feat(infonet): private gate + DM hashchain spool with hardened propagation (#326)

Private gate messages and offline DMs now ride the Infonet hashchain
as ciphertext-only events, replicated across nodes via private
transports (Tor onion / RNS / loopback) and decrypted only by parties
holding the gate or recipient keys.

Hashchain core (mesh_hashchain.py)
----------------------------------

* New ``append_private_gate_message`` and ``append_private_dm_message``
  append paths with full signature verification, public-key binding,
  revocation check, and replay protection in a dedicated sequence
  domain (so a gate post does not consume the author's public broadcast
  sequence, and a DM cannot replay-block a public message at sequence=1).
* Fork validation and full-chain validation now accept the gate
  signature compatibility variants — older signatures that canonicalize
  with/without epoch or reply_to still verify, so a re-sync from an
  older peer doesn't reject still-valid history.
* DM hashchain spool: capped at 2 active sealed offline DMs per
  recipient mailbox, plus a per-(sender, recipient) cap so one prolific
  sender can't consume both slots. 1-hour TTL on the cap counter.
  Spool intentionally small — it's an offline bootstrap channel,
  not a persistent mailbox.
* Rebuild-state preserves the gate sequence domain across reloads so
  a chain reload doesn't accidentally let an old gate sequence
  replay-collide on next append.

Schema enforcement (mesh_schema.py)
-----------------------------------

* Private gate + DM payloads have closed allowlists of fields.
  Plaintext keys (``message``, ``plaintext``, ``_local_plaintext``,
  ``_local_reply_to``) are explicit rejection-bait — they raise before
  the event ever touches the chain.
* DM ciphertext + nonce must look like base64-ish sealed bytes;
  obvious base64-encoded plaintext shapes are rejected.
* ``transport_lock`` required: DM hashchain spool requires
  ``private_strong``; gate accepts ``private``/``private_strong``/
  ``rns``/``onion``.

Defense-in-depth at the network layer (main.py + mesh_public.py)
----------------------------------------------------------------

* ``_infonet_sync_response_events`` now silently redacts private events
  (gate_message + dm_message) unless the request looks like a loopback /
  onion / RNS / private transport caller. If an operator accidentally
  exposes :8000 to the public internet, an external puller gets
  public events only — never ciphertext.
* ``_sync_from_peer`` raises ``PeerSyncRateLimited`` for 429 (handled
  as 4-tuple return with retry_after_s) and ``PeerSyncHTTPError`` for
  other non-200 statuses (handled by ``_run_public_sync_cycle`` to
  honor server cooldown hints even outside the 429 path).

DM relay hydration (main.py)
-----------------------------

* New ``_hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain``: when accepted dm_message chain
  events arrive on a node, they get deposited into the local DM relay
  store with a deterministic sender_token_hash so re-sync of the same
  event is idempotent. Recipients see the ciphertext as a normal DM
  on their next poll and decrypt with their existing recipient key.

Other surfaces
--------------

* meshnode.bat / meshnode.sh now set ``MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC=
  false`` and the participant runtime flags by default so a freshly
  spun-up node defaults to private-only sync.
* InfonetTerminal/InfonetShell.tsx adds a gate directory renderer for
  the new private-gate workflow.
* docker-compose.relay.yml binds the relay backend to 127.0.0.1:8000
  only; Tor's hidden service forwards onion traffic into 127.0.0.1.
  Public clearnet :8000 stays off the network edge.

Tests
-----

* 7 new tests in test_private_gate_hashchain.py + test_private_dm_
  hashchain.py covering: gate fork accepts ciphertext propagation,
  gate fork rejects plaintext, append rejects plaintext before
  normalize, append requires private_strong, append rejects
  non-sealed ciphertext shape, DM spool 2-per-recipient + 1-per-pair
  cap, DM hydration delivers to poll/claim.
* Updated test_mesh_node_bootstrap_runtime.py covers 429 backoff via
  PeerSyncRateLimited 4-tuple AND PeerSyncHTTPError exception.
* Updated test_s14b_public_sync_gate_filter.py + test_s9b_gate_store_
  hydration.py + test_gate_write_cutover.py cover the new private
  redaction on public sync responses.
* test_private_gate_hashchain.py + test_private_dm_hashchain.py:
  10 passed locally.
* Combined mesh-relevant suite (the 5 modified existing tests +
  2 new): 17 passed.

Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>

backend/main.py

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import os
+import os
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
 load_dotenv()
 
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import asyncio
 import base64
 import hmac
 import importlib
+import ipaddress
 import secrets
 import hashlib as _hashlib_mod
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
@@ -20,6 +21,11 @@ logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 _start_time = time.time()
 _MESH_ONLY = os.environ.get("MESH_ONLY", "").strip().lower() in ("1", "true", "yes")
+_HEADLESS_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME = os.environ.get("SHADOWBROKER_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME", "").strip().lower() in (
+    "1",
+    "true",
+    "yes",
+)
 _WARNED_LEGACY_DM_PUBKEY_LOOKUPS: set[str] = set()
 
 
@@ -1095,6 +1101,7 @@ _WORMHOLE_PUBLIC_PROFILE_FIELDS = {"wormhole_enabled"}
 _PRIVATE_LANE_CONTROL_FIELDS = {"private_lane_tier", "private_lane_policy"}
 _PUBLIC_RNS_STATUS_FIELDS = {"enabled", "ready", "configured_peers", "active_peers"}
 _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED = False
+_NODE_RUNTIME_THREADS_STARTED = False
 _INFONET_PRIVATE_TRANSPORT_LOCK = threading.Lock()
 
 
@@ -1184,6 +1191,49 @@ def _filter_infonet_sync_records(records: list[Any]) -> list[Any]:
     ]
 
 
+def _infonet_peer_url_allowed(peer_url: str) -> bool:
+    if not _infonet_private_transport_required():
+        return True
+    return _is_private_infonet_transport(peer_transport_kind(peer_url))
+
+
+def _filter_infonet_peer_urls(peer_urls: list[str]) -> list[str]:
+    if not _infonet_private_transport_required():
+        return peer_urls
+    return [peer_url for peer_url in peer_urls if _infonet_peer_url_allowed(peer_url)]
+
+
+def _infonet_peer_requests_proxies(normalized_peer_url: str) -> dict[str, str] | None:
+    """Return requests proxy settings for a sync/push peer, enforcing private policy."""
+    transport = peer_transport_kind(normalized_peer_url)
+    if _infonet_private_transport_required() and not _is_private_infonet_transport(transport):
+        raise RuntimeError(_infonet_private_transport_error())
+    if transport != "onion":
+        return None
+    if not bool(get_settings().MESH_ARTI_ENABLED):
+        raise RuntimeError("onion peer requests require Arti to be enabled")
+    from services.wormhole_supervisor import _check_arti_ready
+
+    if not _check_arti_ready():
+        raise RuntimeError("onion peer requests require a ready Arti transport")
+    socks_port = int(get_settings().MESH_ARTI_SOCKS_PORT or 9050)
+    proxy = f"socks5h://127.0.0.1:{socks_port}"
+    return {"http": proxy, "https": proxy}
+
+
+def _local_infonet_peer_url() -> str:
+    """Return this node's advertised peer URL for HMAC peer authentication."""
+    configured = normalize_peer_url(str(getattr(get_settings(), "MESH_PUBLIC_PEER_URL", "") or ""))
+    if configured:
+        return configured
+    try:
+        from services.tor_hidden_service import tor_service
+
+        return normalize_peer_url(str(tor_service.onion_address or ""))
+    except Exception:
+        return ""
+
+
 def _ensure_infonet_private_transport_ready(reason: str = "") -> bool:
     """Warm the local onion transport before private Infonet sync.
 
@@ -1257,6 +1307,13 @@ def _refresh_node_peer_store(*, now: float | None = None) -> dict[str, Any]:
     operator_peers = configured_relay_peer_urls()
     bootstrap_seed_peers = _configured_bootstrap_seed_peer_urls()
     skipped_clearnet_peers = 0
+    pruned_clearnet_peers = 0
+    if private_transport_required:
+        for key, record in list(store._records.items()):
+            if _is_private_infonet_transport(str(getattr(record, "transport", "") or "")):
+                continue
+            del store._records[key]
+            pruned_clearnet_peers += 1
     for peer_url in operator_peers:
         transport = peer_transport_kind(peer_url)
         if not transport:
@@ -1364,6 +1421,7 @@ def _refresh_node_peer_store(*, now: float | None = None) -> dict[str, Any]:
         "node_mode": mode,
         "private_transport_required": private_transport_required,
         "skipped_clearnet_peer_count": skipped_clearnet_peers,
+        "pruned_clearnet_peer_count": pruned_clearnet_peers,
         "manifest_loaded": manifest is not None,
         "manifest_signer_id": manifest.signer_id if manifest is not None else "",
         "manifest_valid_until": int(manifest.valid_until or 0) if manifest is not None else 0,
@@ -1384,6 +1442,28 @@ def _materialize_local_infonet_state() -> None:
     from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet
 
     infonet.ensure_materialized()
+    try:
+        _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(list(infonet.events))
+        _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(list(infonet.events))
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
+class PeerSyncHTTPError(RuntimeError):
+    def __init__(self, status_code: int, detail: str, *, retry_after_s: int = 0):
+        self.status_code = int(status_code or 0)
+        self.retry_after_s = int(retry_after_s or 0)
+        message = str(detail or f"HTTP {self.status_code}").strip()
+        if not message.upper().startswith("HTTP"):
+            message = f"HTTP {self.status_code}: {message}"
+        super().__init__(message)
+
+
+def _parse_retry_after_seconds(value: str) -> int:
+    try:
+        return max(0, int(float(str(value or "").strip())))
+    except Exception:
+        return 0
 
 
 def _peer_sync_response(peer_url: str, body: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
@@ -1446,7 +1526,8 @@ def _peer_sync_response(peer_url: str, body: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
         raise ValueError(f"peer sync returned non-JSON response ({response.status_code})") from exc
     if response.status_code != 200:
         detail = str(payload.get("detail", "") or f"HTTP {response.status_code}").strip()
-        raise ValueError(detail or f"HTTP {response.status_code}")
+        retry_after_s = _parse_retry_after_seconds(response.headers.get("Retry-After", ""))
+        raise PeerSyncHTTPError(response.status_code, detail, retry_after_s=retry_after_s)
     if not isinstance(payload, dict):
         raise ValueError("peer sync returned malformed payload")
     return payload
@@ -1485,6 +1566,46 @@ def _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events: list[dict]) -> int:
     return count
 
 
+def _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events: list[dict]) -> int:
+    """Copy accepted dm_message chain events into the local encrypted DM relay."""
+    import hashlib
+
+    from services.mesh.mesh_dm_relay import dm_relay
+    from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet
+
+    count = 0
+    for evt in events:
+        if evt.get("event_type") != "dm_message":
+            continue
+        event_id = str(evt.get("event_id", "") or "").strip()
+        if not event_id or event_id not in infonet.event_index:
+            continue
+        canonical = infonet.events[infonet.event_index[event_id]]
+        payload = canonical.get("payload") if isinstance(canonical.get("payload"), dict) else {}
+        sender_token_hash = hashlib.sha256(
+            f"hashchain-dm-sender|{event_id}|{canonical.get('node_id', '')}".encode("utf-8")
+        ).hexdigest()
+        try:
+            result = dm_relay.deposit(
+                sender_id=str(canonical.get("node_id", "") or ""),
+                raw_sender_id=str(canonical.get("node_id", "") or ""),
+                recipient_id=str(payload.get("recipient_id", "") or ""),
+                ciphertext=str(payload.get("ciphertext", "") or ""),
+                msg_id=str(payload.get("msg_id", "") or ""),
+                delivery_class=str(payload.get("delivery_class", "") or ""),
+                recipient_token=str(payload.get("recipient_token", "") or "") or None,
+                sender_seal=str(payload.get("sender_seal", "") or ""),
+                sender_token_hash=sender_token_hash,
+                payload_format=str(payload.get("format", "dm1") or "dm1"),
+                session_welcome=str(payload.get("session_welcome", "") or ""),
+            )
+            if result.get("ok"):
+                count += 1
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+    return count
+
+
 def _sync_from_peer(
     peer_url: str,
     *,
@@ -1538,6 +1659,7 @@ def _sync_from_peer(
             return True, "", False, 0
         result = infonet.ingest_events(events)
         _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events)
+        _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events)
         rejected = list(result.get("rejected", []) or [])
         if rejected:
             return False, f"sync ingest rejected {len(rejected)} event(s)", False, 0
@@ -1600,6 +1722,8 @@ def _run_public_sync_cycle() -> SyncWorkerState:
 
     last_error = "sync failed"
     for record in peers:
+        retry_after_s = 0
+        http_status_code = 0
         started = begin_sync(
             current_state,
             peer_url=record.peer_url,
@@ -1610,6 +1734,17 @@ def _run_public_sync_cycle() -> SyncWorkerState:
             set_sync_state(started)
         try:
             ok, error, forked, retry_after_s = _sync_from_peer(record.peer_url)
+        except PeerSyncHTTPError as exc:
+            # _sync_from_peer catches PeerSyncRateLimited internally (4-tuple
+            # path for 429 with Retry-After). Other non-200 statuses surface
+            # here as PeerSyncHTTPError — pull retry_after_s + status off it
+            # so the cooldown calculation below can honor server hints even
+            # for non-429 throttling responses.
+            ok = False
+            error = str(exc)
+            forked = False
+            retry_after_s = int(exc.retry_after_s or 0)
+            http_status_code = int(exc.status_code or 0)
         except Exception as exc:
             ok = False
             error = str(exc or type(exc).__name__)
@@ -1640,6 +1775,10 @@ def _run_public_sync_cycle() -> SyncWorkerState:
                 getattr(settings, "MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_S", cooldown_s)
                 or cooldown_s
             )
+        if http_status_code == 429:
+            failure_count = max(int(getattr(record, "failure_count", 0) or 0), current_state.consecutive_failures)
+            exponential_429_s = min(900, 60 * (2 ** min(failure_count, 4)))
+            cooldown_s = max(cooldown_s, retry_after_s, exponential_429_s)
         store.mark_failure(
             record.peer_url,
             "sync",
@@ -1650,7 +1789,7 @@ def _run_public_sync_cycle() -> SyncWorkerState:
         store.save()
         failure_backoff_s = int(settings.MESH_SYNC_FAILURE_BACKOFF_S or 60)
         if is_seed_peer:
-            failure_backoff_s = min(failure_backoff_s, max(1, cooldown_s))
+            failure_backoff_s = max(failure_backoff_s, max(1, cooldown_s))
         updated = finish_sync(
             started,
             ok=False,
@@ -1750,7 +1889,7 @@ def _propagate_public_event_to_peers(event_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
 
     if not _participant_node_enabled():
         return
-    if not authenticated_push_peer_urls():
+    if not _filter_infonet_peer_urls(authenticated_push_peer_urls()):
         return
 
     envelope = MeshEnvelope(
@@ -1784,6 +1923,45 @@ def _schedule_public_event_propagation(event_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     ).start()
 
 
+def _infonet_node_runtime_requested() -> bool:
+    return (not _MESH_ONLY) or _HEADLESS_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME
+
+
+def _start_infonet_node_runtime(reason: str = "startup") -> None:
+    """Start sync/push/pull workers for participant nodes."""
+    global _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED, _NODE_RUNTIME_THREADS_STARTED
+
+    if not _infonet_node_runtime_requested():
+        return
+    try:
+        from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import register_public_event_append_hook
+
+        _materialize_local_infonet_state()
+        _refresh_node_peer_store()
+        if _node_runtime_supported():
+            if not _participant_node_enabled():
+                logger.info("Infonet participant auto-enabled for private seed sync")
+                _set_participant_node_enabled(True)
+            threading.Thread(
+                target=lambda: _ensure_infonet_private_transport_ready(reason),
+                daemon=True,
+                name="infonet-private-transport-warmup",
+            ).start()
+            _NODE_SYNC_STOP.clear()
+            if not _NODE_RUNTIME_THREADS_STARTED:
+                threading.Thread(target=_public_infonet_sync_loop, daemon=True).start()
+                threading.Thread(target=_http_peer_push_loop, daemon=True).start()
+                threading.Thread(target=_http_gate_push_loop, daemon=True).start()
+                threading.Thread(target=_http_gate_pull_loop, daemon=True).start()
+                _NODE_RUNTIME_THREADS_STARTED = True
+            _kick_public_sync_background(reason)
+        if not _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED:
+            register_public_event_append_hook(_schedule_public_event_propagation)
+            _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED = True
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.warning(f"Node bootstrap runtime failed to initialize: {e}")
+
+
 # ─── Background HTTP Peer Push Worker ────────────────────────────────────
 # Runs alongside the sync loop.  Every PUSH_INTERVAL seconds, batches new
 # Infonet events and sends them via HMAC-authenticated POST to push peers.
@@ -1791,6 +1969,7 @@ def _schedule_public_event_propagation(event_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
 _PEER_PUSH_INTERVAL_S = 10
 _PEER_PUSH_BATCH_SIZE = 50
 _peer_push_last_index: dict[str, int] = {}  # peer_url → last pushed event index
+_INFONET_SYNC_RATE_LIMIT = "600/minute"
 
 
 def _http_peer_push_loop() -> None:
@@ -1812,7 +1991,7 @@ def _http_peer_push_loop() -> None:
             # loop on the global secret being set — an install that only
             # configures per-peer secrets is now valid.
 
-            peers = authenticated_push_peer_urls()
+            peers = _filter_infonet_peer_urls(authenticated_push_peer_urls())
             if not peers:
                 _NODE_SYNC_STOP.wait(_PEER_PUSH_INTERVAL_S)
                 continue
@@ -1840,7 +2019,8 @@ def _http_peer_push_loop() -> None:
                         ensure_ascii=False,
                     ).encode("utf-8")
 
-                    peer_key = resolve_peer_key_for_url(normalized)
+                    sender_url = _local_infonet_peer_url()
+                    peer_key = resolve_peer_key_for_url(sender_url)
                     if not peer_key:
                         continue
                     import hmac as _hmac_mod2
@@ -1848,14 +2028,21 @@ def _http_peer_push_loop() -> None:
                     hmac_hex = _hmac_mod2.new(peer_key, body_bytes, _hashlib_mod2.sha256).hexdigest()
 
                     timeout = int(get_settings().MESH_RELAY_PUSH_TIMEOUT_S or 10)
-                    resp = _requests.post(
-                        f"{normalized}/api/mesh/infonet/peer-push",
-                        data=body_bytes,
-                        headers={
+                    proxies = _infonet_peer_requests_proxies(normalized)
+                    request_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {
+                        "data": body_bytes,
+                        "headers": {
                             "Content-Type": "application/json",
+                            "X-Peer-Url": sender_url,
                             "X-Peer-HMAC": hmac_hex,
                         },
-                        timeout=timeout,
+                        "timeout": timeout,
+                    }
+                    if proxies:
+                        request_kwargs["proxies"] = proxies
+                    resp = _requests.post(
+                        f"{normalized}/api/mesh/infonet/peer-push",
+                        **request_kwargs,
                     )
                     if resp.status_code == 200:
                         _peer_push_last_index[normalized] = last_idx + len(batch)
@@ -1895,7 +2082,7 @@ def _http_gate_pull_loop() -> None:
 
             # Issue #256: per-peer key resolution; see _http_peer_push_loop.
 
-            peers = authenticated_push_peer_urls()
+            peers = _filter_infonet_peer_urls(authenticated_push_peer_urls())
             if not peers:
                 _NODE_SYNC_STOP.wait(_GATE_PULL_INTERVAL_S)
                 continue
@@ -1905,7 +2092,8 @@ def _http_gate_pull_loop() -> None:
                 if not normalized:
                     continue
 
-                peer_key = resolve_peer_key_for_url(normalized)
+                sender_url = _local_infonet_peer_url()
+                peer_key = resolve_peer_key_for_url(sender_url)
                 if not peer_key:
                     continue
 
@@ -1925,14 +2113,21 @@ def _http_gate_pull_loop() -> None:
                     discovery_hmac = _hmac_pull.new(peer_key, discovery_body, _hashlib_pull.sha256).hexdigest()
 
                     timeout = int(get_settings().MESH_RELAY_PUSH_TIMEOUT_S or 10)
-                    resp = _requests.post(
-                        f"{normalized}/api/mesh/gate/peer-pull",
-                        data=discovery_body,
-                        headers={
+                    proxies = _infonet_peer_requests_proxies(normalized)
+                    discovery_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {
+                        "data": discovery_body,
+                        "headers": {
                             "Content-Type": "application/json",
+                            "X-Peer-Url": sender_url,
                             "X-Peer-HMAC": discovery_hmac,
                         },
-                        timeout=timeout,
+                        "timeout": timeout,
+                    }
+                    if proxies:
+                        discovery_kwargs["proxies"] = proxies
+                    resp = _requests.post(
+                        f"{normalized}/api/mesh/gate/peer-pull",
+                        **discovery_kwargs,
                     )
                     if resp.status_code != 200:
                         continue
@@ -1962,14 +2157,20 @@ def _http_gate_pull_loop() -> None:
 
                         pull_hmac = _hmac_pull.new(peer_key, pull_body, _hashlib_pull.sha256).hexdigest()
 
-                        pull_resp = _requests.post(
-                            f"{normalized}/api/mesh/gate/peer-pull",
-                            data=pull_body,
-                            headers={
+                        pull_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {
+                            "data": pull_body,
+                            "headers": {
                                 "Content-Type": "application/json",
+                                "X-Peer-Url": sender_url,
                                 "X-Peer-HMAC": pull_hmac,
                             },
-                            timeout=timeout,
+                            "timeout": timeout,
+                        }
+                        if proxies:
+                            pull_kwargs["proxies"] = proxies
+                        pull_resp = _requests.post(
+                            f"{normalized}/api/mesh/gate/peer-pull",
+                            **pull_kwargs,
                         )
                         if pull_resp.status_code != 200:
                             continue
@@ -2020,7 +2221,7 @@ def _http_gate_push_loop() -> None:
 
             # Issue #256: per-peer key resolution; see _http_peer_push_loop.
 
-            peers = authenticated_push_peer_urls()
+            peers = _filter_infonet_peer_urls(authenticated_push_peer_urls())
             if not peers:
                 _NODE_SYNC_STOP.wait(_PEER_PUSH_INTERVAL_S)
                 continue
@@ -2033,7 +2234,8 @@ def _http_gate_push_loop() -> None:
                 if not normalized:
                     continue
 
-                peer_key = resolve_peer_key_for_url(normalized)
+                sender_url = _local_infonet_peer_url()
+                peer_key = resolve_peer_key_for_url(sender_url)
                 if not peer_key:
                     continue
 
@@ -2064,14 +2266,21 @@ def _http_gate_push_loop() -> None:
                         hmac_hex = _hmac_mod3.new(peer_key, body_bytes, _hashlib_mod3.sha256).hexdigest()
 
                         timeout = int(get_settings().MESH_RELAY_PUSH_TIMEOUT_S or 10)
-                        resp = _requests.post(
-                            f"{normalized}/api/mesh/gate/peer-push",
-                            data=body_bytes,
-                            headers={
+                        proxies = _infonet_peer_requests_proxies(normalized)
+                        request_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {
+                            "data": body_bytes,
+                            "headers": {
                                 "Content-Type": "application/json",
+                                "X-Peer-Url": sender_url,
                                 "X-Peer-HMAC": hmac_hex,
                             },
-                            timeout=timeout,
+                            "timeout": timeout,
+                        }
+                        if proxies:
+                            request_kwargs["proxies"] = proxies
+                        resp = _requests.post(
+                            f"{normalized}/api/mesh/gate/peer-push",
+                            **request_kwargs,
                         )
                         if resp.status_code == 200:
                             peer_counts[gate_id] = last + len(batch)
@@ -2413,32 +2622,8 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
             daemon=True,
             name="wormhole-startup-sync",
         ).start()
-        try:
-            from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import register_public_event_append_hook
 
-            _materialize_local_infonet_state()
-            _refresh_node_peer_store()
-            if _node_runtime_supported():
-                if not _participant_node_enabled():
-                    logger.info("Infonet participant auto-enabled for private seed sync")
-                    _set_participant_node_enabled(True)
-                threading.Thread(
-                    target=lambda: _ensure_infonet_private_transport_ready("startup"),
-                    daemon=True,
-                    name="infonet-private-transport-warmup",
-                ).start()
-                _NODE_SYNC_STOP.clear()
-                threading.Thread(target=_public_infonet_sync_loop, daemon=True).start()
-                _kick_public_sync_background("startup")
-                threading.Thread(target=_http_peer_push_loop, daemon=True).start()
-                threading.Thread(target=_http_gate_push_loop, daemon=True).start()
-                threading.Thread(target=_http_gate_pull_loop, daemon=True).start()
-            global _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED
-            if not _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED:
-                register_public_event_append_hook(_schedule_public_event_propagation)
-                _NODE_PUBLIC_EVENT_HOOK_REGISTERED = True
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.warning(f"Node bootstrap runtime failed to initialize: {e}")
+    _start_infonet_node_runtime("startup")
 
     if not _MESH_ONLY:
         # Prime the static route/airport database from vrs-standing-data.adsb.lol
@@ -2677,6 +2862,91 @@ def _redact_public_event(event: dict) -> dict:
     return _redact_vote_gate(_redact_key_rotate_payload(_redact_gate_metadata(event)))
 
 
+def _is_loopback_host(host: str) -> bool:
+    value = str(host or "").strip().lower()
+    if not value:
+        return False
+    if value.startswith("[") and "]" in value:
+        value = value[1 : value.index("]")]
+    if ":" in value and value.count(":") == 1:
+        value = value.rsplit(":", 1)[0]
+    if value in {"localhost", "ip6-localhost"}:
+        return True
+    try:
+        return ipaddress.ip_address(value).is_loopback
+    except ValueError:
+        return False
+
+
+def _is_onion_host(host: str) -> bool:
+    value = str(host or "").strip().lower()
+    if not value:
+        return False
+    if ":" in value and value.count(":") == 1:
+        value = value.rsplit(":", 1)[0]
+    return value.endswith(".onion")
+
+
+def _forwarded_for_hosts(request) -> list[str]:
+    headers = getattr(request, "headers", {}) or {}
+    hosts: list[str] = []
+    x_forwarded_for = str(headers.get("x-forwarded-for", "") or "")
+    hosts.extend(part.strip() for part in x_forwarded_for.split(",") if part.strip())
+    forwarded = str(headers.get("forwarded", "") or "")
+    for section in forwarded.split(","):
+        for item in section.split(";"):
+            key, sep, value = item.strip().partition("=")
+            if sep and key.strip().lower() == "for":
+                hosts.append(value.strip().strip('"').strip("[]"))
+    return hosts
+
+
+def _request_appears_private_infonet_transport(request) -> bool:
+    """Return whether a sync request is safe to carry private ledger events.
+
+    This is intentionally fail-closed for the private event surface only. A
+    questionable request still gets public events; gate/DM ciphertext simply
+    stays out of the response.
+    """
+    if not _infonet_private_transport_required() or request is None:
+        return False
+
+    forwarded_hosts = _forwarded_for_hosts(request)
+    if forwarded_hosts and any(not (_is_loopback_host(host) or _is_onion_host(host)) for host in forwarded_hosts):
+        return False
+
+    client = getattr(request, "client", None)
+    client_host = str(getattr(client, "host", "") or "")
+    headers = getattr(request, "headers", {}) or {}
+    host_header = str(headers.get("host", "") or "")
+    url_host = str(getattr(getattr(request, "url", None), "hostname", "") or "")
+    return any(
+        (
+            _is_loopback_host(client_host),
+            _is_loopback_host(host_header),
+            _is_loopback_host(url_host),
+            _is_onion_host(host_header),
+            _is_onion_host(url_host),
+        )
+    )
+
+
+def _infonet_sync_response_events(events: list[dict], request=None) -> list[dict]:
+    """Build the sync event surface for the current transport policy."""
+    include_private = _request_appears_private_infonet_transport(request)
+    response: list[dict] = []
+    for event in events:
+        if not isinstance(event, dict):
+            continue
+        event_type = str(event.get("event_type", "") or "")
+        if event_type in {"gate_message", "dm_message"}:
+            if include_private:
+                response.append(dict(event))
+            continue
+        response.append(_redact_public_event(event))
+    return response
+
+
 def _trusted_gate_reply_to(event: dict) -> str:
     if not isinstance(event, dict):
         return ""
@@ -5261,32 +5531,15 @@ def _submit_gate_message_envelope(request: Request, gate_id: str, body: dict[str
     if not cooldown_ok:
         return {"ok": False, "detail": cooldown_reason}
 
-    # Advance sequence counter (replay protection) without appending to
-    # the public infonet chain — gate messages are private.
-    try:
-        from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet, gate_store
-
-        seq_ok, seq_reason = _validate_private_signed_sequence(
-            infonet,
-            sender_id,
-            sequence,
-            domain="gate_message",
-        )
-        if not seq_ok:
-            return {"ok": False, "detail": seq_reason}
-    except ValueError as exc:
-        return {"ok": False, "detail": str(exc)}
-    except Exception:
-        logger.exception("Failed to advance sequence for gate message")
-        return {"ok": False, "detail": "Failed to record gate message"}
-
     gate_manager.record_message(gate_id)
     _record_gate_post_cooldown(sender_id, gate_id)
     logger.info("Encrypted gate message accepted on obfuscated gate plane")
 
-    # Build gate event and store in gate_store (private — not on public chain).
+    # Build and commit the encrypted gate event to the private Infonet ledger.
+    # The main hashchain is the durable propagation surface; gate_store is the
+    # local materialized view used by the existing decrypt/UI path.
     try:
-        from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import _private_gate_event_id
+        from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet
         import time as _time
 
         store_payload = dict(gate_payload)
@@ -5308,19 +5561,24 @@ def _submit_gate_message_envelope(request: Request, gate_id: str, body: dict[str
             "public_key_algo": public_key_algo,
             "protocol_version": protocol_version or PROTOCOL_VERSION,
         }
-        gate_event["event_id"] = _private_gate_event_id(gate_id, sender_id, sequence, gate_event)
+        gate_event = infonet.append_private_gate_message(
+            node_id=sender_id,
+            payload=store_payload,
+            signature=signature,
+            sequence=sequence,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+            protocol_version=protocol_version or PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+            timestamp=float(gate_event.get("timestamp", 0) or 0),
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return {"ok": False, "detail": str(exc)}
     except Exception:
-        logger.exception("Failed to prepare private gate message for queued release")
+        logger.exception("Failed to append gate message to private Infonet ledger")
         return {"ok": False, "detail": "Failed to record gate message"}
 
-    # Append to the local gate_store immediately. The gate_store is a
-    # per-node persistent ciphertext chain; writing to it is a local
-    # operation with no network dependency. Previously this happened only
-    # inside the release worker's attempt_private_release path, which
-    # meant messages sat in the outbox — invisible to the author and the
-    # gate UI — until the transport tier reached the release floor.
-    # Decoupling local visibility from network fan-out: append locally now,
-    # queue the release for network propagation when the lane is ready.
+    # Append to the local gate_store immediately so the author sees the same
+    # materialized gate view that peers will hydrate after private sync.
     try:
         from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import gate_store
 
@@ -5447,7 +5705,7 @@ async def infonet_locator(request: Request, limit: int = Query(32, ge=4, le=128)
 
 
 @app.post("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-@limiter.limit("30/minute")
+@limiter.limit(_INFONET_SYNC_RATE_LIMIT)
 @mesh_write_exempt(MeshWriteExemption.PEER_GOSSIP)
 async def infonet_sync_post(
     request: Request,
@@ -5500,8 +5758,7 @@ async def infonet_sync_post(
     elif matched_hash == GENESIS_HASH and len(locator) > 1:
         forked = True
 
-    # Filter out legacy gate_message events — not part of the public sync surface.
-    events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = _infonet_sync_response_events(events, request=request)
 
     response = {
         "events": events,
@@ -5564,7 +5821,7 @@ async def mesh_rns_status(request: Request):
 
 
 @app.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-@limiter.limit("30/minute")
+@limiter.limit(_INFONET_SYNC_RATE_LIMIT)
 async def infonet_sync(
     request: Request,
     after_hash: str = "",
@@ -5602,8 +5859,7 @@ async def infonet_sync(
         )
     base = after_hash or GENESIS_HASH
     events = infonet.get_events_after(base, limit=limit)
-    # Filter out legacy gate_message events — not part of the public sync surface.
-    events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = _infonet_sync_response_events(events, request=request)
     return {
         "events": events,
         "after_hash": base,
@@ -5642,6 +5898,7 @@ async def infonet_ingest(request: Request):
 
     result = infonet.ingest_events(events)
     _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events)
+    _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events)
     return {"ok": True, **result}
 
 
@@ -5682,6 +5939,7 @@ async def infonet_peer_push(request: Request):
 
     result = infonet.ingest_events(events)
     _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events)
+    _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events)
     return {"ok": True, **result}
 
 
@@ -6241,6 +6499,12 @@ async def infonet_event(request: Request, event_id: str):
                 )
             return _strip_gate_for_access(evt, access)
         return {"ok": False, "detail": "Event not found"}
+    if evt.get("event_type") == "dm_message":
+        return await _private_plane_refusal_response(
+            request,
+            status_code=403,
+            payload=_private_plane_access_denied_payload(),
+        )
     if evt.get("event_type") == "gate_message":
         gate_id = str(evt.get("payload", {}).get("gate", "") or evt.get("gate", "") or "").strip()
         access = _verify_gate_access(request, gate_id) if gate_id else ""
@@ -6265,7 +6529,7 @@ async def infonet_node_events(
     from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet
 
     events = infonet.get_events_by_node(node_id, limit=limit)
-    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") not in {"gate_message", "dm_message"}]
     events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in infonet.decorate_events(events)]
     events = _redact_public_node_history(
         events,
@@ -6290,7 +6554,7 @@ async def infonet_events_by_type(
     else:
         events = list(reversed(infonet.events))
         events = events[offset : offset + limit]
-    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") not in {"gate_message", "dm_message"}]
     events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in infonet.decorate_events(events)]
     return {
         "events": events,
@@ -7028,6 +7292,7 @@ async def _dm_send_from_signed_request(request: Request):
     relay_salt_hex = str(body.get("relay_salt", "") or "").strip().lower()
     msg_id = str(body.get("msg_id", "")).strip()
     timestamp = _safe_int(body.get("timestamp", 0) or 0)
+    sequence = _safe_int(body.get("sequence", 0) or 0)
     nonce = str(body.get("nonce", "")).strip()
 
     if not sender_id or not recipient_id or not ciphertext or not msg_id or not timestamp:
@@ -7101,7 +7366,7 @@ async def _dm_send_from_signed_request(request: Request):
         ok_seq, seq_reason = _validate_private_signed_sequence(
             infonet,
             sender_id,
-            int(body.get("sequence", 0) or 0),
+            sequence,
             domain="dm_send",
         )
         if not ok_seq:
@@ -7135,7 +7400,47 @@ async def _dm_send_from_signed_request(request: Request):
         "sender_seal": sender_seal,
         "relay_salt": relay_salt_hex,
     }
+    hashchain_spool: dict[str, Any] = {"ok": False, "detail": "not attempted"}
+    try:
+        from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet
+
+        chain_payload = dict(prepared.payload if prepared is not None else {})
+        if not chain_payload:
+            chain_payload = {
+                "recipient_id": recipient_id,
+                "delivery_class": delivery_class,
+                "recipient_token": recipient_token if delivery_class == "shared" else "",
+                "ciphertext": ciphertext,
+                "msg_id": msg_id,
+                "timestamp": timestamp,
+                "format": payload_format,
+            }
+        chain_payload["transport_lock"] = "private_strong"
+        chain_event = infonet.append_private_dm_message(
+            node_id=sender_id,
+            payload=chain_payload,
+            signature=str(prepared.signature if prepared is not None else body.get("signature", "") or ""),
+            sequence=sequence,
+            public_key=str(prepared.public_key if prepared is not None else body.get("public_key", "") or ""),
+            public_key_algo=str(
+                prepared.public_key_algo if prepared is not None else body.get("public_key_algo", "") or ""
+            ),
+            protocol_version=str(
+                prepared.protocol_version if prepared is not None else body.get("protocol_version", "") or ""
+            )
+            or PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+            timestamp=float(timestamp or time.time()),
+        )
+        _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain([chain_event])
+        hashchain_spool = {
+            "ok": True,
+            "event_id": str(chain_event.get("event_id", "") or ""),
+            "limit": 2,
+        }
+    except Exception as exc:
+        hashchain_spool = {"ok": False, "detail": str(exc) or type(exc).__name__}
     queued_result = _queue_dm_release(current_tier=tier, payload=release_payload)
+    queued_result["hashchain_spool"] = hashchain_spool
     if transport_upgrade_pending:
         queued_result["private_transport_pending"] = True
     return queued_result
@@ -9111,6 +9416,11 @@ async def api_get_node_settings(request: Request):
 async def api_set_node_settings(request: Request, body: NodeSettingsUpdate):
     _refresh_node_peer_store()
     if bool(body.enabled):
+        if _infonet_private_transport_required() and not _ensure_infonet_private_transport_ready("operator_enable"):
+            return JSONResponse(
+                {"ok": False, "detail": _infonet_private_transport_error()},
+                status_code=503,
+            )
         try:
             from services.transport_lane_isolation import disable_public_mesh_lane
 
@@ -9119,6 +9429,7 @@ async def api_set_node_settings(request: Request, body: NodeSettingsUpdate):
             logger.warning("Failed to disable public Mesh while enabling private node: %s", exc)
     result = _set_participant_node_enabled(bool(body.enabled))
     if bool(body.enabled):
+        _start_infonet_node_runtime("operator_enable")
         _kick_public_sync_background("operator_enable")
     return result
 

backend/routers/mesh_peer_sync.py

@@ -55,6 +55,12 @@ def _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events: list) -> int:
     return count
 
 
+def _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events: list) -> int:
+    import main as _m
+
+    return int(_m._hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events))
+
+
 @router.post("/api/mesh/infonet/peer-push")
 @limiter.limit("30/minute")
 async def infonet_peer_push(request: Request):
@@ -82,6 +88,7 @@ async def infonet_peer_push(request: Request):
         return {"ok": True, "accepted": 0, "duplicates": 0, "rejected": []}
     result = infonet.ingest_events(events)
     _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events)
+    _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events)
     return {"ok": True, **result}
 
 

backend/routers/mesh_public.py

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ from services.mesh.mesh_signed_events import (
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 router = APIRouter()
+_INFONET_SYNC_RATE_LIMIT = "600/minute"
 
 
 def _signed_body(request: Request) -> dict[str, Any]:
@@ -263,6 +264,19 @@ def _redact_public_event(event: dict) -> dict:
     return _redact_vote_gate(_redact_key_rotate_payload(_redact_gate_metadata(event)))
 
 
+def _infonet_private_transport_required() -> bool:
+    import main as _m
+
+    return bool(_m._infonet_private_transport_required())
+
+
+def _infonet_sync_response_events(events: list[dict], request=None) -> list[dict]:
+    """Build the sync event surface for the current transport policy."""
+    import main as _m
+
+    return _m._infonet_sync_response_events(events, request=request)
+
+
 def _trusted_gate_reply_to(event: dict) -> str:
     if not isinstance(event, dict):
         return ""
@@ -574,6 +588,12 @@ def _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events: list[dict]) -> int:
             pass
     return count
 
+
+def _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events: list[dict]) -> int:
+    import main as _m
+
+    return int(_m._hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events))
+
 # --- Safe type helpers ---
 
 def _safe_int(val, default=0):
@@ -1531,7 +1551,7 @@ async def infonet_locator(request: Request, limit: int = Query(32, ge=4, le=128)
 
 
 @router.post("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-@limiter.limit("30/minute")
+@limiter.limit(_INFONET_SYNC_RATE_LIMIT)
 @mesh_write_exempt(MeshWriteExemption.PEER_GOSSIP)
 async def infonet_sync_post(
     request: Request,
@@ -1584,8 +1604,7 @@ async def infonet_sync_post(
     elif matched_hash == GENESIS_HASH and len(locator) > 1:
         forked = True
 
-    # Filter out legacy gate_message events — not part of the public sync surface.
-    events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = _infonet_sync_response_events(events, request=request)
 
     response = {
         "events": events,
@@ -1646,7 +1665,7 @@ async def mesh_rns_status(request: Request):
 
 
 @router.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-@limiter.limit("30/minute")
+@limiter.limit(_INFONET_SYNC_RATE_LIMIT)
 async def infonet_sync(
     request: Request,
     after_hash: str = "",
@@ -1684,8 +1703,7 @@ async def infonet_sync(
         )
     base = after_hash or GENESIS_HASH
     events = infonet.get_events_after(base, limit=limit)
-    # Filter out legacy gate_message events — not part of the public sync surface.
-    events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = _infonet_sync_response_events(events, request=request)
     return {
         "events": events,
         "after_hash": base,
@@ -1724,6 +1742,7 @@ async def infonet_ingest(request: Request):
 
     result = infonet.ingest_events(events)
     _hydrate_gate_store_from_chain(events)
+    _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain(events)
     return {"ok": True, **result}
 
 
@@ -2279,6 +2298,12 @@ async def infonet_event(request: Request, event_id: str):
                 )
             return _strip_gate_for_access(evt, access)
         return {"ok": False, "detail": "Event not found"}
+    if evt.get("event_type") == "dm_message":
+        return await _private_plane_refusal_response(
+            request,
+            status_code=403,
+            payload=_private_plane_access_denied_payload(),
+        )
     if evt.get("event_type") == "gate_message":
         gate_id = str(evt.get("payload", {}).get("gate", "") or evt.get("gate", "") or "").strip()
         access = _verify_gate_access(request, gate_id) if gate_id else ""
@@ -2303,7 +2328,7 @@ async def infonet_node_events(
     from services.mesh.mesh_hashchain import infonet
 
     events = infonet.get_events_by_node(node_id, limit=limit)
-    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") not in {"gate_message", "dm_message"}]
     events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in infonet.decorate_events(events)]
     events = _redact_public_node_history(
         events,
@@ -2328,7 +2353,7 @@ async def infonet_events_by_type(
     else:
         events = list(reversed(infonet.events))
         events = events[offset : offset + limit]
-    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") != "gate_message"]
+    events = [e for e in events if e.get("event_type") not in {"gate_message", "dm_message"}]
     events = [_redact_public_event(e) for e in infonet.decorate_events(events)]
     return {
         "events": events,

backend/services/config.py

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     MESH_ARTI_ENABLED: bool = False
     MESH_ARTI_SOCKS_PORT: int = 9050
     MESH_RELAY_PEERS: str = ""
+    MESH_PUBLIC_PEER_URL: str = ""
     # Bootstrap seeds are discovery hints, not authoritative network roots.
     # Nodes promote healthy discovered peers from the store/manifest over time.
     MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS: str = "http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000"

backend/services/mesh/mesh_hashchain.py

@@ -33,8 +33,9 @@ Each event contains:
 
 Persistence: JSON file at backend/data/infonet.json
 
-Encrypted gate chat events are intentionally kept off the public chain and
-persisted separately via GateMessageStore.
+Encrypted gate chat events are private-chain ciphertext records. They are
+excluded from public read surfaces and replicated only over private Infonet
+transports.
 """
 
 import json
@@ -64,6 +65,8 @@ from services.mesh.mesh_schema import (
     ACTIVE_PUBLIC_LEDGER_EVENT_TYPES,
     PUBLIC_LEDGER_EVENT_TYPES,
     validate_event_payload,
+    validate_private_dm_ledger_payload,
+    validate_private_gate_ledger_payload,
     validate_protocol_fields,
     validate_public_ledger_payload,
 )
@@ -127,6 +130,12 @@ GATE_SEGMENT_MAX_COMPRESSED_BYTES = max(
     int(os.environ.get("MESH_GATE_SEGMENT_MAX_COMPRESSED_BYTES", str(2 * 1024 * 1024)) or str(2 * 1024 * 1024)),
 )
 GATE_SEGMENT_STORAGE_VERSION = 1
+DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT = max(1, int(os.environ.get("MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT", "2") or "2"))
+DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_SENDER_LIMIT = max(
+    1,
+    int(os.environ.get("MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_SENDER_LIMIT", "1") or "1"),
+)
+DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_TTL_S = max(60, int(os.environ.get("MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_TTL_S", "3600") or "3600"))
 _PUBLIC_EVENT_APPEND_HOOKS: list[Any] = []
 _PUBLIC_EVENT_APPEND_HOOKS_LOCK = threading.Lock()
 
@@ -340,6 +349,32 @@ def _private_gate_event_id(
     ).hexdigest()
 
 
+def _private_gate_signature_payload_variants(gate_id: str, event: dict[str, Any]) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    payload = _private_gate_signature_payload(gate_id, event)
+    variants: list[dict[str, Any]] = [payload]
+    event_payload = event.get("payload") if isinstance(event.get("payload"), dict) else {}
+    reply_to = str(event_payload.get("reply_to", "") or "").strip()
+    if reply_to:
+        variants.append(_private_gate_signature_payload(gate_id, event, include_reply_to=False))
+    if "epoch" in payload:
+        no_epoch = dict(payload)
+        no_epoch.pop("epoch", None)
+        variants.append(no_epoch)
+        if reply_to:
+            no_epoch_no_reply = _private_gate_signature_payload(gate_id, event, include_reply_to=False)
+            no_epoch_no_reply.pop("epoch", None)
+            variants.append(no_epoch_no_reply)
+    deduped: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+    for variant in variants:
+        material = json.dumps(variant, sort_keys=True, separators=(",", ":"), ensure_ascii=False)
+        if material in seen:
+            continue
+        seen.add(material)
+        deduped.append(variant)
+    return deduped
+
+
 def _sanitize_private_gate_event(gate_id: str, event: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
     payload = event.get("payload") if isinstance(event.get("payload"), dict) else {}
     sanitized = {
@@ -1568,11 +1603,18 @@ class Infonet:
     def _rebuild_state(self) -> None:
         self.event_index = {}
         self.node_sequences = {}
-        # Keep private signed-write replay domains across public-chain
-        # rebuilds; these domains protect local side effects that are not
-        # represented as public Infonet events.
-        if not isinstance(getattr(self, "sequence_domains", None), dict):
-            self.sequence_domains = {}
+        # Keep private signed-write replay domains that are not represented
+        # on-chain, but rebuild the gate_message sequence domain from chain
+        # events so reloads/fork application do not mix it with public
+        # per-node message sequences.
+        preserved_domains = {}
+        if isinstance(getattr(self, "sequence_domains", None), dict):
+            preserved_domains = {
+                key: value
+                for key, value in self.sequence_domains.items()
+                if not str(key or "").endswith("|gate_message")
+            }
+        self.sequence_domains = dict(preserved_domains)
         self.public_key_bindings = {}
         self.revocations = {}
         self._replay_filter = ReplayFilter()
@@ -1584,9 +1626,12 @@ class Infonet:
             node_id = evt.get("node_id", "")
             sequence = _safe_int(evt.get("sequence", 0) or 0, 0)
             if node_id and sequence:
-                last = self.node_sequences.get(node_id, 0)
+                sequence_table, sequence_key = self._sequence_table_for_event(
+                    evt.get("event_type", ""), node_id
+                )
+                last = sequence_table.get(sequence_key, 0)
                 if sequence > last:
-                    self.node_sequences[node_id] = sequence
+                    sequence_table[sequence_key] = sequence
             public_key = str(evt.get("public_key", "") or "")
             if public_key and node_id:
                 existing = self.public_key_bindings.get(public_key)
@@ -1898,6 +1943,295 @@ class Infonet:
         self._save()
         return True, "ok"
 
+    def _sequence_table_for_event(self, event_type: str, node_id: str) -> tuple[dict[str, int], str]:
+        normalized = str(event_type or "").strip().lower()
+        if normalized == "gate_message":
+            return self.sequence_domains, f"{node_id}|gate_message"
+        if normalized == "dm_message":
+            return self.sequence_domains, f"{node_id}|dm_message"
+        return self.node_sequences, node_id
+
+    def _dm_spool_target_key(self, payload: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[str, str]:
+        delivery_class = str(payload.get("delivery_class", "") or "").strip().lower()
+        if delivery_class == "shared":
+            key = str(payload.get("recipient_token", "") or "").strip()
+        else:
+            key = str(payload.get("recipient_id", "") or "").strip()
+        return delivery_class, key
+
+    def _dm_spool_active_counts(
+        self,
+        payload: dict[str, Any],
+        *,
+        sender_id: str = "",
+        now: float | None = None,
+    ) -> tuple[int, int]:
+        delivery_class, key = self._dm_spool_target_key(payload)
+        if not key:
+            return 0, 0
+        sender_id = str(sender_id or "").strip()
+        current = time.time() if now is None else float(now)
+        total_count = 0
+        sender_count = 0
+        for evt in reversed(self.events):
+            if evt.get("event_type") != "dm_message":
+                continue
+            evt_payload = evt.get("payload") if isinstance(evt.get("payload"), dict) else {}
+            evt_delivery_class, evt_key = self._dm_spool_target_key(evt_payload)
+            if evt_delivery_class != delivery_class:
+                continue
+            if evt_key != key:
+                continue
+            evt_ts = float(evt_payload.get("timestamp", evt.get("timestamp", 0)) or 0)
+            if evt_ts > 0 and current - evt_ts > DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_TTL_S:
+                continue
+            total_count += 1
+            if sender_id and str(evt.get("node_id", "") or "").strip() == sender_id:
+                sender_count += 1
+            if total_count >= DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT and (
+                not sender_id or sender_count >= DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_SENDER_LIMIT
+            ):
+                break
+        return total_count, sender_count
+
+    def _dm_spool_active_count(self, payload: dict[str, Any], *, now: float | None = None) -> int:
+        total_count, _sender_count = self._dm_spool_active_counts(payload, now=now)
+        return total_count
+
+    def append_private_dm_message(
+        self,
+        *,
+        node_id: str,
+        payload: dict,
+        signature: str,
+        sequence: int,
+        public_key: str,
+        public_key_algo: str,
+        protocol_version: str = "",
+        timestamp: float = 0,
+    ) -> dict:
+        """Append an encrypted DM dead-drop message to the private Infonet ledger.
+
+        The event is a small offline spool, capped per mailbox target, so the
+        hashchain can carry a couple of sealed DMs without becoming an
+        unbounded global mailbox.
+        """
+        event_type = "dm_message"
+        if sequence <= 0:
+            raise ValueError("sequence is required and must be > 0")
+        sequence_table, sequence_key = self._sequence_table_for_event(event_type, node_id)
+        last = sequence_table.get(sequence_key, 0)
+        if sequence <= last:
+            raise ValueError(f"Replay detected: sequence {sequence} <= last {last}")
+
+        raw_payload = dict(payload or {})
+        if "message" in raw_payload or "plaintext" in raw_payload or "_local_plaintext" in raw_payload:
+            raise ValueError("private DM ledger payload must not contain plaintext")
+        if str(raw_payload.get("transport_lock", "") or "").strip().lower() != "private_strong":
+            raise ValueError("DM hashchain spool requires private_strong transport_lock")
+
+        payload = normalize_payload(event_type, raw_payload)
+        ok, reason = validate_private_dm_ledger_payload(payload)
+        if not ok:
+            raise ValueError(reason)
+        total_count, sender_count = self._dm_spool_active_counts(payload, sender_id=node_id)
+        if sender_count >= DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_SENDER_LIMIT:
+            raise ValueError("DM hashchain sender spool full for recipient")
+        if total_count >= DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT:
+            raise ValueError("DM hashchain spool full for recipient")
+
+        payload_json = json.dumps(payload, sort_keys=True, separators=(",", ":"), ensure_ascii=False)
+        if len(payload_json.encode("utf-8")) > MAX_PAYLOAD_BYTES:
+            raise ValueError("payload exceeds max size")
+
+        protocol_version = str(protocol_version or PROTOCOL_VERSION)
+        ok, reason = validate_protocol_fields(protocol_version, NETWORK_ID)
+        if not ok:
+            raise ValueError(reason)
+
+        if not (signature and public_key and public_key_algo):
+            raise ValueError("Missing signature fields")
+        algo = parse_public_key_algo(public_key_algo)
+        if not algo:
+            raise ValueError("Unsupported public_key_algo")
+        if not verify_node_binding(node_id, public_key):
+            raise ValueError("node_id mismatch")
+        bound, bind_reason = self._bind_public_key(public_key, node_id)
+        if not bound:
+            raise ValueError(bind_reason)
+        sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
+            event_type=event_type,
+            node_id=node_id,
+            sequence=sequence,
+            payload=payload,
+        )
+        if not verify_signature(
+            public_key_b64=public_key,
+            public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+            signature_hex=signature,
+            payload=sig_payload,
+        ):
+            raise ValueError("Invalid signature")
+
+        revoked, _info = self._revocation_status(public_key)
+        if revoked:
+            raise ValueError("public key is revoked")
+
+        event = ChainEvent(
+            prev_hash=self.head_hash,
+            event_type=event_type,
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            timestamp=float(timestamp or time.time()),
+            sequence=sequence,
+            signature=signature,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+            protocol_version=protocol_version,
+        )
+        event_dict = event.to_dict()
+        self._write_wal(event_dict)
+        self.events.append(event_dict)
+        self.event_index[event.event_id] = len(self.events) - 1
+        self.head_hash = event.event_id
+        sequence_table[sequence_key] = sequence
+        self._replay_filter.add(event.event_id)
+        self._invalidate_merkle_cache()
+        self._update_counters_for_event(event_dict)
+        self._save()
+
+        try:
+            from services.mesh.mesh_rns import rns_bridge
+
+            rns_bridge.publish_event(event_dict)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        _notify_public_event_append_hooks(event_dict)
+        logger.info(
+            f"Infonet append [dm_message] by {_redact_node(node_id)} seq={sequence} "
+            f"id={event.event_id[:16]}..."
+        )
+        return event_dict
+
+    def append_private_gate_message(
+        self,
+        *,
+        node_id: str,
+        payload: dict,
+        signature: str,
+        sequence: int,
+        public_key: str,
+        public_key_algo: str,
+        protocol_version: str = "",
+        timestamp: float = 0,
+    ) -> dict:
+        """Append an encrypted gate message to the private Infonet ledger.
+
+        Gate messages use their own sequence domain so a gate post cannot
+        consume or replay-block the author's public broadcast sequence.
+        """
+        event_type = "gate_message"
+        if sequence <= 0:
+            raise ValueError("sequence is required and must be > 0")
+        sequence_table, sequence_key = self._sequence_table_for_event(event_type, node_id)
+        last = sequence_table.get(sequence_key, 0)
+        if sequence <= last:
+            raise ValueError(f"Replay detected: sequence {sequence} <= last {last}")
+
+        raw_payload = dict(payload or {})
+        if "message" in raw_payload or "_local_plaintext" in raw_payload or "_local_reply_to" in raw_payload:
+            raise ValueError("private gate ledger payload must not contain plaintext")
+        if str(raw_payload.get("transport_lock", "") or "").strip().lower() != "private_strong":
+            raise ValueError("gate messages require private_strong transport_lock")
+
+        payload = normalize_payload(event_type, raw_payload)
+        ok, reason = validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload)
+        if not ok:
+            raise ValueError(reason)
+
+        payload_json = json.dumps(payload, sort_keys=True, separators=(",", ":"), ensure_ascii=False)
+        if len(payload_json.encode("utf-8")) > MAX_PAYLOAD_BYTES:
+            raise ValueError("payload exceeds max size")
+
+        protocol_version = str(protocol_version or PROTOCOL_VERSION)
+        ok, reason = validate_protocol_fields(protocol_version, NETWORK_ID)
+        if not ok:
+            raise ValueError(reason)
+
+        if not (signature and public_key and public_key_algo):
+            raise ValueError("Missing signature fields")
+        algo = parse_public_key_algo(public_key_algo)
+        if not algo:
+            raise ValueError("Unsupported public_key_algo")
+        if not verify_node_binding(node_id, public_key):
+            raise ValueError("node_id mismatch")
+        bound, bind_reason = self._bind_public_key(public_key, node_id)
+        if not bound:
+            raise ValueError(bind_reason)
+        event_for_signature = {"payload": payload}
+        signature_ok = False
+        for signature_payload in _private_gate_signature_payload_variants(
+            str(payload.get("gate", "") or ""),
+            event_for_signature,
+        ):
+            sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
+                event_type=event_type,
+                node_id=node_id,
+                sequence=sequence,
+                payload=signature_payload,
+            )
+            if verify_signature(
+                public_key_b64=public_key,
+                public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+                signature_hex=signature,
+                payload=sig_payload,
+            ):
+                signature_ok = True
+                break
+        if not signature_ok:
+            raise ValueError("Invalid signature")
+
+        revoked, _info = self._revocation_status(public_key)
+        if revoked:
+            raise ValueError("public key is revoked")
+
+        event = ChainEvent(
+            prev_hash=self.head_hash,
+            event_type=event_type,
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            timestamp=float(timestamp or time.time()),
+            sequence=sequence,
+            signature=signature,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+            protocol_version=protocol_version,
+        )
+        event_dict = event.to_dict()
+        self._write_wal(event_dict)
+        self.events.append(event_dict)
+        self.event_index[event.event_id] = len(self.events) - 1
+        self.head_hash = event.event_id
+        sequence_table[sequence_key] = sequence
+        self._replay_filter.add(event.event_id)
+        self._invalidate_merkle_cache()
+        self._update_counters_for_event(event_dict)
+        self._save()
+
+        try:
+            from services.mesh.mesh_rns import rns_bridge
+
+            rns_bridge.publish_event(event_dict)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        _notify_public_event_append_hooks(event_dict)
+
+        logger.info(
+            f"Infonet append [gate_message] by {_redact_node(node_id)} seq={sequence} "
+            f"id={event.event_id[:16]}..."
+        )
+        return event_dict
+
     def append(
         self,
         event_type: str,
@@ -2078,6 +2412,18 @@ class Infonet:
             if not event_id or not prev_hash:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": "Missing event_id or prev_hash"})
                 continue
+            if event_id in self.event_index:
+                duplicates += 1
+                continue
+            if self._replay_filter.seen(event_id):
+                try:
+                    from services.mesh.mesh_metrics import increment as metrics_inc
+
+                    metrics_inc("ingest_replay_seen")
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                duplicates += 1
+                continue
             if prev_hash != expected_prev:
                 try:
                     from services.mesh.mesh_metrics import increment as metrics_inc
@@ -2096,25 +2442,14 @@ class Infonet:
                     pass
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": "network_id mismatch"})
                 continue
-            if event_id in self.event_index:
-                duplicates += 1
-                continue
-            if self._replay_filter.seen(event_id):
-                try:
-                    from services.mesh.mesh_metrics import increment as metrics_inc
-
-                    metrics_inc("ingest_replay_seen")
-                except Exception:
-                    pass
-                duplicates += 1
-                continue
             if prev_hash != self.head_hash:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": "prev_hash does not match head"})
                 continue
             if sequence <= 0:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": "Invalid sequence"})
                 continue
-            last = self.node_sequences.get(node_id, 0)
+            sequence_table, sequence_key = self._sequence_table_for_event(event_type, node_id)
+            last = sequence_table.get(sequence_key, 0)
             if sequence <= last:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": "Replay detected"})
                 continue
@@ -2149,7 +2484,18 @@ class Infonet:
             if not ok:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": reason})
                 continue
-            ok, reason = validate_public_ledger_payload(event_type, payload)
+            if event_type == "gate_message":
+                ok, reason = validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload)
+            elif event_type == "dm_message":
+                ok, reason = validate_private_dm_ledger_payload(payload)
+                if ok:
+                    total_count, sender_count = self._dm_spool_active_counts(payload, sender_id=str(evt.get("node_id", "") or ""))
+                    if sender_count >= DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_SENDER_LIMIT:
+                        ok, reason = False, "DM hashchain sender spool full for recipient"
+                    elif total_count >= DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT:
+                        ok, reason = False, "DM hashchain spool full for recipient"
+            else:
+                ok, reason = validate_public_ledger_payload(event_type, payload)
             if not ok:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": reason})
                 continue
@@ -2225,7 +2571,7 @@ class Infonet:
                     pass
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": "public key is revoked"})
                 continue
-            last_seq = self.node_sequences.get(node_id, 0)
+            last_seq = sequence_table.get(sequence_key, 0)
             if sequence <= last_seq:
                 try:
                     from services.mesh.mesh_metrics import increment as metrics_inc
@@ -2261,18 +2607,30 @@ class Infonet:
                 rejected.append({"index": idx, "reason": bind_reason})
                 continue
 
-            sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
-                event_type=event_type,
-                node_id=node_id,
-                sequence=sequence,
-                payload=payload,
-            )
-            if not verify_signature(
-                public_key_b64=public_key,
-                public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
-                signature_hex=signature,
-                payload=sig_payload,
-            ):
+            if event_type == "gate_message":
+                signature_payloads = _private_gate_signature_payload_variants(
+                    str(payload.get("gate", "") or ""),
+                    evt,
+                )
+            else:
+                signature_payloads = [payload]
+            signature_ok = False
+            for signature_payload in signature_payloads:
+                sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
+                    event_type=event_type,
+                    node_id=node_id,
+                    sequence=sequence,
+                    payload=signature_payload,
+                )
+                if verify_signature(
+                    public_key_b64=public_key,
+                    public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+                    signature_hex=signature,
+                    payload=sig_payload,
+                ):
+                    signature_ok = True
+                    break
+            if not signature_ok:
                 try:
                     from services.mesh.mesh_metrics import increment as metrics_inc
 
@@ -2302,7 +2660,7 @@ class Infonet:
             self.events.append(evt)
             self.event_index[event_id] = len(self.events) - 1
             self.head_hash = event_id
-            self.node_sequences[node_id] = sequence
+            sequence_table[sequence_key] = sequence
             self._update_counters_for_event(evt)
             accepted += 1
             expected_prev = event_id
@@ -2365,6 +2723,7 @@ class Infonet:
                     verify_node_binding,
                 )
 
+                event_type = evt_dict.get("event_type", "")
                 node_id = evt_dict.get("node_id", "")
                 if not parse_public_key_algo(public_key_algo):
                     return False, f"Unsupported public_key_algo at index {i}"
@@ -2375,21 +2734,41 @@ class Infonet:
                     return False, f"public key binding conflict at index {i}"
                 seen_public_keys[public_key] = node_id
 
-                normalized = normalize_payload(
-                    evt_dict.get("event_type", ""), evt_dict.get("payload", {})
-                )
-                sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
-                    event_type=evt_dict.get("event_type", ""),
-                    node_id=node_id,
-                    sequence=_safe_int(evt_dict.get("sequence", 0) or 0, 0),
-                    payload=normalized,
-                )
-                if not verify_signature(
-                    public_key_b64=public_key,
-                    public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
-                    signature_hex=signature,
-                    payload=sig_payload,
-                ):
+                payload = evt_dict.get("payload", {})
+                if event_type == "gate_message":
+                    ok, reason = validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload)
+                    if not ok:
+                        return False, f"Invalid gate_message payload at index {i}: {reason}"
+                    signature_payloads = _private_gate_signature_payload_variants(
+                        str(payload.get("gate", "") or ""),
+                        evt_dict,
+                    )
+                elif event_type == "dm_message":
+                    ok, reason = validate_private_dm_ledger_payload(payload)
+                    if not ok:
+                        return False, f"Invalid dm_message payload at index {i}: {reason}"
+                    signature_payloads = [normalize_payload(event_type, payload)]
+                else:
+                    signature_payloads = [
+                        normalize_payload(event_type, payload)
+                    ]
+                signature_ok = False
+                for signature_payload in signature_payloads:
+                    sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
+                        event_type=event_type,
+                        node_id=node_id,
+                        sequence=_safe_int(evt_dict.get("sequence", 0) or 0, 0),
+                        payload=signature_payload,
+                    )
+                    if verify_signature(
+                        public_key_b64=public_key,
+                        public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+                        signature_hex=signature,
+                        payload=sig_payload,
+                    ):
+                        signature_ok = True
+                        break
+                if not signature_ok:
                     return False, f"Invalid signature at index {i}"
 
             prev = evt_dict["event_id"]
@@ -2454,27 +2833,48 @@ class Infonet:
                     verify_node_binding,
                 )
 
+                event_type = evt_dict.get("event_type", "")
                 node_id = evt_dict.get("node_id", "")
                 if not parse_public_key_algo(public_key_algo):
                     return False, f"Unsupported public_key_algo at index {i}"
                 if not verify_node_binding(node_id, public_key):
                     return False, f"node_id mismatch at index {i}"
 
-                normalized = normalize_payload(
-                    evt_dict.get("event_type", ""), evt_dict.get("payload", {})
-                )
-                sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
-                    event_type=evt_dict.get("event_type", ""),
-                    node_id=node_id,
-                    sequence=_safe_int(evt_dict.get("sequence", 0) or 0, 0),
-                    payload=normalized,
-                )
-                if not verify_signature(
-                    public_key_b64=public_key,
-                    public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
-                    signature_hex=signature,
-                    payload=sig_payload,
-                ):
+                payload = evt_dict.get("payload", {})
+                if event_type == "gate_message":
+                    ok, reason = validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload)
+                    if not ok:
+                        return False, f"Invalid gate_message payload at index {i}: {reason}"
+                    signature_payloads = _private_gate_signature_payload_variants(
+                        str(payload.get("gate", "") or ""),
+                        evt_dict,
+                    )
+                elif event_type == "dm_message":
+                    ok, reason = validate_private_dm_ledger_payload(payload)
+                    if not ok:
+                        return False, f"Invalid dm_message payload at index {i}: {reason}"
+                    signature_payloads = [normalize_payload(event_type, payload)]
+                else:
+                    signature_payloads = [
+                        normalize_payload(event_type, payload)
+                    ]
+                signature_ok = False
+                for signature_payload in signature_payloads:
+                    sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
+                        event_type=event_type,
+                        node_id=node_id,
+                        sequence=_safe_int(evt_dict.get("sequence", 0) or 0, 0),
+                        payload=signature_payload,
+                    )
+                    if verify_signature(
+                        public_key_b64=public_key,
+                        public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+                        signature_hex=signature,
+                        payload=sig_payload,
+                    ):
+                        signature_ok = True
+                        break
+                if not signature_ok:
                     return False, f"Invalid signature at index {i}"
             prev = evt_dict["event_id"]
 
@@ -2538,7 +2938,14 @@ class Infonet:
             node_id = evt.get("node_id", "")
             sequence = _safe_int(evt.get("sequence", 0) or 0, 0)
             if node_id and sequence:
-                last_seq[node_id] = max(last_seq.get(node_id, 0), sequence)
+                sequence_key = (
+                    f"{node_id}|gate_message"
+                    if str(evt.get("event_type", "") or "").strip().lower() == "gate_message"
+                    else f"{node_id}|dm_message"
+                    if str(evt.get("event_type", "") or "").strip().lower() == "dm_message"
+                    else node_id
+                )
+                last_seq[sequence_key] = max(last_seq.get(sequence_key, 0), sequence)
             public_key = str(evt.get("public_key", "") or "")
             if public_key and node_id:
                 seen_public_keys.setdefault(public_key, node_id)
@@ -2558,8 +2965,21 @@ class Infonet:
             existing_idx = self.event_index.get(event_id)
             if existing_idx is not None and existing_idx <= prev_index:
                 return False, "duplicate event_id"
-            payload = normalize_payload(event_type, dict(payload or {}))
+            if event_type == "gate_message":
+                payload = dict(payload or {})
+            elif event_type == "dm_message":
+                payload = normalize_payload(event_type, dict(payload or {}))
+            else:
+                payload = normalize_payload(event_type, dict(payload or {}))
             ok, reason = validate_event_payload(event_type, payload)
+            if not ok:
+                return False, reason
+            if event_type == "gate_message":
+                ok, reason = validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload)
+            elif event_type == "dm_message":
+                ok, reason = validate_private_dm_ledger_payload(payload)
+            else:
+                ok, reason = validate_public_ledger_payload(event_type, payload)
             if not ok:
                 return False, reason
             proto = evt.get("protocol_version") or PROTOCOL_VERSION
@@ -2573,7 +2993,14 @@ class Infonet:
             revoked, _info = self._revocation_status(public_key)
             if revoked and event_type != "key_revoke":
                 return False, "public key revoked"
-            last = last_seq.get(node_id, 0)
+            sequence_key = (
+                f"{node_id}|gate_message"
+                if event_type == "gate_message"
+                else f"{node_id}|dm_message"
+                if event_type == "dm_message"
+                else node_id
+            )
+            last = last_seq.get(sequence_key, 0)
             if sequence <= last:
                 return False, "sequence replay"
             from services.mesh.mesh_crypto import (
@@ -2591,23 +3018,35 @@ class Infonet:
             if existing and existing != node_id:
                 return False, "public key binding conflict"
             seen_public_keys[public_key] = node_id
-            sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
-                event_type=event_type,
-                node_id=node_id,
-                sequence=sequence,
-                payload=payload,
-            )
-            if not verify_signature(
-                public_key_b64=public_key,
-                public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
-                signature_hex=signature,
-                payload=sig_payload,
-            ):
+            if event_type == "gate_message":
+                signature_payloads = _private_gate_signature_payload_variants(
+                    str(payload.get("gate", "") or ""),
+                    evt,
+                )
+            else:
+                signature_payloads = [payload]
+            signature_ok = False
+            for signature_payload in signature_payloads:
+                sig_payload = build_signature_payload(
+                    event_type=event_type,
+                    node_id=node_id,
+                    sequence=sequence,
+                    payload=signature_payload,
+                )
+                if verify_signature(
+                    public_key_b64=public_key,
+                    public_key_algo=public_key_algo,
+                    signature_hex=signature,
+                    payload=sig_payload,
+                ):
+                    signature_ok = True
+                    break
+            if not signature_ok:
                 return False, "invalid signature"
             computed = ChainEvent.from_dict(evt).event_id
             if computed != event_id:
                 return False, "event_id mismatch"
-            last_seq[node_id] = sequence
+            last_seq[sequence_key] = sequence
 
         # Apply fork
         self.events = prefix + ordered

backend/services/mesh/mesh_infonet_sync_support.py

@@ -276,5 +276,6 @@ def should_run_sync(
 ) -> bool:
     current_time = int(now if now is not None else time.time())
     if state.last_outcome == "running":
-        return False
+        started_at = int(state.last_sync_started_at or 0)
+        return started_at <= 0 or current_time - started_at >= 300
     return int(state.next_sync_due_at or 0) <= current_time

backend/services/mesh/mesh_schema.py

@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import base64
+import binascii
+import math
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any, Callable
 
@@ -33,6 +36,58 @@ def _require_fields(payload: dict[str, Any], fields: tuple[str, ...]) -> tuple[b
     return True, "ok"
 
 
+def _decode_base64ish(value: Any) -> bytes | None:
+    raw = str(value or "").strip()
+    if not raw or any(ch.isspace() for ch in raw):
+        return None
+    padded = raw + ("=" * (-len(raw) % 4))
+    for altchars in (None, b"-_"):
+        try:
+            return base64.b64decode(padded.encode("ascii"), altchars=altchars, validate=True)
+        except (binascii.Error, UnicodeEncodeError, ValueError):
+            continue
+    return None
+
+
+def _byte_entropy(data: bytes) -> float:
+    if not data:
+        return 0.0
+    counts = [0] * 256
+    for byte in data:
+        counts[byte] += 1
+    total = float(len(data))
+    return -sum((count / total) * math.log2(count / total) for count in counts if count)
+
+
+def _validate_sealed_bytes_field(
+    payload: dict[str, Any],
+    field: str,
+    *,
+    min_bytes: int = 8,
+    entropy_floor: float = 2.5,
+) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    data = _decode_base64ish(payload.get(field, ""))
+    if data is None:
+        return False, f"{field} must be base64-encoded sealed bytes"
+    if len(data) < min_bytes:
+        return False, f"{field} is too short"
+
+    # Short test vectors and compact envelopes can be low entropy; only apply
+    # heuristics once there is enough material to distinguish a sealed blob
+    # from accidental base64-encoded plaintext.
+    if len(data) >= 32:
+        printable = sum(1 for byte in data if 32 <= byte <= 126 or byte in (9, 10, 13))
+        if printable / len(data) > 0.9:
+            try:
+                data.decode("utf-8")
+                return False, f"{field} looks like encoded plaintext"
+            except UnicodeDecodeError:
+                pass
+        if _byte_entropy(data) < entropy_floor:
+            return False, f"{field} entropy is too low for sealed bytes"
+    return True, "ok"
+
+
 def _validate_message(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[bool, str]:
     ok, reason = _require_fields(
         payload, ("message", "destination", "channel", "priority", "ephemeral")
@@ -331,6 +386,7 @@ ACTIVE_PUBLIC_LEDGER_EVENT_TYPES: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
 LEGACY_PUBLIC_LEDGER_EVENT_TYPES: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
     {
         "gate_message",
+        "dm_message",
     }
 )
 """Event types that exist historically on the public chain and must remain
@@ -425,6 +481,8 @@ def validate_event_payload(event_type: str, payload: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[bo
 
 
 def validate_public_ledger_payload(event_type: str, payload: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    if event_type == "gate_message":
+        return validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload)
     if event_type not in PUBLIC_LEDGER_EVENT_TYPES and event_type not in _EXTENSION_VALIDATORS:
         return False, f"{event_type} is not allowed on the public ledger"
     forbidden = sorted(
@@ -441,6 +499,92 @@ def validate_public_ledger_payload(event_type: str, payload: dict[str, Any]) ->
     return True, "ok"
 
 
+_PRIVATE_GATE_LEDGER_ALLOWED_FIELDS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+    {
+        "gate",
+        "ciphertext",
+        "nonce",
+        "sender_ref",
+        "format",
+        "epoch",
+        "gate_envelope",
+        "envelope_hash",
+        "reply_to",
+        "transport_lock",
+        "signed_context",
+    }
+)
+
+
+def validate_private_gate_ledger_payload(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Validate ciphertext-only gate events for private Infonet replication."""
+    ok, reason = validate_event_payload("gate_message", payload)
+    if not ok:
+        return ok, reason
+    unexpected = sorted(
+        key
+        for key in payload.keys()
+        if str(key or "").strip().lower() not in _PRIVATE_GATE_LEDGER_ALLOWED_FIELDS
+    )
+    if unexpected:
+        return False, f"private gate ledger payload contains unsupported fields: {', '.join(unexpected)}"
+    if "message" in payload or "_local_plaintext" in payload or "_local_reply_to" in payload:
+        return False, "private gate ledger payload must not contain plaintext"
+    transport_lock = str(payload.get("transport_lock", "") or "").strip().lower()
+    if transport_lock and transport_lock not in {"private", "private_strong", "rns", "onion"}:
+        return False, "gate messages require private transport_lock"
+    ok, reason = _validate_sealed_bytes_field(payload, "ciphertext")
+    if not ok:
+        return ok, reason
+    ok, reason = _validate_sealed_bytes_field(payload, "nonce")
+    if not ok:
+        return ok, reason
+    return True, "ok"
+
+
+_PRIVATE_DM_LEDGER_ALLOWED_FIELDS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+    {
+        "recipient_id",
+        "delivery_class",
+        "recipient_token",
+        "ciphertext",
+        "msg_id",
+        "timestamp",
+        "format",
+        "session_welcome",
+        "sender_seal",
+        "relay_salt",
+        "transport_lock",
+        "signed_context",
+    }
+)
+
+
+def validate_private_dm_ledger_payload(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Validate ciphertext-only DM dead-drop events for private Infonet replication."""
+    ok, reason = validate_event_payload("dm_message", payload)
+    if not ok:
+        return ok, reason
+    unexpected = sorted(
+        key
+        for key in payload.keys()
+        if str(key or "").strip().lower() not in _PRIVATE_DM_LEDGER_ALLOWED_FIELDS
+    )
+    if unexpected:
+        return False, f"private DM ledger payload contains unsupported fields: {', '.join(unexpected)}"
+    if "message" in payload or "plaintext" in payload or "_local_plaintext" in payload:
+        return False, "private DM ledger payload must not contain plaintext"
+    transport_lock = str(payload.get("transport_lock", "") or "").strip().lower()
+    if transport_lock != "private_strong":
+        return False, "DM hashchain spool requires private_strong transport_lock"
+    if not str(payload.get("ciphertext", "") or "").strip():
+        return False, "ciphertext cannot be empty"
+    ok, reason = _validate_sealed_bytes_field(payload, "ciphertext")
+    if not ok:
+        return ok, reason
+    return True, "ok"
+
+
 def validate_protocol_fields(protocol_version: str, network_id: str) -> tuple[bool, str]:
     if protocol_version != PROTOCOL_VERSION:
         return False, "Unsupported protocol_version"

backend/tests/mesh/test_gate_write_cutover.py

@@ -87,11 +87,28 @@ def _run_gate_release_once(monkeypatch, *, transport_tier="private_strong"):
 def _patch_for_successful_post(monkeypatch, module):
     """Apply standard monkeypatches so a gate_message post succeeds."""
     import main
+    from services.mesh import mesh_hashchain
 
     _setup_gate_outbox(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_verify_gate_message_signed_write", lambda **kw: (True, "ok", kw.get("reply_to", "")))
     monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_resolve_envelope_policy", lambda _gate_id: "envelope_disabled")
 
+    def _fake_private_gate_append(**kwargs):
+        return {
+            "event_id": f"ledger-ev-{kwargs.get('sequence', 0)}",
+            "event_type": "gate_message",
+            "node_id": kwargs["node_id"],
+            "payload": dict(kwargs["payload"]),
+            "timestamp": kwargs.get("timestamp", 0) or 123.0,
+            "sequence": kwargs["sequence"],
+            "signature": kwargs["signature"],
+            "public_key": kwargs["public_key"],
+            "public_key_algo": kwargs["public_key_algo"],
+            "protocol_version": kwargs.get("protocol_version", "infonet/2"),
+        }
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain.infonet, "append_private_gate_message", _fake_private_gate_append)
+
     from services.mesh.mesh_reputation import gate_manager, reputation_ledger
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(gate_manager, "can_enter", lambda *a, **kw: (True, "ok"))
@@ -255,19 +272,30 @@ def test_gate_post_preserves_gate_envelope_in_store(monkeypatch):
 
 
 def test_gate_post_advances_sequence(monkeypatch):
-    """validate_and_set_sequence must be called to advance the counter."""
+    """append_private_gate_message must receive the gate sequence."""
     import main
     from services.mesh import mesh_hashchain
 
     _patch_for_successful_post(monkeypatch, main)
 
-    seq_calls = []
+    append_calls = []
 
-    def track_seq(node_id, seq, *, domain=""):
-        seq_calls.append((node_id, seq, domain))
-        return (True, "ok")
+    def track_private_append(**kwargs):
+        append_calls.append(kwargs)
+        return {
+            "event_id": "ev-seq",
+            "event_type": "gate_message",
+            "node_id": kwargs["node_id"],
+            "payload": dict(kwargs["payload"]),
+            "timestamp": kwargs.get("timestamp", 0) or 123.0,
+            "sequence": kwargs["sequence"],
+            "signature": kwargs["signature"],
+            "public_key": kwargs["public_key"],
+            "public_key_algo": kwargs["public_key_algo"],
+            "protocol_version": kwargs.get("protocol_version", "infonet/2"),
+        }
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain.infonet, "validate_and_set_sequence", track_seq)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain.infonet, "append_private_gate_message", track_private_append)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         mesh_hashchain.gate_store,
         "append",
@@ -280,8 +308,9 @@ def test_gate_post_advances_sequence(monkeypatch):
 
     assert result["ok"] is True
     assert result["queued"] is True
-    assert len(seq_calls) == 1
-    assert seq_calls[0] == ("!sb_test1234567890", 42, "gate_message")
+    assert len(append_calls) == 1
+    assert append_calls[0]["node_id"] == "!sb_test1234567890"
+    assert append_calls[0]["sequence"] == 42
 
 
 def test_gate_post_rejects_replay_via_sequence(monkeypatch):
@@ -290,11 +319,11 @@ def test_gate_post_rejects_replay_via_sequence(monkeypatch):
     from services.mesh import mesh_hashchain
 
     _patch_for_successful_post(monkeypatch, main)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        mesh_hashchain.infonet,
-        "validate_and_set_sequence",
-        lambda node_id, seq: (False, "Replay detected: sequence 1 <= last 1"),
-    )
+
+    def reject_private_append(**_kwargs):
+        raise ValueError("Replay detected: sequence 1 <= last 1")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain.infonet, "append_private_gate_message", reject_private_append)
 
     gate_id = "infonet"
     body = _build_gate_message_body(gate_id, sequence=1)

backend/tests/mesh/test_mesh_infonet_sync_support.py

@@ -117,3 +117,11 @@ def test_finish_solo_sync_marks_first_node_ready_without_peer_failure():
     assert finished.next_sync_due_at == 500
     assert should_run_sync(finished, now=499) is False
     assert should_run_sync(finished, now=500) is True
+
+
+def test_should_run_sync_recovers_stale_running_state():
+    fresh = SyncWorkerState(last_sync_started_at=100, last_outcome="running")
+    stale = SyncWorkerState(last_sync_started_at=100, last_outcome="running")
+
+    assert should_run_sync(fresh, now=399) is False
+    assert should_run_sync(stale, now=400) is True

backend/tests/mesh/test_mesh_node_bootstrap_runtime.py

@@ -8,6 +8,53 @@ from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import ed25519
 from httpx import ASGITransport, AsyncClient
 
 
+def test_onion_peer_requests_use_arti_socks_proxy(monkeypatch):
+    import main
+    from services import wormhole_supervisor
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_infonet_private_transport_required", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        main,
+        "get_settings",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(MESH_ARTI_ENABLED=True, MESH_ARTI_SOCKS_PORT=19050),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(wormhole_supervisor, "_check_arti_ready", lambda: True)
+
+    proxies = main._infonet_peer_requests_proxies("http://exampleabcd.onion:8000")
+
+    assert proxies == {
+        "http": "socks5h://127.0.0.1:19050",
+        "https": "socks5h://127.0.0.1:19050",
+    }
+
+
+def test_private_peer_requests_reject_clearnet(monkeypatch):
+    import main
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_infonet_private_transport_required", lambda: True)
+
+    try:
+        main._infonet_peer_requests_proxies("https://seed.example")
+    except RuntimeError as exc:
+        assert "private Infonet requires onion/RNS transport" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("clearnet peer was allowed while private transport is required")
+
+
+def test_local_peer_url_prefers_configured_public_peer_url(monkeypatch):
+    import main
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        main,
+        "get_settings",
+        lambda: SimpleNamespace(
+            MESH_PUBLIC_PEER_URL="HTTP://LOCALPEEREXAMPLE.onion:8000/",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    assert main._local_infonet_peer_url() == "http://localpeerexample.onion:8000"
+
+
 def _write_signed_manifest(path, *, private_key):
     from services.mesh.mesh_bootstrap_manifest import BOOTSTRAP_MANIFEST_VERSION
     from services.mesh.mesh_crypto import canonical_json
@@ -142,6 +189,134 @@ def test_refresh_node_peer_store_suppresses_clearnet_seed_by_default(tmp_path, m
     assert store.records_for_bucket("sync") == []
 
 
+def test_refresh_node_peer_store_prunes_persisted_clearnet_records_in_private_mode(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    import main
+    from services.config import get_settings
+    from services.mesh import mesh_peer_store as peer_store_mod
+
+    peer_store_path = tmp_path / "peer_store.json"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(peer_store_mod, "DEFAULT_PEER_STORE_PATH", peer_store_path)
+    store = peer_store_mod.PeerStore(peer_store_path)
+    store.upsert(
+        peer_store_mod.make_bootstrap_peer_record(
+            peer_url="https://node.shadowbroker.info",
+            transport="clearnet",
+            role="seed",
+            signer_id="shadowbroker-default",
+            now=1_749_999_900,
+        )
+    )
+    store.upsert(
+        peer_store_mod.make_sync_peer_record(
+            peer_url="https://node.shadowbroker.info",
+            transport="clearnet",
+            role="seed",
+            source="bundle",
+            now=1_749_999_900,
+        )
+    )
+    store.upsert(
+        peer_store_mod.make_push_peer_record(
+            peer_url="https://node.shadowbroker.info",
+            transport="clearnet",
+            role="relay",
+            now=1_749_999_900,
+        )
+    )
+    store.save()
+
+    onion_seed = "http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000"
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MESH_RELAY_PEERS", "")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS", onion_seed)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MESH_DEFAULT_SYNC_PEERS", "")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SIGNER_PUBLIC_KEY", "")
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+
+    try:
+        snapshot = main._refresh_node_peer_store(now=1_750_000_000)
+        store = peer_store_mod.PeerStore(peer_store_path)
+        store.load()
+    finally:
+        get_settings.cache_clear()
+
+    assert snapshot["private_transport_required"] is True
+    assert snapshot["pruned_clearnet_peer_count"] == 3
+    assert [record.peer_url for record in store.records()] == [onion_seed, onion_seed]
+    assert {record.bucket for record in store.records()} == {"bootstrap", "sync"}
+    assert all(record.transport == "onion" for record in store.records())
+
+
+def test_infonet_peer_url_filter_excludes_clearnet_in_private_mode(monkeypatch):
+    import main
+    from services.config import get_settings
+
+    monkeypatch.delenv("MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC", raising=False)
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+
+    try:
+        assert main._filter_infonet_peer_urls(
+            [
+                "https://node.shadowbroker.info",
+                "http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000",
+            ]
+        ) == ["http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000"]
+    finally:
+        get_settings.cache_clear()
+
+
+def test_public_sync_cycle_backs_off_on_429_retry_after(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    import time
+
+    import main
+    from services.config import get_settings
+    from services.mesh import mesh_peer_store as peer_store_mod
+
+    peer_store_path = tmp_path / "peer_store.json"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(peer_store_mod, "DEFAULT_PEER_STORE_PATH", peer_store_path)
+    onion_seed = "http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000"
+    store = peer_store_mod.PeerStore(peer_store_path)
+    store.upsert(
+        peer_store_mod.make_sync_peer_record(
+            peer_url=onion_seed,
+            transport="onion",
+            role="seed",
+            source="bundle",
+            now=1_750_000_000,
+        )
+    )
+    store.save()
+
+    monkeypatch.delenv("MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MESH_SYNC_FAILURE_BACKOFF_S", "60")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_S", "15")
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_participant_node_enabled", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_ensure_infonet_private_transport_ready", lambda reason="": True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        main,
+        "_sync_from_peer",
+        lambda peer_url: (_ for _ in ()).throw(
+            main.PeerSyncHTTPError(429, "rate limited", retry_after_s=180)
+        ),
+    )
+    main.set_sync_state(main.SyncWorkerState())
+
+    try:
+        before = int(time.time())
+        state = main._run_public_sync_cycle()
+        store = peer_store_mod.PeerStore(peer_store_path)
+        store.load()
+    finally:
+        get_settings.cache_clear()
+        main.set_sync_state(main.SyncWorkerState())
+
+    record = store.records_for_bucket("sync")[0]
+    assert state.last_error == "HTTP 429: rate limited"
+    assert state.next_sync_due_at >= before + 180
+    assert record.cooldown_until >= before + 180
+
+
 def test_verify_peer_push_hmac_requires_allowlisted_peer(monkeypatch):
     import hashlib
     import hmac
@@ -225,3 +400,29 @@ def test_public_sync_cycle_allows_first_node_without_peers(tmp_path, monkeypatch
     assert result.last_error == ""
     assert result.last_peer_url == ""
     assert result.consecutive_failures == 0
+
+
+def test_headless_mesh_node_runtime_is_explicit(monkeypatch):
+    import main
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_MESH_ONLY", True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_HEADLESS_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME", False)
+    assert main._infonet_node_runtime_requested() is False
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_HEADLESS_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME", True)
+    assert main._infonet_node_runtime_requested() is True
+
+
+def test_meshnode_scripts_enable_private_hashchain_runtime():
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    root = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[3]
+    bat = (root / "meshnode.bat").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    sh = (root / "meshnode.sh").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    for script in (bat, sh):
+        assert "SHADOWBROKER_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME=true" in script
+        assert "MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC=false" in script
+        assert "MESH_ARTI_ENABLED=true" in script
+        assert "MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT=2" in script
+        assert "gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000" in script

backend/tests/mesh/test_private_dm_hashchain.py

@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+import base64
+import time
+
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import ed25519
+
+from services.config import get_settings
+from services.mesh import mesh_crypto, mesh_dm_relay, mesh_hashchain, mesh_protocol, mesh_secure_storage
+
+
+def _keypair():
+    private_key = ed25519.Ed25519PrivateKey.generate()
+    public_raw = private_key.public_key().public_bytes(
+        encoding=serialization.Encoding.Raw,
+        format=serialization.PublicFormat.Raw,
+    )
+    public_key = base64.b64encode(public_raw).decode("utf-8")
+    node_id = mesh_crypto.derive_node_id(public_key)
+    return private_key, public_key, node_id
+
+
+def _payload(recipient_id: str = "recipient-a", msg_id: str = "dm-1") -> dict:
+    return mesh_protocol.normalize_payload(
+        "dm_message",
+        {
+            "recipient_id": recipient_id,
+            "delivery_class": "request",
+            "recipient_token": "",
+            "ciphertext": base64.b64encode(f"cipher-{msg_id}".encode("utf-8")).decode("ascii"),
+            "msg_id": msg_id,
+            "timestamp": int(time.time()),
+            "format": "mls1",
+            "transport_lock": "private_strong",
+        },
+    )
+
+
+def _signature(private_key, node_id: str, sequence: int, payload: dict) -> str:
+    signature_payload = mesh_crypto.build_signature_payload(
+        event_type="dm_message",
+        node_id=node_id,
+        sequence=sequence,
+        payload=payload,
+    )
+    return private_key.sign(signature_payload.encode("utf-8")).hex()
+
+
+def _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> mesh_hashchain.Infonet:
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "DATA_DIR", tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "CHAIN_FILE", tmp_path / "infonet.json")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "WAL_FILE", tmp_path / "infonet.wal")
+    return mesh_hashchain.Infonet()
+
+
+def _fresh_relay(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> mesh_dm_relay.DMRelay:
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_dm_relay, "DATA_DIR", tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_dm_relay, "RELAY_FILE", tmp_path / "dm_relay.json")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_secure_storage, "DATA_DIR", tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_secure_storage, "MASTER_KEY_FILE", tmp_path / "wormhole_secure_store.key")
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+    return mesh_dm_relay.DMRelay()
+
+
+def test_private_dm_hashchain_spools_two_ciphertexts_per_recipient_from_distinct_senders(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    senders = [_keypair(), _keypair()]
+
+    for idx, (private_key, public_key, node_id) in enumerate(senders, start=1):
+        payload = _payload(msg_id=f"dm-{idx}")
+        event = inf.append_private_dm_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 1, payload),
+            sequence=1,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+            timestamp=float(payload["timestamp"]),
+        )
+        assert event["event_type"] == "dm_message"
+
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    third = _payload(msg_id="dm-3")
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_dm_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=third,
+            signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 1, third),
+            sequence=1,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+            timestamp=float(third["timestamp"]),
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "spool full" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("third DM spool event was accepted")
+
+    for _private_key, _public_key, sender_node_id in senders:
+        assert inf.sequence_domains[f"{sender_node_id}|dm_message"] == 1
+    assert inf.validate_chain(verify_signatures=True)[0] is True
+
+
+def test_private_dm_hashchain_limits_one_active_spool_per_sender_recipient_pair(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+
+    first = _payload(msg_id="dm-1")
+    inf.append_private_dm_message(
+        node_id=node_id,
+        payload=first,
+        signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 1, first),
+        sequence=1,
+        public_key=public_key,
+        public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+        protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        timestamp=float(first["timestamp"]),
+    )
+
+    second = _payload(msg_id="dm-2")
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_dm_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=second,
+            signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 2, second),
+            sequence=2,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+            timestamp=float(second["timestamp"]),
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "sender spool full" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("second DM from same sender to same recipient was accepted")
+
+
+def test_private_dm_hashchain_rejects_plaintext(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    payload = _payload()
+    payload["message"] = "plaintext"
+
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_dm_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 1, _payload()),
+            sequence=1,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "plaintext" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("private DM append accepted plaintext")
+
+
+def test_private_dm_hashchain_rejects_non_sealed_ciphertext_shape(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    payload = _payload()
+    payload["ciphertext"] = "not sealed plaintext"
+
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_dm_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 1, payload),
+            sequence=1,
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "sealed bytes" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("private DM append accepted non-base64 ciphertext")
+
+
+def test_hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain_delivers_to_poll_claim(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path / "chain", monkeypatch)
+    relay = _fresh_relay(tmp_path / "relay", monkeypatch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", inf)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_dm_relay, "dm_relay", relay)
+
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    payload = _payload(recipient_id="recipient-a", msg_id="dm-chain-1")
+    event = inf.append_private_dm_message(
+        node_id=node_id,
+        payload=payload,
+        signature=_signature(private_key, node_id, 1, payload),
+        sequence=1,
+        public_key=public_key,
+        public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+        protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        timestamp=float(payload["timestamp"]),
+    )
+
+    from main import _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain
+
+    assert _hydrate_dm_relay_from_chain([event]) == 1
+    messages, more = relay.collect_claims(
+        "recipient-a",
+        [{"type": "requests", "token": "recipient-request-token"}],
+        limit=8,
+    )
+
+    assert more is False
+    assert [message["msg_id"] for message in messages] == ["dm-chain-1"]
+    assert messages[0]["ciphertext"] == payload["ciphertext"]

backend/tests/mesh/test_private_gate_hashchain.py

@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+import base64
+
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
+from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import ed25519
+
+from services.mesh import mesh_crypto, mesh_hashchain, mesh_protocol
+
+
+def _keypair():
+    private_key = ed25519.Ed25519PrivateKey.generate()
+    public_raw = private_key.public_key().public_bytes(
+        encoding=serialization.Encoding.Raw,
+        format=serialization.PublicFormat.Raw,
+    )
+    public_key = base64.b64encode(public_raw).decode("utf-8")
+    node_id = mesh_crypto.derive_node_id(public_key)
+    return private_key, public_key, node_id
+
+
+def _sign(private_key, *, event_type: str, node_id: str, sequence: int, payload: dict) -> str:
+    signature_payload = mesh_crypto.build_signature_payload(
+        event_type=event_type,
+        node_id=node_id,
+        sequence=sequence,
+        payload=payload,
+    )
+    return private_key.sign(signature_payload.encode("utf-8")).hex()
+
+
+def _message_payload(text: str) -> dict:
+    return mesh_protocol.normalize_payload(
+        "message",
+        {
+            "message": text,
+            "destination": "broadcast",
+            "channel": "LongFast",
+            "priority": "normal",
+            "ephemeral": False,
+        },
+    )
+
+
+def _gate_payload(gate_id: str = "ops-gate", *, epoch: int = 2, plaintext: bool = False) -> dict:
+    payload = {
+        "gate": gate_id,
+        "ciphertext": base64.b64encode(b"encrypted-gate-ciphertext").decode("ascii"),
+        "nonce": base64.b64encode(b"nonce-value-1234").decode("ascii"),
+        "sender_ref": "sender-ref-1",
+        "format": "mls1",
+        "transport_lock": "private_strong",
+    }
+    if epoch > 0:
+        payload["epoch"] = epoch
+    if plaintext:
+        payload["message"] = "this must never land on the chain"
+    return mesh_protocol.normalize_payload("gate_message", payload) if not plaintext else payload
+
+
+def _gate_event(
+    private_key,
+    public_key: str,
+    node_id: str,
+    *,
+    sequence: int,
+    prev_hash: str,
+    payload: dict,
+    signature_payload: dict | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    signature = _sign(
+        private_key,
+        event_type="gate_message",
+        node_id=node_id,
+        sequence=sequence,
+        payload=signature_payload or payload,
+    )
+    return mesh_hashchain.ChainEvent(
+        prev_hash=prev_hash,
+        event_type="gate_message",
+        node_id=node_id,
+        payload=payload,
+        timestamp=1234.0 + sequence,
+        sequence=sequence,
+        signature=signature,
+        public_key=public_key,
+        public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+        protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        network_id=mesh_protocol.NETWORK_ID,
+    ).to_dict()
+
+
+def _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> mesh_hashchain.Infonet:
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "DATA_DIR", tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "CHAIN_FILE", tmp_path / "infonet.json")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "WAL_FILE", tmp_path / "infonet.wal")
+    return mesh_hashchain.Infonet()
+
+
+def test_private_gate_fork_uses_gate_sequence_domain_and_signature_variants(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+
+    public_payload = _message_payload("public prefix")
+    public_event = inf.append(
+        event_type="message",
+        node_id=node_id,
+        payload=public_payload,
+        sequence=1,
+        signature=_sign(
+            private_key,
+            event_type="message",
+            node_id=node_id,
+            sequence=1,
+            payload=public_payload,
+        ),
+        public_key=public_key,
+        public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+        protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+    )
+
+    gate_payload = _gate_payload(epoch=3)
+    signature_payload = dict(gate_payload)
+    signature_payload.pop("epoch", None)
+    gate_event = _gate_event(
+        private_key,
+        public_key,
+        node_id,
+        sequence=1,
+        prev_hash=public_event["event_id"],
+        payload=gate_payload,
+        signature_payload=signature_payload,
+    )
+
+    ok, reason = inf.apply_fork([gate_event], gate_event["event_id"], proof_count=2, quorum=2)
+
+    assert ok is True, reason
+    assert inf.events[-1]["event_type"] == "gate_message"
+    assert inf.node_sequences[node_id] == 1
+    assert inf.sequence_domains[f"{node_id}|gate_message"] == 1
+    assert inf.validate_chain(verify_signatures=True)[0] is True
+
+
+def test_private_gate_fork_rejects_plaintext_payload(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+
+    public_payload = _message_payload("public prefix")
+    public_event = inf.append(
+        event_type="message",
+        node_id=node_id,
+        payload=public_payload,
+        sequence=1,
+        signature=_sign(
+            private_key,
+            event_type="message",
+            node_id=node_id,
+            sequence=1,
+            payload=public_payload,
+        ),
+        public_key=public_key,
+        public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+        protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+    )
+
+    plaintext_payload = _gate_payload(plaintext=True)
+    gate_event = _gate_event(
+        private_key,
+        public_key,
+        node_id,
+        sequence=1,
+        prev_hash=public_event["event_id"],
+        payload=plaintext_payload,
+    )
+
+    ok, reason = inf.apply_fork([gate_event], gate_event["event_id"], proof_count=2, quorum=2)
+
+    assert ok is False
+    assert "normalized" in reason or "plaintext" in reason
+    assert len(inf.events) == 1
+    assert "gate_message" not in inf.get_info()["event_types"]
+
+
+def test_append_private_gate_message_rejects_plaintext_before_normalizing(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    payload = _gate_payload()
+    payload["message"] = "plaintext should not be silently dropped"
+
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_gate_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            sequence=1,
+            signature=_sign(
+                private_key,
+                event_type="gate_message",
+                node_id=node_id,
+                sequence=1,
+                payload=_gate_payload(),
+            ),
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "plaintext" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("private gate append accepted plaintext")
+
+    assert inf.events == []
+
+
+def test_append_private_gate_message_requires_private_strong_transport_lock(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    payload = _gate_payload()
+    payload.pop("transport_lock", None)
+
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_gate_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            sequence=1,
+            signature=_sign(
+                private_key,
+                event_type="gate_message",
+                node_id=node_id,
+                sequence=1,
+                payload=_gate_payload(),
+            ),
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "private_strong" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("private gate append accepted missing transport_lock")
+
+    assert inf.events == []
+
+
+def test_append_private_gate_message_rejects_non_sealed_ciphertext_shape(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    inf = _fresh_infonet(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    private_key, public_key, node_id = _keypair()
+    payload = _gate_payload()
+    payload["ciphertext"] = "not sealed plaintext"
+
+    try:
+        inf.append_private_gate_message(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            payload=payload,
+            sequence=1,
+            signature=_sign(
+                private_key,
+                event_type="gate_message",
+                node_id=node_id,
+                sequence=1,
+                payload=payload,
+            ),
+            public_key=public_key,
+            public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+            protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        )
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        assert "sealed bytes" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("private gate append accepted non-base64 ciphertext")
+
+    assert inf.events == []

backend/tests/mesh/test_s14b_public_sync_gate_filter.py

@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
-"""S14B Public Sync Gate Event Filter.
+"""S14B private sync gate event policy.
 
-Tests:
-- GET /api/mesh/infonet/sync excludes gate_message when local infonet contains legacy gate_message plus public events
-- POST /api/mesh/infonet/sync excludes gate_message under the same condition
-- Both main app and router-served paths are covered
-- Non-gate public redactions still hold (vote gate label stripped, key_rotate identity stripped)
-- Do not overclaim that gate_message is removed from historical infonet storage or ingest
+Private Infonet sync carries encrypted gate_message ledger events. If a node
+is configured to allow clearnet-compatible sync, those gate events are filtered
+out of the sync response.
 """
 
 import asyncio
+import base64
 import json
 
 from starlette.requests import Request
@@ -17,9 +15,6 @@ import main
 from services.mesh import mesh_hashchain
 
 
-# ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-
 def _message_event() -> dict:
     return {
         "event_id": "msg-1",
@@ -83,6 +78,7 @@ def _gate_message_event() -> dict:
             "nonce": "nonce-1",
             "sender_ref": "sender-ref-1",
             "format": "mls1",
+            "transport_lock": "private_strong",
         },
         "timestamp": 103.0,
         "sequence": 4,
@@ -93,9 +89,31 @@ def _gate_message_event() -> dict:
     }
 
 
-class _FakeInfonet:
-    """Minimal fake infonet with a gate_message among public events."""
+def _dm_message_event() -> dict:
+    return {
+        "event_id": "dm-1",
+        "event_type": "dm_message",
+        "node_id": "!node-5",
+        "payload": {
+            "recipient_id": "recipient-a",
+            "delivery_class": "request",
+            "recipient_token": "",
+            "ciphertext": base64.b64encode(b"sealed-dm-ciphertext").decode("ascii"),
+            "msg_id": "dm-1",
+            "timestamp": 104,
+            "format": "mls1",
+            "transport_lock": "private_strong",
+        },
+        "timestamp": 104.0,
+        "sequence": 5,
+        "signature": "sig",
+        "public_key": "pub",
+        "public_key_algo": "Ed25519",
+        "protocol_version": "infonet/2",
+    }
 
+
+class _FakeInfonet:
     def __init__(self):
         self.head_hash = "head-1"
         self.events = [
@@ -113,12 +131,10 @@ class _FakeInfonet:
             return int(getattr(limit, "default", 100) or 100)
 
     def get_events_after(self, after_hash: str, limit=100):
-        resolved = self._limit_value(limit)
-        return [dict(e) for e in self.events[:resolved]]
+        return [dict(e) for e in self.events[: self._limit_value(limit)]]
 
     def get_events_after_locator(self, locator: list[str], limit=100):
-        resolved = self._limit_value(limit)
-        return self.head_hash, 0, [dict(e) for e in self.events[:resolved]]
+        return self.head_hash, 0, [dict(e) for e in self.events[: self._limit_value(limit)]]
 
     def get_merkle_proofs(self, start_index: int, count: int):
         return {"root": "merkle-root", "total": len(self.events), "start": start_index, "proofs": []}
@@ -127,7 +143,7 @@ class _FakeInfonet:
         return "merkle-root"
 
 
-def _json_request(path: str, body: dict) -> Request:
+def _json_request(path: str, body: dict, *, client_host: str = "127.0.0.1", headers: dict[str, str] | None = None) -> Request:
     payload = json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8")
     sent = {"value": False}
 
@@ -137,11 +153,14 @@ def _json_request(path: str, body: dict) -> Request:
         sent["value"] = True
         return {"type": "http.request", "body": payload, "more_body": False}
 
+    raw_headers = [(b"content-type", b"application/json")]
+    for key, value in dict(headers or {}).items():
+        raw_headers.append((key.lower().encode("ascii"), str(value).encode("ascii")))
     return Request(
         {
             "type": "http",
-            "headers": [(b"content-type", b"application/json")],
-            "client": ("test", 12345),
+            "headers": raw_headers,
+            "client": (client_host, 12345),
             "method": "POST",
             "path": path,
         },
@@ -149,20 +168,15 @@ def _json_request(path: str, body: dict) -> Request:
     )
 
 
-def _get_request(path: str) -> Request:
-    sent = {"value": False}
-
+def _get_request(path: str, *, client_host: str = "127.0.0.1", headers: dict[str, str] | None = None) -> Request:
     async def receive():
-        if sent["value"]:
-            return {"type": "http.request", "body": b"", "more_body": False}
-        sent["value"] = True
         return {"type": "http.request", "body": b"", "more_body": False}
 
     return Request(
         {
             "type": "http",
-            "headers": [],
-            "client": ("test", 12345),
+            "headers": [(key.lower().encode("ascii"), str(value).encode("ascii")) for key, value in dict(headers or {}).items()],
+            "client": (client_host, 12345),
             "method": "GET",
             "path": path,
         },
@@ -170,120 +184,166 @@ def _get_request(path: str) -> Request:
     )
 
 
-# ── GET sync excludes gate_message (main app) ──────────────────────────
+def _force_private_sync(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_infonet_private_transport_required", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_request_appears_private_infonet_transport", lambda request: True)
 
 
-def test_get_sync_excludes_gate_message(client, monkeypatch):
-    """GET /api/mesh/infonet/sync must not return gate_message events."""
+def _force_private_policy_only(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_infonet_private_transport_required", lambda: True)
+
+
+def _force_clearnet_sync(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "_infonet_private_transport_required", lambda: False)
+
+
+def _event_types(events: list[dict]) -> list[str]:
+    return [str(e.get("event_type", "")) for e in events]
+
+
+def test_private_sync_redacts_private_events_from_exposed_clearnet_request(monkeypatch):
+    _force_private_policy_only(monkeypatch)
+    request = _get_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", client_host="203.0.113.10")
+
+    events = main._infonet_sync_response_events(
+        [_message_event(), _gate_message_event(), _dm_message_event()],
+        request=request,
+    )
+
+    assert _event_types(events) == ["message"]
+
+
+def test_private_sync_includes_private_events_for_loopback_request(monkeypatch):
+    _force_private_policy_only(monkeypatch)
+    request = _get_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", client_host="127.0.0.1")
+
+    events = main._infonet_sync_response_events(
+        [_message_event(), _gate_message_event(), _dm_message_event()],
+        request=request,
+    )
+
+    assert _event_types(events) == ["message", "gate_message", "dm_message"]
+
+
+def test_private_sync_redacts_private_events_when_forwarded_for_is_clearnet(monkeypatch):
+    _force_private_policy_only(monkeypatch)
+    request = _get_request(
+        "/api/mesh/infonet/sync",
+        client_host="127.0.0.1",
+        headers={"x-forwarded-for": "198.51.100.44"},
+    )
+
+    events = main._infonet_sync_response_events(
+        [_message_event(), _gate_message_event(), _dm_message_event()],
+        request=request,
+    )
+
+    assert _event_types(events) == ["message"]
+
+
+def test_get_sync_includes_gate_message_on_private_transport(client, monkeypatch):
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
-    resp = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-    data = resp.json()
-    event_types = [e["event_type"] for e in data["events"]]
-    assert "gate_message" not in event_types
-    assert "message" in event_types
-    assert "vote" in event_types
-    assert "key_rotate" in event_types
+
+    data = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync").json()
+
+    assert "gate_message" in _event_types(data["events"])
+    assert data["count"] == 4
 
 
-def test_get_sync_count_excludes_gate_message(client, monkeypatch):
-    """GET sync count field must reflect filtered events (gate_message excluded)."""
+def test_post_sync_includes_gate_message_on_private_transport(monkeypatch):
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
-    resp = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-    data = resp.json()
-    assert data["count"] == 3  # message, vote, key_rotate — not gate_message
 
-
-# ── POST sync excludes gate_message (main app) ─────────────────────────
-
-
-def test_post_sync_excludes_gate_message(monkeypatch):
-    """POST /api/mesh/infonet/sync must not return gate_message events."""
-    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
     result = asyncio.run(
         main.infonet_sync_post(
             _json_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", {"locator": ["head-1"]})
         )
     )
-    event_types = [e["event_type"] for e in result["events"]]
-    assert "gate_message" not in event_types
-    assert "message" in event_types
-    assert "vote" in event_types
-    assert "key_rotate" in event_types
+
+    assert "gate_message" in _event_types(result["events"])
+    assert result["count"] == 4
 
 
-def test_post_sync_count_excludes_gate_message(monkeypatch):
-    """POST sync count field must reflect filtered events."""
-    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
-    result = asyncio.run(
-        main.infonet_sync_post(
-            _json_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", {"locator": ["head-1"]})
-        )
-    )
-    assert result["count"] == 3
-
-
-# ── Router-served paths ────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-
-def test_router_get_sync_excludes_gate_message(monkeypatch):
-    """Router GET /api/mesh/infonet/sync must not return gate_message."""
+def test_router_get_sync_includes_gate_message_on_private_transport(monkeypatch):
     from routers.mesh_public import infonet_sync
 
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
+
     result = asyncio.run(infonet_sync(_get_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")))
-    event_types = [e["event_type"] for e in result["events"]]
-    assert "gate_message" not in event_types
-    assert "message" in event_types
-    assert data_count_matches(result)
+
+    assert "gate_message" in _event_types(result["events"])
+    assert result["count"] == len(result["events"])
 
 
-def test_router_post_sync_excludes_gate_message(monkeypatch):
-    """Router POST /api/mesh/infonet/sync must not return gate_message."""
+def test_router_post_sync_includes_gate_message_on_private_transport(monkeypatch):
     from routers.mesh_public import infonet_sync_post
 
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
+
     result = asyncio.run(
         infonet_sync_post(
             _json_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", {"locator": ["head-1"]})
         )
     )
-    event_types = [e["event_type"] for e in result["events"]]
-    assert "gate_message" not in event_types
-    assert "message" in event_types
-    assert data_count_matches(result)
+
+    assert "gate_message" in _event_types(result["events"])
+    assert result["count"] == len(result["events"])
 
 
-def data_count_matches(result: dict) -> bool:
-    return result["count"] == len(result["events"])
+def test_get_sync_excludes_gate_message_when_clearnet_sync_allowed(client, monkeypatch):
+    _force_clearnet_sync(monkeypatch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
+
+    data = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync").json()
+
+    assert "gate_message" not in _event_types(data["events"])
+    assert data["count"] == 3
 
 
-# ── Non-gate redactions still hold ─────────────────────────────────────
+def test_post_sync_excludes_gate_message_when_clearnet_sync_allowed(monkeypatch):
+    _force_clearnet_sync(monkeypatch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
+
+    result = asyncio.run(
+        main.infonet_sync_post(
+            _json_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", {"locator": ["head-1"]})
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert "gate_message" not in _event_types(result["events"])
+    assert result["count"] == 3
 
 
 def test_get_sync_still_redacts_vote_gate_label(client, monkeypatch):
-    """Public sync must still strip gate label from vote payload."""
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
-    resp = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-    events = resp.json()["events"]
+
+    events = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync").json()["events"]
     vote = next(e for e in events if e["event_type"] == "vote")
+
     assert "gate" not in vote.get("payload", {})
 
 
 def test_get_sync_still_redacts_key_rotate_identity(client, monkeypatch):
-    """Public sync must still strip old identity fields from key_rotate payload."""
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
-    resp = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-    events = resp.json()["events"]
+
+    events = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync").json()["events"]
     rotate = next(e for e in events if e["event_type"] == "key_rotate")
     payload = rotate.get("payload", {})
+
     assert "old_node_id" not in payload
     assert "old_public_key" not in payload
     assert "old_signature" not in payload
 
 
 def test_post_sync_still_redacts_vote_and_rotate(monkeypatch):
-    """POST sync must still apply standard public redactions to non-gate events."""
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _FakeInfonet(), raising=False)
+
     result = asyncio.run(
         main.infonet_sync_post(
             _json_request("/api/mesh/infonet/sync", {"locator": ["head-1"]})
@@ -291,24 +351,17 @@ def test_post_sync_still_redacts_vote_and_rotate(monkeypatch):
     )
     vote = next(e for e in result["events"] if e["event_type"] == "vote")
     rotate = next(e for e in result["events"] if e["event_type"] == "key_rotate")
+
     assert "gate" not in vote.get("payload", {})
     assert "old_node_id" not in rotate.get("payload", {})
 
 
-# ── No overclaim ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-
 def test_gate_message_still_in_fake_infonet_storage():
-    """The filter does NOT remove gate_message from underlying storage.
-    This test documents that the infonet still holds gate_message events;
-    only the public sync response surface filters them out."""
     fake = _FakeInfonet()
-    all_types = [e["event_type"] for e in fake.events]
-    assert "gate_message" in all_types
+    assert "gate_message" in _event_types(fake.events)
 
 
-def test_sync_with_only_gate_messages_returns_empty(client, monkeypatch):
-    """If infonet contains only gate_message events, sync returns empty list."""
+def test_private_sync_with_only_gate_messages_returns_gate_events(client, monkeypatch):
     class _GateOnlyInfonet:
         head_hash = "head-1"
         events = [_gate_message_event()]
@@ -325,8 +378,10 @@ def test_sync_with_only_gate_messages_returns_empty(client, monkeypatch):
         def get_merkle_root(self):
             return "r"
 
+    _force_private_sync(monkeypatch)
     monkeypatch.setattr(mesh_hashchain, "infonet", _GateOnlyInfonet(), raising=False)
-    resp = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync")
-    data = resp.json()
-    assert data["events"] == []
-    assert data["count"] == 0
+
+    data = client.get("/api/mesh/infonet/sync").json()
+
+    assert _event_types(data["events"]) == ["gate_message"]
+    assert data["count"] == 1

backend/tests/mesh/test_s9b_gate_store_hydration.py

@@ -66,6 +66,20 @@ def _make_gate_message_event(priv, pub_b64, node_id, sequence, prev_hash, gate_i
     return evt.to_dict()
 
 
+def _make_gate_payload(gate_id="test-gate") -> dict:
+    return mesh_protocol.normalize_payload(
+        "gate_message",
+        {
+            "gate": gate_id,
+            "ciphertext": base64.b64encode(b"encrypted-data").decode(),
+            "nonce": base64.b64encode(b"nonce-value-1234").decode(),
+            "sender_ref": "sender-abc",
+            "format": "mls1",
+            "transport_lock": "private_strong",
+        },
+    )
+
+
 @pytest.fixture()
 def fresh_env(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     """Set up isolated infonet + gate_store, return (infonet, gate_store)."""
@@ -89,6 +103,74 @@ def fresh_env(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
 # ── Rejected gate_message must NOT hydrate gate_store ─────────────────────
 
 
+def test_append_private_gate_message_uses_hashchain_gate_sequence(fresh_env):
+    """Local gate posts become private hashchain events in a gate sequence domain."""
+    inf, _gs = fresh_env
+    priv, pub_b64, node_id = _make_keypair()
+    sequence = 1
+    payload = _make_gate_payload("test-gate")
+    sig_payload = mesh_crypto.build_signature_payload(
+        event_type="gate_message",
+        node_id=node_id,
+        sequence=sequence,
+        payload=payload,
+    )
+    signature = priv.sign(sig_payload.encode("utf-8")).hex()
+
+    event = inf.append_private_gate_message(
+        node_id=node_id,
+        payload=payload,
+        signature=signature,
+        sequence=sequence,
+        public_key=pub_b64,
+        public_key_algo="Ed25519",
+        protocol_version=mesh_protocol.PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+        timestamp=123.0,
+    )
+
+    assert event["event_type"] == "gate_message"
+    assert inf.head_hash == event["event_id"]
+    assert inf.sequence_domains[f"{node_id}|gate_message"] == sequence
+    assert inf.node_sequences.get(node_id, 0) == 0
+    assert event["payload"]["transport_lock"] == "private_strong"
+
+
+def test_ingest_accepts_new_suffix_after_duplicate_prefix(fresh_env):
+    """Peer-push batches may include events the receiver already has."""
+    inf, _gs = fresh_env
+    priv, pub_b64, node_id = _make_keypair()
+    evt1 = _make_gate_message_event(
+        priv,
+        pub_b64,
+        node_id,
+        sequence=1,
+        prev_hash=mesh_hashchain.GENESIS_HASH,
+    )
+    assert inf.ingest_events([evt1])["accepted"] == 1
+    evt2 = _make_gate_message_event(
+        priv,
+        pub_b64,
+        node_id,
+        sequence=2,
+        prev_hash=evt1["event_id"],
+    )
+    assert inf.ingest_events([evt2])["accepted"] == 1
+    evt3 = _make_gate_message_event(
+        priv,
+        pub_b64,
+        node_id,
+        sequence=3,
+        prev_hash=evt2["event_id"],
+    )
+
+    result = inf.ingest_events([evt1, evt2, evt3])
+
+    assert result["duplicates"] == 2
+    assert result["accepted"] == 1
+    assert result["rejected"] == []
+    assert inf.head_hash == evt3["event_id"]
+
+
 def test_rejected_event_does_not_hydrate_gate_store(fresh_env):
     """A gate_message rejected by ingest must not appear in gate_store."""
     inf, gs = fresh_env

docker-compose.relay.yml

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ services:
       dockerfile: ./backend/Dockerfile
     container_name: shadowbroker-relay
     ports:
-      - "0.0.0.0:8000:8000"
+      - "127.0.0.1:8000:8000"
     env_file: .env
     volumes:
       - relay_data:/app/data

docker-compose.yml

@@ -24,8 +24,16 @@ services:
       # Private Infonet bootstrap seeds. Seeds are discovery hints, not fixed roots.
       - MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS=${MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS:-http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000}
       - MESH_DEFAULT_SYNC_PEERS=${MESH_DEFAULT_SYNC_PEERS:-}
+      - MESH_SYNC_TIMEOUT_S=${MESH_SYNC_TIMEOUT_S:-5}
+      - MESH_RELAY_PUSH_TIMEOUT_S=${MESH_RELAY_PUSH_TIMEOUT_S:-45}
+      # Explicitly opt into HTTPS/IP-based peer sync. Default remains private transports only.
+      - MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC=${MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC:-false}
+      # Tor/Arti SOCKS transport for private .onion Infonet sync.
+      - MESH_ARTI_ENABLED=${MESH_ARTI_ENABLED:-false}
+      - MESH_ARTI_SOCKS_PORT=${MESH_ARTI_SOCKS_PORT:-9050}
       # Operator-trusted sync/push peers. Leave empty unless you control the peer secret on both sides.
       - MESH_RELAY_PEERS=${MESH_RELAY_PEERS:-}
+      - MESH_PUBLIC_PEER_URL=${MESH_PUBLIC_PEER_URL:-}
       # Shared transport auth for operator peer push. Must be set to a unique secret per deployment.
       - MESH_PEER_PUSH_SECRET=${MESH_PEER_PUSH_SECRET:-}
       # Issue #256: optional per-peer HMAC secrets. Comma-separated

frontend/src/components/InfonetTerminal/InfonetShell.tsx

@@ -298,6 +298,33 @@ export default function InfonetShell({
     setCurrentView(view);
   };
 
+  const renderGateDirectory = (variant: 'landing' | 'command' = 'command') => (
+    <div
+      className={
+        variant === 'landing'
+          ? 'w-full max-w-3xl border border-cyan-950/50 bg-black/20 px-4 py-3 text-left shadow-[0_0_18px_rgba(6,182,212,0.06)]'
+          : 'text-gray-400'
+      }
+    >
+      <p className={`${variant === 'landing' ? 'text-[11px]' : ''} text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-[0.18em]`}>
+        AVAILABLE OBFUSCATED GATES:
+      </p>
+      <div className={`grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 xl:grid-cols-3 ${variant === 'landing' ? 'gap-x-8 gap-y-1.5 mt-2' : 'gap-2 mt-2'}`}>
+        {GATES.map(gate => (
+          <button
+            key={gate}
+            type="button"
+            className="group flex min-h-[24px] items-center text-left text-gray-300 hover:text-white transition-colors"
+            onClick={() => handleNavigate('gate', gate)}
+          >
+            <span className="text-gray-500 mr-2 group-hover:text-cyan-400 transition-colors">[{'>'}]</span>
+            <span className="truncate group-hover:drop-shadow-[0_0_5px_rgba(6,182,212,0.8)]">{gate}</span>
+          </button>
+        ))}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+
   const openGateWhenReady = async (
     gateTarget: string,
     operation: () => Promise<void>,
@@ -471,19 +498,7 @@ export default function InfonetShell({
       setHistory([]);
       return;
     } else if (trimmedCmd === 'gates') {
-      output = (
-        <div className="text-gray-400">
-          <p>AVAILABLE OBFUSCATED GATES:</p>
-          <div className="grid grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-3 gap-2 mt-2">
-            {GATES.map(gate => (
-              <div key={gate} className="flex items-center cursor-pointer hover:text-gray-300 group" onClick={() => handleNavigate('gate', gate)}>
-                <span className="text-gray-500 mr-2 group-hover:text-cyan-400 transition-colors">[{'>'}]</span>
-                <span className="text-gray-300 group-hover:text-white transition-colors group-hover:drop-shadow-[0_0_5px_rgba(6,182,212,0.8)]">{gate}</span>
-              </div>
-            ))}
-          </div>
-        </div>
-      );
+      output = renderGateDirectory('command');
     } else if (trimmedCmd.startsWith('join ') || trimmedCmd.startsWith('g/')) {
       const target = trimmedCmd.startsWith('g/') ? trimmedCmd.slice(2) : trimmedCmd.split(' ')[1];
       if (GATES.includes(target)) {
@@ -661,6 +676,9 @@ export default function InfonetShell({
                   <p>Type <span className="text-green-400 font-bold">&apos;gates&apos;</span> or <span className="text-green-400 font-bold">g/</span> to view available chatrooms.</p>
                 </div>
                 <NetworkStats />
+                <div className="mt-5 w-full flex justify-center">
+                  {renderGateDirectory('landing')}
+                </div>
               </div>
 
               <HashchainEvents />

meshnode.bat

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ echo ===================================================
 echo.
 echo   Lightweight node — syncs the Infonet chain only.
 echo   No map, no frontend, no data feeds.
+echo   Private hashchain relay: gate messages + offline DM spool.
 echo   Close this window to stop the node.
 echo.
 
@@ -96,15 +97,22 @@ echo [*] Auto-enabling node participation...
 if not exist "data\" mkdir data
 echo {"enabled":true,"updated_at":0} > data\node.json
 
+set MESH_ONLY=true
+set SHADOWBROKER_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME=true
+set MESH_NODE_MODE=participant
+set MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC=false
+set MESH_ARTI_ENABLED=true
+set MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT=2
+set MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_TTL_S=3600
+if "%MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS%"=="" set MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS=http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000
+
 echo.
 echo ===================================================
 echo   Mesh node starting on port 8000
 echo   Mode: MESH_ONLY (no data feeds)
-echo   Relay: %MESH_RELAY_PEERS%
+echo   Bootstrap: %MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS%
 echo   Press Ctrl+C to stop
 echo ===================================================
 echo.
 
-set MESH_ONLY=true
-set MESH_NODE_MODE=participant
 python -m uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000

meshnode.sh

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ echo "==================================================="
 echo ""
 echo "  Lightweight node — syncs the Infonet chain only."
 echo "  No map, no frontend, no data feeds."
+echo "  Private hashchain relay: gate messages + offline DM spool."
 echo "  Press Ctrl+C to stop."
 echo ""
 
@@ -51,15 +52,22 @@ echo "[*] Auto-enabling node participation..."
 mkdir -p data
 echo '{"enabled":true,"updated_at":0}' > data/node.json
 
+export MESH_ONLY=true
+export SHADOWBROKER_MESH_NODE_RUNTIME=true
+export MESH_NODE_MODE=participant
+export MESH_INFONET_ALLOW_CLEARNET_SYNC=false
+export MESH_ARTI_ENABLED=true
+export MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_LIMIT=2
+export MESH_DM_HASHCHAIN_SPOOL_TTL_S=3600
+export MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS="${MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS:-http://gqpbunqbgtkcqilvclm3xrkt3zowjyl3s62kkktvojgvxzizamvbrqid.onion:8000}"
+
 echo ""
 echo "==================================================="
 echo "  Mesh node starting on port 8000"
 echo "  Mode: MESH_ONLY (no data feeds)"
-echo "  Relay: ${MESH_RELAY_PEERS:-default}"
+echo "  Bootstrap: ${MESH_BOOTSTRAP_SEED_PEERS}"
 echo "  Press Ctrl+C to stop"
 echo "==================================================="
 echo ""
 
-export MESH_ONLY=true
-export MESH_NODE_MODE=participant
 python3 -m uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000