get; set; }
     public required string SenderUsername { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>Files attached to this message. Empty for a plain text message.</summary>
+    public List<Attachment> Attachments { get; set; } = [];
+
+    // ── Legacy columns (pre-attachments model) ──────────────────────────────
+    // Retained so the one-time startup data migration can fold old single-attachment
+    // messages into Attachments. New code never writes these; they are nulled out
+    // once migrated. Not exposed in DTOs. See DataMigrationService.MigrateLegacyAttachmentsAsync.
+    public MessageType Type { get; set; } = MessageType.Text;
+    public string? AttachmentUrl { get; set; }
+    public string? AttachmentFileName { get; set; }
+    public long? AttachmentFileSize { get; set; }
 }

src/EchoHub.Core/Security/RoomCrypto.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+using System.Security.Cryptography;
+using System.Text;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Core.Security;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Client-side envelope encryption for private (end-to-end encrypted) channels.
+///
+/// Design: at creation the client generates a random 256-bit room content key (RCK)
+/// that encrypts all room content. The RCK is stored on the server *wrapped*
+/// (AES-GCM encrypted) by a key derived from the passphrase, next to a BCrypt hash
+/// of a separately derived auth key used as the join gate. The passphrase, the
+/// key-encryption key, and the RCK never leave the client, so the server can gate
+/// joins and count/measure content without being able to read it. Changing the
+/// passphrase only re-wraps the RCK — history is never re-encrypted.
+///
+/// Derivation: PBKDF2-SHA256(passphrase, salt, 210000 iterations) → 64 bytes;
+/// first 32 bytes are the auth key (sent to the server as lowercase hex),
+/// last 32 bytes are the key-encryption key (never sent).
+/// </summary>
+public static class RoomCrypto
+{
+    public const string CiphertextPrefix = "$RC1$";
+
+    private const int Pbkdf2Iterations = 210_000;
+    private const int SaltSizeBytes = 16;
+    private const int KeySizeBytes = 32;
+    private const int NonceSizeBytes = 12;
+    private const int TagSizeBytes = 16;
+
+    public sealed record DerivedKeys(string AuthKeyHex, byte[] KeyEncryptionKey);
+
+    public static byte[] GenerateSalt() => RandomNumberGenerator.GetBytes(SaltSizeBytes);
+
+    public static byte[] GenerateRoomKey() => RandomNumberGenerator.GetBytes(KeySizeBytes);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Derives the auth key (join gate credential) and key-encryption key from a passphrase.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static DerivedKeys DeriveKeys(string passphrase, byte[] salt)
+    {
+        var okm = Rfc2898DeriveBytes.Pbkdf2(
+            Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(passphrase), salt, Pbkdf2Iterations,
+            HashAlgorithmName.SHA256, KeySizeBytes * 2);
+
+        var authKey = Convert.ToHexString(okm.AsSpan(0, KeySizeBytes)).ToLowerInvariant();
+        var kek = okm[KeySizeBytes..];
+        CryptographicOperations.ZeroMemory(okm.AsSpan(0, KeySizeBytes));
+        return new DerivedKeys(authKey, kek);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Encrypts UTF-8 text with the room key. Output: $RC1$base64(nonce||tag||ciphertext).</summary>
+    public static string EncryptText(string plaintext, byte[] key) =>
+        CiphertextPrefix + Convert.ToBase64String(EncryptBytes(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(plaintext), key));
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Decrypts text produced by <see cref="EncryptText"/>. Returns false when the input
+    /// is not room ciphertext or the key does not match.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool TryDecryptText(string content, byte[] key, out string plaintext)
+    {
+        plaintext = string.Empty;
+        if (!IsRoomCiphertext(content))
+            return false;
+
+        try
+        {
+            var blob = Convert.FromBase64String(content[CiphertextPrefix.Length..]);
+            plaintext = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(DecryptBytes(blob, key));
+            return true;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is FormatException or CryptographicException or ArgumentException)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static bool IsRoomCiphertext(string? content) =>
+        content is not null && content.StartsWith(CiphertextPrefix, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+
+    /// <summary>Encrypts a binary blob (file contents) with the room key: nonce||tag||ciphertext.</summary>
+    public static byte[] EncryptBytes(byte[] plaintext, byte[] key)
+    {
+        var nonce = RandomNumberGenerator.GetBytes(NonceSizeBytes);
+        var ciphertext = new byte[plaintext.Length];
+        var tag = new byte[TagSizeBytes];
+
+        using var aes = new AesGcm(key, TagSizeBytes);
+        aes.Encrypt(nonce, plaintext, ciphertext, tag);
+
+        var blob = new byte[NonceSizeBytes + TagSizeBytes + ciphertext.Length];
+        nonce.CopyTo(blob, 0);
+        tag.CopyTo(blob, NonceSizeBytes);
+        ciphertext.CopyTo(blob, NonceSizeBytes + TagSizeBytes);
+        return blob;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Decrypts a blob produced by <see cref="EncryptBytes"/>. Throws <see cref="CryptographicException"/> on key mismatch.</summary>
+    public static byte[] DecryptBytes(byte[] blob, byte[] key)
+    {
+        if (blob.Length < NonceSizeBytes + TagSizeBytes)
+            throw new CryptographicException("Ciphertext blob is too short.");
+
+        var nonce = blob.AsSpan(0, NonceSizeBytes);
+        var tag = blob.AsSpan(NonceSizeBytes, TagSizeBytes);
+        var ciphertext = blob.AsSpan(NonceSizeBytes + TagSizeBytes);
+        var plaintext = new byte[ciphertext.Length];
+
+        using var aes = new AesGcm(key, TagSizeBytes);
+        aes.Decrypt(nonce, ciphertext, tag, plaintext);
+        return plaintext;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Wraps the room content key under the key-encryption key for server storage.</summary>
+    public static string WrapRoomKey(byte[] roomKey, byte[] kek) =>
+        Convert.ToBase64String(EncryptBytes(roomKey, kek));
+
+    /// <summary>Unwraps the stored room content key. Returns false when the KEK (passphrase) is wrong.</summary>
+    public static bool TryUnwrapRoomKey(string wrappedRoomKey, byte[] kek, out byte[] roomKey)
+    {
+        roomKey = [];
+        try
+        {
+            roomKey = DecryptBytes(Convert.FromBase64String(wrappedRoomKey), kek);
+            return roomKey.Length == KeySizeBytes;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is FormatException or CryptographicException or ArgumentException)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Core/Services/FileValidationHelper.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-namespace EchoHub.Server.Services;
+namespace EchoHub.Core.Services;
 
 public static class FileValidationHelper
 {

src/EchoHub.Core/Services/ImageToAsciiService.cs

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ using SixLabors.ImageSharp;
 using SixLabors.ImageSharp.PixelFormats;
 using SixLabors.ImageSharp.Processing;
 
-namespace EchoHub.Server.Services;
+namespace EchoHub.Core.Services;
 
 public class ImageToAsciiService
 {

src/EchoHub.Server.Irc/IrcCommandHandler.cs

@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ public sealed class IrcCommandHandler
         await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_MYINFO,
             $"{ServerName} EchoHub-IRC o o");
         await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_ISUPPORT,
-            "CHANTYPES=# NICKLEN=50 CHANNELLEN=100 :are supported by this server");
+            "CHANTYPES=# CHANMODES=b,k,, NICKLEN=50 CHANNELLEN=100 :are supported by this server");
 
         await SendMotdAsync();
     }
@@ -371,8 +371,17 @@ public sealed class IrcCommandHandler
 
         var channels = msg.Parameters[0].Split(',', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);
 
-        foreach (var rawChannel in channels)
+        // RFC 1459: optional second parameter carries comma-separated channel keys,
+        // paired with channels by position (JOIN #a,#b key1,key2).
+        var keys = msg.Parameters.Count > 1
+            ? msg.Parameters[1].Split(',')
+            : [];
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < channels.Length; i++)
         {
+            var rawChannel = channels[i];
+            var key = i < keys.Length && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(keys[i]) ? keys[i] : null;
+
             var channelName = IrcToEchoHubChannel(rawChannel);
             if (channelName is null)
             {
@@ -381,13 +390,31 @@ public sealed class IrcCommandHandler
                 continue;
             }
 
-            var (history, error) = await _chatService.JoinChannelAsync(
+            // End-to-end encrypted channels can't be read over IRC (the gateway would
-                _conn.ConnectionId, _conn.UserId!.Value, _conn.Nickname!, channelName);
+            // have to hold the room key server-side, defeating the privacy guarantee).
+            var crypto = await _channelService.GetChannelCryptoAsync(channelName);
+            if (crypto?.IsEncrypted == true)
+            {
+                await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_BADCHANNELKEY,
+                    $"#{channelName} :Cannot join channel — end-to-end encrypted, use the EchoHub client");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            var (history, error, passwordRequired) = await _chatService.JoinChannelAsync(
+                _conn.ConnectionId, _conn.UserId!.Value, _conn.Nickname!, channelName, key);
 
             if (error is not null)
             {
-                await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL,
+                if (passwordRequired)
-                    $"#{channelName} :{error}");
+                {
+                    await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_BADCHANNELKEY,
+                        $"#{channelName} :Cannot join channel (+k) — {error}");
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL,
+                        $"#{channelName} :{error}");
+                }
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -512,8 +539,22 @@ public sealed class IrcCommandHandler
         }
         else
         {
-            await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_CHANOPRIVSNEEDED,
+            var topic = msg.Parameters[1];
-                $"#{channelName} :Topic can only be changed by the channel creator via the API");
+            var result = await _channelService.UpdateTopicAsync(
+                _conn.UserId!.Value, channelName, string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(topic) ? null : topic);
+
+            if (!result.IsSuccess)
+            {
+                var numeric = result.Error == ChannelError.NotFound
+                    ? IrcNumericReply.ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL
+                    : IrcNumericReply.ERR_CHANOPRIVSNEEDED;
+                await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, numeric, $"#{channelName} :{result.ErrorMessage}");
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Notify SignalR clients and echo the change back to the IRC client
+            await _chatService.BroadcastChannelUpdatedAsync(result.Channel!, channelName);
+            await _conn.SendAsync($":{_conn.Hostmask} TOPIC #{channelName} :{result.Channel!.Topic ?? ""}");
         }
     }
 
@@ -627,10 +668,12 @@ public sealed class IrcCommandHandler
 
         var channels = await _channelService.GetChannelListAsync();
 
-        foreach (var ch in channels)
+        // Private channels are hidden from discovery, matching the SignalR client's channel list
+        foreach (var ch in channels.Where(c => c.IsPublic))
         {
+            var lockHint = ch.IsProtected ? "[+k] " : "";
             await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_LIST,
-                $"#{ch.Name} {ch.OnlineCount} :{ch.Topic ?? ""}");
+                $"#{ch.Name} {ch.OnlineCount} :{lockHint}{ch.Topic ?? ""}");
         }
 
         await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_LISTEND,
@@ -644,15 +687,94 @@ public sealed class IrcCommandHandler
 
         var target = msg.Parameters[0];
 
-        if (target.StartsWith('#'))
+        if (!target.StartsWith('#'))
-        {
-            await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_CHANNELMODEIS,
-                $"{target} +");
-        }
-        else
         {
             await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_UMODEIS, "+");
+            return;
         }
+
+        var channelName = IrcToEchoHubChannel(target);
+        if (channelName is null)
+        {
+            await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL,
+                $"{target} :No such channel");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Query: MODE #channel
+        if (msg.Parameters.Count == 1)
+        {
+            var channel = await _channelService.GetChannelByNameAsync(channelName);
+            if (channel is null)
+            {
+                await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL,
+                    $"#{channelName} :No such channel");
+                return;
+            }
+
+            await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_CHANNELMODEIS,
+                $"#{channelName} {(channel.IsProtected ? "+k" : "+")}");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var modes = msg.Parameters[1];
+
+        // Clients commonly probe the ban list on join — reply with an empty list
+        if (modes is "b" or "+b")
+        {
+            await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.RPL_ENDOFBANLIST,
+                $"#{channelName} :End of channel ban list");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        switch (modes)
+        {
+            case "+k":
+                if (msg.Parameters.Count < 3)
+                {
+                    await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS,
+                        "MODE :Not enough parameters");
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                var key = msg.Parameters[2];
+                var setResult = await _channelService.SetChannelPasswordAsync(_conn.UserId!.Value, channelName, key);
+                if (!setResult.IsSuccess)
+                {
+                    await SendModeErrorAsync(channelName, setResult);
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                await _conn.SendAsync($":{_conn.Hostmask} MODE #{channelName} +k {key}");
+                return;
+
+            case "-k":
+                var clearResult = await _channelService.SetChannelPasswordAsync(_conn.UserId!.Value, channelName, null);
+                if (!clearResult.IsSuccess)
+                {
+                    await SendModeErrorAsync(channelName, clearResult);
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                await _conn.SendAsync($":{_conn.Hostmask} MODE #{channelName} -k *");
+                return;
+
+            default:
+                await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, IrcNumericReply.ERR_UNKNOWNMODE,
+                    $"{modes} :is unknown mode char to me for #{channelName}");
+                return;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task SendModeErrorAsync(string channelName, ChannelOperationResult result)
+    {
+        var numeric = result.Error switch
+        {
+            ChannelError.NotFound => IrcNumericReply.ERR_NOSUCHCHANNEL,
+            ChannelError.Forbidden => IrcNumericReply.ERR_CHANOPRIVSNEEDED,
+            _ => IrcNumericReply.ERR_KEYSET,
+        };
+        await _conn.SendNumericAsync(ServerName, numeric, $"#{channelName} :{result.ErrorMessage}");
     }
 
     private async Task HandlePingAsync(IrcMessage msg)

src/EchoHub.Server.Irc/IrcMessageFormatter.cs

@@ -18,40 +18,49 @@ public static partial class IrcMessageFormatter
         var ircChannel = $"#{message.ChannelName}";
         var prefix = $":{message.SenderUsername}!{message.SenderUsername}@echohub";
 
-        switch (message.Type)
+        // Caption text first (may be empty when the message is attachments-only)
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(message.Content))
         {
-            case MessageType.Text:
+            foreach (var chunk in SplitMessage(message.Content, MaxIrcLineContentBytes))
-                foreach (var chunk in SplitMessage(message.Content, MaxIrcLineContentBytes))
+                lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :{chunk}");
-                    lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :{chunk}");
+        }
 
-                // Append embed previews if present
+        // One block per attachment
-                if (message.Embeds is { Count: > 0 })
+        if (message.Attachments is { Count: > 0 })
+        {
+            foreach (var attachment in message.Attachments)
+            {
+                switch (attachment.Kind)
                 {
-                    foreach (var embed in message.Embeds)
+                    case AttachmentKind.Image:
-                        lines.AddRange(FormatEmbed(prefix, ircChannel, embed));
+                        lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :[Image: {attachment.FileName}] {attachment.Url}");
+                        if (attachment.AsciiPreview is not null)
+                        {
+                            foreach (var line in attachment.AsciiPreview.Split('\n'))
+                            {
+                                var trimmed = line.TrimEnd('\r');
+                                if (trimmed.Length > 0)
+                                    lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :{ColorTagsToAnsi(trimmed)}");
+                            }
+                        }
+                        break;
+
+                    case AttachmentKind.Audio:
+                        lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :\u266a [Audio: {attachment.FileName}] {attachment.Url}");
+                        break;
+
+                    default:
+                        lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :[File: {attachment.FileName}] {attachment.Url}");
+                        break;
                 }
-                break;
+            }
+        }
 
-            case MessageType.Image:
+        // Append embed previews if present
-                lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :[Image: {message.AttachmentFileName}]");
+        if (message.Embeds is { Count: > 0 })
-                if (message.AttachmentUrl is not null)
+        {
-                    lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :Download: {message.AttachmentUrl}");
+            foreach (var embed in message.Embeds)
-
+                lines.AddRange(FormatEmbed(prefix, ircChannel, embed));
-                foreach (var line in message.Content.Split('\n'))
-                {
-                    var trimmed = line.TrimEnd('\r');
-                    if (trimmed.Length > 0)
-                        lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :{ColorTagsToAnsi(trimmed)}");
-                }
-                break;
-
-            case MessageType.File:
-                lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :[File: {message.AttachmentFileName}] {message.AttachmentUrl}");
-                break;
-
-            case MessageType.Audio:
-                lines.Add($"{prefix} PRIVMSG {ircChannel} :\u266a [Audio: {message.AttachmentFileName}] {message.AttachmentUrl}");
-                break;
         }
 
         return lines;

src/EchoHub.Server.Irc/IrcNumericReply.cs

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ public static class IrcNumericReply
     // MODE
     public const string RPL_CHANNELMODEIS = "324";
     public const string RPL_UMODEIS = "221";
+    public const string RPL_ENDOFBANLIST = "368";
 
     // Errors
     public const string ERR_NOSUCHNICK = "401";
@@ -56,6 +57,9 @@ public static class IrcNumericReply
     public const string ERR_NEEDMOREPARAMS = "461";
     public const string ERR_ALREADYREGISTERED = "462";
     public const string ERR_PASSWDMISMATCH = "464";
+    public const string ERR_KEYSET = "467";
+    public const string ERR_UNKNOWNMODE = "472";
+    public const string ERR_BADCHANNELKEY = "475";
     public const string ERR_CHANOPRIVSNEEDED = "482";
 
     // SASL

src/EchoHub.Server/Controllers/ChannelsController.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 using System.Security.Claims;
 using EchoHub.Core.Constants;
 using EchoHub.Core.Contracts;
+using EchoHub.Core.Security;
+using EchoHub.Core.Services;
 using EchoHub.Core.DTOs;
 using EchoHub.Core.Models;
 using EchoHub.Server.Data;
@@ -65,7 +67,8 @@ public class ChannelsController : ControllerBase
             return Unauthorized(new ErrorResponse("Authentication required."));
 
         var result = await _channelService.CreateChannelAsync(
-            Guid.Parse(userIdClaim), request.Name, request.Topic, request.IsPublic);
+            Guid.Parse(userIdClaim), request.Name, request.Topic, request.IsPublic, request.Password,
+            request.EncryptionSalt, request.WrappedRoomKey);
         if (!result.IsSuccess)
             return MapChannelError(result);
 
@@ -75,6 +78,43 @@ public class ChannelsController : ControllerBase
         return Created($"/api/channels/{result.Channel.Name}", result.Channel);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Public crypto metadata for a channel: whether it is end-to-end encrypted and the
+    /// PBKDF2 salt clients need to derive their join credential. Never returns the
+    /// wrapped room key — that is only handed out after a successful join.
+    /// </summary>
+    [HttpGet("{channel}/crypto")]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> GetChannelCrypto(string channel)
+    {
+        var crypto = await _channelService.GetChannelCryptoAsync(channel);
+        if (crypto is null)
+            return NotFound(new ErrorResponse($"Channel '{channel}' does not exist."));
+
+        return Ok(crypto);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Changes an encrypted channel's passphrase by re-wrapping its room key.
+    /// The caller proves knowledge of the old passphrase via the old auth key;
+    /// history is never re-encrypted (the room content key does not change).
+    /// </summary>
+    [HttpPost("{channel}/rekey")]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> RekeyChannel(string channel, [FromBody] RekeyChannelRequest request)
+    {
+        var userIdClaim = User.FindFirstValue(ClaimTypes.NameIdentifier);
+        if (userIdClaim is null)
+            return Unauthorized(new ErrorResponse("Authentication required."));
+
+        var result = await _channelService.RekeyChannelAsync(
+            Guid.Parse(userIdClaim), channel,
+            request.OldPassword, request.NewPassword,
+            request.NewEncryptionSalt, request.NewWrappedRoomKey);
+        if (!result.IsSuccess)
+            return MapChannelError(result);
+
+        return Ok(result.Channel);
+    }
+
     [HttpPut("{channel}/topic")]
     public async Task<IActionResult> UpdateTopic(string channel, [FromBody] UpdateTopicRequest request)
     {
@@ -105,11 +145,18 @@ public class ChannelsController : ControllerBase
         return NoContent();
     }
 
-    [HttpPost("{channel}/upload")]
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sends one message carrying optional text (<c>content</c> form field) plus zero or more
+    /// file attachments (Discord-style). For non-encrypted channels the server sniffs each file's
+    /// kind and renders ASCII previews for images. For end-to-end encrypted channels the client
+    /// uploads ciphertext blobs and declares each file's kind (<c>kind</c>) and pre-rendered,
+    /// room-encrypted preview (<c>preview</c>), aligned by file order — the server never inspects them.
+    /// </summary>
+    [HttpPost("{channel}/messages")]
     [EnableRateLimiting("upload")]
-    [RequestSizeLimit(HubConstants.MaxFileSizeBytes)]
+    [RequestSizeLimit((long)HubConstants.MaxFileSizeBytes * HubConstants.MaxAttachmentsPerMessage)]
-    [RequestFormLimits(MultipartBodyLengthLimit = HubConstants.MaxFileSizeBytes)]
+    [RequestFormLimits(MultipartBodyLengthLimit = (long)HubConstants.MaxFileSizeBytes * HubConstants.MaxAttachmentsPerMessage)]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Upload(string channel, [FromQuery] string? size = null)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> SendMessageWithAttachments(string channel, [FromQuery] string? size = null)
     {
         var userIdClaim = User.FindFirstValue(ClaimTypes.NameIdentifier);
         var usernameClaim = User.FindFirstValue("username");
@@ -126,80 +173,136 @@ public class ChannelsController : ControllerBase
         if (channelDto is null)
             return NotFound(new ErrorResponse($"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist."));
 
-        if (!Request.HasFormContentType || Request.Form.Files.Count == 0)
+        if (!Request.HasFormContentType)
-            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse("No file uploaded."));
+            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse("Expected multipart form data."));
 
-        var file = Request.Form.Files[0];
+        var files = Request.Form.Files;
+        if (files.Count == 0)
+            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse("At least one attachment is required. Send plain text over the chat connection."));
+        if (files.Count > HubConstants.MaxAttachmentsPerMessage)
+            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse($"A message may carry at most {HubConstants.MaxAttachmentsPerMessage} attachments."));
 
-        // Detect file type early so we can apply the correct size limit
-        using var stream = file.OpenReadStream();
-        var isImage = FileValidationHelper.IsValidImage(stream);
-        var isAudio = !isImage && FileValidationHelper.IsAudioFile(file.FileName);
-
-        var maxSize = isImage ? HubConstants.MaxImageSizeBytes
-            : isAudio ? HubConstants.MaxAudioFileSizeBytes
-            : HubConstants.MaxFileSizeBytes;
-
-        if (file.Length > maxSize)
-            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse($"File size exceeds maximum of {maxSize / (1024 * 1024)} MB."));
-
-        var (fileId, filePath) = await _fileStorage.SaveFileAsync(stream, file.FileName);
-
-        var messageType = isImage ? MessageType.Image
-            : isAudio ? MessageType.Audio
-            : MessageType.File;
-        string content;
-
-        if (isImage)
-        {
-            var (w, h) = ImageToAsciiService.GetDimensions(size);
-            using var imageStream = System.IO.File.OpenRead(filePath);
-            content = _asciiService.ConvertToAscii(imageStream, w, h);
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            content = file.FileName;
-        }
-
-        var attachmentUrl = $"/api/files/{fileId}";
         var sender = await _db.Users.FindAsync(userId);
-        var dbContent = _encryption.EncryptDatabaseEnabled ? _encryption.Encrypt(content) : content;
+        if (sender is not null && sender.IsMuted && (sender.MutedUntil is null || sender.MutedUntil > DateTimeOffset.UtcNow))
+            return StatusCode(403, new ErrorResponse("You are muted and cannot send messages."));
 
+        // Caption: plaintext for normal channels, $RC1$ room-ciphertext for encrypted ones.
+        // Decrypt() is a pass-through when there is no transport prefix.
+        var content = _encryption.Decrypt(Request.Form["content"].ToString());
+        var isRoomCiphertext = RoomCrypto.IsRoomCiphertext(content);
+        if (!isRoomCiphertext && content.Length > HubConstants.MaxMessageLength)
+            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse($"Message exceeds maximum length of {HubConstants.MaxMessageLength} characters."));
+
+        var declaredKinds = Request.Form["kind"];
+        var declaredPreviews = Request.Form["preview"];
+
+        var attachmentEntities = new List<Attachment>();
+        var attachmentDtos = new List<AttachmentDto>();
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < files.Count; i++)
+        {
+            var file = files[i];
+            AttachmentKind kind;
+            string? previewPlain;
+            string fileId;
+
+            if (channelDto.IsEncrypted)
+            {
+                // Ciphertext blob — trust the client's declared kind + room-encrypted preview.
+                // Client sends one kind + preview per file in order; empty preview means none.
+                kind = ParseKind(i < declaredKinds.Count ? declaredKinds[i] : null);
+                previewPlain = i < declaredPreviews.Count ? declaredPreviews[i] : null;
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(previewPlain))
+                    previewPlain = null;
+
+                if (file.Length > MaxForKind(kind))
+                    return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse($"'{file.FileName}' exceeds the maximum size."));
+
+                using var encryptedStream = file.OpenReadStream();
+                (fileId, _) = await _fileStorage.SaveFileAsync(encryptedStream, file.FileName);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                using var stream = file.OpenReadStream();
+                var isImage = FileValidationHelper.IsValidImage(stream);
+                var isAudio = !isImage && FileValidationHelper.IsAudioFile(file.FileName);
+                kind = isImage ? AttachmentKind.Image : isAudio ? AttachmentKind.Audio : AttachmentKind.File;
+
+                if (file.Length > MaxForKind(kind))
+                    return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse($"'{file.FileName}' exceeds the maximum size of {MaxForKind(kind) / (1024 * 1024)} MB."));
+
+                string filePath;
+                (fileId, filePath) = await _fileStorage.SaveFileAsync(stream, file.FileName);
+
+                if (isImage)
+                {
+                    var (w, h) = ImageToAsciiService.GetDimensions(size);
+                    using var imageStream = System.IO.File.OpenRead(filePath);
+                    previewPlain = _asciiService.ConvertToAscii(imageStream, w, h);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    previewPlain = null;
+                }
+            }
+
+            var url = $"/api/files/{fileId}";
+            attachmentEntities.Add(new Attachment
+            {
+                Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
+                Kind = kind,
+                Url = url,
+                FileName = file.FileName,
+                FileSize = file.Length,
+                AsciiPreview = _encryption.EncryptDatabaseEnabled ? _encryption.EncryptNullable(previewPlain) : previewPlain,
+            });
+            attachmentDtos.Add(new AttachmentDto(kind, url, file.FileName, file.Length,
+                _encryption.EncryptNullable(previewPlain)));
+        }
+
+        var dbContent = _encryption.EncryptDatabaseEnabled ? _encryption.Encrypt(content) : content;
         var message = new Message
         {
             Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
             Content = dbContent,
-            Type = messageType,
-            AttachmentUrl = attachmentUrl,
-            AttachmentFileName = file.FileName,
-            AttachmentFileSize = file.Length,
             SentAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
             ChannelId = channelDto.Id,
             SenderUserId = userId,
             SenderUsername = usernameClaim,
+            Attachments = attachmentEntities,
         };
 
         _db.Messages.Add(message);
         await _db.SaveChangesAsync();
 
-        // Encrypt for transport — clients decrypt
         var messageDto = new MessageDto(
             message.Id,
             _encryption.Encrypt(content),
             message.SenderUsername,
             sender?.NicknameColor,
             channelName,
-            messageType,
-            attachmentUrl,
-            file.FileName,
             message.SentAt,
-            file.Length);
+            attachmentDtos);
 
         await _chatService.BroadcastMessageAsync(channelName, messageDto);
 
         return Ok(messageDto);
     }
 
+    private static AttachmentKind ParseKind(string? kind) => kind?.ToLowerInvariant() switch
+    {
+        "image" => AttachmentKind.Image,
+        "audio" => AttachmentKind.Audio,
+        _ => AttachmentKind.File,
+    };
+
+    private static long MaxForKind(AttachmentKind kind) => kind switch
+    {
+        AttachmentKind.Image => HubConstants.MaxImageSizeBytes,
+        AttachmentKind.Audio => HubConstants.MaxAudioFileSizeBytes,
+        _ => HubConstants.MaxFileSizeBytes,
+    };
+
     [HttpPost("{channel}/send-url")]
     [EnableRateLimiting("upload")]
     public async Task<IActionResult> SendUrl(string channel, [FromBody] SendUrlRequest request, [FromQuery] string? size = null)
@@ -219,6 +322,10 @@ public class ChannelsController : ControllerBase
         if (channelDto is null)
             return NotFound(new ErrorResponse($"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist."));
 
+        if (channelDto.IsEncrypted)
+            return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse(
+                "Sending images by URL is not available in end-to-end encrypted channels — download the image and /send the file instead."));
+
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(request.Url))
             return BadRequest(new ErrorResponse("URL is required."));
 
@@ -276,46 +383,49 @@ public class ChannelsController : ControllerBase
         // Save file and convert to ASCII
         var (fileId, filePath) = await _fileStorage.SaveFileAsync(memoryStream, fileName);
 
-        string content;
+        string preview;
         var (w, h) = ImageToAsciiService.GetDimensions(size);
         using (var imageStream = System.IO.File.OpenRead(filePath))
         {
-            content = _asciiService.ConvertToAscii(imageStream, w, h);
+            preview = _asciiService.ConvertToAscii(imageStream, w, h);
         }
 
         var attachmentUrl = $"/api/files/{fileId}";
         var sender = await _db.Users.FindAsync(userId);
-        var dbContent = _encryption.EncryptDatabaseEnabled ? _encryption.Encrypt(content) : content;
+
+        // A URL-shared image is a message with no caption and one image attachment.
+        var attachment = new Attachment
+        {
+            Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
+            Kind = AttachmentKind.Image,
+            Url = attachmentUrl,
+            FileName = fileName,
+            FileSize = imageBytes.Length,
+            AsciiPreview = _encryption.EncryptDatabaseEnabled ? _encryption.Encrypt(preview) : preview,
+        };
 
         var message = new Message
         {
             Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
-            Content = dbContent,
+            Content = string.Empty,
-            Type = MessageType.Image,
-            AttachmentUrl = attachmentUrl,
-            AttachmentFileName = fileName,
-            AttachmentFileSize = imageBytes.Length,
             SentAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
             ChannelId = channelDto.Id,
             SenderUserId = userId,
             SenderUsername = usernameClaim,
+            Attachments = [attachment],
         };
 
         _db.Messages.Add(message);
         await _db.SaveChangesAsync();
 
-        // Encrypt for transport — clients decrypt
         var messageDto = new MessageDto(
             message.Id,
-            _encryption.Encrypt(content),
+            _encryption.Encrypt(string.Empty),
             message.SenderUsername,
             sender?.NicknameColor,
             channelName,
-            MessageType.Image,
-            attachmentUrl,
-            fileName,
             message.SentAt,
-            imageBytes.Length);
+            [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Image, attachmentUrl, fileName, imageBytes.Length, _encryption.Encrypt(preview))]);
 
         await _chatService.BroadcastMessageAsync(channelName, messageDto);
 

src/EchoHub.Server/Controllers/ModerationController.cs

@@ -20,17 +20,20 @@ public class ModerationController : ControllerBase
     private readonly EchoHubDbContext _db;
     private readonly IChatService _chatService;
     private readonly PresenceTracker _presenceTracker;
+    private readonly FileStorageService _fileStorage;
     private readonly IEnumerable<IChatBroadcaster> _broadcasters;
 
     public ModerationController(
         EchoHubDbContext db,
         IChatService chatService,
         PresenceTracker presenceTracker,
+        FileStorageService fileStorage,
         IEnumerable<IChatBroadcaster> broadcasters)
     {
         _db = db;
         _chatService = chatService;
         _presenceTracker = presenceTracker;
+        _fileStorage = fileStorage;
         _broadcasters = broadcasters;
     }
 
@@ -170,17 +173,47 @@ public class ModerationController : ControllerBase
     [HttpDelete("messages/{messageId:guid}")]
     public async Task<IActionResult> DeleteMessage(Guid messageId)
     {
-        var (_, error) = await GetCallerAsync(ServerRole.Mod);
+        // Any authenticated user may reach this; permission depends on authorship + role hierarchy.
-        if (error is not null) return error;
+        var userIdClaim = User.FindFirstValue(ClaimTypes.NameIdentifier);
+        if (userIdClaim is null)
+            return Unauthorized(new ErrorResponse("Authentication required."));
+
+        var caller = await _db.Users.FindAsync(Guid.Parse(userIdClaim));
+        if (caller is null)
+            return Unauthorized(new ErrorResponse("User not found."));
 
         var message = await _db.Messages
             .Include(m => m.Channel)
+            .Include(m => m.Attachments)
             .FirstOrDefaultAsync(m => m.Id == messageId);
 
         if (message is null)
             return NotFound(new ErrorResponse("Message not found."));
 
+        var isOwnMessage = message.SenderUserId == caller.Id;
+        if (!isOwnMessage)
+        {
+            // Deleting someone else's message requires Mod+ AND a strictly higher role than
+            // the message author (so a mod can't delete an admin's/owner's message).
+            if (caller.Role < ServerRole.Mod)
+                return StatusCode(403, new ErrorResponse("You can only delete your own messages."));
+
+            var author = await _db.Users.FindAsync(message.SenderUserId);
+            var authorRole = author?.Role ?? ServerRole.Member;
+            if (authorRole >= caller.Role)
+                return StatusCode(403, new ErrorResponse("You cannot delete a message from a user with an equal or higher role."));
+        }
+
         var channelName = message.Channel!.Name;
+
+        // Remove attachment blobs from disk before the DB rows cascade away.
+        foreach (var attachment in message.Attachments)
+        {
+            var fileId = attachment.Url.Split('/').LastOrDefault();
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(fileId))
+                _fileStorage.DeleteFile(fileId);
+        }
+
         _db.Messages.Remove(message);
         await _db.SaveChangesAsync();
 
@@ -200,7 +233,19 @@ public class ModerationController : ControllerBase
         if (dbChannel is null)
             return NotFound(new ErrorResponse($"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist."));
 
-        var messages = await _db.Messages.Where(m => m.ChannelId == dbChannel.Id).ToListAsync();
+        var messages = await _db.Messages
+            .Where(m => m.ChannelId == dbChannel.Id)
+            .Include(m => m.Attachments)
+            .ToListAsync();
+
+        foreach (var fileId in messages
+                     .SelectMany(m => m.Attachments)
+                     .Select(a => a.Url.Split('/').LastOrDefault())
+                     .Where(id => !string.IsNullOrEmpty(id)))
+        {
+            _fileStorage.DeleteFile(fileId!);
+        }
+
         _db.Messages.RemoveRange(messages);
         await _db.SaveChangesAsync();
 

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/Controllers/UsersController.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using System.Security.Claims;
 using EchoHub.Core.Constants;
 using EchoHub.Core.Contracts;
+using EchoHub.Core.Services;
 using EchoHub.Core.DTOs;
 using EchoHub.Server.Services;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authorization;

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/EchoHubDbContext.cs

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ public class EchoHubDbContext : DbContext
     public DbSet<User> Users => Set<User>();
     public DbSet<Channel> Channels => Set<Channel>();
     public DbSet<Message> Messages => Set<Message>();
+    public DbSet<Attachment> Attachments => Set<Attachment>();
     public DbSet<RefreshToken> RefreshTokens => Set<RefreshToken>();
     public DbSet<ChannelMembership> ChannelMemberships => Set<ChannelMembership>();
 
@@ -44,6 +45,9 @@ public class EchoHubDbContext : DbContext
             entity.HasIndex(c => c.Name).IsUnique();
             entity.Property(c => c.Name).IsRequired().HasMaxLength(100);
             entity.Property(c => c.Topic).HasMaxLength(500);
+            entity.Property(c => c.PasswordHash).HasMaxLength(100);
+            entity.Property(c => c.EncryptionSalt).HasMaxLength(64);
+            entity.Property(c => c.WrappedRoomKey).HasMaxLength(200);
 
             entity.HasMany(c => c.Messages)
                   .WithOne(m => m.Channel)
@@ -60,6 +64,21 @@ public class EchoHubDbContext : DbContext
             entity.Property(m => m.AttachmentUrl).HasMaxLength(500);
             entity.Property(m => m.AttachmentFileName).HasMaxLength(255);
             entity.Property(m => m.EmbedJson).HasMaxLength(32000); // Increased for encrypted embed JSON
+
+            entity.HasMany(m => m.Attachments)
+                  .WithOne(a => a.Message)
+                  .HasForeignKey(a => a.MessageId)
+                  .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade);
+        });
+
+        modelBuilder.Entity<Attachment>(entity =>
+        {
+            entity.HasKey(a => a.Id);
+            entity.HasIndex(a => a.MessageId);
+            entity.Property(a => a.Kind).HasConversion<int>();
+            entity.Property(a => a.Url).IsRequired().HasMaxLength(500);
+            entity.Property(a => a.FileName).IsRequired().HasMaxLength(255);
+            entity.Property(a => a.AsciiPreview).HasMaxLength(64000); // color-tag ASCII art, encrypted-at-rest overhead
         });
 
         modelBuilder.Entity<ChannelMembership>(entity =>

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/20260715232856_AddChannelPasswordHash.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,271 @@
+// <auto-generated />
+using System;
+using EchoHub.Server.Data;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Infrastructure;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Storage.ValueConversion;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
+{
+    [DbContext(typeof(EchoHubDbContext))]
+    [Migration("20260715232856_AddChannelPasswordHash")]
+    partial class AddChannelPasswordHash
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void BuildTargetModel(ModelBuilder modelBuilder)
+        {
+#pragma warning disable 612, 618
+            modelBuilder.HasAnnotation("ProductVersion", "10.0.3");
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("CreatedByUserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsPublic")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Name")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Topic")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("Name")
+                        .IsUnique();
+
+                    b.ToTable("Channels");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("UserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("ChannelId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("JoinedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.HasKey("UserId", "ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("UserId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("ChannelMemberships");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AttachmentFileName")
+                        .HasMaxLength(255)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("AttachmentFileSize")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AttachmentUrl")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("ChannelId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Content")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(16000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("EmbedJson")
+                        .HasMaxLength(32000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("SenderUserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("SenderUsername")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(50)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("SentAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Type")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("SentAt");
+
+                    b.ToTable("Messages");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.RefreshToken", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("ExpiresAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("RevokedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("TokenHash")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(128)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("UserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("TokenHash");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("UserId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("RefreshTokens");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AvatarAscii")
+                        .HasMaxLength(10000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Bio")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("DisplayName")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsBanned")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsMuted")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("LastSeenAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("MutedUntil")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("NicknameColor")
+                        .HasMaxLength(7)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Role")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Status")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("StatusMessage")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Username")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(50)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("Username")
+                        .IsUnique();
+
+                    b.ToTable("Users");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", null)
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("ChannelId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", null)
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("UserId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", "Channel")
+                        .WithMany("Messages")
+                        .HasForeignKey("ChannelId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("Channel");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.RefreshToken", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", "User")
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("UserId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("User");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Navigation("Messages");
+                });
+#pragma warning restore 612, 618
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/20260715232856_AddChannelPasswordHash.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
+{
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public partial class AddChannelPasswordHash : Migration
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Up(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<string>(
+                name: "PasswordHash",
+                table: "Channels",
+                type: "TEXT",
+                maxLength: 100,
+                nullable: true);
+        }
+
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Down(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "PasswordHash",
+                table: "Channels");
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/20260716012917_AddChannelEncryptionEnvelope.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,279 @@
+// <auto-generated />
+using System;
+using EchoHub.Server.Data;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Infrastructure;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Storage.ValueConversion;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
+{
+    [DbContext(typeof(EchoHubDbContext))]
+    [Migration("20260716012917_AddChannelEncryptionEnvelope")]
+    partial class AddChannelEncryptionEnvelope
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void BuildTargetModel(ModelBuilder modelBuilder)
+        {
+#pragma warning disable 612, 618
+            modelBuilder.HasAnnotation("ProductVersion", "10.0.3");
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("CreatedByUserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("EncryptionSalt")
+                        .HasMaxLength(64)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsPublic")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Name")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Topic")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("WrappedRoomKey")
+                        .HasMaxLength(200)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("Name")
+                        .IsUnique();
+
+                    b.ToTable("Channels");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("UserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("ChannelId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("JoinedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.HasKey("UserId", "ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("UserId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("ChannelMemberships");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AttachmentFileName")
+                        .HasMaxLength(255)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("AttachmentFileSize")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AttachmentUrl")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("ChannelId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Content")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(16000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("EmbedJson")
+                        .HasMaxLength(32000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("SenderUserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("SenderUsername")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(50)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("SentAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Type")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("SentAt");
+
+                    b.ToTable("Messages");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.RefreshToken", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("ExpiresAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("RevokedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("TokenHash")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(128)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("UserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("TokenHash");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("UserId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("RefreshTokens");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AvatarAscii")
+                        .HasMaxLength(10000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Bio")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("DisplayName")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsBanned")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsMuted")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("LastSeenAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("MutedUntil")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("NicknameColor")
+                        .HasMaxLength(7)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Role")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Status")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("StatusMessage")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Username")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(50)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("Username")
+                        .IsUnique();
+
+                    b.ToTable("Users");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", null)
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("ChannelId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", null)
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("UserId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", "Channel")
+                        .WithMany("Messages")
+                        .HasForeignKey("ChannelId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("Channel");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.RefreshToken", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", "User")
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("UserId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("User");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Navigation("Messages");
+                });
+#pragma warning restore 612, 618
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/20260716012917_AddChannelEncryptionEnvelope.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
+{
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public partial class AddChannelEncryptionEnvelope : Migration
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Up(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<string>(
+                name: "EncryptionSalt",
+                table: "Channels",
+                type: "TEXT",
+                maxLength: 64,
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<string>(
+                name: "WrappedRoomKey",
+                table: "Channels",
+                type: "TEXT",
+                maxLength: 200,
+                nullable: true);
+        }
+
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Down(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "EncryptionSalt",
+                table: "Channels");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "WrappedRoomKey",
+                table: "Channels");
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/20260716020211_AddMessageAttachments.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,331 @@
+// <auto-generated />
+using System;
+using EchoHub.Server.Data;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Infrastructure;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Storage.ValueConversion;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
+{
+    [DbContext(typeof(EchoHubDbContext))]
+    [Migration("20260716020211_AddMessageAttachments")]
+    partial class AddMessageAttachments
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void BuildTargetModel(ModelBuilder modelBuilder)
+        {
+#pragma warning disable 612, 618
+            modelBuilder.HasAnnotation("ProductVersion", "10.0.3");
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Attachment", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AsciiPreview")
+                        .HasMaxLength(64000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("FileName")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(255)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("FileSize")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Kind")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("MessageId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Url")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("MessageId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("Attachments");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("CreatedByUserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("EncryptionSalt")
+                        .HasMaxLength(64)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsPublic")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Name")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Topic")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("WrappedRoomKey")
+                        .HasMaxLength(200)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("Name")
+                        .IsUnique();
+
+                    b.ToTable("Channels");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("UserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("ChannelId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("JoinedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.HasKey("UserId", "ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("UserId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("ChannelMemberships");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AttachmentFileName")
+                        .HasMaxLength(255)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("AttachmentFileSize")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AttachmentUrl")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("ChannelId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Content")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(16000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("EmbedJson")
+                        .HasMaxLength(32000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("SenderUserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("SenderUsername")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(50)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("SentAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Type")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("ChannelId");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("SentAt");
+
+                    b.ToTable("Messages");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.RefreshToken", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("ExpiresAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("RevokedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("TokenHash")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(128)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("UserId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("TokenHash");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("UserId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("RefreshTokens");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AvatarAscii")
+                        .HasMaxLength(10000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Bio")
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("CreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("DisplayName")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsBanned")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("IsMuted")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("LastSeenAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<long?>("MutedUntil")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("NicknameColor")
+                        .HasMaxLength(7)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Role")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Status")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("StatusMessage")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Username")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(50)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("Username")
+                        .IsUnique();
+
+                    b.ToTable("Users");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Attachment", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", "Message")
+                        .WithMany("Attachments")
+                        .HasForeignKey("MessageId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("Message");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", null)
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("ChannelId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", null)
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("UserId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", "Channel")
+                        .WithMany("Messages")
+                        .HasForeignKey("ChannelId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("Channel");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.RefreshToken", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.User", "User")
+                        .WithMany()
+                        .HasForeignKey("UserId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("User");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Navigation("Messages");
+                });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Navigation("Attachments");
+                });
+#pragma warning restore 612, 618
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/20260716020211_AddMessageAttachments.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+using System;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
+{
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public partial class AddMessageAttachments : Migration
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Up(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.CreateTable(
+                name: "Attachments",
+                columns: table => new
+                {
+                    Id = table.Column<Guid>(type: "TEXT", nullable: false),
+                    MessageId = table.Column<Guid>(type: "TEXT", nullable: false),
+                    Kind = table.Column<int>(type: "INTEGER", nullable: false),
+                    Url = table.Column<string>(type: "TEXT", maxLength: 500, nullable: false),
+                    FileName = table.Column<string>(type: "TEXT", maxLength: 255, nullable: false),
+                    FileSize = table.Column<long>(type: "INTEGER", nullable: false),
+                    AsciiPreview = table.Column<string>(type: "TEXT", maxLength: 64000, nullable: true)
+                },
+                constraints: table =>
+                {
+                    table.PrimaryKey("PK_Attachments", x => x.Id);
+                    table.ForeignKey(
+                        name: "FK_Attachments_Messages_MessageId",
+                        column: x => x.MessageId,
+                        principalTable: "Messages",
+                        principalColumn: "Id",
+                        onDelete: ReferentialAction.Cascade);
+                });
+
+            migrationBuilder.CreateIndex(
+                name: "IX_Attachments_MessageId",
+                table: "Attachments",
+                column: "MessageId");
+        }
+
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Down(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.DropTable(
+                name: "Attachments");
+        }
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/Data/Migrations/EchoHubDbContextModelSnapshot.cs

@@ -17,6 +17,42 @@ namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
 #pragma warning disable 612, 618
             modelBuilder.HasAnnotation("ProductVersion", "10.0.3");
 
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Attachment", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Property<Guid>("Id")
+                        .ValueGeneratedOnAdd()
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("AsciiPreview")
+                        .HasMaxLength(64000)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("FileName")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(255)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<long>("FileSize")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<int>("Kind")
+                        .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
+
+                    b.Property<Guid>("MessageId")
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.Property<string>("Url")
+                        .IsRequired()
+                        .HasMaxLength(500)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
+                    b.HasKey("Id");
+
+                    b.HasIndex("MessageId");
+
+                    b.ToTable("Attachments");
+                });
+
             modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", b =>
                 {
                     b.Property<Guid>("Id")
@@ -29,6 +65,10 @@ namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
                     b.Property<Guid>("CreatedByUserId")
                         .HasColumnType("TEXT");
 
+                    b.Property<string>("EncryptionSalt")
+                        .HasMaxLength(64)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
                     b.Property<bool>("IsPublic")
                         .HasColumnType("INTEGER");
 
@@ -37,10 +77,18 @@ namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
                         .HasMaxLength(100)
                         .HasColumnType("TEXT");
 
+                    b.Property<string>("PasswordHash")
+                        .HasMaxLength(100)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
                     b.Property<string>("Topic")
                         .HasMaxLength(500)
                         .HasColumnType("TEXT");
 
+                    b.Property<string>("WrappedRoomKey")
+                        .HasMaxLength(200)
+                        .HasColumnType("TEXT");
+
                     b.HasKey("Id");
 
                     b.HasIndex("Name")
@@ -217,6 +265,17 @@ namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
                     b.ToTable("Users");
                 });
 
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Attachment", b =>
+                {
+                    b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", "Message")
+                        .WithMany("Attachments")
+                        .HasForeignKey("MessageId")
+                        .OnDelete(DeleteBehavior.Cascade)
+                        .IsRequired();
+
+                    b.Navigation("Message");
+                });
+
             modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.ChannelMembership", b =>
                 {
                     b.HasOne("EchoHub.Core.Models.Channel", null)
@@ -258,6 +317,11 @@ namespace EchoHub.Server.Data.Migrations
                 {
                     b.Navigation("Messages");
                 });
+
+            modelBuilder.Entity("EchoHub.Core.Models.Message", b =>
+                {
+                    b.Navigation("Attachments");
+                });
 #pragma warning restore 612, 618
         }
     }

src/EchoHub.Server/Hubs/ChatHub.cs

@@ -14,9 +14,12 @@ public class ChatHub : Hub<IEchoHubClient>
     private readonly IChatService _chatService;
     private readonly ILogger<ChatHub> _logger;
 
-    public ChatHub(IChatService chatService, ILogger<ChatHub> logger)
+    private readonly IChannelService _channelService;
+
+    public ChatHub(IChatService chatService, IChannelService channelService, ILogger<ChatHub> logger)
     {
         _chatService = chatService;
+        _channelService = channelService;
         _logger = logger;
     }
 
@@ -56,18 +59,23 @@ public class ChatHub : Hub<IEchoHubClient>
         }
     }
 
-    public async Task<JoinChannelResult> JoinChannel(string channelName)
+    public async Task<JoinChannelResult> JoinChannel(string channelName, string? password = null)
     {
         try
         {
-            var (history, error) = await _chatService.JoinChannelAsync(
+            var (history, error, passwordRequired) = await _chatService.JoinChannelAsync(
-                Context.ConnectionId, CurrentUserId, CurrentUsername, channelName);
+                Context.ConnectionId, CurrentUserId, CurrentUsername, channelName, password);
 
             if (error is not null)
-                return new JoinChannelResult(false, [], error);
+                return new JoinChannelResult(false, [], error, passwordRequired);
 
             await Groups.AddToGroupAsync(Context.ConnectionId, channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim());
-            return new JoinChannelResult(true, history);
+
+            // Members of encrypted channels receive the key envelope so they can unwrap
+            // the room content key with their passphrase (the server can't).
+            var (encryptionSalt, wrappedRoomKey) = await _channelService.GetChannelKeyEnvelopeAsync(channelName);
+            return new JoinChannelResult(true, history,
+                EncryptionSalt: encryptionSalt, WrappedRoomKey: wrappedRoomKey);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -106,11 +114,11 @@ 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

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using System.Text;
 using System.Threading.RateLimiting;
 using EchoHub.Core.Constants;
 using EchoHub.Core.Contracts;
+using EchoHub.Core.Services;
 using EchoHub.Core.Models;
 using EchoHub.Server.Auth;
 using EchoHub.Server.Data;
@@ -107,6 +108,7 @@ 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/ChannelService.cs

@@ -41,14 +41,16 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
             .Skip(offset)
             .Take(limit)
             .Select(c => new ChannelDto(
-                c.Id, c.Name, c.Topic, c.IsPublic, c.Messages.Count, c.CreatedAt))
+                c.Id, c.Name, c.Topic, c.IsPublic, c.Messages.Count, c.CreatedAt,
+                c.PasswordHash != null, c.WrappedRoomKey != null))
             .ToListAsync();
 
         return new PaginatedResponse<ChannelDto>(channels, total, offset, limit);
     }
 
     public async Task<ChannelOperationResult> CreateChannelAsync(
-        Guid creatorUserId, string name, string? topic, bool isPublic)
+        Guid creatorUserId, string name, string? topic, bool isPublic,
+        string? password = null, string? encryptionSalt = null, string? wrappedRoomKey = null)
     {
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name))
             return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, "Channel name is required.");
@@ -59,6 +61,16 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
             return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed,
                 "Channel name must be 2-100 characters and contain only letters, digits, underscores, or hyphens.");
 
+        var passwordError = ValidateChannelPassword(ref password);
+        if (passwordError is not null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, passwordError);
+
+        // The E2E envelope (client-generated) only makes sense on password-gated channels
+        var hasEnvelope = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(encryptionSalt) && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(wrappedRoomKey);
+        if (hasEnvelope && password is null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed,
+                "Encrypted channels require a password.");
+
         using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
         var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
 
@@ -72,6 +84,9 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
             Topic = topic?.Trim(),
             IsPublic = isPublic,
             CreatedByUserId = creatorUserId,
+            PasswordHash = password is not null ? BCrypt.Net.BCrypt.HashPassword(password) : null,
+            EncryptionSalt = hasEnvelope ? encryptionSalt : null,
+            WrappedRoomKey = hasEnvelope ? wrappedRoomKey : null,
         };
 
         db.Channels.Add(channel);
@@ -85,7 +100,8 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
 
         await db.SaveChangesAsync();
 
-        var dto = new ChannelDto(channel.Id, channel.Name, channel.Topic, channel.IsPublic, 0, channel.CreatedAt);
+        var dto = new ChannelDto(channel.Id, channel.Name, channel.Topic, channel.IsPublic, 0, channel.CreatedAt,
+            channel.PasswordHash != null, channel.WrappedRoomKey != null);
         return ChannelOperationResult.Success(dto);
     }
 
@@ -112,7 +128,94 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
         await db.SaveChangesAsync();
 
         var messageCount = await db.Messages.CountAsync(m => m.ChannelId == dbChannel.Id);
-        var dto = new ChannelDto(dbChannel.Id, dbChannel.Name, dbChannel.Topic, dbChannel.IsPublic, messageCount, dbChannel.CreatedAt);
+        var dto = new ChannelDto(dbChannel.Id, dbChannel.Name, dbChannel.Topic, dbChannel.IsPublic, messageCount, dbChannel.CreatedAt,
+            dbChannel.PasswordHash != null, dbChannel.WrappedRoomKey != null);
+        return ChannelOperationResult.Success(dto);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sets, changes, or clears (null) a channel's join password. Creator or admin only.
+    /// Not available on end-to-end encrypted channels — those change passphrase via
+    /// <see cref="RekeyChannelAsync"/> so the room key envelope stays consistent.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task<ChannelOperationResult> SetChannelPasswordAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName, string? password)
+    {
+        channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
+
+        var passwordError = ValidateChannelPassword(ref password);
+        if (passwordError is not null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, passwordError);
+
+        using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
+        var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
+
+        var dbChannel = await db.Channels.FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Name == channelName);
+        if (dbChannel is null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.NotFound, $"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist.");
+
+        if (dbChannel.WrappedRoomKey is not null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.Protected,
+                "This channel is end-to-end encrypted — change its passphrase from the EchoHub client (/passwd).");
+
+        var caller = await db.Users.FindAsync(callerUserId);
+        if (dbChannel.CreatedByUserId != callerUserId && (caller is null || caller.Role < ServerRole.Admin))
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.Forbidden,
+                "Only the channel creator or an admin can change the channel password.");
+
+        dbChannel.PasswordHash = password is not null ? BCrypt.Net.BCrypt.HashPassword(password) : null;
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync();
+
+        var messageCount = await db.Messages.CountAsync(m => m.ChannelId == dbChannel.Id);
+        var dto = new ChannelDto(dbChannel.Id, dbChannel.Name, dbChannel.Topic, dbChannel.IsPublic, messageCount, dbChannel.CreatedAt,
+            dbChannel.PasswordHash != null, dbChannel.WrappedRoomKey != null);
+        return ChannelOperationResult.Success(dto);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Changes an encrypted channel's passphrase by swapping the join-gate hash and the
+    /// wrapped room key. The room content key itself never changes, so history stays
+    /// readable — the client re-wraps it under the new passphrase-derived key.
+    /// Creator only: admins cannot rekey a room whose passphrase they don't know.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task<ChannelOperationResult> RekeyChannelAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName,
+        string oldPassword, string newPassword, string newEncryptionSalt, string newWrappedRoomKey)
+    {
+        channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
+
+        string? validatedNew = newPassword;
+        var passwordError = ValidateChannelPassword(ref validatedNew);
+        if (passwordError is not null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, passwordError);
+        if (validatedNew is null || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(newEncryptionSalt) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(newWrappedRoomKey))
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed,
+                "New password, salt, and wrapped room key are required.");
+
+        using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
+        var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
+
+        var dbChannel = await db.Channels.FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Name == channelName);
+        if (dbChannel is null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.NotFound, $"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist.");
+
+        if (dbChannel.WrappedRoomKey is null || dbChannel.PasswordHash is null)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed,
+                "This channel is not end-to-end encrypted.");
+
+        if (dbChannel.CreatedByUserId != callerUserId)
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.Forbidden,
+                "Only the channel creator can change the passphrase.");
+
+        if (!BCrypt.Net.BCrypt.Verify(oldPassword, dbChannel.PasswordHash))
+            return ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.Forbidden, "The current passphrase is incorrect.");
+
+        dbChannel.PasswordHash = BCrypt.Net.BCrypt.HashPassword(validatedNew);
+        dbChannel.EncryptionSalt = newEncryptionSalt;
+        dbChannel.WrappedRoomKey = newWrappedRoomKey;
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync();
+
+        var messageCount = await db.Messages.CountAsync(m => m.ChannelId == dbChannel.Id);
+        var dto = new ChannelDto(dbChannel.Id, dbChannel.Name, dbChannel.Topic, dbChannel.IsPublic, messageCount, dbChannel.CreatedAt,
+            true, true);
         return ChannelOperationResult.Success(dto);
     }
 
@@ -139,7 +242,8 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
         db.Channels.Remove(dbChannel);
         await db.SaveChangesAsync();
 
-        var dto = new ChannelDto(dbChannel.Id, dbChannel.Name, dbChannel.Topic, dbChannel.IsPublic, 0, dbChannel.CreatedAt);
+        var dto = new ChannelDto(dbChannel.Id, dbChannel.Name, dbChannel.Topic, dbChannel.IsPublic, 0, dbChannel.CreatedAt,
+            dbChannel.PasswordHash != null, dbChannel.WrappedRoomKey != null);
         return ChannelOperationResult.Success(dto);
     }
 
@@ -165,7 +269,8 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
 
         return channels.Select(c => new ChannelListItem(
             c.Name, c.Topic,
-            _presenceTracker.GetOnlineUsersInChannel(c.Name).Count)).ToList();
+            _presenceTracker.GetOnlineUsersInChannel(c.Name).Count,
+            c.IsPublic, c.PasswordHash != null)).ToList();
     }
 
     public async Task<ChannelDto?> GetChannelByNameAsync(string channelName)
@@ -179,15 +284,41 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
         if (c is null) return null;
 
         var messageCount = await db.Messages.CountAsync(m => m.ChannelId == c.Id);
-        return new ChannelDto(c.Id, c.Name, c.Topic, c.IsPublic, messageCount, c.CreatedAt);
+        return new ChannelDto(c.Id, c.Name, c.Topic, c.IsPublic, messageCount, c.CreatedAt,
+            c.PasswordHash != null, c.WrappedRoomKey != null);
     }
 
-    public async Task<(bool Success, string? Error)> EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(Guid userId, string channelName)
+    public async Task<ChannelCryptoDto?> GetChannelCryptoAsync(string channelName)
+    {
+        channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
+
+        using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
+        var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
+
+        var c = await db.Channels.FirstOrDefaultAsync(ch => ch.Name == channelName);
+        if (c is null) return null;
+
+        return new ChannelCryptoDto(c.WrappedRoomKey != null, c.EncryptionSalt);
+    }
+
+    public async Task<(string? EncryptionSalt, string? WrappedRoomKey)> GetChannelKeyEnvelopeAsync(string channelName)
+    {
+        channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
+
+        using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
+        var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
+
+        var c = await db.Channels.FirstOrDefaultAsync(ch => ch.Name == channelName);
+        return (c?.EncryptionSalt, c?.WrappedRoomKey);
+    }
+
+    public async Task<(bool Success, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired)> EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(
+        Guid userId, string channelName, string? password = null)
     {
         channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
 
         if (!ValidationConstants.ChannelNameRegex().IsMatch(channelName))
-            return (false, "Invalid channel name. Use 2-100 characters: letters, digits, underscores, or hyphens.");
+            return (false, "Invalid channel name. Use 2-100 characters: letters, digits, underscores, or hyphens.", false);
 
         using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
         var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
@@ -211,7 +342,7 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
             }
             else
             {
-                return (false, $"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist. Create it first via the channel list.");
+                return (false, $"Channel '{channelName}' does not exist. Create it first via the channel list.", false);
             }
         }
 
@@ -219,6 +350,17 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
             .AnyAsync(m => m.UserId == userId && m.ChannelId == channel.Id);
         if (!hasMembership)
         {
+            // Password gate: existing members (incl. the creator) joined before, so only
+            // first-time joins of a protected channel need the password.
+            if (channel.PasswordHash is not null)
+            {
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(password))
+                    return (false, $"Channel '{channelName}' is password protected.", true);
+
+                if (!BCrypt.Net.BCrypt.Verify(password, channel.PasswordHash))
+                    return (false, $"Incorrect password for channel '{channelName}'.", true);
+            }
+
             db.ChannelMemberships.Add(new ChannelMembership
             {
                 UserId = userId,
@@ -227,7 +369,28 @@ public class ChannelService : IChannelService
             await db.SaveChangesAsync();
         }
 
-        return (true, null);
+        return (true, null, false);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Normalizes and validates a channel password. Whitespace-only becomes null (no password).
+    /// Returns an error message, or null when valid.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string? ValidateChannelPassword(ref string? password)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(password))
+        {
+            password = null;
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        if (password.Length < ValidationConstants.MinChannelPasswordLength)
+            return $"Channel password must be at least {ValidationConstants.MinChannelPasswordLength} characters.";
+
+        if (password.Length > ValidationConstants.MaxPasswordLength)
+            return $"Channel password must not exceed {ValidationConstants.MaxPasswordLength} characters.";
+
+        return null;
     }
 
     private static async Task EnsureDefaultChannelAsync(EchoHubDbContext db)

src/EchoHub.Server/Services/ChatService.cs

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
     private readonly LinkEmbedService _embedService;
     private readonly IMessageEncryptionService _encryption;
     private readonly IChannelService _channelService;
+    private readonly FileStorageService _fileStorage;
     private readonly ILogger<ChatService> _logger;
 
     public ChatService(
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         LinkEmbedService embedService,
         IMessageEncryptionService encryption,
         IChannelService channelService,
+        FileStorageService fileStorage,
         ILogger<ChatService> logger)
     {
         _scopeFactory = scopeFactory;
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         _embedService = embedService;
         _encryption = encryption;
         _channelService = channelService;
+        _fileStorage = fileStorage;
         _logger = logger;
     }
 
@@ -93,15 +96,15 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         return username;
     }
 
-    public async Task<(List<MessageDto> History, string? Error)> JoinChannelAsync(
+    public async Task<(List<MessageDto> History, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired)> JoinChannelAsync(
-        string connectionId, Guid userId, string username, string channelName)
+        string connectionId, Guid userId, string username, string channelName, string? password = null)
     {
         channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
 
-        // Delegate channel validation + membership to ChannelService
+        // Delegate channel validation + membership (incl. password gate) to ChannelService
-        var (success, error) = await _channelService.EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(userId, channelName);
+        var (success, error, passwordRequired) = await _channelService.EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(userId, channelName, password);
         if (!success)
-            return ([], error);
+            return ([], error, passwordRequired);
 
         var isNewJoin = _presenceTracker.JoinChannel(username, channelName);
 
@@ -136,7 +139,7 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         }
 
         var history = await GetChannelHistoryAsync(channelName, HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount);
-        return (history, null);
+        return (history, null, false);
     }
 
     public async Task LeaveChannelAsync(string connectionId, string username, string channelName)
@@ -214,7 +217,6 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         {
             Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
             Content = dbContent,
-            Type = MessageType.Text,
             SentAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
             ChannelId = channel.Id,
             SenderUserId = userId,
@@ -233,9 +235,6 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
             message.SenderUsername,
             sender?.NicknameColor,
             channelName,
-            MessageType.Text,
-            null,
-            null,
             message.SentAt,
             Embeds: embeds);
 
@@ -245,15 +244,16 @@ 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 +366,7 @@ 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 +375,7 @@ 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,
@@ -384,12 +385,53 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
 
         raw.Reverse();
 
-        return raw.Select(x =>
+        var messageIds = raw.Select(x => x.m.Id).ToList();
+        var attachmentsByMessage = (await db.Attachments
+                .Where(a => messageIds.Contains(a.MessageId))
+                .ToListAsync())
+            .GroupBy(a => a.MessageId)
+            .ToDictionary(g => g.Key, g => g.ToList());
+
+        // Attachment blobs can be pruned by retention while the message rows remain. Check what's
+        // actually on disk (one scan) so we never render a dead download, and so we can drop
+        // attachment-only messages whose files are all gone.
+        var storedFileIds = attachmentsByMessage.Count > 0 ? _fileStorage.GetStoredFileIds() : [];
+
+        var result = new List<MessageDto>(raw.Count);
+        var deadMessageIds = new List<Guid>();
+
+        foreach (var x in raw)
         {
             // Decrypt DB content (handles both encrypted and plaintext via prefix detection)
             var plaintext = _encryption.Decrypt(x.m.Content);
-            var embedJsonPlain = _encryption.DecryptNullable(x.m.EmbedJson);
 
+            List<AttachmentDto>? attachments = null;
+            var hadAttachments = attachmentsByMessage.TryGetValue(x.m.Id, out var atts) && atts.Count > 0;
+            if (hadAttachments)
+            {
+                // Keep only attachments whose underlying file still exists on disk.
+                var live = atts!.Where(a => storedFileIds.Contains(FileIdFromUrl(a.Url))).ToList();
+
+                // Attachment-only message whose files are all gone → prune it entirely.
+                if (live.Count == 0 && string.IsNullOrEmpty(plaintext))
+                {
+                    deadMessageIds.Add(x.m.Id);
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                if (live.Count > 0)
+                {
+                    attachments = live.Select(a => new AttachmentDto(
+                        a.Kind,
+                        a.Url,
+                        a.FileName,
+                        a.FileSize,
+                        // Preview re-encrypted for transport; client decrypts (and room-decrypts for E2E)
+                        _encryption.EncryptNullable(_encryption.DecryptNullable(a.AsciiPreview)))).ToList();
+                }
+            }
+
+            var embedJsonPlain = _encryption.DecryptNullable(x.m.EmbedJson);
             List<EmbedDto>? embeds = null;
             if (embedJsonPlain is not null)
             {
@@ -398,18 +440,36 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
             }
 
             // Encrypt for transport — client decrypts
-            return new MessageDto(
+            result.Add(new MessageDto(
                 x.m.Id,
                 _encryption.Encrypt(plaintext),
                 x.m.SenderUsername,
                 x.NicknameColor,
                 channelName,
-                x.m.Type,
-                x.m.AttachmentUrl,
-                x.m.AttachmentFileName,
                 x.m.SentAt,
-                x.m.AttachmentFileSize,
+                attachments,
-                embeds);
+                embeds));
-        }).ToList();
+        }
+
+        // Lazily delete the pruned messages (+ their attachment rows) as they're encountered.
+        if (deadMessageIds.Count > 0)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                await db.Attachments.Where(a => deadMessageIds.Contains(a.MessageId)).ExecuteDeleteAsync();
+                await db.Messages.Where(m => deadMessageIds.Contains(m.Id)).ExecuteDeleteAsync();
+                _logger.LogInformation("Pruned {Count} attachment-only messages with missing files in '{Channel}'",
+                    deadMessageIds.Count, channelName);
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to prune messages with missing attachments in '{Channel}'", channelName);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return result;
     }
+
+    /// <summary>Extracts the storage file id from an attachment URL (e.g. "/api/files/{id}").</summary>
+    private static string FileIdFromUrl(string url) => url.Split('/')[^1];
 }

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/FileStorageService.cs

@@ -35,6 +35,22 @@ public class FileStorageService
         return files.Length > 0 ? files[0] : null;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns the set of stored file ids (filenames without extension) currently on disk.
+    /// One directory scan, so callers can bulk-check many attachments without a glob per file.
+    /// </summary>
+    public HashSet<string> GetStoredFileIds()
+    {
+        var ids = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        if (!Directory.Exists(_storagePath))
+            return ids;
+
+        foreach (var file in Directory.EnumerateFiles(_storagePath))
+            ids.Add(Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(file));
+
+        return ids;
+    }
+
     public void DeleteFile(string fileId)
     {
         var filePath = GetFilePath(fileId);

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/Setup/DataMigrationService.cs

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ public static partial class DataMigrationService
         await EnsureDefaultChannelsPublicAsync(db, logger);
         await MigrateAnsiMessagesAsync(db, logger);
         await MigrateEmbedJsonToArrayAsync(db, logger);
+        await MigrateLegacyAttachmentsAsync(db, logger);
         await EnsureConfiguredAdminsAsync(db, config, logger);
     }
 
@@ -97,6 +98,59 @@ public static partial class DataMigrationService
     [GeneratedRegex(@"\x1b\[(?:(0)|(?:(38;2|48;2);(\d{1,3});(\d{1,3});(\d{1,3})))m")]
     private static partial Regex AnsiColorRegex();
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fold legacy single-attachment messages (which stored the file on the message row and,
+    /// for images, the ASCII art in Content) into the new Attachments model. Idempotent:
+    /// only migrates messages that still have a legacy AttachmentUrl and no Attachment rows.
+    /// After migrating, Content becomes empty (the ASCII art moves to the attachment preview)
+    /// and the legacy columns are nulled out.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static async Task MigrateLegacyAttachmentsAsync(EchoHubDbContext db, ILogger logger)
+    {
+        var legacy = await db.Messages
+            .Where(m => m.AttachmentUrl != null && m.Attachments.Count == 0)
+            .ToListAsync();
+
+        if (legacy.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        logger.LogInformation("Migrating {Count} legacy single-attachment messages to the attachments model...", legacy.Count);
+
+        foreach (var message in legacy)
+        {
+            var kind = message.Type switch
+            {
+                Core.Models.MessageType.Image => AttachmentKind.Image,
+                Core.Models.MessageType.Audio => AttachmentKind.Audio,
+                _ => AttachmentKind.File,
+            };
+
+            // For images the ASCII art lived in Content; for audio/file Content was just the
+            // filename (now redundant with the attachment). Either way the caption becomes empty.
+            var preview = kind == AttachmentKind.Image ? message.Content : null;
+
+            db.Attachments.Add(new Attachment
+            {
+                Id = Guid.NewGuid(),
+                MessageId = message.Id,
+                Kind = kind,
+                Url = message.AttachmentUrl!,
+                FileName = message.AttachmentFileName ?? "file",
+                FileSize = message.AttachmentFileSize ?? 0,
+                AsciiPreview = preview,
+            });
+
+            message.Content = string.Empty;
+            message.AttachmentUrl = null;
+            message.AttachmentFileName = null;
+            message.AttachmentFileSize = null;
+            message.Type = Core.Models.MessageType.Text;
+        }
+
+        await db.SaveChangesAsync();
+        logger.LogInformation("Migrated {Count} legacy attachments.", legacy.Count);
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Ensure usernames listed in Server:Admins config are at least Admin role.
     /// Acts as a safety net in case the first registered user didn't get Owner role.

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/CommandHandlerTests.cs

@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ public class CommandHandlerTests
     {
         var handler = CreateHandler();
         string? capturedChannel = null;
-        handler.OnJoinChannel += ch => { capturedChannel = ch; return Task.CompletedTask; };
+        handler.OnJoinChannel += (ch, _) => { capturedChannel = ch; return Task.CompletedTask; };
 
         await handler.HandleAsync("/join #random");
         Assert.Equal("random", capturedChannel);
@@ -204,12 +204,25 @@ public class CommandHandlerTests
     {
         var handler = CreateHandler();
         string? capturedChannel = null;
-        handler.OnJoinChannel += ch => { capturedChannel = ch; return Task.CompletedTask; };
+        handler.OnJoinChannel += (ch, _) => { capturedChannel = ch; return Task.CompletedTask; };
 
         await handler.HandleAsync("/join random");
         Assert.Equal("random", capturedChannel);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task HandleAsync_Join_WithPassword_PassesPassword()
+    {
+        var handler = CreateHandler();
+        string? capturedChannel = null;
+        string? capturedPassword = null;
+        handler.OnJoinChannel += (ch, pw) => { capturedChannel = ch; capturedPassword = pw; return Task.CompletedTask; };
+
+        await handler.HandleAsync("/join #secret hunter2");
+        Assert.Equal("secret", capturedChannel);
+        Assert.Equal("hunter2", capturedPassword);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public async Task HandleAsync_Join_NoArgs_ReturnsError()
     {

src/EchoHub.Tests/DroppedFileParserTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+using EchoHub.Client.UI.Helpers;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Tests;
+
+public class DroppedFileParserTests
+{
+    // ── LooksLikePath ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("C:\\Users\\me\\cat.png")]
+    [InlineData("D:/photos/pic.jpg")]
+    [InlineData("\"C:\\My Files\\a b.png\"")]
+    [InlineData("/home/me/song.mp3")]
+    [InlineData("\\\\server\\share\\file.txt")]
+    public void LooksLikePath_PathLikeInput_ReturnsTrue(string text)
+    {
+        Assert.True(DroppedFileParser.LooksLikePath(text));
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("hello world")]
+    [InlineData("check out my cat")]
+    [InlineData("no")]
+    [InlineData("")]
+    [InlineData("@someone hi")]
+    public void LooksLikePath_NormalChat_ReturnsFalse(string text)
+    {
+        Assert.False(DroppedFileParser.LooksLikePath(text));
+    }
+
+    // ── TryGetFiles (injected existence check) ────────────────────────
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_SingleAbsolutePath_Detected()
+    {
+        var path = Abs("Users", "me", "cat.png");
+        Assert.True(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles(path, out var files, Exists(path)));
+        Assert.Equal([path], files);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_QuotedPathWithSpaces_StripsQuotes()
+    {
+        var path = Abs("My Files", "a b.png");
+        Assert.True(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles($"\"{path}\"", out var files, Exists(path)));
+        Assert.Equal([path], files);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_MultipleQuotedPaths_Detected()
+    {
+        var a = Abs("a.png");
+        var b = Abs("b.mp3");
+        Assert.True(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles($"\"{a}\" \"{b}\"", out var files, Exists(a, b)));
+        Assert.Equal([a, b], files);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_PosixAbsolutePath_Detected()
+    {
+        // Path.IsPathFullyQualified treats "/x" as fully qualified only on non-Windows;
+        // this asserts the parser defers that judgment to the platform.
+        var isPosix = !OperatingSystem.IsWindows();
+        var detected = DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles("/home/me/song.mp3", out var files, Exists("/home/me/song.mp3"));
+        Assert.Equal(isPosix, detected);
+        if (isPosix)
+            Assert.Equal(["/home/me/song.mp3"], files);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_NonExistentPath_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        Assert.False(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles(Abs("nope", "missing.png"), out _, _ => false));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_PartialPathDuringTyping_ReturnsFalseUntilComplete()
+    {
+        // Only the fully typed path exists; prefixes do not.
+        var full = Abs("Users", "me", "cat.png");
+        var partial = Abs("Users", "me", "ca");
+        var exists = Exists(full);
+        Assert.False(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles(partial, out _, exists));
+        Assert.True(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles(full, out _, exists));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_OneMissingAmongMultiple_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        var a = Abs("a.png");
+        var gone = Abs("gone.png");
+        Assert.False(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles($"\"{a}\" \"{gone}\"", out _, Exists(a)));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryGetFiles_RealTempFile_DetectedWithDefaultExists()
+    {
+        var temp = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath(), $"echohub_drop_{Guid.NewGuid():N}.txt");
+        File.WriteAllText(temp, "x");
+        try
+        {
+            Assert.True(DroppedFileParser.TryGetFiles(temp, out var files));
+            Assert.Single(files);
+            Assert.Equal(temp, files[0]);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            File.Delete(temp);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static Func<string, bool> Exists(params string[] existing)
+    {
+        var set = new HashSet<string>(existing, StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        return set.Contains;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Builds an absolute path that <see cref="Path.IsPathFullyQualified"/> accepts on the current
+    /// OS — <c>C:\a\b</c> on Windows, <c>/a/b</c> elsewhere — so these tests run on any platform (CI is Linux).
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string Abs(params string[] segments) =>
+        OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+            ? "C:\\" + string.Join('\\', segments)
+            : "/" + string.Join('/', segments);
+}

src/EchoHub.Tests/FileValidationHelperTests.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-using EchoHub.Server.Services;
+using EchoHub.Core.Services;
 using Xunit;
 
 namespace EchoHub.Tests;

src/EchoHub.Tests/ImageToAsciiServiceTests.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using EchoHub.Core.Constants;
+using EchoHub.Core.Services;
 using EchoHub.Server.Services;
 using Xunit;
 

src/EchoHub.Tests/Irc/IrcBroadcasterTests.cs

@@ -80,8 +80,7 @@ public class IrcBroadcasterTests
 
         var encryptedContent = _encryption.Encrypt("Hello world!");
         var message = new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), encryptedContent, "alice", null, "general",
+            Guid.NewGuid(), encryptedContent, "alice", null, "general", DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
-            MessageType.Text, null, null, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
 
         await _broadcaster.SendMessageToChannelAsync("general", message);
 
@@ -97,8 +96,7 @@ public class IrcBroadcasterTests
         var (_, bobStream) = AddConnectionWithCapture("bob", "general");
 
         var message = new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), _encryption.Encrypt("Hi"), "alice", null, "general",
+            Guid.NewGuid(), _encryption.Encrypt("Hi"), "alice", null, "general", DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
-            MessageType.Text, null, null, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
 
         await _broadcaster.SendMessageToChannelAsync("general", message);
 
@@ -116,8 +114,7 @@ public class IrcBroadcasterTests
         var (_, randomStream) = AddConnectionWithCapture("charlie", "random");
 
         var message = new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), _encryption.Encrypt("Hi"), "alice", null, "general",
+            Guid.NewGuid(), _encryption.Encrypt("Hi"), "alice", null, "general", DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
-            MessageType.Text, null, null, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
 
         await _broadcaster.SendMessageToChannelAsync("general", message);
 

src/EchoHub.Tests/Irc/IrcCommandHandlerTests.cs

@@ -254,6 +254,50 @@ public class IrcCommandHandlerTests
         Assert.Equal("general", _chatService.JoinedChannels[0].Channel);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Join_WithKey_PassesKeyToChatService()
+    {
+        _channelService.TopicResult = (null, true);
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["JOIN #secret hunter2"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("JOIN #secret"));
+        Assert.Single(_chatService.JoinKeys);
+        Assert.Equal("hunter2", _chatService.JoinKeys[0]);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Join_MultipleChannelsWithKeys_PairsKeysByPosition()
+    {
+        _channelService.TopicResult = (null, true);
+
+        await RunAuthenticated(["JOIN #chan-a,#chan-b key1,key2"]);
+
+        Assert.Equal(["key1", "key2"], _chatService.JoinKeys);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Join_ProtectedChannelWithoutKey_GetsBadChannelKey()
+    {
+        _chatService.JoinError = "Channel 'secret' is password protected.";
+        _chatService.JoinPasswordRequired = true;
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["JOIN #secret"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("475") && l.Contains("#secret") && l.Contains("+k"));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Join_EncryptedChannel_IsBlockedOverIrc()
+    {
+        _channelService.CryptoToReturn = new ChannelCryptoDto(true, "c2FsdA==");
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["JOIN #vault"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("475") && l.Contains("#vault") && l.Contains("end-to-end encrypted"));
+        Assert.Empty(_chatService.JoinedChannels);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public async Task Join_SendsTopic()
     {
@@ -296,8 +340,7 @@ public class IrcCommandHandlerTests
         var encryptedContent = _encryption.Encrypt("Hello from history!");
         _chatService.HistoryToReturn =
         [
-            new(Guid.NewGuid(), encryptedContent, "bob", null, "general",
+            new(Guid.NewGuid(), encryptedContent, "bob", null, "general", DateTimeOffset.UtcNow)
-                MessageType.Text, null, null, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow)
         ];
 
         var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["JOIN #general"]);
@@ -450,13 +493,27 @@ public class IrcCommandHandlerTests
     }
 
     [Fact]
-    public async Task Topic_SetAttempt_GetsPermissionDenied()
+    public async Task Topic_SetByNonCreator_GetsPermissionDenied()
     {
+        _channelService.UpdateTopicResult = ChannelOperationResult.Fail(
+            ChannelError.Forbidden, "Only the channel creator can update the topic.");
+
         var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["TOPIC #general :New topic"]);
 
         Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("482") && l.Contains("channel creator"));
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Topic_SetByCreator_UpdatesAndEchoesTopic()
+    {
+        _channelService.UpdateTopicResult = ChannelOperationResult.Success(
+            new ChannelDto(Guid.NewGuid(), "general", "New topic", true, 0, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow));
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["TOPIC #general :New topic"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("TOPIC #general") && l.Contains("New topic"));
+    }
+
     // ── WHO ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     [Fact]
@@ -564,9 +621,45 @@ public class IrcCommandHandlerTests
     [Fact]
     public async Task Mode_Channel_ReturnsChannelModes()
     {
+        _channelService.ChannelByNameToReturn =
+            new ChannelDto(Guid.NewGuid(), "general", null, true, 0, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
+
         var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["MODE #general"]);
 
-        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("324") && l.Contains("#general"));
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("324") && l.Contains("#general") && l.Contains("+"));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Mode_ProtectedChannel_ReportsKeyMode()
+    {
+        _channelService.ChannelByNameToReturn =
+            new ChannelDto(Guid.NewGuid(), "secret", null, true, 0, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow, IsProtected: true);
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["MODE #secret"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("324") && l.Contains("#secret") && l.Contains("+k"));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Mode_SetKey_ByCreator_EchoesModeChange()
+    {
+        _channelService.SetPasswordResult = ChannelOperationResult.Success(
+            new ChannelDto(Guid.NewGuid(), "secret", null, true, 0, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow, IsProtected: true));
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["MODE #secret +k hunter2"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("MODE #secret +k hunter2"));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Mode_SetKey_ByNonCreator_GetsPermissionDenied()
+    {
+        _channelService.SetPasswordResult = ChannelOperationResult.Fail(
+            ChannelError.Forbidden, "Only the channel creator or an admin can change the channel password.");
+
+        var lines = await RunAuthenticated(["MODE #secret +k hunter2"]);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("482"));
     }
 
     [Fact]

src/EchoHub.Tests/Irc/IrcMessageFormatterTests.cs

@@ -11,32 +11,31 @@ public class IrcMessageFormatterTests
         string channel = "general", List<EmbedDto>? embeds = null)
     {
         return new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), content, sender, null, channel,
+            Guid.NewGuid(), content, sender, null, channel, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow, Embeds: embeds);
-            MessageType.Text, null, null, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow, Embeds: embeds);
     }
 
     private static MessageDto CreateImageMessage(string asciiArt, string fileName = "image.png",
         string url = "https://example.com/image.png", string sender = "alice", string channel = "general")
     {
         return new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), asciiArt, sender, null, channel,
+            Guid.NewGuid(), "", sender, null, channel, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
-            MessageType.Image, url, fileName, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
+            [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Image, url, fileName, 0, asciiArt)]);
     }
 
     private static MessageDto CreateFileMessage(string fileName = "doc.pdf",
         string url = "https://example.com/doc.pdf", string sender = "alice", string channel = "general")
     {
         return new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), "", sender, null, channel,
+            Guid.NewGuid(), "", sender, null, channel, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
-            MessageType.File, url, fileName, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
+            [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.File, url, fileName, 0)]);
     }
 
     private static MessageDto CreateAudioMessage(string fileName = "song.mp3",
         string url = "https://example.com/song.mp3", string sender = "alice", string channel = "general")
     {
         return new MessageDto(
-            Guid.NewGuid(), "", sender, null, channel,
+            Guid.NewGuid(), "", sender, null, channel, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
-            MessageType.Audio, url, fileName, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
+            [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Audio, url, fileName, 0)]);
     }
 
     // ── FormatMessage ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -115,8 +114,7 @@ public class IrcMessageFormatterTests
         var msg = CreateImageMessage("##\n##", "photo.jpg", "https://example.com/photo.jpg");
         var lines = IrcMessageFormatter.FormatMessage(msg);
 
-        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("[Image: photo.jpg]"));
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("[Image: photo.jpg]") && l.Contains("https://example.com/photo.jpg"));
-        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("Download: https://example.com/photo.jpg"));
     }
 
     [Fact]

src/EchoHub.Tests/Irc/TestHelpers.cs

@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ internal sealed class FakeChatService : IChatService
     // Configurable results
     public List<MessageDto> HistoryToReturn { get; set; } = [];
     public string? JoinError { get; set; }
+    public bool JoinPasswordRequired { get; set; }
     public string? SendMessageError { get; set; }
     public List<string> ChannelsForUserToReturn { get; set; } = [];
     public List<UserPresenceDto> OnlineUsersToReturn { get; set; } = [];
@@ -171,11 +172,14 @@ internal sealed class FakeChatService : IChatService
         return Task.FromResult<string?>(null);
     }
 
-    public Task<(List<MessageDto> History, string? Error)> JoinChannelAsync(
+    public List<string?> JoinKeys { get; } = [];
-        string connectionId, Guid userId, string username, string channelName)
+
+    public Task<(List<MessageDto> History, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired)> JoinChannelAsync(
+        string connectionId, Guid userId, string username, string channelName, string? password = null)
     {
         JoinedChannels.Add((channelName, username));
-        return Task.FromResult((HistoryToReturn, JoinError));
+        JoinKeys.Add(password);
+        return Task.FromResult((HistoryToReturn, JoinError, JoinPasswordRequired));
     }
 
     public Task LeaveChannelAsync(string connectionId, string username, string channelName)
@@ -190,7 +194,7 @@ 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)
@@ -224,17 +228,36 @@ internal sealed class FakeChannelService : IChannelService
     public ChannelOperationResult? CreateResult { get; set; }
     public ChannelOperationResult? UpdateTopicResult { get; set; }
     public ChannelOperationResult? DeleteResult { get; set; }
-    public (bool Success, string? Error) MembershipResult { get; set; } = (true, null);
+    public ChannelOperationResult? SetPasswordResult { get; set; }
+    public (bool Success, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired) MembershipResult { get; set; } = (true, null, false);
 
     public Task<PaginatedResponse<ChannelDto>> GetChannelsAsync(Guid userId, int offset, int limit) =>
         Task.FromResult(new PaginatedResponse<ChannelDto>([], 0, offset, limit));
 
-    public Task<ChannelOperationResult> CreateChannelAsync(Guid creatorUserId, string name, string? topic, bool isPublic) =>
+    public ChannelCryptoDto? CryptoToReturn { get; set; }
+    public ChannelOperationResult? RekeyResult { get; set; }
+    public (string? EncryptionSalt, string? WrappedRoomKey) KeyEnvelopeToReturn { get; set; }
+
+    public Task<ChannelOperationResult> CreateChannelAsync(Guid creatorUserId, string name, string? topic, bool isPublic,
+        string? password = null, string? encryptionSalt = null, string? wrappedRoomKey = null) =>
         Task.FromResult(CreateResult ?? ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, "Not configured"));
 
+    public Task<ChannelCryptoDto?> GetChannelCryptoAsync(string channelName) =>
+        Task.FromResult(CryptoToReturn);
+
+    public Task<(string? EncryptionSalt, string? WrappedRoomKey)> GetChannelKeyEnvelopeAsync(string channelName) =>
+        Task.FromResult(KeyEnvelopeToReturn);
+
+    public Task<ChannelOperationResult> RekeyChannelAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName,
+        string oldPassword, string newPassword, string newEncryptionSalt, string newWrappedRoomKey) =>
+        Task.FromResult(RekeyResult ?? ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, "Not configured"));
+
     public Task<ChannelOperationResult> UpdateTopicAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName, string? topic) =>
         Task.FromResult(UpdateTopicResult ?? ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, "Not configured"));
 
+    public Task<ChannelOperationResult> SetChannelPasswordAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName, string? password) =>
+        Task.FromResult(SetPasswordResult ?? ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, "Not configured"));
+
     public Task<ChannelOperationResult> DeleteChannelAsync(Guid callerUserId, string channelName) =>
         Task.FromResult(DeleteResult ?? ChannelOperationResult.Fail(ChannelError.ValidationFailed, "Not configured"));
 
@@ -247,7 +270,7 @@ internal sealed class FakeChannelService : IChannelService
     public Task<ChannelDto?> GetChannelByNameAsync(string channelName) =>
         Task.FromResult(ChannelByNameToReturn);
 
-    public Task<(bool Success, string? Error)> EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(Guid userId, string channelName) =>
+    public Task<(bool Success, string? Error, bool PasswordRequired)> EnsureChannelMembershipAsync(Guid userId, string channelName, string? password = null) =>
         Task.FromResult(MembershipResult);
 }
 

src/EchoHub.Tests/IrcMessageFormatterTests.cs

@@ -8,22 +8,18 @@ namespace EchoHub.Tests;
 public class IrcMessageFormatterTests
 {
     private static MessageDto CreateMessage(
-        MessageType type = MessageType.Text,
         string content = "hello",
         string sender = "alice",
         string channel = "general",
-        string? attachmentUrl = null,
+        List<AttachmentDto>? attachments = null,
-        string? attachmentFileName = null,
         List<EmbedDto>? embeds = null) => new(
         Id: Guid.NewGuid(),
         Content: content,
         SenderUsername: sender,
         SenderNicknameColor: null,
         ChannelName: channel,
-        Type: type,
-        AttachmentUrl: attachmentUrl,
-        AttachmentFileName: attachmentFileName,
         SentAt: DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
+        Attachments: attachments,
         Embeds: embeds);
 
     // ── FormatMessage ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -51,34 +47,29 @@ public class IrcMessageFormatterTests
 
         Assert.True(lines.Count >= 2);
         Assert.Contains("PRIVMSG #general :check this out", lines[0]);
-        // Embed lines contain the Unicode pipe char and site/title
         Assert.Contains("GitHub", lines[1]);
         Assert.Contains("Repo Title", lines[1]);
     }
 
     [Fact]
-    public void FormatMessage_ImageMessage_IncludesImageTagAndDownloadUrl()
+    public void FormatMessage_ImageAttachment_IncludesImageTagAndDownloadUrl()
     {
         var msg = CreateMessage(
-            type: MessageType.Image,
+            content: "",
-            content: "{F:FF0000}\u2588{X}",
+            attachments: [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Image, "/api/files/abc", "photo.png", 0, "{F:FF0000}█{X}")]);
-            attachmentUrl: "/api/files/abc",
-            attachmentFileName: "photo.png");
         var lines = IrcMessageFormatter.FormatMessage(msg);
 
         Assert.True(lines.Count >= 2);
         Assert.Contains("[Image: photo.png]", lines[0]);
-        Assert.Contains("Download: /api/files/abc", lines[1]);
+        Assert.Contains("/api/files/abc", lines[0]);
     }
 
     [Fact]
-    public void FormatMessage_FileMessage_IncludesFileTag()
+    public void FormatMessage_FileAttachment_IncludesFileTag()
     {
         var msg = CreateMessage(
-            type: MessageType.File,
+            content: "",
-            content: "report.pdf",
+            attachments: [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.File, "/api/files/xyz", "report.pdf", 0)]);
-            attachmentUrl: "/api/files/xyz",
-            attachmentFileName: "report.pdf");
         var lines = IrcMessageFormatter.FormatMessage(msg);
 
         Assert.Single(lines);
@@ -87,21 +78,49 @@ public class IrcMessageFormatterTests
     }
 
     [Fact]
-    public void FormatMessage_AudioMessage_IncludesMusicNoteAndAudioTag()
+    public void FormatMessage_AudioAttachment_IncludesMusicNoteAndAudioTag()
     {
         var msg = CreateMessage(
-            type: MessageType.Audio,
+            content: "",
-            content: "song.mp3",
+            attachments: [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Audio, "/api/files/def", "song.mp3", 0)]);
-            attachmentUrl: "/api/files/def",
-            attachmentFileName: "song.mp3");
         var lines = IrcMessageFormatter.FormatMessage(msg);
 
         Assert.Single(lines);
-        Assert.Contains("\u266a", lines[0]); // ♪
+        Assert.Contains("♪", lines[0]);
         Assert.Contains("[Audio: song.mp3]", lines[0]);
         Assert.Contains("/api/files/def", lines[0]);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void FormatMessage_CaptionWithAttachment_RendersBoth()
+    {
+        var msg = CreateMessage(
+            content: "check this photo",
+            attachments: [new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Image, "/api/files/p", "pic.png", 0, null)]);
+        var lines = IrcMessageFormatter.FormatMessage(msg);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("check this photo"));
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("[Image: pic.png]"));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void FormatMessage_MultipleAttachments_RendersEach()
+    {
+        var msg = CreateMessage(
+            content: "",
+            attachments:
+            [
+                new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Image, "/api/files/1", "a.png", 0, null),
+                new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.Audio, "/api/files/2", "b.mp3", 0),
+                new AttachmentDto(AttachmentKind.File, "/api/files/3", "c.pdf", 0),
+            ]);
+        var lines = IrcMessageFormatter.FormatMessage(msg);
+
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("[Image: a.png]"));
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("[Audio: b.mp3]"));
+        Assert.Contains(lines, l => l.Contains("[File: c.pdf]"));
+    }
+
     // ── ColorTagsToAnsi ───────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     [Fact]
@@ -179,7 +198,6 @@ public class IrcMessageFormatterTests
         var longWord = new string('a', 500);
         var result = IrcMessageFormatter.SplitMessage(longWord, 400);
 
-        // Single word can't be split at word boundary, so it stays as one chunk
         Assert.Single(result);
         Assert.Equal(longWord, result[0]);
     }

src/EchoHub.Tests/RoomCryptoTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+using EchoHub.Core.Security;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Tests;
+
+public class RoomCryptoTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void EncryptText_RoundTrips()
+    {
+        var key = RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey();
+        var ciphertext = RoomCrypto.EncryptText("hello secret room", key);
+
+        Assert.StartsWith("$RC1$", ciphertext);
+        Assert.True(RoomCrypto.TryDecryptText(ciphertext, key, out var plaintext));
+        Assert.Equal("hello secret room", plaintext);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryDecryptText_WrongKey_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        var ciphertext = RoomCrypto.EncryptText("hello", RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey());
+
+        Assert.False(RoomCrypto.TryDecryptText(ciphertext, RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey(), out _));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TryDecryptText_PlainText_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        Assert.False(RoomCrypto.TryDecryptText("just a normal message", RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey(), out _));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void EncryptBytes_RoundTrips()
+    {
+        var key = RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey();
+        var payload = new byte[4096];
+        Random.Shared.NextBytes(payload);
+
+        var blob = RoomCrypto.EncryptBytes(payload, key);
+        var decrypted = RoomCrypto.DecryptBytes(blob, key);
+
+        Assert.Equal(payload, decrypted);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void DeriveKeys_IsDeterministic_AndSaltSensitive()
+    {
+        var salt = RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt();
+        var a = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("correct horse battery staple", salt);
+        var b = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("correct horse battery staple", salt);
+        var other = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("correct horse battery staple", RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt());
+
+        Assert.Equal(a.AuthKeyHex, b.AuthKeyHex);
+        Assert.Equal(a.KeyEncryptionKey, b.KeyEncryptionKey);
+        Assert.NotEqual(a.AuthKeyHex, other.AuthKeyHex);
+        Assert.NotEqual(a.AuthKeyHex, Convert.ToHexString(a.KeyEncryptionKey).ToLowerInvariant());
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void WrapRoomKey_UnwrapsWithSameKek_FailsWithWrongKek()
+    {
+        var salt = RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt();
+        var keys = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("passphrase-1", salt);
+        var wrongKeys = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("passphrase-2", salt);
+        var roomKey = RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey();
+
+        var wrapped = RoomCrypto.WrapRoomKey(roomKey, keys.KeyEncryptionKey);
+
+        Assert.True(RoomCrypto.TryUnwrapRoomKey(wrapped, keys.KeyEncryptionKey, out var unwrapped));
+        Assert.Equal(roomKey, unwrapped);
+        Assert.False(RoomCrypto.TryUnwrapRoomKey(wrapped, wrongKeys.KeyEncryptionKey, out _));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Rewrap_PreservesRoomKey_AcrossPassphraseChange()
+    {
+        // Simulates a passphrase change: unwrap with old KEK, wrap with new KEK.
+        var roomKey = RoomCrypto.GenerateRoomKey();
+
+        var oldSalt = RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt();
+        var oldKeys = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("old-passphrase", oldSalt);
+        var wrappedOld = RoomCrypto.WrapRoomKey(roomKey, oldKeys.KeyEncryptionKey);
+
+        Assert.True(RoomCrypto.TryUnwrapRoomKey(wrappedOld, oldKeys.KeyEncryptionKey, out var recovered));
+
+        var newSalt = RoomCrypto.GenerateSalt();
+        var newKeys = RoomCrypto.DeriveKeys("new-passphrase", newSalt);
+        var wrappedNew = RoomCrypto.WrapRoomKey(recovered, newKeys.KeyEncryptionKey);
+
+        Assert.True(RoomCrypto.TryUnwrapRoomKey(wrappedNew, newKeys.KeyEncryptionKey, out var final));
+        Assert.Equal(roomKey, final);
+
+        // Old messages encrypted before the change still decrypt with the unwrapped key
+        var oldMessage = RoomCrypto.EncryptText("written before rekey", roomKey);
+        Assert.True(RoomCrypto.TryDecryptText(oldMessage, final, out var plaintext));
+        Assert.Equal("written before rekey", plaintext);
+    }
+}