diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 8fdd327..a895881 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2732,7 +2732,7 @@ checksum = "92ecc6618181def0457392ccd0ee51198e065e016d1d527a7ac1b6dc7c1f09d2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "itsgoin-cli"
-version = "0.6.1"
+version = "0.6.2"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "hex",
@@ -2744,7 +2744,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "itsgoin-core"
-version = "0.6.1"
+version = "0.6.2"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64 0.22.1",
@@ -2767,7 +2767,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "itsgoin-desktop"
-version = "0.6.1"
+version = "0.6.2"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64 0.22.1",
diff --git a/crates/cli/Cargo.toml b/crates/cli/Cargo.toml
index 4e58bf6..478c1d2 100644
--- a/crates/cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "itsgoin-cli"
-version = "0.6.1"
+version = "0.6.2"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [[bin]]
diff --git a/crates/cli/src/main.rs b/crates/cli/src/main.rs
index d52655e..d74eceb 100644
--- a/crates/cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/cli/src/main.rs
@@ -138,11 +138,6 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     println!("  revoke <id> <node_id> [mode]     Revoke access (mode: sync|reencrypt)");
     println!("  revoke-circle <circle> <nid> [m] Revoke circle access for a node");
     println!("  redundancy                       Show replica counts for your posts");
-    println!("  audience                         List audience members");
-    println!("  audience-request <node_id>      Request to join peer's audience");
-    println!("  audience-pending                 Show pending audience requests");
-    println!("  audience-approve <node_id>       Approve audience request");
-    println!("  audience-remove <node_id>        Remove from audience");
     println!("  worm <node_id>                   Worm lookup (find peer beyond 3-hop map)");
     println!("  connections                       Show mesh connections");
     println!("  social-routes                    Show social routing cache");
@@ -713,91 +708,6 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
                 }
             }
 
-            "audience" => {
-                match node.list_audience_members().await {
-                    Ok(members) => {
-                        if members.is_empty() {
-                            println!("(no audience members)");
-                        } else {
-                            println!("Audience members ({}):", members.len());
-                            for nid in members {
-                                let name = node.get_display_name(&nid).await.unwrap_or(None);
-                                let label = name.unwrap_or_else(|| hex::encode(&nid)[..12].to_string());
-                                println!("  {}", label);
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                    Err(e) => println!("Error: {}", e),
-                }
-            }
-
-            "audience-request" => {
-                if let Some(id_hex) = arg {
-                    match itsgoin_core::parse_node_id_hex(id_hex) {
-                        Ok(nid) => {
-                            match node.request_audience(&nid).await {
-                                Ok(()) => println!("Audience request sent"),
-                                Err(e) => println!("Error: {}", e),
-                            }
-                        }
-                        Err(e) => println!("Invalid node ID: {}", e),
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    println!("Usage: audience-request <node_id_hex>");
-                }
-            }
-
-            "audience-pending" => {
-                use itsgoin_core::types::{AudienceDirection, AudienceStatus};
-                match node.list_audience(AudienceDirection::Inbound, Some(AudienceStatus::Pending)).await {
-                    Ok(records) => {
-                        if records.is_empty() {
-                            println!("(no pending audience requests)");
-                        } else {
-                            println!("Pending audience requests ({}):", records.len());
-                            for rec in records {
-                                let name = node.get_display_name(&rec.node_id).await.unwrap_or(None);
-                                let label = name.unwrap_or_else(|| hex::encode(&rec.node_id)[..12].to_string());
-                                println!("  {}", label);
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                    Err(e) => println!("Error: {}", e),
-                }
-            }
-
-            "audience-approve" => {
-                if let Some(id_hex) = arg {
-                    match itsgoin_core::parse_node_id_hex(id_hex) {
-                        Ok(nid) => {
-                            match node.approve_audience(&nid).await {
-                                Ok(()) => println!("Approved audience member"),
-                                Err(e) => println!("Error: {}", e),
-                            }
-                        }
-                        Err(e) => println!("Invalid node ID: {}", e),
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    println!("Usage: audience-approve <node_id_hex>");
-                }
-            }
-
-            "audience-remove" => {
-                if let Some(id_hex) = arg {
-                    match itsgoin_core::parse_node_id_hex(id_hex) {
-                        Ok(nid) => {
-                            match node.remove_audience(&nid).await {
-                                Ok(()) => println!("Removed from audience"),
-                                Err(e) => println!("Error: {}", e),
-                            }
-                        }
-                        Err(e) => println!("Invalid node ID: {}", e),
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    println!("Usage: audience-remove <node_id_hex>");
-                }
-            }
-
             "worm" => {
                 if let Some(id_hex) = arg {
                     match itsgoin_core::parse_node_id_hex(id_hex) {
diff --git a/crates/core/Cargo.toml b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
index 0b7c6a0..a894f92 100644
--- a/crates/core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "itsgoin-core"
-version = "0.6.1"
+version = "0.6.2"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/crates/core/src/connection.rs b/crates/core/src/connection.rs
index 1724055..1d4917b 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/connection.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/connection.rs
@@ -13,12 +13,11 @@ use crate::crypto;
 use crate::protocol::{
     read_message_type, read_payload, write_typed_message, AnchorReferral,
     AnchorReferralRequestPayload, AnchorReferralResponsePayload, AnchorRegisterPayload,
-    AudienceRequestPayload, AudienceResponsePayload, BlobHeaderDiffPayload,
+    BlobHeaderDiffPayload,
     BlobHeaderRequestPayload, BlobHeaderResponsePayload, BlobRequestPayload, BlobResponsePayload,
-    CircleProfileUpdatePayload, GroupKeyDistributePayload, GroupKeyRequestPayload,
+    CircleProfileUpdatePayload, GroupKeyRequestPayload,
     GroupKeyResponsePayload, InitialExchangePayload, MeshPreferPayload,
     MessageType, NodeListUpdatePayload, PostDownstreamRegisterPayload,
-    PostNotificationPayload, PostPushPayload,
     ProfileUpdatePayload, PullSyncRequestPayload, PullSyncResponsePayload,
     RefuseRedirectPayload, RelayIntroducePayload, RelayIntroduceResultPayload, SessionRelayPayload,
     SocialAddressUpdatePayload, SocialCheckinPayload, SocialDisconnectNoticePayload,
@@ -156,6 +155,20 @@ const SCAN_PUNCH_INTERVAL_SECS: u64 = 2;
 /// Maximum scan duration (seconds) — accept the cost for otherwise-impossible connections
 const SCAN_MAX_DURATION_SECS: u64 = 300; // 5 minutes
 
+/// Global cap on concurrent port-scan hole punches. Each scanner fires
+/// ~100 QUIC ClientHellos/sec for up to `SCAN_MAX_DURATION_SECS`, which
+/// is ~1 Mbps per active scanner. Without a cap, multiple parallel
+/// referrals (growth loop, anchor referrals, replication) can spawn
+/// several scanners at once and drive sustained multi-Mbps upload —
+/// especially pathological on obfuscated VPNs where every probe stalls
+/// at proxy timeouts. A permit is acquired before the scanning loop
+/// starts and held until the scanner returns; extra callers fall back
+/// to the cheaper `hole_punch_parallel`.
+fn scanner_semaphore() -> &'static tokio::sync::Semaphore {
+    static SEM: std::sync::OnceLock<tokio::sync::Semaphore> = std::sync::OnceLock::new();
+    SEM.get_or_init(|| tokio::sync::Semaphore::new(1))
+}
+
 /// Advanced hole punch with port scanning fallback for EDM/port-restricted NAT.
 ///
 /// **Role-based behavior** (each side calls this independently):
@@ -189,6 +202,21 @@ pub(crate) async fn hole_punch_with_scanning(
         return hole_punch_parallel(endpoint, target, addresses).await;
     }
 
+    // v0.6.2: cap to one concurrent port scanner per node. Additional
+    // callers fall back to the cheaper `hole_punch_parallel` instead of
+    // spawning another 100-probes-per-second scanner. The permit is held
+    // for the lifetime of the scanner loop below (dropped on return).
+    let _scan_permit = match scanner_semaphore().try_acquire() {
+        Ok(p) => p,
+        Err(_) => {
+            tracing::debug!(
+                peer = hex::encode(target),
+                "another port scan already in progress — falling back to parallel punch"
+            );
+            return hole_punch_parallel(endpoint, target, addresses).await;
+        }
+    };
+
     // Filter to reachable families, then use observed address (first in list, injected by relay)
     let reachable = filter_reachable_families(endpoint, addresses);
     let observed_addr = reachable.first()
@@ -638,6 +666,31 @@ pub struct ConnectionManager {
     /// Sticky N1 entries: NodeIds to report in N1 share until expiry (ms).
     /// Used to advertise the bootstrap anchor for 24h after isolation recovery.
     sticky_n1: HashMap<NodeId, u64>,
+    /// NodeIds with an outgoing connect attempt currently in flight.
+    /// Used by `try_begin_connect` to suppress duplicate concurrent outgoing
+    /// connects from racing paths (auto-reconnect, rebalance, relay
+    /// introduction target-side) against the same peer. Held in a sync
+    /// Mutex because every operation is a single O(1) hash insert/remove —
+    /// never held across an await.
+    pending_connects: Arc<std::sync::Mutex<HashSet<NodeId>>>,
+}
+
+/// RAII guard for a pending-outgoing-connect entry. Returned by
+/// `ConnectionManager::try_begin_connect`. The NodeId is inserted into
+/// `pending_connects` at construction and removed on drop, so a second
+/// call to `try_begin_connect` for the same peer returns `None` for as
+/// long as this guard is alive.
+pub struct PendingConnectGuard {
+    peer_id: NodeId,
+    set: Arc<std::sync::Mutex<HashSet<NodeId>>>,
+}
+
+impl Drop for PendingConnectGuard {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if let Ok(mut s) = self.set.lock() {
+            s.remove(&self.peer_id);
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl ConnectionManager {
@@ -700,9 +753,36 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
             http_capable: false,
             http_addr: None,
             sticky_n1: HashMap::new(),
+            pending_connects: Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(HashSet::new())),
         }
     }
 
+    /// Reserve an outgoing-connect slot for `peer`. Returns `Some(guard)`
+    /// if no other outgoing connect to this peer is already in flight and
+    /// we aren't already connected. The guard is held by the caller for
+    /// the duration of the connect attempt — subsequent calls for the
+    /// same peer return `None` until the guard drops.
+    ///
+    /// Only gates outgoing duplicates; has no effect on incoming
+    /// connections from the peer, which are accepted normally.
+    pub fn try_begin_connect(&self, peer: NodeId) -> Option<PendingConnectGuard> {
+        if self.connections.contains_key(&peer) || self.sessions.contains_key(&peer) {
+            return None;
+        }
+        let mut set = match self.pending_connects.lock() {
+            Ok(g) => g,
+            Err(_) => return None, // Poisoned — fail closed rather than risk a racing connect.
+        };
+        if set.contains(&peer) {
+            return None;
+        }
+        set.insert(peer);
+        Some(PendingConnectGuard {
+            peer_id: peer,
+            set: self.pending_connects.clone(),
+        })
+    }
+
     /// Our detected NAT type
     pub fn nat_type(&self) -> crate::types::NatType {
         self.nat_type
@@ -1346,18 +1426,25 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
         conn: iroh::endpoint::Connection,
         storage: &Arc<StoragePool>,
         peer_id: &NodeId,
-        our_node_id: NodeId,
+        _our_node_id: NodeId,
     ) -> anyhow::Result<PullSyncStats> {
-        let (our_follows, follows_sync) = {
+        let (our_follows, follows_sync, our_personas) = {
             let s = storage.get().await;
-            (s.list_follows()?, s.get_follows_with_last_sync().unwrap_or_default())
+            (
+                s.list_follows()?,
+                s.get_follows_with_last_sync().unwrap_or_default(),
+                s.list_posting_identities().unwrap_or_default(),
+            )
         };
 
-        // Merged pull: include our own NodeId in the query so the peer returns
-        // posts where we're either a followed author OR a recipient (DM).
+        // Merged pull: include every posting identity we hold so DMs to any
+        // of our personas match via wrapped_key.recipient. Network NodeId is
+        // never an author or recipient and would never match.
         let mut query_list = our_follows;
-        if !query_list.contains(&our_node_id) {
-            query_list.push(our_node_id);
+        for pi in &our_personas {
+            if !query_list.contains(&pi.node_id) {
+                query_list.push(pi.node_id);
+            }
         }
 
         let request = PullSyncRequestPayload {
@@ -1388,11 +1475,19 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
             for sp in &response.posts {
                 if s.is_deleted(&sp.id)? { continue; }
                 if verify_post_id(&sp.id, &sp.post) {
-                    if s.store_post_with_visibility(&sp.id, &sp.post, &sp.visibility)? {
-                        new_post_ids.push(sp.id);
-                        posts_received += 1;
+                    match crate::control::receive_post(&s, &sp.id, &sp.post, &sp.visibility, sp.intent.as_ref()) {
+                        Ok(true) => {
+                            new_post_ids.push(sp.id);
+                            posts_received += 1;
+                            synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
+                        }
+                        Ok(false) => {
+                            synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
+                        }
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            warn!(post_id = hex::encode(sp.id), error = %e, "rejecting post");
+                        }
                     }
-                    synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -1879,129 +1974,6 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
         sent
     }
 
-    /// Handle an incoming post notification: if we follow the author, pull the post.
-    /// `conn` is a fallback connection for ephemeral callers (not persistently connected).
-    pub async fn handle_post_notification(
-        &self,
-        from: &NodeId,
-        notification: PostNotificationPayload,
-        conn: Option<&iroh::endpoint::Connection>,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<bool> {
-        let dominated = {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            // Already have this post?
-            if storage.get_post(&notification.post_id)?.is_some() {
-                return Ok(false);
-            }
-            // Do we follow the author?
-            let follows = storage.list_follows()?;
-            follows.contains(&notification.author)
-        };
-
-        if !dominated {
-            return Ok(false);
-        }
-
-        // We follow the author and don't have the post — pull it from the notifier
-        let pull_conn = match self.connections.get(from) {
-            Some(pc) => pc.connection.clone(),
-            None => match conn {
-                Some(c) => c.clone(),
-                None => return Ok(false),
-            },
-        };
-
-        let (our_follows, follows_sync) = {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            (
-                storage.list_follows()?,
-                storage.get_follows_with_last_sync().unwrap_or_default(),
-            )
-        };
-
-        // Merged pull: include our own NodeId in the query list.
-        let mut query_list = our_follows;
-        if !query_list.contains(&self.our_node_id) {
-            query_list.push(self.our_node_id);
-        }
-
-        let (mut send, mut recv) = pull_conn.open_bi().await?;
-        let request = PullSyncRequestPayload {
-            follows: query_list,
-            have_post_ids: vec![],  // v4: empty, using since_ms instead
-            since_ms: follows_sync,
-        };
-        write_typed_message(&mut send, MessageType::PullSyncRequest, &request).await?;
-        send.finish()?;
-
-        let _resp_type = read_message_type(&mut recv).await?;
-        let response: PullSyncResponsePayload =
-            read_payload(&mut recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-
-        let now_ms = std::time::SystemTime::now()
-            .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
-            .unwrap_or_default()
-            .as_millis() as u64;
-        let mut stored = false;
-        let mut new_post_ids: Vec<PostId> = Vec::new();
-        let mut synced_authors: HashSet<NodeId> = HashSet::new();
-
-        // Brief lock 1: store posts
-        {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            for sp in &response.posts {
-                if verify_post_id(&sp.id, &sp.post) && !storage.is_deleted(&sp.id)? {
-                    let _ = storage.store_post_with_visibility(&sp.id, &sp.post, &sp.visibility);
-                    new_post_ids.push(sp.id);
-                    synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
-                    if sp.id == notification.post_id {
-                        stored = true;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        // Lock RELEASED
-
-        // Brief lock 2: upstream + last_sync + visibility updates
-        {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            for pid in &new_post_ids {
-                let _ = storage.touch_file_holder(
-                    pid,
-                    from,
-                    &[],
-                    crate::storage::HolderDirection::Received,
-                );
-            }
-            for author in &synced_authors {
-                let _ = storage.update_follow_last_sync(author, now_ms);
-            }
-            for vu in &response.visibility_updates {
-                if let Some(post) = storage.get_post(&vu.post_id)? {
-                    if post.author == vu.author {
-                        let _ = storage.update_post_visibility(&vu.post_id, &vu.visibility);
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        // Register as downstream for new posts (cap at 50 to avoid flooding)
-        if !new_post_ids.is_empty() {
-            let reg_conn = pull_conn.clone();
-            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                for post_id in new_post_ids.into_iter().take(50) {
-                    let payload = PostDownstreamRegisterPayload { post_id };
-                    if let Ok(mut send) = reg_conn.open_uni().await {
-                        let _ = write_typed_message(&mut send, MessageType::PostDownstreamRegister, &payload).await;
-                        let _ = send.finish();
-                    }
-                }
-            });
-        }
-
-        Ok(stored)
-    }
-
     /// Pull posts from a connected peer.
     pub async fn pull_from_peer(&self, peer_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<PullSyncStats> {
         let pc = self
@@ -2009,18 +1981,21 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
             .get(peer_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("not connected to {}", hex::encode(peer_id)))?;
 
-        let (our_follows, follows_sync) = {
+        let (our_follows, follows_sync, our_personas) = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             (
                 storage.list_follows()?,
                 storage.get_follows_with_last_sync().unwrap_or_default(),
+                storage.list_posting_identities().unwrap_or_default(),
             )
         };
 
-        // Merged pull: include our own NodeId in the query list.
+        // Merged pull: include every posting identity so DMs match recipient.
         let mut query_list = our_follows;
-        if !query_list.contains(&self.our_node_id) {
-            query_list.push(self.our_node_id);
+        for pi in &our_personas {
+            if !query_list.contains(&pi.node_id) {
+                query_list.push(pi.node_id);
+            }
         }
 
         let request = PullSyncRequestPayload {
@@ -2056,11 +2031,19 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                     continue;
                 }
                 if verify_post_id(&sp.id, &sp.post) {
-                    if storage.store_post_with_visibility(&sp.id, &sp.post, &sp.visibility)? {
-                        new_post_ids.push(sp.id);
-                        posts_received += 1;
+                    match crate::control::receive_post(&storage, &sp.id, &sp.post, &sp.visibility, sp.intent.as_ref()) {
+                        Ok(true) => {
+                            new_post_ids.push(sp.id);
+                            posts_received += 1;
+                            synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
+                        }
+                        Ok(false) => {
+                            synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
+                        }
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            warn!(post_id = hex::encode(sp.id), error = %e, "rejecting post");
+                        }
                     }
-                    synced_authors.insert(sp.post.author);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -2281,12 +2264,15 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
             }
         }
 
-        // Phase 3: Brief re-lock for is_deleted checks on filtered posts
+        // Phase 3: Brief re-lock for is_deleted checks + intent fetch on filtered posts
         let (posts, vis_updates) = {
             let s = storage.get().await;
             let posts_to_send: Vec<SyncPost> = candidates_to_send.into_iter()
                 .filter(|(id, _, _)| !s.is_deleted(id).unwrap_or(false))
-                .map(|(id, post, visibility)| SyncPost { id, post, visibility })
+                .map(|(id, post, visibility)| {
+                    let intent = s.get_post_intent(&id).ok().flatten();
+                    SyncPost { id, post, visibility, intent }
+                })
                 .collect();
             (posts_to_send, vis_updates_to_send)
         };
@@ -3957,6 +3943,16 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                 s.get_peer_nat_profile(&requester)
             };
             tokio::spawn(async move {
+                // Reserve the outgoing-connect slot for this requester so
+                // rebalance / auto-reconnect can't fire a parallel connect
+                // to the same peer while our hole-punch is in flight.
+                let _connect_guard = {
+                    let cm = conn_mgr_arc.lock().await;
+                    match cm.try_begin_connect(requester) {
+                        Some(g) => g,
+                        None => return, // Already connected or connect in flight.
+                    }
+                };
                 if let Some(conn) = hole_punch_with_scanning(&endpoint, &requester, &requester_addrs, our_nat_profile, peer_nat_profile).await {
                     // Register as session with the peer's address for relay introduction
                     let remote_sock = requester_addrs.iter()
@@ -4506,13 +4502,16 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                 tokio::spawn(async move {
                     // Brief delay to let the disconnect settle and avoid reconnect storms
                     tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(3)).await;
-                    // Check if already reconnected (by the other side or growth loop)
-                    {
+                    // Reserve the outgoing-connect slot for this peer. If
+                    // another path (rebalance, relay-introduction) is
+                    // already connecting to them, skip.
+                    let _connect_guard = {
                         let cm = cm_arc.lock().await;
-                        if cm.connections.contains_key(&remote_node_id) || cm.sessions.contains_key(&remote_node_id) {
-                            return; // Already reconnected
+                        match cm.try_begin_connect(remote_node_id) {
+                            Some(g) => g,
+                            None => return, // Already connected or connect in flight.
                         }
-                    }
+                    };
                     if let Ok(eid) = iroh::EndpointId::from_bytes(&remote_node_id) {
                         let ep_addr = iroh::EndpointAddr::from(eid).with_ip_addr(addr);
                         let endpoint = {
@@ -4930,24 +4929,11 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                     }
                 }
 
-                // Gather connections for CDN delete notices under lock, then send outside
-                let mut delete_notices: Vec<(iroh::endpoint::Connection, crate::protocol::BlobDeleteNoticePayload)> = Vec::new();
-                for (cid, holders) in &blob_cleanup {
-                    let payload = crate::protocol::BlobDeleteNoticePayload { cid: *cid, upstream_node: None };
-                    for (peer, _addrs) in holders {
-                        if let Some(pc) = cm.connections_ref().get(peer) {
-                            delete_notices.push((pc.connection.clone(), payload.clone()));
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
                 drop(cm);
-                // Send outside lock
-                for (conn, payload) in &delete_notices {
-                    if let Ok(mut send) = conn.open_uni().await {
-                        let _ = write_typed_message(&mut send, MessageType::BlobDeleteNotice, payload).await;
-                        let _ = send.finish();
-                    }
-                }
+                // BlobDeleteNotice removed in v0.6.2: orphaned blobs on remote
+                // holders are evicted naturally via LRU rather than by a
+                // persona-signed push.
+                let _ = blob_cleanup;
             }
             MessageType::VisibilityUpdate => {
                 let payload: crate::protocol::VisibilityUpdatePayload =
@@ -4962,102 +4948,6 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                     }
                 }
             }
-            MessageType::PostNotification => {
-                let notification: PostNotificationPayload =
-                    read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-                info!(
-                    peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id),
-                    post_id = hex::encode(notification.post_id),
-                    author = hex::encode(notification.author),
-                    "Received post notification"
-                );
-                let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
-                match cm.handle_post_notification(&remote_node_id, notification, None).await {
-                    Ok(true) => {
-                        info!(peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id), "Pulled post from notification");
-                    }
-                    Ok(false) => {
-                        info!(peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id), "Post notification ignored (not following or already have)");
-                    }
-                    Err(e) => {
-                        warn!(peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id), error = %e, "Post notification pull failed");
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-            MessageType::PostPush => {
-                let push: PostPushPayload = read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-                // Encrypted posts are no longer accepted via direct push — they propagate
-                // via the CDN to eliminate the sender→recipient traffic signal.
-                if !matches!(push.post.visibility, crate::types::PostVisibility::Public) {
-                    debug!(
-                        peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id),
-                        post_id = hex::encode(push.post.id),
-                        "Ignoring non-public PostPush"
-                    );
-                } else {
-                    let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
-                    let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                    if !storage.is_deleted(&push.post.id)?
-                        && storage.get_post(&push.post.id)?.is_none()
-                        && crate::content::verify_post_id(&push.post.id, &push.post.post)
-                    {
-                        let _ = storage.store_post_with_visibility(
-                            &push.post.id,
-                            &push.post.post,
-                            &push.post.visibility,
-                        );
-                        let _ = storage.touch_file_holder(
-                            &push.post.id,
-                            &remote_node_id,
-                            &[],
-                            crate::storage::HolderDirection::Received,
-                        );
-                        info!(
-                            peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id),
-                            post_id = hex::encode(push.post.id),
-                            "Received direct post push"
-                        );
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-            MessageType::AudienceRequest => {
-                let req: AudienceRequestPayload = read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-                info!(
-                    peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id),
-                    requester = hex::encode(req.requester),
-                    "Received audience request"
-                );
-                let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
-                let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                // Store as inbound pending request
-                let _ = storage.store_audience(
-                    &req.requester,
-                    crate::types::AudienceDirection::Inbound,
-                    crate::types::AudienceStatus::Pending,
-                );
-            }
-            MessageType::AudienceResponse => {
-                let resp: AudienceResponsePayload = read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-                let status = if resp.approved { "approved" } else { "denied" };
-                info!(
-                    peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id),
-                    responder = hex::encode(resp.responder),
-                    status,
-                    "Received audience response"
-                );
-                let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
-                let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                let new_status = if resp.approved {
-                    crate::types::AudienceStatus::Approved
-                } else {
-                    crate::types::AudienceStatus::Denied
-                };
-                let _ = storage.store_audience(
-                    &resp.responder,
-                    crate::types::AudienceDirection::Outbound,
-                    new_status,
-                );
-            }
             MessageType::SocialAddressUpdate => {
                 let payload: SocialAddressUpdatePayload = read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
                 let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
@@ -5224,7 +5114,14 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                                         let stored = {
                                             let cm = cm_arc.lock().await;
                                             let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                                            if storage.store_post_with_visibility(&sync_post.id, &sync_post.post, &sync_post.visibility).unwrap_or(false) {
+                                            let newly_stored = crate::control::receive_post(
+                                                &storage,
+                                                &sync_post.id,
+                                                &sync_post.post,
+                                                &sync_post.visibility,
+                                                sync_post.intent.as_ref(),
+                                            ).unwrap_or(false);
+                                            if newly_stored {
                                                 let _ = storage.touch_file_holder(
                                                     &sync_post.id,
                                                     &sender_id,
@@ -5314,68 +5211,6 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                     "Received social disconnect notice"
                 );
             }
-            MessageType::BlobDeleteNotice => {
-                let payload: crate::protocol::BlobDeleteNoticePayload =
-                    read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-                let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
-                let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                let cid = payload.cid;
-
-                // Flat-holder model: drop the sender as a holder of this file.
-                // The author's DeleteRecord (separate signed message) is what
-                // triggers the actual blob removal for followers.
-                let _ = storage.remove_file_holder(&cid, &remote_node_id);
-
-                info!(
-                    peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id),
-                    cid = hex::encode(cid),
-                    "Received blob delete notice"
-                );
-            }
-            MessageType::GroupKeyDistribute => {
-                let payload: GroupKeyDistributePayload = read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
-                let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
-
-                // Verify the sender is the admin
-                if payload.admin != remote_node_id {
-                    warn!(peer = hex::encode(remote_node_id), "GroupKeyDistribute from non-admin, ignoring");
-                } else {
-                    let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                    let record = crate::types::GroupKeyRecord {
-                        group_id: payload.group_id,
-                        circle_name: payload.circle_name.clone(),
-                        epoch: payload.epoch,
-                        group_public_key: payload.group_public_key,
-                        admin: payload.admin,
-                        created_at: now_ms(),
-                    };
-                    let _ = storage.create_group_key(&record, None);
-
-                    // Find our wrapped key and unwrap the group seed
-                    for mk in &payload.member_keys {
-                        let _ = storage.store_group_member_key(&payload.group_id, mk);
-                        if mk.member == cm.our_node_id {
-                            match crypto::unwrap_group_key(
-                                &cm.secret_seed,
-                                &payload.admin,
-                                &mk.wrapped_group_key,
-                            ) {
-                                Ok(seed) => {
-                                    let _ = storage.store_group_seed(&payload.group_id, payload.epoch, &seed);
-                                    info!(
-                                        circle = %payload.circle_name,
-                                        epoch = payload.epoch,
-                                        "Received and unwrapped group key"
-                                    );
-                                }
-                                Err(e) => {
-                                    warn!(error = %e, "Failed to unwrap group key");
-                                }
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
             MessageType::CircleProfileUpdate => {
                 let payload: CircleProfileUpdatePayload = read_payload(recv, MAX_PAYLOAD).await?;
                 let cm = conn_mgr.lock().await;
@@ -5662,11 +5497,13 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                 };
                 let result = {
                     let store = storage.get().await;
-                    store.get_post_with_visibility(&payload.post_id).ok().flatten()
+                    let pv = store.get_post_with_visibility(&payload.post_id).ok().flatten();
+                    let intent = store.get_post_intent(&payload.post_id).ok().flatten();
+                    pv.map(|(p, v)| (p, v, intent))
                 };
-                let resp = if let Some((post, visibility)) = result {
+                let resp = if let Some((post, visibility, intent)) = result {
                     if matches!(visibility, PostVisibility::Public) {
-                        crate::protocol::PostFetchResponsePayload { post_id: payload.post_id, found: true, post: Some(SyncPost { id: payload.post_id, post, visibility }) }
+                        crate::protocol::PostFetchResponsePayload { post_id: payload.post_id, found: true, post: Some(SyncPost { id: payload.post_id, post, visibility, intent }) }
                     } else {
                         crate::protocol::PostFetchResponsePayload { post_id: payload.post_id, found: false, post: None }
                     }
@@ -5954,6 +5791,17 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                             .cloned().collect();
                         let requester = payload.requester;
                         tokio::spawn(async move {
+                            // Reserve the outgoing-connect slot for this
+                            // requester so we don't race with rebalance /
+                            // auto-reconnect paths firing their own
+                            // outgoing connect to the same peer.
+                            let _connect_guard = {
+                                let cm = cm_arc.lock().await;
+                                match cm.try_begin_connect(requester) {
+                                    Some(g) => g,
+                                    None => return, // Already connected or connect in flight.
+                                }
+                            };
                             if let Some(conn) = hole_punch_with_scanning(&endpoint, &requester, &routable_addrs, our_nat_profile, peer_nat_profile).await {
                                 let remote_sock = routable_addrs.iter().filter_map(|a| a.parse::<std::net::SocketAddr>().ok()).find(|s| crate::network::is_shareable_addr(s));
                                 let mut cm = cm_arc.lock().await;
@@ -6182,7 +6030,13 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                                     let post_author = sp.post.author;
                                     let cm = cm_arc.lock().await;
                                     let storage = cm.storage.get().await;
-                                    let _ = storage.store_post_with_visibility(&sp.id, &sp.post, &sp.visibility);
+                                    let _ = crate::control::receive_post(
+                                        &storage,
+                                        &sp.id,
+                                        &sp.post,
+                                        &sp.visibility,
+                                        sp.intent.as_ref(),
+                                    );
                                     let _ = storage.touch_file_holder(
                                         &sp.id,
                                         &sender,
@@ -6250,18 +6104,18 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
     async fn handle_blob_header_diff(&self, payload: BlobHeaderDiffPayload, sender: NodeId) {
         use crate::types::BlobHeaderDiffOp;
 
-        // Gather policy + audience data + holders, then drop lock immediately.
+        // Gather policy + followers set + holders, then drop lock immediately.
         // Remote peer clearly holds this post — record them as a holder.
-        let (policy, approved_audience, holders) = {
+        // v0.6.2: `AudienceOnly` → `FollowersOnly`; checked against our public
+        // follows list rather than a separate audience table.
+        let (policy, followers_set, holders) = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             let policy = storage.get_comment_policy(&payload.post_id)
                 .ok()
                 .flatten()
                 .unwrap_or_default();
-            let approved = storage.list_audience(
-                crate::types::AudienceDirection::Inbound,
-                Some(crate::types::AudienceStatus::Approved),
-            ).unwrap_or_default();
+            let follows: std::collections::HashSet<NodeId> =
+                storage.list_public_follows().unwrap_or_default().into_iter().collect();
             let _ = storage.touch_file_holder(
                 &payload.post_id,
                 &sender,
@@ -6273,12 +6127,9 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                 .into_iter()
                 .map(|(nid, _addrs)| nid)
                 .collect();
-            (policy, approved, holders)
+            (policy, follows, holders)
         };
 
-        // Filter ops using gathered data (no lock held)
-        let audience_set: std::collections::HashSet<NodeId> = approved_audience.iter().map(|a| a.node_id).collect();
-
         // Apply ops in a short lock acquisition
         {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
@@ -6314,8 +6165,8 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                         }
                         match policy.allow_comments {
                             crate::types::CommentPermission::None => continue,
-                            crate::types::CommentPermission::AudienceOnly => {
-                                if !audience_set.contains(&comment.author) {
+                            crate::types::CommentPermission::FollowersOnly => {
+                                if !followers_set.contains(&comment.author) {
                                     continue;
                                 }
                             }
@@ -6327,6 +6178,7 @@ impl ConnectionManager {
                             &comment.content,
                             comment.timestamp_ms,
                             &comment.signature,
+                            comment.ref_post_id.as_ref(),
                         ) {
                             continue; // Skip forged comments
                         }
@@ -8219,8 +8071,21 @@ impl ConnectionActor {
                     let mut cm = self.cm.lock().await;
                     cm.rebalance_slots().await.unwrap_or_default()
                 };
-                // Connect outside the lock — no 15s hold
+                // Connect outside the lock — no 15s hold. Reserve an
+                // outgoing-connect slot per peer so we don't race with
+                // auto-reconnect / relay-introduction paths for the same
+                // target; skip peers already mid-connect.
                 for (peer_id, addr, _addr_s, slot_kind) in pending_connects {
+                    let _connect_guard = {
+                        let cm = self.cm.lock().await;
+                        match cm.try_begin_connect(peer_id) {
+                            Some(g) => g,
+                            None => {
+                                debug!(peer = hex::encode(peer_id), "rebalance: skipping — connect already in flight");
+                                continue;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    };
                     let addrs: Vec<std::net::SocketAddr> = addr.ip_addrs().copied().collect();
                     if !addrs.is_empty() {
                         let s = storage.get().await;
@@ -8632,3 +8497,61 @@ fn now_ms() -> u64 {
         .unwrap_or_default()
         .as_millis() as u64
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::{scanner_semaphore, PendingConnectGuard};
+    use crate::types::NodeId;
+    use std::collections::HashSet;
+    use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex as StdMutex};
+
+    #[test]
+    fn scanner_semaphore_caps_concurrent_scans_at_one() {
+        let sem = scanner_semaphore();
+        // Fresh — one permit should be available.
+        let p1 = sem.try_acquire().expect("first scan should acquire");
+        // Second concurrent caller must be rejected.
+        assert!(sem.try_acquire().is_err(), "second scan must not acquire while first holds permit");
+        // Dropping the first permit returns it to the pool.
+        drop(p1);
+        let p2 = sem.try_acquire().expect("after release, next scan should acquire");
+        drop(p2);
+    }
+
+    /// Construct a guard directly against a test-owned set, bypassing
+    /// ConnectionManager. This verifies the guard's state-machine
+    /// (insert on acquire, remove on drop) without needing a full CM.
+    fn try_begin(set: &Arc<StdMutex<HashSet<NodeId>>>, peer: NodeId) -> Option<PendingConnectGuard> {
+        let mut s = set.lock().ok()?;
+        if s.contains(&peer) { return None; }
+        s.insert(peer);
+        Some(PendingConnectGuard { peer_id: peer, set: Arc::clone(set) })
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pending_connect_guard_gates_same_peer_and_releases_on_drop() {
+        let set: Arc<StdMutex<HashSet<NodeId>>> = Arc::new(StdMutex::new(HashSet::new()));
+        let peer_a: NodeId = [1u8; 32];
+        let peer_b: NodeId = [2u8; 32];
+
+        // First acquire for A succeeds.
+        let g_a = try_begin(&set, peer_a).expect("first guard should acquire for peer A");
+        // Second concurrent acquire for A is rejected.
+        assert!(try_begin(&set, peer_a).is_none(), "second concurrent guard for A must be refused");
+        // A different peer is unaffected.
+        let g_b = try_begin(&set, peer_b).expect("guard for peer B should acquire independently");
+
+        // Dropping A's guard releases the slot.
+        drop(g_a);
+        assert!(!set.lock().unwrap().contains(&peer_a), "peer A should be removed from pending_connects on drop");
+        // A new acquire for A now succeeds.
+        let g_a2 = try_begin(&set, peer_a).expect("after release, new guard for A should acquire");
+
+        // B's guard still active — independent.
+        assert!(set.lock().unwrap().contains(&peer_b));
+
+        drop(g_a2);
+        drop(g_b);
+        assert!(set.lock().unwrap().is_empty(), "all guards dropped — set should be empty");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/control.rs b/crates/core/src/control.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6e15f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/control.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+//! Control posts: signed protocol operations carried as public posts that
+//! receivers apply to local state (delete, update visibility) without
+//! rendering in feeds.
+//!
+//! Wire flow:
+//! 1. Author creates a `Post { author, content = ControlOp JSON, ... }` with
+//!    `VisibilityIntent::Control`.
+//! 2. Post propagates via CDN like any other post (header-diffs on neighbor
+//!    posts ship the reference; receivers pull the control post).
+//! 3. On receive, callers invoke `apply_control_post_if_applicable` to
+//!    decode, verify the ControlOp's signature against the post's author,
+//!    confirm the target post's author matches, and apply.
+//!
+//! Control posts themselves are stored with `VisibilityIntent::Control`; feed
+//! queries exclude them. They remain in storage as tombstones so we can
+//! re-propagate them to peers and so future arrivals of the target post are
+//! rejected via the delete tombstone.
+
+use crate::crypto;
+use crate::storage::Storage;
+use crate::types::{ControlOp, DeleteRecord, NodeId, Post, PostId, PostVisibility, VisibilityIntent};
+
+/// Parse the post's content as a `ControlOp`, verify its signature against
+/// the post's author, verify target ownership, and apply to local storage.
+/// No-op (returns Ok) if the post is not a control post. Returns an error
+/// on a control post with an invalid signature or mismatched target author.
+/// Callers pass an existing storage guard so the apply happens under the
+/// same lock as the post-store that triggered the call.
+pub fn apply_control_post_if_applicable(
+    s: &Storage,
+    post: &Post,
+    intent: Option<&VisibilityIntent>,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    if !matches!(intent, Some(VisibilityIntent::Control)) {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let op: ControlOp = serde_json::from_str(&post.content)
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("control post content is not a valid ControlOp: {}", e))?;
+    match op {
+        ControlOp::DeletePost { post_id, timestamp_ms, signature } => {
+            if !crypto::verify_control_delete(&post.author, &post_id, timestamp_ms, &signature) {
+                anyhow::bail!("invalid control-delete signature");
+            }
+            if let Some(target) = s.get_post(&post_id)? {
+                if target.author != post.author {
+                    anyhow::bail!("control-delete author does not match target post's author");
+                }
+            }
+            let record = DeleteRecord {
+                post_id,
+                author: post.author,
+                timestamp_ms,
+                signature: signature.clone(),
+            };
+            let _ = s.store_delete(&record);
+            let _ = s.apply_delete(&record);
+            Ok(())
+        }
+        ControlOp::UpdateVisibility { post_id, new_visibility, timestamp_ms, signature } => {
+            if !crypto::verify_control_visibility(&post.author, &post_id, &new_visibility, timestamp_ms, &signature) {
+                anyhow::bail!("invalid control-visibility signature");
+            }
+            if let Some(target) = s.get_post(&post_id)? {
+                if target.author != post.author {
+                    anyhow::bail!("control-visibility author does not match target post's author");
+                }
+                let _ = s.update_post_visibility(&post_id, &new_visibility);
+            }
+            let _ = (timestamp_ms, new_visibility);
+            Ok(())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Unified receive path: for every incoming post, call this instead of
+/// `store_post_with_visibility` / `store_post_with_intent`. If the post is a
+/// control post, the op is verified and applied atomically under the same
+/// storage guard; if verification fails the post is NOT stored (so we don't
+/// propagate bogus controls to other peers via neighbor-manifest diffs).
+///
+/// Returns Ok(true) if the post was newly stored, Ok(false) if already known,
+/// and an error for control posts with invalid signatures or mismatched
+/// target authors.
+pub fn receive_post(
+    s: &Storage,
+    id: &PostId,
+    post: &Post,
+    visibility: &PostVisibility,
+    intent: Option<&VisibilityIntent>,
+) -> anyhow::Result<bool> {
+    // Verify signed intent posts BEFORE storing. Bogus signed posts must
+    // never enter storage and get re-propagated via neighbor-manifest diffs.
+    match intent {
+        Some(VisibilityIntent::Control) => {
+            let op: ControlOp = serde_json::from_str(&post.content).map_err(|e| {
+                anyhow::anyhow!("control post content is not a valid ControlOp: {}", e)
+            })?;
+            match &op {
+                ControlOp::DeletePost { post_id, timestamp_ms, signature } => {
+                    if !crypto::verify_control_delete(&post.author, post_id, *timestamp_ms, signature) {
+                        anyhow::bail!("invalid control-delete signature");
+                    }
+                }
+                ControlOp::UpdateVisibility { post_id, new_visibility, timestamp_ms, signature } => {
+                    if !crypto::verify_control_visibility(&post.author, post_id, new_visibility, *timestamp_ms, signature) {
+                        anyhow::bail!("invalid control-visibility signature");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        Some(VisibilityIntent::Profile) => {
+            crate::profile::verify_profile_post(post)?;
+        }
+        _ => {}
+    }
+
+    let stored = if let Some(intent) = intent {
+        s.store_post_with_intent(id, post, visibility, intent)?
+    } else {
+        s.store_post_with_visibility(id, post, visibility)?
+    };
+    if stored {
+        apply_control_post_if_applicable(s, post, intent)?;
+        crate::profile::apply_profile_post_if_applicable(s, post, intent)?;
+    }
+    Ok(stored)
+}
+
+/// Build a Post representing a control-delete operation. Caller is
+/// responsible for storing and propagating it.
+pub fn build_delete_control_post(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    author_secret: &[u8; 32],
+    target_post_id: &crate::types::PostId,
+) -> Post {
+    let timestamp_ms = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map(|d| d.as_millis() as u64)
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+    let signature = crypto::sign_control_delete(author_secret, target_post_id, timestamp_ms);
+    let op = ControlOp::DeletePost {
+        post_id: *target_post_id,
+        timestamp_ms,
+        signature,
+    };
+    Post {
+        author: *author,
+        content: serde_json::to_string(&op).unwrap_or_default(),
+        attachments: vec![],
+        timestamp_ms,
+    }
+}
+
+/// Build a Post representing a control-update-visibility operation. Caller
+/// is responsible for storing and propagating it.
+pub fn build_visibility_control_post(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    author_secret: &[u8; 32],
+    target_post_id: &crate::types::PostId,
+    new_visibility: &PostVisibility,
+) -> Post {
+    let timestamp_ms = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map(|d| d.as_millis() as u64)
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+    let signature = crypto::sign_control_visibility(author_secret, target_post_id, new_visibility, timestamp_ms);
+    let op = ControlOp::UpdateVisibility {
+        post_id: *target_post_id,
+        new_visibility: new_visibility.clone(),
+        timestamp_ms,
+        signature,
+    };
+    Post {
+        author: *author,
+        content: serde_json::to_string(&op).unwrap_or_default(),
+        attachments: vec![],
+        timestamp_ms,
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::storage::Storage;
+    use ed25519_dalek::SigningKey;
+
+    fn temp_storage() -> Storage {
+        Storage::open(":memory:").unwrap()
+    }
+
+    fn make_keypair(seed_byte: u8) -> ([u8; 32], NodeId) {
+        let seed = [seed_byte; 32];
+        let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(&seed);
+        let public = signing_key.verifying_key();
+        (seed, *public.as_bytes())
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn control_delete_roundtrip_verifies_and_applies() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (author_sec, author_pub) = make_keypair(7);
+
+        let post = Post {
+            author: author_pub,
+            content: "hello".to_string(),
+            attachments: vec![],
+            timestamp_ms: 1000,
+        };
+        let post_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&post);
+        s.store_post_with_visibility(&post_id, &post, &PostVisibility::Public).unwrap();
+
+        let control = build_delete_control_post(&author_pub, &author_sec, &post_id);
+        let control_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&control);
+        let stored = receive_post(
+            &s,
+            &control_id,
+            &control,
+            &PostVisibility::Public,
+            Some(&VisibilityIntent::Control),
+        ).unwrap();
+        assert!(stored);
+        assert!(s.is_deleted(&post_id).unwrap());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn control_delete_rejects_wrong_author() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (_author_sec, author_pub) = make_keypair(7);
+        let (other_sec, _other_pub) = make_keypair(9);
+
+        let post = Post {
+            author: author_pub,
+            content: "hello".to_string(),
+            attachments: vec![],
+            timestamp_ms: 1000,
+        };
+        let post_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&post);
+        s.store_post_with_visibility(&post_id, &post, &PostVisibility::Public).unwrap();
+
+        // Sign with wrong secret → invalid signature for `author_pub`.
+        let control = build_delete_control_post(&author_pub, &other_sec, &post_id);
+        let control_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&control);
+        let res = receive_post(
+            &s,
+            &control_id,
+            &control,
+            &PostVisibility::Public,
+            Some(&VisibilityIntent::Control),
+        );
+        assert!(res.is_err());
+        assert!(s.get_post(&control_id).unwrap().is_none());
+        assert!(!s.is_deleted(&post_id).unwrap());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/crypto.rs b/crates/core/src/crypto.rs
index ef48683..e19033e 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/crypto.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/crypto.rs
@@ -289,6 +289,128 @@ pub fn sign_delete(seed: &[u8; 32], post_id: &PostId) -> Vec<u8> {
     sig.to_bytes().to_vec()
 }
 
+/// Canonical bytes for a ControlOp::DeletePost signature.
+fn control_delete_bytes(post_id: &PostId, timestamp_ms: u64) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let mut buf = Vec::with_capacity(12 + 32 + 8);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(b"ctrl:delete:");
+    buf.extend_from_slice(post_id);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(&timestamp_ms.to_le_bytes());
+    buf
+}
+
+/// Sign a control-post DeletePost operation.
+pub fn sign_control_delete(seed: &[u8; 32], post_id: &PostId, timestamp_ms: u64) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(seed);
+    let sig = signing_key.sign(&control_delete_bytes(post_id, timestamp_ms));
+    sig.to_bytes().to_vec()
+}
+
+pub fn verify_control_delete(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    post_id: &PostId,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+    signature: &[u8],
+) -> bool {
+    if signature.len() != 64 { return false; }
+    let sig_bytes: [u8; 64] = match signature.try_into() { Ok(b) => b, Err(_) => return false };
+    let sig = ed25519_dalek::Signature::from_bytes(&sig_bytes);
+    let Ok(vk) = VerifyingKey::from_bytes(author) else { return false };
+    vk.verify_strict(&control_delete_bytes(post_id, timestamp_ms), &sig).is_ok()
+}
+
+/// Canonical bytes for a ControlOp::UpdateVisibility signature. Uses JSON
+/// round-trip on the visibility payload because PostVisibility is an enum
+/// with variable shape; callers must pass the exact same bytes when verifying.
+fn control_visibility_bytes(
+    post_id: &PostId,
+    new_visibility_canonical: &[u8],
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let mut buf = Vec::with_capacity(10 + 32 + new_visibility_canonical.len() + 8);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(b"ctrl:vis:");
+    buf.extend_from_slice(post_id);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(new_visibility_canonical);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(&timestamp_ms.to_le_bytes());
+    buf
+}
+
+pub fn sign_control_visibility(
+    seed: &[u8; 32],
+    post_id: &PostId,
+    new_visibility: &crate::types::PostVisibility,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let canon = serde_json::to_vec(new_visibility).unwrap_or_default();
+    let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(seed);
+    let sig = signing_key.sign(&control_visibility_bytes(post_id, &canon, timestamp_ms));
+    sig.to_bytes().to_vec()
+}
+
+pub fn verify_control_visibility(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    post_id: &PostId,
+    new_visibility: &crate::types::PostVisibility,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+    signature: &[u8],
+) -> bool {
+    if signature.len() != 64 { return false; }
+    let sig_bytes: [u8; 64] = match signature.try_into() { Ok(b) => b, Err(_) => return false };
+    let sig = ed25519_dalek::Signature::from_bytes(&sig_bytes);
+    let Ok(vk) = VerifyingKey::from_bytes(author) else { return false };
+    let canon = match serde_json::to_vec(new_visibility) { Ok(v) => v, Err(_) => return false };
+    vk.verify_strict(&control_visibility_bytes(post_id, &canon, timestamp_ms), &sig).is_ok()
+}
+
+/// Canonical bytes for a Profile-post signature: length-prefixed display_name
+/// and bio, 32-byte avatar_cid (or zeros), then timestamp_ms. Length prefixes
+/// prevent extension/reordering attacks.
+fn profile_post_bytes(
+    display_name: &str,
+    bio: &str,
+    avatar_cid: &Option<[u8; 32]>,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let dn = display_name.as_bytes();
+    let bio_bytes = bio.as_bytes();
+    let mut buf = Vec::with_capacity(5 + 8 + dn.len() + 8 + bio_bytes.len() + 32 + 8);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(b"prof:");
+    buf.extend_from_slice(&(dn.len() as u64).to_le_bytes());
+    buf.extend_from_slice(dn);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(&(bio_bytes.len() as u64).to_le_bytes());
+    buf.extend_from_slice(bio_bytes);
+    let avatar = avatar_cid.unwrap_or([0u8; 32]);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(&avatar);
+    buf.extend_from_slice(&timestamp_ms.to_le_bytes());
+    buf
+}
+
+pub fn sign_profile(
+    seed: &[u8; 32],
+    display_name: &str,
+    bio: &str,
+    avatar_cid: &Option<[u8; 32]>,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(seed);
+    let sig = signing_key.sign(&profile_post_bytes(display_name, bio, avatar_cid, timestamp_ms));
+    sig.to_bytes().to_vec()
+}
+
+pub fn verify_profile(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    display_name: &str,
+    bio: &str,
+    avatar_cid: &Option<[u8; 32]>,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+    signature: &[u8],
+) -> bool {
+    if signature.len() != 64 { return false; }
+    let sig_bytes: [u8; 64] = match signature.try_into() { Ok(b) => b, Err(_) => return false };
+    let sig = ed25519_dalek::Signature::from_bytes(&sig_bytes);
+    let Ok(vk) = VerifyingKey::from_bytes(author) else { return false };
+    vk.verify_strict(&profile_post_bytes(display_name, bio, avatar_cid, timestamp_ms), &sig).is_ok()
+}
+
 /// Verify an ed25519 delete signature: the author's public key signed the post_id.
 pub fn verify_delete_signature(author: &NodeId, post_id: &PostId, signature: &[u8]) -> bool {
     if signature.len() != 64 {
@@ -606,20 +728,37 @@ pub fn decrypt_private_reaction(
 }
 
 /// Sign a comment: ed25519 over BLAKE3(author || post_id || content || timestamp_ms).
+fn comment_digest(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    post_id: &PostId,
+    content: &str,
+    timestamp_ms: u64,
+    ref_post_id: Option<&PostId>,
+) -> blake3::Hash {
+    let mut hasher = blake3::Hasher::new_derive_key(COMMENT_SIGN_CONTEXT);
+    hasher.update(author);
+    hasher.update(post_id);
+    hasher.update(content.as_bytes());
+    hasher.update(&timestamp_ms.to_le_bytes());
+    // Domain-separated append: `None` yields the same digest as the v0.6.1
+    // scheme, so plain comments keep verifying; `Some(ref)` adds the ref id.
+    if let Some(rid) = ref_post_id {
+        hasher.update(b"ref:");
+        hasher.update(rid);
+    }
+    hasher.finalize()
+}
+
 pub fn sign_comment(
     seed: &[u8; 32],
     author: &NodeId,
     post_id: &PostId,
     content: &str,
     timestamp_ms: u64,
+    ref_post_id: Option<&PostId>,
 ) -> Vec<u8> {
     let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(seed);
-    let mut hasher = blake3::Hasher::new_derive_key(COMMENT_SIGN_CONTEXT);
-    hasher.update(author);
-    hasher.update(post_id);
-    hasher.update(content.as_bytes());
-    hasher.update(&timestamp_ms.to_le_bytes());
-    let digest = hasher.finalize();
+    let digest = comment_digest(author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, ref_post_id);
     signing_key.sign(digest.as_bytes()).to_bytes().to_vec()
 }
 
@@ -630,6 +769,7 @@ pub fn verify_comment_signature(
     content: &str,
     timestamp_ms: u64,
     signature: &[u8],
+    ref_post_id: Option<&PostId>,
 ) -> bool {
     let Ok(verifying_key) = VerifyingKey::from_bytes(author) else {
         return false;
@@ -637,12 +777,7 @@ pub fn verify_comment_signature(
     let Ok(sig) = ed25519_dalek::Signature::from_slice(signature) else {
         return false;
     };
-    let mut hasher = blake3::Hasher::new_derive_key(COMMENT_SIGN_CONTEXT);
-    hasher.update(author);
-    hasher.update(post_id);
-    hasher.update(content.as_bytes());
-    hasher.update(&timestamp_ms.to_le_bytes());
-    let digest = hasher.finalize();
+    let digest = comment_digest(author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, ref_post_id);
     verifying_key.verify(digest.as_bytes(), &sig).is_ok()
 }
 
@@ -877,6 +1012,29 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn comment_signature_binds_ref_post_id() {
+        let (seed, nid) = make_keypair(7);
+        let post_id = [1u8; 32];
+        let ref_post = [2u8; 32];
+        let content = "preview";
+        let ts = 1000u64;
+
+        // Signature including ref_post_id.
+        let sig_with_ref = sign_comment(&seed, &nid, &post_id, content, ts, Some(&ref_post));
+        // Verifies only when the ref is supplied.
+        assert!(verify_comment_signature(&nid, &post_id, content, ts, &sig_with_ref, Some(&ref_post)));
+        // Same signature must NOT verify when the ref is dropped (binding).
+        assert!(!verify_comment_signature(&nid, &post_id, content, ts, &sig_with_ref, None));
+        // Nor when the ref is swapped.
+        let other_ref = [3u8; 32];
+        assert!(!verify_comment_signature(&nid, &post_id, content, ts, &sig_with_ref, Some(&other_ref)));
+
+        // Plain-comment signature still works (backward compat with v0.6.1).
+        let sig_plain = sign_comment(&seed, &nid, &post_id, content, ts, None);
+        assert!(verify_comment_signature(&nid, &post_id, content, ts, &sig_plain, None));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_sign_verify_manifest() {
         use crate::types::{AuthorManifest, ManifestEntry};
diff --git a/crates/core/src/group_key_distribution.rs b/crates/core/src/group_key_distribution.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f23335e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/group_key_distribution.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,296 @@
+//! Group-key distribution as an encrypted post.
+//!
+//! v0.6.2 replaces the v0.6.1 `GroupKeyDistribute` wire push (admin →
+//! member, uni-stream) with a standard public post that carries the group
+//! seed inside `PostVisibility::Encrypted`. Each member is a recipient; the
+//! post's CEK is wrapped per member using the admin's posting key. Members
+//! receive the post via normal CDN / pull paths, decrypt with their posting
+//! secret, and recover the seed + metadata.
+//!
+//! Removing the direct push eliminates the wire-level signal that a given
+//! network endpoint is coordinating group membership with another specific
+//! endpoint.
+//!
+//! Note: Members are identified by their **posting** NodeIds (the
+//! author/recipient namespace since the v0.6.1 identity split), not network
+//! NodeIds. The admin wraps the CEK using their default_posting_secret; the
+//! receiver unwraps using one of their posting identity secrets.
+
+use crate::content::compute_post_id;
+use crate::crypto;
+use crate::storage::Storage;
+use crate::types::{
+    GroupKeyDistributionContent, GroupKeyRecord, GroupMemberKey, NodeId, Post, PostId,
+    PostVisibility, PostingIdentity, VisibilityIntent,
+};
+
+/// Build an encrypted key-distribution post. Authored by the admin's
+/// posting identity; recipients are the member posting NodeIds. Returns
+/// `(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)` — caller stores with intent=
+/// `GroupKeyDistribute` and propagates via the normal neighbor-manifest CDN
+/// path.
+pub fn build_distribution_post(
+    admin: &NodeId,
+    admin_secret: &[u8; 32],
+    record: &GroupKeyRecord,
+    group_seed: &[u8; 32],
+    members: &[NodeId],
+) -> anyhow::Result<(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)> {
+    let content = GroupKeyDistributionContent {
+        group_id: record.group_id,
+        circle_name: record.circle_name.clone(),
+        epoch: record.epoch,
+        group_public_key: record.group_public_key,
+        admin: *admin,
+        canonical_root_post_id: record.canonical_root_post_id,
+        group_seed: *group_seed,
+    };
+    let plaintext = serde_json::to_string(&content)?;
+
+    // Wrap the CEK to each member (their posting pubkey).
+    let (ciphertext_b64, wrapped_keys) =
+        crypto::encrypt_post(&plaintext, admin_secret, admin, members)?;
+
+    let timestamp_ms = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map(|d| d.as_millis() as u64)
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+
+    let post = Post {
+        author: *admin,
+        content: ciphertext_b64,
+        attachments: vec![],
+        timestamp_ms,
+    };
+    let post_id = compute_post_id(&post);
+    let visibility = PostVisibility::Encrypted { recipients: wrapped_keys };
+    Ok((post_id, post, visibility))
+}
+
+/// Attempt to decrypt + apply a stored GroupKeyDistribute post using each
+/// posting identity's secret in turn. Returns `Ok(true)` on successful
+/// apply, `Ok(false)` if none of our personas were recipients (or content
+/// was malformed, or the seed had already been stored), `Err` on hard
+/// errors during storage.
+pub fn try_apply_distribution_post(
+    s: &Storage,
+    post: &Post,
+    visibility: &PostVisibility,
+    our_personas: &[PostingIdentity],
+) -> anyhow::Result<bool> {
+    let wrapped_keys = match visibility {
+        PostVisibility::Encrypted { recipients } => recipients,
+        _ => return Ok(false), // Only Encrypted posts can carry seeds.
+    };
+
+    for persona in our_personas {
+        match crypto::decrypt_post(
+            &post.content,
+            &persona.secret_seed,
+            &persona.node_id,
+            &post.author,
+            wrapped_keys,
+        ) {
+            Ok(Some(plaintext)) => {
+                let content: GroupKeyDistributionContent = match serde_json::from_str(&plaintext) {
+                    Ok(c) => c,
+                    Err(_) => continue, // Bad payload — try next persona.
+                };
+                // Critical: the `admin` claimed inside the decrypted
+                // payload must match the post author. Without this, any
+                // peer who knows a member's posting id and the group's
+                // group_id could craft an encrypted post claiming to be
+                // from the admin and overwrite the member's stored group
+                // key (create_group_key uses INSERT OR REPLACE).
+                if content.admin != post.author {
+                    tracing::warn!(
+                        post_author = hex::encode(post.author),
+                        claimed_admin = hex::encode(content.admin),
+                        group_id = hex::encode(content.group_id),
+                        "rejecting group-key-distribution post: claimed admin != post author"
+                    );
+                    continue;
+                }
+                apply_content(s, &content)?;
+                return Ok(true);
+            }
+            Ok(None) | Err(_) => continue,
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(false)
+}
+
+fn apply_content(s: &Storage, content: &GroupKeyDistributionContent) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let record = GroupKeyRecord {
+        group_id: content.group_id,
+        circle_name: content.circle_name.clone(),
+        epoch: content.epoch,
+        group_public_key: content.group_public_key,
+        admin: content.admin,
+        created_at: std::time::SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .map(|d| d.as_millis() as u64)
+            .unwrap_or(0),
+        canonical_root_post_id: content.canonical_root_post_id,
+    };
+    s.create_group_key(&record, Some(&content.group_seed))?;
+    s.store_group_seed(&content.group_id, content.epoch, &content.group_seed)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Scan stored posts with `VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute` and apply
+/// any that one of our posting identities can decrypt. Intended to run
+/// after a pull-sync so newly-received distribution posts take effect
+/// immediately.
+pub fn process_pending(
+    s: &Storage,
+    our_personas: &[PostingIdentity],
+) -> anyhow::Result<usize> {
+    // Cheap scan: iterate all posts, filter by intent. The table is small
+    // in practice (few groups × few epochs).
+    let all = s.list_posts_with_visibility()?;
+    let mut applied = 0;
+    for (id, post, visibility) in all {
+        let intent = s.get_post_intent(&id)?;
+        if !matches!(intent, Some(VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute)) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        if try_apply_distribution_post(s, &post, &visibility, our_personas)? {
+            applied += 1;
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(applied)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::storage::Storage;
+    use ed25519_dalek::SigningKey;
+
+    fn temp_storage() -> Storage {
+        Storage::open(":memory:").unwrap()
+    }
+
+    fn make_keypair(seed_byte: u8) -> ([u8; 32], NodeId) {
+        let seed = [seed_byte; 32];
+        let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(&seed);
+        let public = signing_key.verifying_key();
+        (seed, *public.as_bytes())
+    }
+
+    fn mk_persona(seed: [u8; 32], node_id: NodeId) -> PostingIdentity {
+        PostingIdentity {
+            node_id,
+            secret_seed: seed,
+            display_name: String::new(),
+            created_at: 0,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn forged_admin_is_rejected() {
+        // Scenario: an attacker knows the victim's posting pubkey and the
+        // target group_id. They craft an encrypted distribution post
+        // addressed to the victim, claiming themselves as the group admin.
+        // Without the author-vs-admin check the victim would overwrite
+        // their legitimate group key record.
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (real_admin_sec, real_admin_id) = make_keypair(1);
+        let (attacker_sec, attacker_id) = make_keypair(9);
+        let (victim_sec, victim_id) = make_keypair(2);
+
+        // Seed the victim with a legitimate group record so we can
+        // verify it isn't overwritten by the forgery.
+        let group_id = [77u8; 32];
+        let real_pubkey = [1u8; 32];
+        let real_seed = [42u8; 32];
+        let real_record = GroupKeyRecord {
+            group_id,
+            circle_name: "real".to_string(),
+            epoch: 1,
+            group_public_key: real_pubkey,
+            admin: real_admin_id,
+            created_at: 100,
+            canonical_root_post_id: None,
+        };
+        let (_, real_post, real_vis) = build_distribution_post(
+            &real_admin_id, &real_admin_sec, &real_record, &real_seed, &[victim_id],
+        ).unwrap();
+        let victim_personas = vec![mk_persona(victim_sec, victim_id)];
+        assert!(try_apply_distribution_post(&s, &real_post, &real_vis, &victim_personas).unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(s.get_group_key(&group_id).unwrap().unwrap().admin, real_admin_id);
+
+        // Attacker authors a forgery: post.author is attacker, but the
+        // inner `admin` field claims to be the real admin.
+        let forged_content = GroupKeyDistributionContent {
+            group_id,
+            circle_name: "real".to_string(),
+            epoch: 2,
+            group_public_key: [255u8; 32],
+            admin: real_admin_id, // lies inside the encrypted payload
+            canonical_root_post_id: None,
+            group_seed: [0xFFu8; 32],
+        };
+        let plaintext = serde_json::to_string(&forged_content).unwrap();
+        let (ciphertext, wrapped) = crate::crypto::encrypt_post(
+            &plaintext, &attacker_sec, &attacker_id, &[victim_id],
+        ).unwrap();
+        let forged_post = Post {
+            author: attacker_id, // real author — attacker, not admin
+            content: ciphertext,
+            attachments: vec![],
+            timestamp_ms: 200,
+        };
+        let forged_vis = PostVisibility::Encrypted { recipients: wrapped };
+
+        let applied = try_apply_distribution_post(&s, &forged_post, &forged_vis, &victim_personas).unwrap();
+        assert!(!applied, "forged distribution post must not be applied");
+
+        // Legitimate group key must be untouched.
+        let stored = s.get_group_key(&group_id).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(stored.admin, real_admin_id);
+        assert_eq!(stored.group_public_key, real_pubkey);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn member_decrypts_and_applies() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (admin_sec, admin_id) = make_keypair(1);
+        let (member_sec, member_id) = make_keypair(2);
+        let (nonmember_sec, nonmember_id) = make_keypair(3);
+
+        let group_id = [42u8; 32];
+        let group_pubkey = [7u8; 32];
+        let group_seed = [9u8; 32];
+        let record = GroupKeyRecord {
+            group_id,
+            circle_name: "fam".to_string(),
+            epoch: 1,
+            group_public_key: group_pubkey,
+            admin: admin_id,
+            created_at: 100,
+            canonical_root_post_id: None,
+        };
+
+        let (_pid, post, visibility) = build_distribution_post(
+            &admin_id, &admin_sec, &record, &group_seed, &[member_id],
+        ).unwrap();
+
+        // Member applies successfully.
+        let member_personas = vec![mk_persona(member_sec, member_id)];
+        let applied = try_apply_distribution_post(&s, &post, &visibility, &member_personas).unwrap();
+        assert!(applied);
+        let stored = s.get_group_key(&group_id).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(stored.circle_name, "fam");
+        let seed = s.get_group_seed(&group_id, 1).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(seed, group_seed);
+
+        // Non-member can't.
+        let s2 = temp_storage();
+        let nonmember_personas = vec![mk_persona(nonmember_sec, nonmember_id)];
+        let applied2 = try_apply_distribution_post(&s2, &post, &visibility, &nonmember_personas).unwrap();
+        assert!(!applied2);
+        assert!(s2.get_group_key(&group_id).unwrap().is_none());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/lib.rs b/crates/core/src/lib.rs
index 0948e66..6fca83f 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,13 +2,16 @@ pub mod activity;
 pub mod blob;
 pub mod connection;
 pub mod content;
+pub mod control;
 pub mod crypto;
+pub mod group_key_distribution;
 pub mod http;
 pub mod export;
 pub mod identity;
 pub mod import;
 pub mod network;
 pub mod node;
+pub mod profile;
 pub mod protocol;
 pub mod storage;
 pub mod stun;
diff --git a/crates/core/src/network.rs b/crates/core/src/network.rs
index cf87b52..114ab41 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/network.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/network.rs
@@ -12,15 +12,14 @@ use crate::blob::BlobStore;
 use crate::connection::{initial_exchange_accept, initial_exchange_connect, ConnHandle, ConnectionActor, ConnectionManager, ExchangeResult};
 use crate::content::verify_post_id;
 use crate::protocol::{
-    read_message_type, read_payload, write_typed_message, AudienceRequestPayload,
-    AudienceResponsePayload, BlobRequestPayload, BlobResponsePayload, DeleteRecordPayload,
-    MessageType, PostNotificationPayload, PostPushPayload, ProfileUpdatePayload,
+    read_message_type, read_payload, write_typed_message, BlobRequestPayload, BlobResponsePayload,
+    MessageType, ProfileUpdatePayload,
     PullSyncRequestPayload, PullSyncResponsePayload, RefuseRedirectPayload,
-    SocialAddressUpdatePayload, SocialDisconnectNoticePayload, SyncPost, ALPN_V2,
+    ALPN_V2,
 };
 use crate::storage::StoragePool;
 use crate::types::{
-    DeleteRecord, DeviceProfile, DeviceRole, NodeId, PeerSlotKind, PeerWithAddress, Post, PostId,
+    DeviceProfile, DeviceRole, NodeId, PeerSlotKind, Post, PostId,
     PostVisibility, PublicProfile, SessionReachMethod, WormResult,
 };
 
@@ -893,16 +892,7 @@ impl Network {
         Ok(sent)
     }
 
-    /// Send a post notification to all audience members (ephemeral-capable).
-    pub async fn notify_post(&self, post_id: &crate::types::PostId, author: &NodeId) -> usize {
-        let payload = PostNotificationPayload {
-            post_id: *post_id,
-            author: *author,
-        };
-        self.send_to_audience(MessageType::PostNotification, &payload).await
-    }
-
-    /// Push a profile update to all audience members (ephemeral-capable).
+/// Push a profile update to all audience members (ephemeral-capable).
     pub async fn push_profile(&self, profile: &PublicProfile) -> usize {
         // v0.6.1: profiles broadcast on the wire are keyed by the network
         // NodeId. They carry ONLY routing metadata (anchors, recent_peers,
@@ -959,38 +949,7 @@ impl Network {
         sent
     }
 
-    /// Push a delete record to all audience members (ephemeral-capable).
-    pub async fn push_delete(&self, record: &DeleteRecord) -> usize {
-        let payload = DeleteRecordPayload {
-            records: vec![record.clone()],
-        };
-        self.send_to_audience(MessageType::DeleteRecord, &payload).await
-    }
-
-    /// Push a disconnect notice to all audience members (ephemeral-capable).
-    pub async fn push_disconnect_to_audience(&self, disconnected_peer: &NodeId) -> usize {
-        let payload = SocialDisconnectNoticePayload {
-            node_id: *disconnected_peer,
-        };
-        self.send_to_audience(MessageType::SocialDisconnectNotice, &payload).await
-    }
-
-    /// Push a social address update to all audience members (ephemeral-capable).
-    pub async fn push_address_update_to_audience(
-        &self,
-        node_id: &NodeId,
-        addresses: &[String],
-        peer_addresses: &[PeerWithAddress],
-    ) -> usize {
-        let payload = SocialAddressUpdatePayload {
-            node_id: *node_id,
-            addresses: addresses.to_vec(),
-            peer_addresses: peer_addresses.to_vec(),
-        };
-        self.send_to_audience(MessageType::SocialAddressUpdate, &payload).await
-    }
-
-    /// Push a visibility update to all connected peers.
+/// Push a visibility update to all connected peers.
     /// Gets connections snapshot, sends I/O outside the lock.
     pub async fn push_visibility(&self, update: &crate::types::VisibilityUpdate) -> usize {
         use crate::protocol::{VisibilityUpdatePayload, write_typed_message, MessageType};
@@ -1049,29 +1008,7 @@ impl Network {
         sent
     }
 
-    /// Send blob delete notices to all known holders of a file.
-    /// Second argument kept as Option for signature stability; flat-holder
-    /// model doesn't need separate upstream handling.
-    pub async fn send_blob_delete_notices(
-        &self,
-        cid: &[u8; 32],
-        holders: &[(NodeId, Vec<String>)],
-        _legacy_upstream: Option<&(NodeId, Vec<String>)>,
-    ) -> usize {
-        let payload = crate::protocol::BlobDeleteNoticePayload {
-            cid: *cid,
-            upstream_node: None,
-        };
-        let mut sent = 0;
-        for (peer, _addrs) in holders {
-            if self.send_to_peer_uni(peer, MessageType::BlobDeleteNotice, &payload).await.is_ok() {
-                sent += 1;
-            }
-        }
-        sent
-    }
-
-    /// Request a manifest refresh from the upstream peer for a blob CID.
+/// Request a manifest refresh from the upstream peer for a blob CID.
     /// Returns the updated manifest if the upstream has a newer version.
     pub async fn request_manifest_refresh(
         &self,
@@ -1096,71 +1033,7 @@ impl Network {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Send an audience request to a peer (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
-    pub async fn send_audience_request(&self, target: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let payload = AudienceRequestPayload {
-            requester: self.our_node_id,
-        };
-        self.send_to_peer_uni(target, MessageType::AudienceRequest, &payload).await
-    }
-
-    /// Send an audience response to a peer (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
-    pub async fn send_audience_response(&self, target: &NodeId, approved: bool) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let payload = AudienceResponsePayload {
-            responder: self.our_node_id,
-            approved,
-        };
-        self.send_to_peer_uni(target, MessageType::AudienceResponse, &payload).await
-    }
-
-    /// Push a public post to audience members (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
-    pub async fn push_to_audience(
-        &self,
-        post_id: &crate::types::PostId,
-        post: &Post,
-        visibility: &PostVisibility,
-    ) -> usize {
-        if !matches!(visibility, PostVisibility::Public) {
-            return 0;
-        }
-
-        let audience_members: Vec<NodeId> = {
-            match self.storage.get().await.list_audience_members() {
-                Ok(m) => m,
-                Err(_) => return 0,
-            }
-        };
-
-        let payload = PostPushPayload {
-            post: SyncPost {
-                id: *post_id,
-                post: post.clone(),
-                visibility: visibility.clone(),
-            },
-        };
-
-        let mut pushed = 0;
-        for member in &audience_members {
-            if self.send_to_peer_uni(member, MessageType::PostPush, &payload).await.is_ok() {
-                pushed += 1;
-            }
-        }
-
-        pushed
-    }
-
-    /// Push a group key to a specific peer (uni-stream).
-    pub async fn push_group_key(
-        &self,
-        peer: &NodeId,
-        payload: &crate::protocol::GroupKeyDistributePayload,
-    ) -> bool {
-        self.send_to_peer_uni(peer, MessageType::GroupKeyDistribute, payload)
-            .await
-            .is_ok()
-    }
-
-    /// Send a social checkin to a peer (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
+/// Send a social checkin to a peer (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
     pub async fn send_social_checkin(
         &self,
         peer_id: &NodeId,
@@ -1693,37 +1566,26 @@ impl Network {
         }
     }
 
-    // ---- Audience-targeted + ephemeral helpers ----
-
-    /// Send a uni-stream message to all audience members (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
-    async fn send_to_audience<T: Serialize>(&self, msg_type: MessageType, payload: &T) -> usize {
-        let audience: Vec<NodeId> = match self.storage.get().await.list_audience_members() {
-            Ok(m) => m,
-            Err(_) => return 0,
-        };
-        let mut sent = 0;
-        for member in &audience {
-            if self.send_to_peer_uni(member, msg_type, payload).await.is_ok() {
-                sent += 1;
-            }
-        }
-        sent
-    }
-
-    /// Pull posts from a peer (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
+/// Pull posts from a peer (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise).
     pub async fn pull_from_peer(&self, peer_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<PullStats> {
         let conn = self.get_connection(peer_id).await?;
-        let (our_follows, follows_sync) = {
+        let (our_follows, follows_sync, our_personas) = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             (
                 storage.list_follows()?,
                 storage.get_follows_with_last_sync().unwrap_or_default(),
+                storage.list_posting_identities().unwrap_or_default(),
             )
         };
-        // Merged pull: include our own NodeId so DMs addressed to us match.
+        // Merged pull: include every posting identity we hold so DMs addressed
+        // to any of our personas match on recipient. Our network NodeId is
+        // never an author nor a wrapped_key recipient — including it would
+        // never match and would leak the network↔posting boundary.
         let mut query_list = our_follows;
-        if !query_list.contains(&self.our_node_id) {
-            query_list.push(self.our_node_id);
+        for pi in &our_personas {
+            if !query_list.contains(&pi.node_id) {
+                query_list.push(pi.node_id);
+            }
         }
         let (mut send, mut recv) = conn.open_bi().await?;
         write_typed_message(
diff --git a/crates/core/src/node.rs b/crates/core/src/node.rs
index db40498..363402b 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/node.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/node.rs
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ use crate::crypto;
 use crate::network::Network;
 use crate::storage::StoragePool;
 use crate::types::{
-    Attachment, AudienceDirection, AudienceRecord, AudienceStatus, Circle, DeleteRecord,
+    Attachment, Circle,
     DeviceProfile, DeviceRole, NodeId, PeerRecord, PeerSlotKind, PeerWithAddress, Post, PostId,
     PostVisibility, PublicProfile, ReachMethod, RevocationMode, SessionReachMethod, SocialRelation,
-    SocialRouteEntry, SocialStatus, VisibilityIntent, VisibilityUpdate, WormResult,
+    SocialRouteEntry, SocialStatus, VisibilityIntent, WormResult,
 };
 
 /// Built-in default anchor — always available as a bootstrap fallback.
@@ -1002,12 +1002,10 @@ impl Node {
             }
         }
 
-        // For public posts, push to audience members. Encrypted posts propagate
-        // via the CDN (ManifestPush + header-diff) to eliminate the sender→recipient
-        // traffic signal.
-        let audience_pushed = self.network.push_to_audience(&post_id, &post, &visibility).await;
-
-        info!(post_id = hex::encode(post_id), audience_pushed, "Created new post");
+        // v0.6.2: posts propagate ONLY via the CDN (pull + header-diff
+        // neighbor propagation). Persona-signed direct pushes (PostPush,
+        // PostNotification) are gone — they exposed sender→recipient traffic.
+        info!(post_id = hex::encode(post_id), "Created new post");
         Ok((post_id, post, visibility))
     }
 
@@ -1074,6 +1072,13 @@ impl Node {
             VisibilityIntent::Friends => storage.list_public_follows(),
             VisibilityIntent::Circle(name) => storage.get_circle_members(name),
             VisibilityIntent::Direct(ids) => Ok(ids.clone()),
+            // Control / Profile posts are always Public on the wire;
+            // GroupKeyDistribute posts build their own recipient list in
+            // `group_key_distribution::build_distribution_post`. None of
+            // the three use this resolver.
+            VisibilityIntent::Control
+            | VisibilityIntent::Profile
+            | VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute => Ok(vec![]),
         }
     }
 
@@ -1183,9 +1188,7 @@ impl Node {
         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
         storage.add_follow(node_id)?;
 
-        // Upsert social route
-        let is_audience = storage.list_audience_members()?.contains(node_id);
-        let relation = if is_audience { SocialRelation::Mutual } else { SocialRelation::Follow };
+        // Upsert social route. v0.6.2: audience removed; only Follow exists.
         let addresses = storage.get_peer_record(node_id)?
             .map(|r| r.addresses).unwrap_or_default();
         let peer_addresses = storage.build_peer_addresses_for(node_id)?;
@@ -1196,7 +1199,7 @@ impl Node {
             node_id: *node_id,
             addresses,
             peer_addresses,
-            relation,
+            relation: SocialRelation::Follow,
             status: if connected { SocialStatus::Online } else { SocialStatus::Disconnected },
             last_connected_ms: 0,
             last_seen_ms: now,
@@ -1210,19 +1213,8 @@ impl Node {
     pub async fn unfollow(&self, node_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
         storage.remove_follow(node_id)?;
-
-        // Downgrade or remove social route
-        let is_audience = storage.list_audience_members()?.contains(node_id);
-        if is_audience {
-            // Downgrade from Mutual to Audience
-            if let Some(mut route) = storage.get_social_route(node_id)? {
-                route.relation = SocialRelation::Audience;
-                storage.upsert_social_route(&route)?;
-            }
-        } else {
-            storage.remove_social_route(node_id)?;
-        }
-
+        // v0.6.2: audience removed; unfollow drops the social route entirely.
+        storage.remove_social_route(node_id)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -1233,48 +1225,77 @@ impl Node {
 
     // ---- Profiles ----
 
+    /// Set the default posting identity's profile (display_name, bio,
+    /// preserving any existing avatar). Creates a signed
+    /// `VisibilityIntent::Profile` post authored by the posting identity and
+    /// propagates it via the normal neighbor-manifest CDN path. The locally
+    /// stored profile row is keyed by the posting identity — peers who pull
+    /// the profile post apply the same update on their side.
     pub async fn set_profile(&self, display_name: String, bio: String) -> anyhow::Result<PublicProfile> {
-        let now = std::time::SystemTime::now()
-            .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)?
-            .as_millis() as u64;
+        let posting_id = self.default_posting_id;
+        let posting_secret = self.default_posting_secret;
 
-        let recent_peers = self.current_recent_peers().await;
-        // Profile is keyed by the network NodeId — that's how peers route to
-        // us. Broadcasts strip display_name / bio / avatar before going on
-        // the wire (see Network::push_profile). The locally stored profile
-        // retains the name for the user's own UI.
-        let profile = {
+        // Preserve existing avatar if present.
+        let avatar_cid = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            let existing_anchors = storage.get_peer_anchors(&self.node_id).unwrap_or_default();
-            let preferred_peers = storage.list_preferred_peers().unwrap_or_default();
-
-            let (existing_visible, existing_avatar) = storage.get_profile(&self.node_id)
-                .ok()
-                .flatten()
-                .map(|p| (p.public_visible, p.avatar_cid))
-                .unwrap_or((true, None));
-
-            let profile = PublicProfile {
-                node_id: self.node_id,
-                display_name,
-                bio,
-                updated_at: now,
-                anchors: existing_anchors,
-                recent_peers,
-                preferred_peers,
-                public_visible: existing_visible,
-                avatar_cid: existing_avatar,
-            };
-
-            storage.store_profile(&profile)?;
-            profile
+            storage.get_profile(&posting_id).ok().flatten().and_then(|p| p.avatar_cid)
         };
 
-        let pushed = self.network.push_profile(&profile).await;
-        if pushed > 0 {
-            info!(pushed, "Pushed profile update to peers");
+        let profile_post = crate::profile::build_profile_post(
+            &posting_id,
+            &posting_secret,
+            &display_name,
+            &bio,
+            avatar_cid,
+        );
+        let profile_post_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&profile_post);
+        let timestamp_ms = profile_post.timestamp_ms;
+
+        // Store post with VisibilityIntent::Profile + apply (upserts profile row).
+        {
+            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+            storage.store_post_with_intent(
+                &profile_post_id,
+                &profile_post,
+                &PostVisibility::Public,
+                &VisibilityIntent::Profile,
+            )?;
+            crate::profile::apply_profile_post_if_applicable(
+                &*storage,
+                &profile_post,
+                Some(&VisibilityIntent::Profile),
+            )?;
         }
 
+        // Propagate via neighbor-manifest header diffs like any other post.
+        self.update_neighbor_manifests_as(
+            &posting_id,
+            &posting_secret,
+            &profile_post_id,
+            timestamp_ms,
+        ).await;
+
+        let profile = {
+            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+            storage.get_profile(&posting_id)?
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| PublicProfile {
+                    node_id: posting_id,
+                    display_name: display_name.clone(),
+                    bio: bio.clone(),
+                    updated_at: timestamp_ms,
+                    anchors: vec![],
+                    recent_peers: vec![],
+                    preferred_peers: vec![],
+                    public_visible: true,
+                    avatar_cid,
+                })
+        };
+
+        info!(
+            posting_id = hex::encode(posting_id),
+            profile_post_id = hex::encode(profile_post_id),
+            "Published profile post"
+        );
         Ok(profile)
     }
 
@@ -1327,14 +1348,17 @@ impl Node {
         storage.get_profile(node_id)
     }
 
+    /// v0.6.2: the user's own display profile lives under the default
+    /// posting identity (published as a signed Profile post), not the
+    /// network NodeId.
     pub async fn my_profile(&self) -> anyhow::Result<Option<PublicProfile>> {
         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-        storage.get_profile(&self.node_id)
+        storage.get_profile(&self.default_posting_id)
     }
 
     pub async fn has_profile(&self) -> anyhow::Result<bool> {
         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-        Ok(storage.get_profile(&self.node_id)?.is_some())
+        Ok(storage.get_profile(&self.default_posting_id)?.is_some())
     }
 
     pub async fn get_display_name(&self, node_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<Option<String>> {
@@ -1680,31 +1704,48 @@ impl Node {
             storage.add_circle_member(&circle_name, &node_id)?;
         }
 
-        // Wrap current group key for new member and distribute
-        let distribute_payload = {
+        // v0.6.2: distribute the seed via an encrypted key-distribution
+        // post (CDN-propagated), replacing the direct GroupKeyDistribute
+        // push. Only the admin (holder of the group seed) does this.
+        let post_to_propagate: Option<(PostId, u64, NodeId, [u8; 32])> = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             if let Ok(Some(gk)) = storage.get_group_key_by_circle(&circle_name) {
-                if gk.admin == self.node_id {
+                if gk.admin == self.default_posting_id {
                     if let Ok(Some(seed)) = storage.get_group_seed(&gk.group_id, gk.epoch) {
-                        match crypto::wrap_group_key_for_member(&self.default_posting_secret, &node_id, &seed) {
-                            Ok(wrapped) => {
-                                let mk = crate::types::GroupMemberKey {
+                        // Record our own wrapped member key locally (so we
+                        // still track membership in group_member_keys for
+                        // rotation math).
+                        if let Ok(wrapped_new) = crypto::wrap_group_key_for_member(
+                            &self.default_posting_secret, &node_id, &seed,
+                        ) {
+                            let _ = storage.store_group_member_key(
+                                &gk.group_id,
+                                &crate::types::GroupMemberKey {
                                     member: node_id,
                                     epoch: gk.epoch,
-                                    wrapped_group_key: wrapped,
-                                };
-                                let _ = storage.store_group_member_key(&gk.group_id, &mk);
-                                Some(crate::protocol::GroupKeyDistributePayload {
-                                    group_id: gk.group_id,
-                                    circle_name: circle_name.clone(),
-                                    epoch: gk.epoch,
-                                    group_public_key: gk.group_public_key,
-                                    admin: self.node_id,
-                                    member_keys: vec![mk],
-                                })
+                                    wrapped_group_key: wrapped_new,
+                                },
+                            );
+                        }
+
+                        match crate::group_key_distribution::build_distribution_post(
+                            &self.default_posting_id,
+                            &self.default_posting_secret,
+                            &gk,
+                            &seed,
+                            &[node_id],
+                        ) {
+                            Ok((post_id, post, visibility)) => {
+                                storage.store_post_with_intent(
+                                    &post_id,
+                                    &post,
+                                    &visibility,
+                                    &VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute,
+                                )?;
+                                Some((post_id, post.timestamp_ms, self.default_posting_id, self.default_posting_secret))
                             }
                             Err(e) => {
-                                warn!(error = %e, "Failed to wrap group key for new member");
+                                warn!(error = %e, "failed to build key-distribution post");
                                 None
                             }
                         }
@@ -1713,8 +1754,8 @@ impl Node {
             } else { None }
         };
 
-        if let Some(payload) = distribute_payload {
-            self.network.push_group_key(&node_id, &payload).await;
+        if let Some((post_id, ts, posting_id, posting_secret)) = post_to_propagate {
+            self.update_neighbor_manifests_as(&posting_id, &posting_secret, &post_id, ts).await;
         }
 
         Ok(())
@@ -1738,6 +1779,130 @@ impl Node {
 
     /// Create a group key for a circle (called on circle creation).
     async fn create_group_key_for_circle(&self, circle_name: &str) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        self.create_group_key_inner(circle_name, None).await
+    }
+
+    // ---- Groups (v0.6.2) ----
+
+    /// Create a new group anchored at `root_post_id`. Unlike circles, groups
+    /// are many-way: every member can post to the group once they've
+    /// received the wrapped group seed. Returns the `(GroupId, circle_name)`
+    /// pair used internally; the circle_name is synthesised from the root
+    /// post id so there's no user-visible naming step.
+    pub async fn create_group_from_post(
+        &self,
+        root_post_id: PostId,
+        initial_members: Vec<NodeId>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<(crate::types::GroupId, String)> {
+        let circle_name = format!("group:{}", hex::encode(&root_post_id[..6]));
+
+        // Create the backing circle row + initialize group key with
+        // canonical_root_post_id set, then add each initial member (which
+        // wraps + distributes the key).
+        {
+            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+            storage.create_circle(&circle_name)?;
+        }
+        self.create_group_key_inner(&circle_name, Some(root_post_id)).await?;
+
+        for member in initial_members {
+            if member == self.node_id {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if let Err(e) = self.add_to_circle(circle_name.clone(), member).await {
+                warn!(member = hex::encode(member), error = %e, "failed to add group member");
+            }
+        }
+
+        let group_id = {
+            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+            storage.get_group_key_by_circle(&circle_name)?
+                .map(|gk| gk.group_id)
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("group key missing after creation"))?
+        };
+
+        info!(
+            root = hex::encode(root_post_id),
+            group_id = hex::encode(group_id),
+            circle_name = %circle_name,
+            "Created group from post"
+        );
+        Ok((group_id, circle_name))
+    }
+
+    /// Post to a group anchored at `root_post_id`. Any member holding the
+    /// group seed can call this. Encrypts the content with the group key and
+    /// records a `ThreadMeta` link from the new post back to the root so
+    /// `list_group_posts_by_root` can later cluster all contributions.
+    pub async fn post_to_group(
+        &self,
+        root_post_id: PostId,
+        content: String,
+        attachment_data: Vec<(Vec<u8>, String)>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)> {
+        let circle_name = {
+            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+            storage.get_group_by_canonical_root(&root_post_id)?
+                .map(|gk| gk.circle_name)
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("no group found for canonical root post"))?
+        };
+
+        let result = self.create_post_with_visibility(
+            content,
+            VisibilityIntent::Circle(circle_name),
+            attachment_data,
+        ).await?;
+
+        // Link the new post back to the canonical root so the group can be
+        // reconstructed by `list_group_posts_by_root`.
+        {
+            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+            storage.store_thread_meta(&crate::types::ThreadMeta {
+                post_id: result.0,
+                parent_post_id: root_post_id,
+            })?;
+        }
+
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+
+    /// List all posts that belong to the group rooted at `root_post_id`.
+    /// Reads the ThreadMeta parent index + returns the full posts. Callers
+    /// decrypt as needed (same as any other GroupEncrypted content).
+    pub async fn list_group_posts_by_root(
+        &self,
+        root_post_id: PostId,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)>> {
+        let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+        let child_ids = storage.get_thread_children(&root_post_id)?;
+        let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(child_ids.len());
+        for pid in child_ids {
+            if let Some((post, vis)) = storage.get_post_with_visibility(&pid)? {
+                out.push((pid, post, vis));
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(out)
+    }
+
+    // ---- end Groups ----
+
+    /// Scan any newly-received `VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute` posts
+    /// and apply ones we can decrypt with one of our posting identities.
+    /// Intended to run after a sync pass so group seeds propagate to members
+    /// without a direct push. Returns the count of applied distributions.
+    pub async fn process_group_key_distributions(&self) -> anyhow::Result<usize> {
+        let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+        let personas = storage.list_posting_identities()?;
+        crate::group_key_distribution::process_pending(&*storage, &personas)
+    }
+
+    /// Shared group-key creation used by both circles (canonical_root=None)
+    /// and groups (canonical_root=Some).
+    async fn create_group_key_inner(
+        &self,
+        circle_name: &str,
+        canonical_root_post_id: Option<PostId>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         let (seed, pubkey) = crypto::generate_group_keypair();
         let group_id = crypto::compute_group_id(&pubkey);
         let now = std::time::SystemTime::now()
@@ -1751,6 +1916,7 @@ impl Node {
             group_public_key: pubkey,
             admin: self.node_id,
             created_at: now,
+            canonical_root_post_id,
         };
 
         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
@@ -1766,37 +1932,54 @@ impl Node {
         };
         storage.store_group_member_key(&group_id, &self_mk)?;
 
-        // Wrap for existing circle members and distribute
-        let members = storage.get_circle_members(circle_name)?;
-        drop(storage);
+        // Wrap for existing circle members (if any) and distribute the seed
+        // via a single encrypted key-distribution post. v0.6.2 replaces the
+        // per-member uni-stream GroupKeyDistribute push with this
+        // CDN-propagated post (one post per epoch, recipients = all non-self
+        // members).
+        let other_members: Vec<NodeId> = storage.get_circle_members(circle_name)?
+            .into_iter()
+            .filter(|m| *m != self.node_id)
+            .collect();
 
-        for member in &members {
-            if *member == self.node_id {
-                continue;
-            }
-            match crypto::wrap_group_key_for_member(&self.default_posting_secret, member, &seed) {
-                Ok(wrapped) => {
-                    let mk = crate::types::GroupMemberKey {
+        for member in &other_members {
+            if let Ok(wrapped) = crypto::wrap_group_key_for_member(
+                &self.default_posting_secret, member, &seed,
+            ) {
+                let _ = storage.store_group_member_key(
+                    &group_id,
+                    &crate::types::GroupMemberKey {
                         member: *member,
                         epoch: 1,
                         wrapped_group_key: wrapped,
-                    };
+                    },
+                );
+            }
+        }
+        drop(storage);
+
+        if !other_members.is_empty() {
+            match crate::group_key_distribution::build_distribution_post(
+                &self.default_posting_id,
+                &self.default_posting_secret,
+                &record,
+                &seed,
+                &other_members,
+            ) {
+                Ok((post_id, post, visibility)) => {
+                    let ts = post.timestamp_ms;
                     {
                         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-                        let _ = storage.store_group_member_key(&group_id, &mk);
+                        storage.store_post_with_intent(
+                            &post_id, &post, &visibility, &VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute,
+                        )?;
                     }
-                    let payload = crate::protocol::GroupKeyDistributePayload {
-                        group_id,
-                        circle_name: circle_name.to_string(),
-                        epoch: 1,
-                        group_public_key: pubkey,
-                        admin: self.node_id,
-                        member_keys: vec![mk],
-                    };
-                    self.network.push_group_key(member, &payload).await;
+                    self.update_neighbor_manifests_as(
+                        &self.default_posting_id, &self.default_posting_secret, &post_id, ts,
+                    ).await;
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
-                    warn!(member = hex::encode(member), error = %e, "Failed to wrap group key for member");
+                    warn!(error = %e, "failed to build key-distribution post");
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -1824,7 +2007,7 @@ impl Node {
             }
             match crypto::rotate_group_key(&self.default_posting_secret, gk.epoch, &all_members) {
                 Ok((new_seed, new_pubkey, new_epoch, member_keys)) => {
-                    Some((gk.group_id, new_seed, new_pubkey, new_epoch, member_keys, circle_name.to_string()))
+                    Some((gk.group_id, new_seed, new_pubkey, new_epoch, member_keys, circle_name.to_string(), gk.canonical_root_post_id))
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
                     warn!(error = %e, "Failed to rotate group key");
@@ -1833,7 +2016,7 @@ impl Node {
             }
         };
 
-        if let Some((group_id, new_seed, new_pubkey, new_epoch, member_keys, circle_name)) = rotate_result {
+        if let Some((group_id, new_seed, new_pubkey, new_epoch, member_keys, circle_name, canonical_root)) = rotate_result {
             // Update storage
             {
                 let storage = self.storage.get().await;
@@ -1844,20 +2027,50 @@ impl Node {
                 }
             }
 
-            // Distribute to each member
-            for mk in &member_keys {
-                if mk.member == self.node_id {
-                    continue;
-                }
-                let payload = crate::protocol::GroupKeyDistributePayload {
+            // v0.6.2: distribute the new seed via an encrypted
+            // key-distribution post instead of per-member unicast pushes.
+            let recipients: Vec<NodeId> = member_keys
+                .iter()
+                .map(|mk| mk.member)
+                .filter(|m| *m != self.default_posting_id)
+                .collect();
+
+            if !recipients.is_empty() {
+                let record = crate::types::GroupKeyRecord {
                     group_id,
                     circle_name: circle_name.clone(),
                     epoch: new_epoch,
                     group_public_key: new_pubkey,
-                    admin: self.node_id,
-                    member_keys: vec![mk.clone()],
+                    admin: self.default_posting_id,
+                    created_at: std::time::SystemTime::now()
+                        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+                        .map(|d| d.as_millis() as u64)
+                        .unwrap_or(0),
+                    canonical_root_post_id: canonical_root,
                 };
-                self.network.push_group_key(&mk.member, &payload).await;
+                match crate::group_key_distribution::build_distribution_post(
+                    &self.default_posting_id,
+                    &self.default_posting_secret,
+                    &record,
+                    &new_seed,
+                    &recipients,
+                ) {
+                    Ok((post_id, post, visibility)) => {
+                        let ts = post.timestamp_ms;
+                        {
+                            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+                            let _ = storage.store_post_with_intent(
+                                &post_id, &post, &visibility, &VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute,
+                            );
+                        }
+                        self.update_neighbor_manifests_as(
+                            &self.default_posting_id, &self.default_posting_secret, &post_id, ts,
+                        ).await;
+                    }
+                    Err(e) => {
+                        warn!(error = %e, "failed to build rotate distribution post");
+                    }
+                }
             }
 
             info!(circle = %circle_name, epoch = new_epoch, "Rotated group key");
@@ -2083,12 +2296,11 @@ impl Node {
 
         let staleness_ms = 3600 * 1000;
 
-        let (candidates, follows, audience_members) = {
+        let (candidates, follows) = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             let candidates = storage.get_eviction_candidates(staleness_ms)?;
             let follows = storage.list_follows().unwrap_or_default();
-            let audience = storage.list_audience_members().unwrap_or_default();
-            (candidates, follows, audience)
+            (candidates, follows)
         };
 
         if candidates.is_empty() {
@@ -2108,7 +2320,7 @@ impl Node {
         let mut min_priority = f64::MAX;
         let mut min_created_at = u64::MAX;
         for c in &non_elevated {
-            let priority = self.compute_blob_priority(c, &follows, &audience_members, now);
+            let priority = self.compute_blob_priority(c, &follows, now);
             if priority < min_priority {
                 min_priority = priority;
                 min_created_at = c.created_at;
@@ -2155,39 +2367,32 @@ impl Node {
     // ---- Delete / Revocation ----
 
     pub async fn delete_post(&self, post_id: &PostId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let post = {
+        // Load the target post and the posting identity of its author. Only
+        // the author can delete their own content, so the signing key must be
+        // one we hold in posting_identities.
+        let (target_author, author_secret) = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            storage
+            let post = storage
                 .get_post(post_id)?
-                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("post not found"))?
-        };
-        if post.author != self.node_id {
-            anyhow::bail!("cannot delete: you are not the author");
-        }
-
-        let now = std::time::SystemTime::now()
-            .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)?
-            .as_millis() as u64;
-        let signature = crypto::sign_delete(&self.default_posting_secret, post_id);
-
-        let record = DeleteRecord {
-            post_id: *post_id,
-            author: self.default_posting_id,
-            timestamp_ms: now,
-            signature,
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("post not found"))?;
+            let pi = storage
+                .get_posting_identity(&post.author)?
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("cannot delete: not authored by a persona on this device"))?;
+            (pi.node_id, pi.secret_seed)
         };
 
-        // Collect blob CIDs + known holders before cleanup (for delete notices)
-        let blob_cdn_info: Vec<([u8; 32], Vec<(NodeId, Vec<String>)>, Option<(NodeId, Vec<String>)>)> = {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            let cids = storage.get_blobs_for_post(post_id).unwrap_or_default();
-            cids.into_iter().map(|cid| {
-                let holders = storage.get_file_holders(&cid).unwrap_or_default();
-                (cid, holders, None::<(NodeId, Vec<String>)>)
-            }).collect()
-        };
+        // Build the control-delete post signed by the target's author.
+        let control_post = crate::control::build_delete_control_post(
+            &target_author,
+            &author_secret,
+            post_id,
+        );
+        let control_post_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&control_post);
+        let now = control_post.timestamp_ms;
 
-        // Clean up blobs (DB metadata + CDN metadata + filesystem)
+        // Clean up blob storage local-side. Blobs in remote holders become
+        // orphans and get evicted naturally via LRU — BlobDeleteNotice is
+        // gone in v0.6.2.
         let blob_cids = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             let cids = storage.delete_blobs_for_post(post_id)?;
@@ -2202,19 +2407,42 @@ impl Node {
             }
         }
 
+        // Store the control post locally with VisibilityIntent::Control so
+        // feeds filter it and propagation queries find it. Apply the op under
+        // the same guard so delete recording + target cleanup happen with the
+        // control-post insert atomically.
         {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            storage.store_delete(&record)?;
-            storage.apply_delete(&record)?;
+            storage.store_post_with_intent(
+                &control_post_id,
+                &control_post,
+                &PostVisibility::Public,
+                &VisibilityIntent::Control,
+            )?;
+            crate::control::apply_control_post_if_applicable(
+                &*storage,
+                &control_post,
+                Some(&VisibilityIntent::Control),
+            )?;
         }
 
-        // Send CDN delete notices for each blob
-        for (cid, downstream, upstream) in &blob_cdn_info {
-            self.network.send_blob_delete_notices(cid, downstream, upstream.as_ref()).await;
-        }
+        // Propagate via the normal neighbor-manifest CDN path: include the
+        // control post in the author's other posts' `following_posts` lists
+        // and push manifest diffs to their file_holders. Peers who follow
+        // any of the author's posts pick up the control post and apply it.
+        self.update_neighbor_manifests_as(
+            &target_author,
+            &author_secret,
+            &control_post_id,
+            now,
+        ).await;
 
-        let pushed = self.network.push_delete(&record).await;
-        info!(post_id = hex::encode(post_id), pushed, blobs_removed = blob_cids.len(), "Deleted post");
+        info!(
+            post_id = hex::encode(post_id),
+            control_post_id = hex::encode(control_post_id),
+            blobs_removed = blob_cids.len(),
+            "Deleted post via control post",
+        );
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -2269,13 +2497,38 @@ impl Node {
                     storage.update_post_visibility(post_id, &new_vis)?;
                 }
 
-                let update = VisibilityUpdate {
-                    post_id: *post_id,
-                    author: self.default_posting_id,
-                    visibility: new_vis,
+                // Propagate via a signed control-visibility post rather than a
+                // direct push. Only the target's author can make such a post.
+                let author_secret = {
+                    let s = self.storage.get().await;
+                    s.get_posting_identity(&post.author)?
+                        .map(|pi| pi.secret_seed)
+                        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("missing posting secret for post author"))?
                 };
-                let pushed = self.network.push_visibility(&update).await;
-                info!(post_id = hex::encode(post_id), pushed, "Revoked access (sync mode)");
+                let control_post = crate::control::build_visibility_control_post(
+                    &post.author,
+                    &author_secret,
+                    post_id,
+                    &new_vis,
+                );
+                let control_post_id = crate::content::compute_post_id(&control_post);
+                let now = control_post.timestamp_ms;
+                {
+                    let storage = self.storage.get().await;
+                    storage.store_post_with_intent(
+                        &control_post_id,
+                        &control_post,
+                        &PostVisibility::Public,
+                        &VisibilityIntent::Control,
+                    )?;
+                }
+                self.update_neighbor_manifests_as(
+                    &post.author,
+                    &author_secret,
+                    &control_post_id,
+                    now,
+                ).await;
+                info!(post_id = hex::encode(post_id), control_post_id = hex::encode(control_post_id), "Revoked access (sync mode) via control post");
                 Ok(None)
             }
             RevocationMode::ReEncrypt => {
@@ -2709,6 +2962,11 @@ impl Node {
             "Pull complete: {} posts from {} peers",
             stats.posts_received, stats.peers_pulled
         );
+        // v0.6.2: apply any newly-received key-distribution posts so group
+        // seeds propagate automatically after sync.
+        if let Ok(n) = self.process_group_key_distributions().await {
+            if n > 0 { info!(applied = n, "Applied group key distributions"); }
+        }
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -3372,98 +3630,6 @@ impl Node {
         storage.list_social_routes()
     }
 
-    // ---- Audience ----
-
-    pub async fn request_audience(&self, node_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            storage.store_audience(node_id, AudienceDirection::Outbound, AudienceStatus::Pending)?;
-        }
-
-        // Send the request (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise)
-        if let Err(e) = self.network.send_audience_request(node_id).await {
-            warn!(peer = hex::encode(node_id), error = %e, "Failed to send audience request");
-        }
-
-        info!(peer = hex::encode(node_id), "Requested audience membership");
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    pub async fn approve_audience(&self, node_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let connected = self.network.is_connected(node_id).await;
-        {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            storage.store_audience(node_id, AudienceDirection::Inbound, AudienceStatus::Approved)?;
-
-            // Upsert social route (Audience or Mutual)
-            let is_follow = storage.list_follows()?.contains(node_id);
-            let relation = if is_follow { SocialRelation::Mutual } else { SocialRelation::Audience };
-            let addresses = storage.get_peer_record(node_id)?
-                .map(|r| r.addresses).unwrap_or_default();
-            let peer_addresses = storage.build_peer_addresses_for(node_id)?;
-            let now = std::time::SystemTime::now().duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
-                .unwrap_or_default().as_millis() as u64;
-            let preferred_tree = storage.build_preferred_tree_for(node_id).unwrap_or_default();
-            storage.upsert_social_route(&SocialRouteEntry {
-                node_id: *node_id,
-                addresses,
-                peer_addresses,
-                relation,
-                status: if connected { SocialStatus::Online } else { SocialStatus::Disconnected },
-                last_connected_ms: 0,
-                last_seen_ms: now,
-                reach_method: ReachMethod::Direct,
-                preferred_tree,
-            })?;
-        }
-
-        // Send approval response (persistent if available, ephemeral otherwise)
-        if let Err(e) = self.network.send_audience_response(node_id, true).await {
-            warn!(peer = hex::encode(node_id), error = %e, "Failed to send audience approval");
-        }
-
-        info!(peer = hex::encode(node_id), "Approved audience request");
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    pub async fn deny_audience(&self, node_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-        storage.store_audience(node_id, AudienceDirection::Inbound, AudienceStatus::Denied)?;
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    pub async fn remove_audience(&self, node_id: &NodeId) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-        storage.remove_audience(node_id, AudienceDirection::Inbound)?;
-
-        // Downgrade or remove social route
-        let is_follow = storage.list_follows()?.contains(node_id);
-        if is_follow {
-            if let Some(mut route) = storage.get_social_route(node_id)? {
-                route.relation = SocialRelation::Follow;
-                storage.upsert_social_route(&route)?;
-            }
-        } else {
-            storage.remove_social_route(node_id)?;
-        }
-
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    pub async fn list_audience_members(&self) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<NodeId>> {
-        let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-        storage.list_audience_members()
-    }
-
-    pub async fn list_audience(
-        &self,
-        direction: AudienceDirection,
-        status: Option<AudienceStatus>,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<AudienceRecord>> {
-        let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-        storage.list_audience(direction, status)
-    }
-
     // ---- Blob Eviction ----
 
     /// Compute priority score for a blob. Higher score = keep longer.
@@ -3471,31 +3637,19 @@ impl Node {
         &self,
         candidate: &crate::storage::EvictionCandidate,
         follows: &[NodeId],
-        audience_members: &[NodeId],
         now_ms: u64,
     ) -> f64 {
-        compute_blob_priority_standalone(candidate, &self.node_id, follows, audience_members, now_ms)
+        compute_blob_priority_standalone(candidate, &self.node_id, follows, now_ms)
     }
 
-    /// Delete a blob with CDN notifications to known holders.
-    pub async fn delete_blob_with_cdn_notify(&self, cid: &[u8; 32]) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        // Gather known holders before cleanup
-        let holders = {
-            let storage = self.storage.get().await;
-            storage.get_file_holders(cid).unwrap_or_default()
-        };
-
-        // Send CDN delete notices to all holders
-        self.network.send_blob_delete_notices(cid, &holders, None).await;
-
-        // Clean up local storage
+    /// Delete a blob locally. BlobDeleteNotice was removed in v0.6.2; remote
+    /// holders notice eviction via their own LRU / replica-miss handling.
+    pub async fn delete_blob_local(&self, cid: &[u8; 32]) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             storage.cleanup_cdn_for_blob(cid)?;
             storage.remove_blob(cid)?;
         }
-
-        // Delete from filesystem
         let _ = self.blob_store.delete(cid);
 
         Ok(())
@@ -3519,18 +3673,17 @@ impl Node {
         // 1-hour staleness for replica counts
         let staleness_ms = 3600 * 1000;
 
-        let (candidates, follows, audience_members) = {
+        let (candidates, follows) = {
             let storage = self.storage.get().await;
             let candidates = storage.get_eviction_candidates(staleness_ms)?;
             let follows = storage.list_follows().unwrap_or_default();
-            let audience = storage.list_audience_members().unwrap_or_default();
-            (candidates, follows, audience)
+            (candidates, follows)
         };
 
         // Score and sort ascending (lowest priority first)
         let mut scored: Vec<(f64, &crate::storage::EvictionCandidate)> = candidates
             .iter()
-            .map(|c| (self.compute_blob_priority(c, &follows, &audience_members, now), c))
+            .map(|c| (self.compute_blob_priority(c, &follows, now), c))
             .collect();
         scored.sort_by(|a, b| a.0.partial_cmp(&b.0).unwrap_or(std::cmp::Ordering::Equal));
 
@@ -3542,7 +3695,7 @@ impl Node {
             if bytes_freed >= target_free {
                 break;
             }
-            if let Err(e) = self.delete_blob_with_cdn_notify(&candidate.cid).await {
+            if let Err(e) = self.delete_blob_local(&candidate.cid).await {
                 warn!(cid = hex::encode(candidate.cid), error = %e, "Failed to evict blob");
                 continue;
             }
@@ -3846,11 +3999,36 @@ impl Node {
         Ok(counts)
     }
 
-    /// Add a comment to a post (signed with our key).
+    /// Add a plain inline comment to a post (signed with our posting key).
+    /// The comment's `content` is the full text; `ref_post_id` is None.
     pub async fn comment_on_post(
         &self,
         post_id: PostId,
         content: String,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<crate::types::InlineComment> {
+        self.comment_on_post_inner(post_id, content, None).await
+    }
+
+    /// Add a rich comment: the full body lives in `ref_post_id` (typically a
+    /// newly-created public post by the commenter that carries attachments
+    /// or a long body). The inline `preview` text appears in the parent
+    /// post's header-diff and is what most clients render by default; the
+    /// expanded view fetches the referenced post. Signature binds the
+    /// preview + ref_post_id so a peer can't rewrite either independently.
+    pub async fn comment_on_post_with_ref(
+        &self,
+        post_id: PostId,
+        preview: String,
+        ref_post_id: PostId,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<crate::types::InlineComment> {
+        self.comment_on_post_inner(post_id, preview, Some(ref_post_id)).await
+    }
+
+    async fn comment_on_post_inner(
+        &self,
+        post_id: PostId,
+        content: String,
+        ref_post_id: Option<PostId>,
     ) -> anyhow::Result<crate::types::InlineComment> {
         let our_node_id = self.default_posting_id;
         let seed = self.default_posting_secret;
@@ -3858,7 +4036,14 @@ impl Node {
             .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)?
             .as_millis() as u64;
 
-        let signature = crate::crypto::sign_comment(&seed, &our_node_id, &post_id, &content, now);
+        let signature = crate::crypto::sign_comment(
+            &seed,
+            &our_node_id,
+            &post_id,
+            &content,
+            now,
+            ref_post_id.as_ref(),
+        );
 
         let comment = crate::types::InlineComment {
             author: our_node_id,
@@ -3867,13 +4052,14 @@ impl Node {
             timestamp_ms: now,
             signature,
             deleted_at: None,
+            ref_post_id,
         };
 
         let storage = self.storage.get().await;
         storage.store_comment(&comment)?;
         drop(storage);
 
-        // Propagate via BlobHeaderDiff to downstream + upstream
+        // Propagate via BlobHeaderDiff to the target post's known holders.
         {
             let network = &self.network;
             let diff = crate::protocol::BlobHeaderDiffPayload {
@@ -4422,7 +4608,6 @@ pub fn compute_blob_priority_standalone(
     candidate: &crate::storage::EvictionCandidate,
     our_node_id: &NodeId,
     follows: &[NodeId],
-    audience_members: &[NodeId],
     now_ms: u64,
 ) -> f64 {
     let pin_boost = if candidate.pinned { 1000.0 } else { 0.0 };
@@ -4437,14 +4622,11 @@ pub fn compute_blob_priority_standalone(
         0.0
     };
 
+    // v0.6.2: audience removed. Relationship is author-of-ours vs followed vs other.
     let relationship = if candidate.author == *our_node_id {
         5.0
-    } else if follows.contains(&candidate.author) && audience_members.contains(&candidate.author) {
-        3.0
     } else if follows.contains(&candidate.author) {
         2.0
-    } else if audience_members.contains(&candidate.author) {
-        1.0
     } else {
         0.1
     };
@@ -4636,39 +4818,36 @@ mod tests {
         let candidate = make_candidate(our_id, true, now - 86400_000, now, 0);
 
         let score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(
-            &candidate, &our_id, &[], &[], now,
+            &candidate, &our_id, &[], now,
         );
-        // Should be 1000 + (5.0 * 1.0 * ~0.5 * 1.0) = ~1002.5
         assert!(score > 1000.0, "own pinned should score >1000, got {}", score);
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn follow_recent_scores_higher_than_audience_stale() {
+    fn follow_recent_scores_higher_than_stranger_stale() {
         let our_id = make_node_id(1);
         let follow_id = make_node_id(2);
-        let audience_id = make_node_id(3);
+        let stranger_id = make_node_id(3);
         let now = 10_000_000_000u64;
 
-        // Follow: recently accessed, 1-day-old post
         let follow_candidate = make_candidate(follow_id, false, now - 86400_000, now, 0);
         let follow_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(
-            &follow_candidate, &our_id, &[follow_id], &[], now,
+            &follow_candidate, &our_id, &[follow_id], now,
         );
 
-        // Audience: stale (20 days no access), 10-day-old post, 5 copies
-        let audience_candidate = make_candidate(
-            audience_id, false,
+        let stranger_candidate = make_candidate(
+            stranger_id, false,
             now - 10 * 86400_000,
             now - 20 * 86400_000,
             5,
         );
-        let audience_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(
-            &audience_candidate, &our_id, &[], &[audience_id], now,
+        let stranger_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(
+            &stranger_candidate, &our_id, &[], now,
         );
 
-        assert!(follow_score > audience_score,
-            "follow recent ({}) should score higher than audience stale ({})",
-            follow_score, audience_score);
+        assert!(follow_score > stranger_score,
+            "follow recent ({}) should score higher than stranger stale ({})",
+            follow_score, stranger_score);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -4677,7 +4856,6 @@ mod tests {
         let stranger = make_node_id(99);
         let now = 10_000_000_000u64;
 
-        // Stale stranger post with many copies
         let candidate = make_candidate(
             stranger, false,
             now - 30 * 86400_000,
@@ -4685,10 +4863,9 @@ mod tests {
             10,
         );
         let score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(
-            &candidate, &our_id, &[], &[], now,
+            &candidate, &our_id, &[], now,
         );
 
-        // 0.1 relationship * 0.0 heart_recency * ~0.03 freshness / 11 = ~0
         assert!(score < 0.01, "stranger stale should score near 0, got {}", score);
     }
 
@@ -4696,26 +4873,18 @@ mod tests {
     fn priority_ordering() {
         let our_id = make_node_id(1);
         let follow_id = make_node_id(2);
-        let audience_id = make_node_id(3);
         let stranger_id = make_node_id(4);
         let now = 10_000_000_000u64;
 
-        // Own pinned (highest)
         let own = make_candidate(our_id, true, now - 86400_000, now, 0);
-        // Follow recent
         let follow = make_candidate(follow_id, false, now - 86400_000, now, 0);
-        // Audience stale
-        let audience = make_candidate(audience_id, false, now - 10 * 86400_000, now - 20 * 86400_000, 5);
-        // Stranger
         let stranger = make_candidate(stranger_id, false, now - 30 * 86400_000, now - 30 * 86400_000, 10);
 
-        let own_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&own, &our_id, &[follow_id], &[audience_id], now);
-        let follow_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&follow, &our_id, &[follow_id], &[audience_id], now);
-        let audience_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&audience, &our_id, &[follow_id], &[audience_id], now);
-        let stranger_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&stranger, &our_id, &[follow_id], &[audience_id], now);
+        let own_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&own, &our_id, &[follow_id], now);
+        let follow_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&follow, &our_id, &[follow_id], now);
+        let stranger_score = compute_blob_priority_standalone(&stranger, &our_id, &[follow_id], now);
 
         assert!(own_score > follow_score, "own ({}) > follow ({})", own_score, follow_score);
-        assert!(follow_score > audience_score, "follow ({}) > audience ({})", follow_score, audience_score);
-        assert!(audience_score > stranger_score, "audience ({}) > stranger ({})", audience_score, stranger_score);
+        assert!(follow_score > stranger_score, "follow ({}) > stranger ({})", follow_score, stranger_score);
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/core/src/profile.rs b/crates/core/src/profile.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d1b66b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/profile.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+//! Profile posts: persona display metadata (display_name, bio, avatar_cid)
+//! carried as a signed public post with `VisibilityIntent::Profile`.
+//!
+//! The post's `author` is the posting identity; the signature inside
+//! `ProfilePostContent` is by that identity's secret. Profile posts propagate
+//! via the normal CDN path (pull + header-diff). Receivers verify the
+//! signature, then upsert a row in the `profiles` table keyed by the post's
+//! author (= posting identity) with the new display fields.
+//!
+//! Profile posts are never rendered in feeds — the feed filter excludes
+//! `VisibilityIntent::Profile` posts (see `Storage::get_feed*`).
+
+use crate::crypto;
+use crate::storage::Storage;
+use crate::types::{NodeId, Post, PostId, PostVisibility, ProfilePostContent, PublicProfile, VisibilityIntent};
+
+/// Verify a profile-post signature without any other side effects. Used by
+/// receive paths before storing, so bogus profile posts with invalid
+/// signatures never enter storage and can't be re-propagated.
+pub fn verify_profile_post(post: &Post) -> anyhow::Result<ProfilePostContent> {
+    let content: ProfilePostContent = serde_json::from_str(&post.content)
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("profile post content is not a valid ProfilePostContent: {}", e))?;
+    if !crypto::verify_profile(
+        &post.author,
+        &content.display_name,
+        &content.bio,
+        &content.avatar_cid,
+        content.timestamp_ms,
+        &content.signature,
+    ) {
+        anyhow::bail!("invalid profile-post signature");
+    }
+    Ok(content)
+}
+
+/// If the post is a Profile post, verify + apply by upserting the
+/// `profiles` row keyed by the post's author (= posting identity). Only
+/// applied if newer than the existing row's `updated_at`.
+pub fn apply_profile_post_if_applicable(
+    s: &Storage,
+    post: &Post,
+    intent: Option<&VisibilityIntent>,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    if !matches!(intent, Some(VisibilityIntent::Profile)) {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let content = verify_profile_post(post)?;
+
+    // Only apply if newer than the stored row (last-writer-wins by timestamp).
+    if let Some(existing) = s.get_profile(&post.author)? {
+        if existing.updated_at >= content.timestamp_ms {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let profile = PublicProfile {
+        node_id: post.author,
+        display_name: content.display_name,
+        bio: content.bio,
+        updated_at: content.timestamp_ms,
+        anchors: vec![],
+        recent_peers: vec![],
+        preferred_peers: vec![],
+        public_visible: true,
+        avatar_cid: content.avatar_cid,
+    };
+    s.store_profile(&profile)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Build a Profile post signed by the posting identity. Caller is
+/// responsible for storing and propagating it.
+pub fn build_profile_post(
+    author: &NodeId,
+    author_secret: &[u8; 32],
+    display_name: &str,
+    bio: &str,
+    avatar_cid: Option<[u8; 32]>,
+) -> Post {
+    let timestamp_ms = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map(|d| d.as_millis() as u64)
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+    let signature = crypto::sign_profile(author_secret, display_name, bio, &avatar_cid, timestamp_ms);
+    let content = ProfilePostContent {
+        display_name: display_name.to_string(),
+        bio: bio.to_string(),
+        avatar_cid,
+        timestamp_ms,
+        signature,
+    };
+    Post {
+        author: *author,
+        content: serde_json::to_string(&content).unwrap_or_default(),
+        attachments: vec![],
+        timestamp_ms,
+    }
+}
+
+/// Profile-post visibility is always Public on the wire: the signature binds
+/// the content to the posting identity and no recipient targeting is needed.
+pub fn profile_post_visibility() -> PostVisibility {
+    PostVisibility::Public
+}
+
+/// Compute the `PostId` for a freshly-built profile post.
+pub fn profile_post_id(post: &Post) -> PostId {
+    crate::content::compute_post_id(post)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::storage::Storage;
+    use ed25519_dalek::SigningKey;
+
+    fn temp_storage() -> Storage {
+        Storage::open(":memory:").unwrap()
+    }
+
+    fn make_keypair(seed_byte: u8) -> ([u8; 32], NodeId) {
+        let seed = [seed_byte; 32];
+        let signing_key = SigningKey::from_bytes(&seed);
+        let public = signing_key.verifying_key();
+        (seed, *public.as_bytes())
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn profile_roundtrip_verifies_and_stores() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (sec, pub_id) = make_keypair(11);
+
+        let post = build_profile_post(&pub_id, &sec, "Alice", "hello world", None);
+        apply_profile_post_if_applicable(&s, &post, Some(&VisibilityIntent::Profile)).unwrap();
+
+        let stored = s.get_profile(&pub_id).unwrap().expect("profile stored");
+        assert_eq!(stored.display_name, "Alice");
+        assert_eq!(stored.bio, "hello world");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn profile_rejects_wrong_author_signature() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (_sec_a, pub_a) = make_keypair(1);
+        let (sec_b, _pub_b) = make_keypair(2);
+
+        // Build a post claiming `pub_a` but signing with `sec_b`.
+        let post = build_profile_post(&pub_a, &sec_b, "Impostor", "", None);
+        let res = apply_profile_post_if_applicable(&s, &post, Some(&VisibilityIntent::Profile));
+        assert!(res.is_err());
+        assert!(s.get_profile(&pub_a).unwrap().is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn profile_ignores_older_timestamp() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let (sec, pub_id) = make_keypair(3);
+
+        // Seed with a newer profile.
+        let mut newer = build_profile_post(&pub_id, &sec, "NewName", "", None);
+        // Hack the timestamp to make it clearly newer.
+        let mut content: ProfilePostContent = serde_json::from_str(&newer.content).unwrap();
+        content.timestamp_ms = 10_000;
+        content.signature = crypto::sign_profile(&sec, &content.display_name, &content.bio, &content.avatar_cid, content.timestamp_ms);
+        newer.content = serde_json::to_string(&content).unwrap();
+        newer.timestamp_ms = 10_000;
+        apply_profile_post_if_applicable(&s, &newer, Some(&VisibilityIntent::Profile)).unwrap();
+
+        // Apply an older profile — should be ignored.
+        let mut older = build_profile_post(&pub_id, &sec, "OldName", "", None);
+        let mut content_o: ProfilePostContent = serde_json::from_str(&older.content).unwrap();
+        content_o.timestamp_ms = 5_000;
+        content_o.signature = crypto::sign_profile(&sec, &content_o.display_name, &content_o.bio, &content_o.avatar_cid, content_o.timestamp_ms);
+        older.content = serde_json::to_string(&content_o).unwrap();
+        older.timestamp_ms = 5_000;
+        apply_profile_post_if_applicable(&s, &older, Some(&VisibilityIntent::Profile)).unwrap();
+
+        let stored = s.get_profile(&pub_id).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(stored.display_name, "NewName");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/protocol.rs b/crates/core/src/protocol.rs
index 245d9fc..0221c3c 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/protocol.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/protocol.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@ pub struct SyncPost {
     pub id: PostId,
     pub post: Post,
     pub visibility: PostVisibility,
+    /// Optional originator's intent, so receivers can filter control posts
+    /// out of the feed and process their ControlOp payload. Absent on
+    /// pre-v0.6.2 senders; receivers treat as "unknown"/regular post.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub intent: Option<crate::types::VisibilityIntent>,
 }
 
 /// Message type byte for stream multiplexing
@@ -27,10 +32,9 @@ pub enum MessageType {
     RefuseRedirect = 0x05,
     PullSyncRequest = 0x40,
     PullSyncResponse = 0x41,
-    PostNotification = 0x42,
-    PostPush = 0x43,
-    AudienceRequest = 0x44,
-    AudienceResponse = 0x45,
+    // 0x42 (PostNotification), 0x43 (PostPush), 0x44 (AudienceRequest),
+    // 0x45 (AudienceResponse) retired in v0.6.2: persona-signed direct pushes
+    // are gone. Public posts propagate via the CDN; encrypted posts via pull.
     ProfileUpdate = 0x50,
     DeleteRecord = 0x51,
     VisibilityUpdate = 0x52,
@@ -45,8 +49,9 @@ pub enum MessageType {
     ManifestRefreshRequest = 0x92,
     ManifestRefreshResponse = 0x93,
     ManifestPush = 0x94,
-    BlobDeleteNotice = 0x95,
-    GroupKeyDistribute = 0xA0,
+    // 0x95 (BlobDeleteNotice) retired in v0.6.2 — remote holders evict via LRU.
+    // 0xA0 (GroupKeyDistribute) retired in v0.6.2 — group seeds now travel
+    // as encrypted posts via the CDN. See `group_key_distribution` module.
     GroupKeyRequest = 0xA1,
     GroupKeyResponse = 0xA2,
     RelayIntroduce = 0xB0,
@@ -85,10 +90,6 @@ impl MessageType {
             0x05 => Some(Self::RefuseRedirect),
             0x40 => Some(Self::PullSyncRequest),
             0x41 => Some(Self::PullSyncResponse),
-            0x42 => Some(Self::PostNotification),
-            0x43 => Some(Self::PostPush),
-            0x44 => Some(Self::AudienceRequest),
-            0x45 => Some(Self::AudienceResponse),
             0x50 => Some(Self::ProfileUpdate),
             0x51 => Some(Self::DeleteRecord),
             0x52 => Some(Self::VisibilityUpdate),
@@ -102,8 +103,6 @@ impl MessageType {
             0x92 => Some(Self::ManifestRefreshRequest),
             0x93 => Some(Self::ManifestRefreshResponse),
             0x94 => Some(Self::ManifestPush),
-            0x95 => Some(Self::BlobDeleteNotice),
-            0xA0 => Some(Self::GroupKeyDistribute),
             0xA1 => Some(Self::GroupKeyRequest),
             0xA2 => Some(Self::GroupKeyResponse),
             0xB0 => Some(Self::RelayIntroduce),
@@ -237,32 +236,6 @@ pub struct VisibilityUpdatePayload {
     pub updates: Vec<VisibilityUpdate>,
 }
 
-/// Post notification: lightweight push when a new post is created
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct PostNotificationPayload {
-    pub post_id: PostId,
-    pub author: NodeId,
-}
-
-/// Audience request: ask a peer to join their audience
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct AudienceRequestPayload {
-    pub requester: NodeId,
-}
-
-/// Audience response: approve or deny an audience request
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct AudienceResponsePayload {
-    pub responder: NodeId,
-    pub approved: bool,
-}
-
-/// Post push: full post content pushed directly to a recipient
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct PostPushPayload {
-    pub post: SyncPost,
-}
-
 /// Address resolution request (bi-stream: ask reporter for a hop-2 peer's address)
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct AddressRequestPayload {
@@ -411,27 +384,11 @@ pub struct ManifestPushEntry {
     pub manifest: CdnManifest,
 }
 
-/// Notify upstream/downstream that a blob has been deleted (uni-stream)
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct BlobDeleteNoticePayload {
-    pub cid: [u8; 32],
-    /// If sender was upstream and is providing their own upstream for tree healing
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub upstream_node: Option<PeerWithAddress>,
-}
-
 // --- Group key distribution payloads ---
 
-/// Admin pushes wrapped group key to a member (uni-stream)
-#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct GroupKeyDistributePayload {
-    pub group_id: GroupId,
-    pub circle_name: String,
-    pub epoch: GroupEpoch,
-    pub group_public_key: [u8; 32],
-    pub admin: NodeId,
-    pub member_keys: Vec<GroupMemberKey>,
-}
+// GroupKeyDistributePayload (v0.6.1) retired: group seeds now travel as
+// encrypted posts (`VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute`). See
+// `crate::group_key_distribution` and `types::GroupKeyDistributionContent`.
 
 /// Member requests current group key (bi-stream request)
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -775,10 +732,6 @@ mod tests {
             MessageType::RefuseRedirect,
             MessageType::PullSyncRequest,
             MessageType::PullSyncResponse,
-            MessageType::PostNotification,
-            MessageType::PostPush,
-            MessageType::AudienceRequest,
-            MessageType::AudienceResponse,
             MessageType::ProfileUpdate,
             MessageType::DeleteRecord,
             MessageType::VisibilityUpdate,
@@ -792,8 +745,6 @@ mod tests {
             MessageType::ManifestRefreshRequest,
             MessageType::ManifestRefreshResponse,
             MessageType::ManifestPush,
-            MessageType::BlobDeleteNotice,
-            MessageType::GroupKeyDistribute,
             MessageType::GroupKeyRequest,
             MessageType::GroupKeyResponse,
             MessageType::RelayIntroduce,
@@ -835,36 +786,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(MessageType::from_byte(0x06).is_none());
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn blob_delete_notice_payload_roundtrip() {
-        use crate::types::PeerWithAddress;
-
-        // Without upstream
-        let payload = BlobDeleteNoticePayload {
-            cid: [42u8; 32],
-            upstream_node: None,
-        };
-        let json = serde_json::to_string(&payload).unwrap();
-        let decoded: BlobDeleteNoticePayload = serde_json::from_str(&json).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(decoded.cid, [42u8; 32]);
-        assert!(decoded.upstream_node.is_none());
-
-        // With upstream
-        let payload_with_up = BlobDeleteNoticePayload {
-            cid: [99u8; 32],
-            upstream_node: Some(PeerWithAddress {
-                n: hex::encode([1u8; 32]),
-                a: vec!["10.0.0.1:4433".to_string()],
-            }),
-        };
-        let json2 = serde_json::to_string(&payload_with_up).unwrap();
-        let decoded2: BlobDeleteNoticePayload = serde_json::from_str(&json2).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(decoded2.cid, [99u8; 32]);
-        assert!(decoded2.upstream_node.is_some());
-        let up = decoded2.upstream_node.unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(up.a, vec!["10.0.0.1:4433".to_string()]);
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn relay_introduce_payload_roundtrip() {
         let payload = RelayIntroducePayload {
diff --git a/crates/core/src/storage.rs b/crates/core/src/storage.rs
index c68f094..171758c 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/storage.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/storage.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use std::path::Path;
 use rusqlite::{params, Connection};
 
 use crate::types::{
-    Attachment, AudienceDirection, AudienceRecord, AudienceStatus, Circle, CircleProfile,
+    Attachment, Circle, CircleProfile,
     CommentPolicy, DeleteRecord, FollowVisibility, GossipPeerInfo, GroupEpoch, GroupId,
     GroupKeyRecord, GroupMemberKey, InlineComment, ManifestEntry, NodeId, PeerRecord,
     PeerSlotKind, PeerWithAddress, Post, PostId, PostVisibility, PostingIdentity,
@@ -212,14 +212,8 @@ impl Storage {
                 PRIMARY KEY (peer_id, neighbor_id)
             );
             CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_peer_neighbors_neighbor ON peer_neighbors(neighbor_id);
-            CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS audience (
-                node_id BLOB NOT NULL,
-                direction TEXT NOT NULL,
-                status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pending',
-                requested_at INTEGER NOT NULL,
-                approved_at INTEGER,
-                PRIMARY KEY (node_id, direction)
-            );
+            -- v0.6.2: audience table removed. Upgraded DBs still have the
+            -- orphan table; it's untouched by new code. New DBs don't get it.
             CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS worm_cooldowns (
                 target_id BLOB PRIMARY KEY,
                 failed_at INTEGER NOT NULL
@@ -289,9 +283,11 @@ impl Storage {
                 group_public_key BLOB NOT NULL,
                 group_seed BLOB,
                 admin BLOB NOT NULL,
-                created_at INTEGER NOT NULL
+                created_at INTEGER NOT NULL,
+                canonical_root_post_id BLOB
             );
             CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_group_keys_circle ON group_keys(circle_name);
+            CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_group_keys_root ON group_keys(canonical_root_post_id);
             CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS group_member_keys (
                 group_id BLOB NOT NULL,
                 member BLOB NOT NULL,
@@ -353,6 +349,7 @@ impl Storage {
                 content TEXT NOT NULL,
                 timestamp_ms INTEGER NOT NULL,
                 signature BLOB NOT NULL,
+                ref_post_id BLOB,
                 PRIMARY KEY (author, post_id, timestamp_ms)
             );
             CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_comments_post ON comments(post_id);
@@ -642,6 +639,30 @@ impl Storage {
             )?;
         }
 
+        // v0.6.2: add ref_post_id for rich comments (preview-inline,
+        // full-body-in-referenced-post). NULL for plain comments.
+        let has_ref_post_id = self.conn.prepare(
+            "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM pragma_table_info('comments') WHERE name='ref_post_id'"
+        )?.query_row([], |row| row.get::<_, i64>(0))?;
+        if has_ref_post_id == 0 {
+            self.conn.execute_batch(
+                "ALTER TABLE comments ADD COLUMN ref_post_id BLOB DEFAULT NULL;"
+            )?;
+        }
+
+        // v0.6.2: add canonical_root_post_id to group_keys. When set, the
+        // record is a group (many-way, anchored at a public root post);
+        // when NULL it's a traditional circle (one-way, admin-only).
+        let has_canonical_root = self.conn.prepare(
+            "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM pragma_table_info('group_keys') WHERE name='canonical_root_post_id'"
+        )?.query_row([], |row| row.get::<_, i64>(0))?;
+        if has_canonical_root == 0 {
+            self.conn.execute_batch(
+                "ALTER TABLE group_keys ADD COLUMN canonical_root_post_id BLOB DEFAULT NULL;
+                 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_group_keys_root ON group_keys(canonical_root_post_id);"
+            )?;
+        }
+
         // Add device_role column to peers if missing (Active CDN replication)
         let has_device_role = self.conn.prepare(
             "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM pragma_table_info('peers') WHERE name='device_role'"
@@ -833,7 +854,9 @@ impl Storage {
     /// All posts, newest first (with visibility)
     pub fn list_posts_reverse_chron(&self) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)>> {
         let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(
-            "SELECT id, author, content, attachments, timestamp_ms, visibility FROM posts ORDER BY timestamp_ms DESC",
+            "SELECT id, author, content, attachments, timestamp_ms, visibility FROM posts
+             WHERE (visibility_intent IS NULL OR (visibility_intent != '\"Control\"' AND visibility_intent != '\"Profile\"'))
+             ORDER BY timestamp_ms DESC",
         )?;
         let rows = stmt.query_map([], |row| {
             let id_bytes: Vec<u8> = row.get(0)?;
@@ -869,6 +892,7 @@ impl Storage {
             "SELECT p.id, p.author, p.content, p.attachments, p.timestamp_ms, p.visibility
              FROM posts p
              INNER JOIN follows f ON p.author = f.node_id
+             WHERE (p.visibility_intent IS NULL OR (p.visibility_intent != '\"Control\"' AND p.visibility_intent != '\"Profile\"'))
              ORDER BY p.timestamp_ms DESC",
         )?;
         let rows = stmt.query_map([], |row| {
@@ -905,10 +929,12 @@ impl Storage {
             "SELECT p.id, p.author, p.content, p.attachments, p.timestamp_ms, p.visibility
              FROM posts p INNER JOIN follows f ON p.author = f.node_id
              WHERE p.timestamp_ms < ?1
+               AND (p.visibility_intent IS NULL OR (p.visibility_intent != '\"Control\"' AND p.visibility_intent != '\"Profile\"'))
              ORDER BY p.timestamp_ms DESC LIMIT ?2"
         } else {
             "SELECT p.id, p.author, p.content, p.attachments, p.timestamp_ms, p.visibility
              FROM posts p INNER JOIN follows f ON p.author = f.node_id
+             WHERE (p.visibility_intent IS NULL OR (p.visibility_intent != '\"Control\"' AND p.visibility_intent != '\"Profile\"'))
              ORDER BY p.timestamp_ms DESC LIMIT ?2"
         };
         let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(sql)?;
@@ -924,11 +950,15 @@ impl Storage {
     pub fn list_posts_page(&self, before_ms: Option<u64>, limit: usize) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)>> {
         let sql = if before_ms.is_some() {
             "SELECT id, author, content, attachments, timestamp_ms, visibility
-             FROM posts WHERE timestamp_ms < ?1
+             FROM posts
+             WHERE timestamp_ms < ?1
+               AND (visibility_intent IS NULL OR (visibility_intent != '\"Control\"' AND visibility_intent != '\"Profile\"'))
              ORDER BY timestamp_ms DESC LIMIT ?2"
         } else {
             "SELECT id, author, content, attachments, timestamp_ms, visibility
-             FROM posts ORDER BY timestamp_ms DESC LIMIT ?2"
+             FROM posts
+             WHERE (visibility_intent IS NULL OR (visibility_intent != '\"Control\"' AND visibility_intent != '\"Profile\"'))
+             ORDER BY timestamp_ms DESC LIMIT ?2"
         };
         let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(sql)?;
         let rows = if let Some(bms) = before_ms {
@@ -1051,9 +1081,39 @@ impl Storage {
         Ok(posts)
     }
 
-    /// All posts with visibility (for sync protocol)
+    /// All posts with visibility (for sync protocol and export).
+    /// Includes control/profile posts — they need to propagate through the
+    /// CDN like any other post.
     pub fn list_posts_with_visibility(&self) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<(PostId, Post, PostVisibility)>> {
-        self.list_posts_reverse_chron()
+        let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(
+            "SELECT id, author, content, attachments, timestamp_ms, visibility FROM posts ORDER BY timestamp_ms DESC",
+        )?;
+        let rows = stmt.query_map([], |row| {
+            let id_bytes: Vec<u8> = row.get(0)?;
+            let author_bytes: Vec<u8> = row.get(1)?;
+            let content: String = row.get(2)?;
+            let attachments_json: String = row.get(3)?;
+            let timestamp_ms: i64 = row.get(4)?;
+            let vis_json: String = row.get(5)?;
+            Ok((id_bytes, author_bytes, content, attachments_json, timestamp_ms, vis_json))
+        })?;
+        let mut posts = Vec::new();
+        for row in rows {
+            let (id_bytes, author_bytes, content, attachments_json, timestamp_ms, vis_json) = row?;
+            let attachments: Vec<Attachment> = serde_json::from_str(&attachments_json).unwrap_or_default();
+            let visibility: PostVisibility = serde_json::from_str(&vis_json).unwrap_or_default();
+            posts.push((
+                blob_to_postid(id_bytes)?,
+                Post {
+                    author: blob_to_nodeid(author_bytes)?,
+                    content,
+                    attachments,
+                    timestamp_ms: timestamp_ms as u64,
+                },
+                visibility,
+            ));
+        }
+        Ok(posts)
     }
 
     // ---- Follows ----
@@ -2104,7 +2164,7 @@ impl Storage {
 
     pub fn create_group_key(&self, record: &GroupKeyRecord, group_seed: Option<&[u8; 32]>) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         self.conn.execute(
-            "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO group_keys (group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, group_seed, admin, created_at) VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6, ?7)",
+            "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO group_keys (group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, group_seed, admin, created_at, canonical_root_post_id) VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6, ?7, ?8)",
             params![
                 record.group_id.as_slice(),
                 record.circle_name,
@@ -2113,14 +2173,40 @@ impl Storage {
                 group_seed.map(|s| s.as_slice()),
                 record.admin.as_slice(),
                 record.created_at as i64,
+                record.canonical_root_post_id.as_ref().map(|r| r.as_slice()),
             ],
         )?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    fn row_to_group_key(
+        gid: Vec<u8>,
+        circle_name: String,
+        epoch: i64,
+        gpk: Vec<u8>,
+        admin: Vec<u8>,
+        created_at: i64,
+        canonical_root: Option<Vec<u8>>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<GroupKeyRecord> {
+        let canonical_root_post_id = match canonical_root {
+            Some(b) => Some(blob_to_postid(b)?),
+            None => None,
+        };
+        Ok(GroupKeyRecord {
+            group_id: blob_to_nodeid(gid)?,
+            circle_name,
+            epoch: epoch as u64,
+            group_public_key: <[u8; 32]>::try_from(gpk.as_slice())
+                .map_err(|_| anyhow::anyhow!("invalid group public key"))?,
+            admin: blob_to_nodeid(admin)?,
+            created_at: created_at as u64,
+            canonical_root_post_id,
+        })
+    }
+
     pub fn get_group_key(&self, group_id: &GroupId) -> anyhow::Result<Option<GroupKeyRecord>> {
         let result = self.conn.query_row(
-            "SELECT group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, admin, created_at FROM group_keys WHERE group_id = ?1",
+            "SELECT group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, admin, created_at, canonical_root_post_id FROM group_keys WHERE group_id = ?1",
             params![group_id.as_slice()],
             |row| {
                 let gid: Vec<u8> = row.get(0)?;
@@ -2129,20 +2215,13 @@ impl Storage {
                 let gpk: Vec<u8> = row.get(3)?;
                 let admin: Vec<u8> = row.get(4)?;
                 let created_at: i64 = row.get(5)?;
-                Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at))
+                let canonical_root: Option<Vec<u8>> = row.get(6)?;
+                Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root))
             },
         );
         match result {
-            Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at)) => {
-                Ok(Some(GroupKeyRecord {
-                    group_id: blob_to_nodeid(gid)?,
-                    circle_name,
-                    epoch: epoch as u64,
-                    group_public_key: <[u8; 32]>::try_from(gpk.as_slice())
-                        .map_err(|_| anyhow::anyhow!("invalid group public key"))?,
-                    admin: blob_to_nodeid(admin)?,
-                    created_at: created_at as u64,
-                }))
+            Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root)) => {
+                Ok(Some(Self::row_to_group_key(gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root)?))
             }
             Err(rusqlite::Error::QueryReturnedNoRows) => Ok(None),
             Err(e) => Err(e.into()),
@@ -2151,7 +2230,7 @@ impl Storage {
 
     pub fn get_group_key_by_circle(&self, circle_name: &str) -> anyhow::Result<Option<GroupKeyRecord>> {
         let result = self.conn.query_row(
-            "SELECT group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, admin, created_at FROM group_keys WHERE circle_name = ?1",
+            "SELECT group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, admin, created_at, canonical_root_post_id FROM group_keys WHERE circle_name = ?1",
             params![circle_name],
             |row| {
                 let gid: Vec<u8> = row.get(0)?;
@@ -2160,20 +2239,39 @@ impl Storage {
                 let gpk: Vec<u8> = row.get(3)?;
                 let admin: Vec<u8> = row.get(4)?;
                 let created_at: i64 = row.get(5)?;
-                Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at))
+                let canonical_root: Option<Vec<u8>> = row.get(6)?;
+                Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root))
             },
         );
         match result {
-            Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at)) => {
-                Ok(Some(GroupKeyRecord {
-                    group_id: blob_to_nodeid(gid)?,
-                    circle_name,
-                    epoch: epoch as u64,
-                    group_public_key: <[u8; 32]>::try_from(gpk.as_slice())
-                        .map_err(|_| anyhow::anyhow!("invalid group public key"))?,
-                    admin: blob_to_nodeid(admin)?,
-                    created_at: created_at as u64,
-                }))
+            Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root)) => {
+                Ok(Some(Self::row_to_group_key(gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root)?))
+            }
+            Err(rusqlite::Error::QueryReturnedNoRows) => Ok(None),
+            Err(e) => Err(e.into()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Look up a group by its canonical root post id. Returns None if the
+    /// record has no canonical_root_post_id (i.e. it's a circle).
+    pub fn get_group_by_canonical_root(&self, root_post_id: &PostId) -> anyhow::Result<Option<GroupKeyRecord>> {
+        let result = self.conn.query_row(
+            "SELECT group_id, circle_name, epoch, group_public_key, admin, created_at, canonical_root_post_id FROM group_keys WHERE canonical_root_post_id = ?1",
+            params![root_post_id.as_slice()],
+            |row| {
+                let gid: Vec<u8> = row.get(0)?;
+                let circle_name: String = row.get(1)?;
+                let epoch: i64 = row.get(2)?;
+                let gpk: Vec<u8> = row.get(3)?;
+                let admin: Vec<u8> = row.get(4)?;
+                let created_at: i64 = row.get(5)?;
+                let canonical_root: Option<Vec<u8>> = row.get(6)?;
+                Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root))
+            },
+        );
+        match result {
+            Ok((gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root)) => {
+                Ok(Some(Self::row_to_group_key(gid, circle_name, epoch, gpk, admin, created_at, canonical_root)?))
             }
             Err(rusqlite::Error::QueryReturnedNoRows) => Ok(None),
             Err(e) => Err(e.into()),
@@ -2817,111 +2915,6 @@ impl Storage {
         Ok(count > 0)
     }
 
-    // ---- Audience ----
-
-    /// Store an audience relationship.
-    pub fn store_audience(
-        &self,
-        node_id: &NodeId,
-        direction: AudienceDirection,
-        status: AudienceStatus,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let now = now_ms();
-        let dir_str = match direction {
-            AudienceDirection::Inbound => "inbound",
-            AudienceDirection::Outbound => "outbound",
-        };
-        let status_str = match status {
-            AudienceStatus::Pending => "pending",
-            AudienceStatus::Approved => "approved",
-            AudienceStatus::Denied => "denied",
-        };
-        let approved_at = if status == AudienceStatus::Approved {
-            Some(now)
-        } else {
-            None
-        };
-        self.conn.execute(
-            "INSERT INTO audience (node_id, direction, status, requested_at, approved_at)
-             VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5)
-             ON CONFLICT(node_id, direction) DO UPDATE SET
-                status = ?3, approved_at = COALESCE(?5, audience.approved_at)",
-            params![node_id.as_slice(), dir_str, status_str, now, approved_at],
-        )?;
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    /// Get audience members by direction and status.
-    pub fn list_audience(
-        &self,
-        direction: AudienceDirection,
-        status: Option<AudienceStatus>,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<AudienceRecord>> {
-        let dir_str = match direction {
-            AudienceDirection::Inbound => "inbound",
-            AudienceDirection::Outbound => "outbound",
-        };
-        let (query, bind_status) = match status {
-            Some(s) => {
-                let s_str = match s {
-                    AudienceStatus::Pending => "pending",
-                    AudienceStatus::Approved => "approved",
-                    AudienceStatus::Denied => "denied",
-                };
-                (
-                    "SELECT node_id, direction, status, requested_at, approved_at FROM audience WHERE direction = ?1 AND status = ?2",
-                    Some(s_str),
-                )
-            }
-            None => (
-                "SELECT node_id, direction, status, requested_at, approved_at FROM audience WHERE direction = ?1",
-                None,
-            ),
-        };
-
-        let mut records = Vec::new();
-        if let Some(status_str) = bind_status {
-            let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(query)?;
-            let mut rows = stmt.query(params![dir_str, status_str])?;
-            while let Some(row) = rows.next()? {
-                records.push(row_to_audience_record(row)?);
-            }
-        } else {
-            let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(query)?;
-            let mut rows = stmt.query(params![dir_str])?;
-            while let Some(row) = rows.next()? {
-                records.push(row_to_audience_record(row)?);
-            }
-        }
-        Ok(records)
-    }
-
-    /// Get approved inbound audience members (nodes we push posts to).
-    pub fn list_audience_members(&self) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<NodeId>> {
-        let records = self.list_audience(
-            AudienceDirection::Inbound,
-            Some(AudienceStatus::Approved),
-        )?;
-        Ok(records.into_iter().map(|r| r.node_id).collect())
-    }
-
-    /// Remove an audience relationship.
-    pub fn remove_audience(
-        &self,
-        node_id: &NodeId,
-        direction: AudienceDirection,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-        let dir_str = match direction {
-            AudienceDirection::Inbound => "inbound",
-            AudienceDirection::Outbound => "outbound",
-        };
-        self.conn.execute(
-            "DELETE FROM audience WHERE node_id = ?1 AND direction = ?2",
-            params![node_id.as_slice(), dir_str],
-        )?;
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
     // ---- Reach: N2/N3 ----
 
     /// Replace a peer's entire N1 set in reachable_n2 (their N1 share → our N2).
@@ -3568,32 +3561,18 @@ impl Storage {
         Ok(count > 0)
     }
 
-    /// Bulk-populate social_routes from follows + audience + peers.
+    /// Bulk-populate social_routes from follows + peers.
     /// Returns the number of routes created/updated.
     pub fn rebuild_social_routes(&self) -> anyhow::Result<usize> {
         let now = now_ms() as u64;
         let mut count = 0;
 
-        // Collect follows
+        // v0.6.2: audience removed; social routes are built purely from follows.
         let follows: std::collections::HashSet<NodeId> =
             self.list_follows()?.into_iter().collect();
 
-        // Collect approved audience members (inbound = they are in our audience)
-        let audience_members: std::collections::HashSet<NodeId> =
-            self.list_audience_members()?.into_iter().collect();
-
-        // Union of all social contacts
-        let mut all_contacts: std::collections::HashSet<NodeId> = std::collections::HashSet::new();
-        all_contacts.extend(&follows);
-        all_contacts.extend(&audience_members);
-
-        for nid in all_contacts {
-            let relation = match (follows.contains(&nid), audience_members.contains(&nid)) {
-                (true, true) => SocialRelation::Mutual,
-                (true, false) => SocialRelation::Follow,
-                (false, true) => SocialRelation::Audience,
-                (false, false) => continue,
-            };
+        for nid in follows {
+            let relation = SocialRelation::Follow;
 
             // Look up addresses from peers table
             let addresses: Vec<std::net::SocketAddr> = self
@@ -4627,11 +4606,12 @@ impl Storage {
     /// deleted_at tombstone, store it so the tombstone propagates.
     pub fn store_comment(&self, comment: &InlineComment) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         self.conn.execute(
-            "INSERT INTO comments (author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, signature, deleted_at)
-             VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6)
+            "INSERT INTO comments (author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, signature, deleted_at, ref_post_id)
+             VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6, ?7)
              ON CONFLICT(author, post_id, timestamp_ms) DO UPDATE SET
                 content = CASE WHEN excluded.deleted_at IS NOT NULL THEN content ELSE excluded.content END,
-                deleted_at = CASE WHEN excluded.deleted_at IS NOT NULL THEN excluded.deleted_at ELSE deleted_at END",
+                deleted_at = CASE WHEN excluded.deleted_at IS NOT NULL THEN excluded.deleted_at ELSE deleted_at END,
+                ref_post_id = COALESCE(excluded.ref_post_id, ref_post_id)",
             params![
                 comment.author.as_slice(),
                 comment.post_id.as_slice(),
@@ -4639,6 +4619,7 @@ impl Storage {
                 comment.timestamp_ms as i64,
                 comment.signature,
                 comment.deleted_at.map(|v| v as i64),
+                comment.ref_post_id.as_ref().map(|r| r.as_slice()),
             ],
         )?;
         Ok(())
@@ -4665,7 +4646,7 @@ impl Storage {
     /// Get live (non-tombstoned) comments for a post. Used for UI display.
     pub fn get_comments(&self, post_id: &PostId) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<InlineComment>> {
         let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(
-            "SELECT author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, signature
+            "SELECT author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, signature, ref_post_id
              FROM comments WHERE post_id = ?1 AND deleted_at IS NULL ORDER BY timestamp_ms ASC"
         )?;
         let rows = stmt.query_map(params![post_id.as_slice()], |row| {
@@ -4674,13 +4655,18 @@ impl Storage {
             let content: String = row.get(2)?;
             let ts: i64 = row.get(3)?;
             let sig: Vec<u8> = row.get(4)?;
-            Ok((author, pid, content, ts, sig))
+            let ref_post: Option<Vec<u8>> = row.get(5)?;
+            Ok((author, pid, content, ts, sig, ref_post))
         })?;
         let mut result = Vec::new();
         for row in rows {
-            let (author_bytes, pid_bytes, content, ts, sig) = row?;
+            let (author_bytes, pid_bytes, content, ts, sig, ref_post) = row?;
             let author = blob_to_nodeid(author_bytes)?;
             let post_id = blob_to_postid(pid_bytes)?;
+            let ref_post_id = match ref_post {
+                Some(b) => Some(blob_to_postid(b)?),
+                None => None,
+            };
             result.push(InlineComment {
                 author,
                 post_id,
@@ -4688,6 +4674,7 @@ impl Storage {
                 timestamp_ms: ts as u64,
                 signature: sig,
                 deleted_at: None,
+                ref_post_id,
             });
         }
         Ok(result)
@@ -4697,7 +4684,7 @@ impl Storage {
     /// so tombstones propagate through pull-based sync.
     pub fn get_comments_with_tombstones(&self, post_id: &PostId) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<InlineComment>> {
         let mut stmt = self.conn.prepare(
-            "SELECT author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, signature, deleted_at
+            "SELECT author, post_id, content, timestamp_ms, signature, deleted_at, ref_post_id
              FROM comments WHERE post_id = ?1 ORDER BY timestamp_ms ASC"
         )?;
         let rows = stmt.query_map(params![post_id.as_slice()], |row| {
@@ -4707,13 +4694,18 @@ impl Storage {
             let ts: i64 = row.get(3)?;
             let sig: Vec<u8> = row.get(4)?;
             let del: Option<i64> = row.get(5)?;
-            Ok((author, pid, content, ts, sig, del))
+            let ref_post: Option<Vec<u8>> = row.get(6)?;
+            Ok((author, pid, content, ts, sig, del, ref_post))
         })?;
         let mut result = Vec::new();
         for row in rows {
-            let (author_bytes, pid_bytes, content, ts, sig, del) = row?;
+            let (author_bytes, pid_bytes, content, ts, sig, del, ref_post) = row?;
             let author = blob_to_nodeid(author_bytes)?;
             let post_id = blob_to_postid(pid_bytes)?;
+            let ref_post_id = match ref_post {
+                Some(b) => Some(blob_to_postid(b)?),
+                None => None,
+            };
             result.push(InlineComment {
                 author,
                 post_id,
@@ -4721,6 +4713,7 @@ impl Storage {
                 timestamp_ms: ts as u64,
                 signature: sig,
                 deleted_at: del.map(|v| v as u64),
+                ref_post_id,
             });
         }
         Ok(result)
@@ -4861,30 +4854,6 @@ fn now_ms() -> i64 {
         .as_millis() as i64
 }
 
-fn row_to_audience_record(row: &rusqlite::Row) -> anyhow::Result<AudienceRecord> {
-    let node_id = blob_to_nodeid(row.get(0)?)?;
-    let dir_str: String = row.get(1)?;
-    let status_str: String = row.get(2)?;
-    let requested_at = row.get::<_, i64>(3)? as u64;
-    let approved_at: Option<i64> = row.get(4)?;
-    let direction = match dir_str.as_str() {
-        "inbound" => AudienceDirection::Inbound,
-        _ => AudienceDirection::Outbound,
-    };
-    let status = match status_str.as_str() {
-        "approved" => AudienceStatus::Approved,
-        "denied" => AudienceStatus::Denied,
-        _ => AudienceStatus::Pending,
-    };
-    Ok(AudienceRecord {
-        node_id,
-        direction,
-        status,
-        requested_at,
-        approved_at: approved_at.map(|v| v as u64),
-    })
-}
-
 fn row_to_peer_record(row: &rusqlite::Row) -> anyhow::Result<PeerRecord> {
     let node_id = blob_to_nodeid(row.get(0)?)?;
     let addrs_json: String = row.get(1)?;
@@ -5243,30 +5212,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(s.count_mesh_peers_by_kind(PeerSlotKind::Local).unwrap(), 0);
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn audience_crud() {
-        use crate::types::{AudienceDirection, AudienceStatus};
-        let s = temp_storage();
-        let nid = make_node_id(1);
-
-        s.store_audience(&nid, AudienceDirection::Inbound, AudienceStatus::Pending).unwrap();
-        let pending = s.list_audience(AudienceDirection::Inbound, Some(AudienceStatus::Pending)).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(pending.len(), 1);
-        assert_eq!(pending[0].status, AudienceStatus::Pending);
-
-        // Approve
-        s.store_audience(&nid, AudienceDirection::Inbound, AudienceStatus::Approved).unwrap();
-        let members = s.list_audience_members().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(members.len(), 1);
-        assert_eq!(members[0], nid);
-
-        // Remove
-        s.remove_audience(&nid, AudienceDirection::Inbound).unwrap();
-        let members = s.list_audience_members().unwrap();
-        assert!(members.is_empty());
-    }
-
-    // ---- Social routes tests ----
+// ---- Social routes tests ----
 
     #[test]
     fn social_route_crud() {
@@ -5315,28 +5261,21 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn social_route_rebuild() {
-        use crate::types::{AudienceDirection, AudienceStatus, SocialRelation};
+        use crate::types::SocialRelation;
         let s = temp_storage();
-        let follow_nid = make_node_id(1);
-        let audience_nid = make_node_id(2);
-        let mutual_nid = make_node_id(3);
+        let follow_a = make_node_id(1);
+        let follow_b = make_node_id(2);
 
-        s.add_follow(&follow_nid).unwrap();
-        s.add_follow(&mutual_nid).unwrap();
-        s.store_audience(&audience_nid, AudienceDirection::Inbound, AudienceStatus::Approved).unwrap();
-        s.store_audience(&mutual_nid, AudienceDirection::Inbound, AudienceStatus::Approved).unwrap();
+        s.add_follow(&follow_a).unwrap();
+        s.add_follow(&follow_b).unwrap();
 
         let count = s.rebuild_social_routes().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(count, 3);
+        assert_eq!(count, 2);
 
-        let follow_route = s.get_social_route(&follow_nid).unwrap().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(follow_route.relation, SocialRelation::Follow);
-
-        let audience_route = s.get_social_route(&audience_nid).unwrap().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(audience_route.relation, SocialRelation::Audience);
-
-        let mutual_route = s.get_social_route(&mutual_nid).unwrap().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(mutual_route.relation, SocialRelation::Mutual);
+        let route_a = s.get_social_route(&follow_a).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(route_a.relation, SocialRelation::Follow);
+        let route_b = s.get_social_route(&follow_b).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(route_b.relation, SocialRelation::Follow);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -5564,6 +5503,7 @@ mod tests {
             group_public_key: pubkey,
             admin,
             created_at: 1000,
+            canonical_root_post_id: None,
         };
         s.create_group_key(&record, Some(&seed)).unwrap();
 
@@ -5621,6 +5561,49 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(s.get_group_seed(&group_id, 1).unwrap().is_none());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn group_lookup_by_canonical_root() {
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let admin = make_node_id(1);
+        let group_id = [43u8; 32];
+        let pubkey = [100u8; 32];
+        let root = make_post_id(99);
+
+        let record = crate::types::GroupKeyRecord {
+            group_id,
+            circle_name: "group:test".to_string(),
+            epoch: 1,
+            group_public_key: pubkey,
+            admin,
+            created_at: 1000,
+            canonical_root_post_id: Some(root),
+        };
+        s.create_group_key(&record, None).unwrap();
+
+        // Lookup by root returns the group.
+        let got = s.get_group_by_canonical_root(&root).unwrap().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(got.group_id, group_id);
+        assert_eq!(got.canonical_root_post_id, Some(root));
+
+        // A different root returns None.
+        let other = make_post_id(7);
+        assert!(s.get_group_by_canonical_root(&other).unwrap().is_none());
+
+        // A circle (no canonical_root) is not returned when looking up by root.
+        let circle_record = crate::types::GroupKeyRecord {
+            group_id: [44u8; 32],
+            circle_name: "friends".to_string(),
+            epoch: 1,
+            group_public_key: [101u8; 32],
+            admin,
+            created_at: 1000,
+            canonical_root_post_id: None,
+        };
+        s.create_group_key(&circle_record, None).unwrap();
+        // The circle has no root, so it's invisible to the root lookup.
+        assert!(s.get_group_by_canonical_root(&make_post_id(0)).unwrap().is_none());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn group_seeds_map() {
         let s = temp_storage();
@@ -5636,6 +5619,7 @@ mod tests {
             group_public_key: pubkey,
             admin,
             created_at: 1000,
+            canonical_root_post_id: None,
         };
         s.create_group_key(&record, Some(&seed)).unwrap();
         s.store_group_seed(&group_id, 1, &seed).unwrap();
@@ -6185,6 +6169,7 @@ mod tests {
             timestamp_ms: 1000,
             signature: vec![0u8; 64],
             deleted_at: None,
+            ref_post_id: None,
         }).unwrap();
 
         s.store_comment(&InlineComment {
@@ -6194,6 +6179,7 @@ mod tests {
             timestamp_ms: 1001,
             signature: vec![1u8; 64],
             deleted_at: None,
+            ref_post_id: None,
         }).unwrap();
 
         let comments = s.get_comments(&post_id).unwrap();
@@ -6203,6 +6189,33 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(s.get_comment_count(&post_id).unwrap(), 2);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn rich_comment_ref_post_id_roundtrip() {
+        use crate::types::InlineComment;
+        let s = temp_storage();
+        let post_id = make_post_id(1);
+        let author = make_node_id(5);
+        let ref_post = make_post_id(42);
+
+        s.store_comment(&InlineComment {
+            author,
+            post_id,
+            content: "(preview of a long body)".to_string(),
+            timestamp_ms: 2000,
+            signature: vec![9u8; 64],
+            deleted_at: None,
+            ref_post_id: Some(ref_post),
+        }).unwrap();
+
+        let live = s.get_comments(&post_id).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(live.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(live[0].ref_post_id, Some(ref_post));
+
+        let all = s.get_comments_with_tombstones(&post_id).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(all.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(all[0].ref_post_id, Some(ref_post));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn comment_policy_crud() {
         use crate::types::{CommentPermission, CommentPolicy, ModerationMode, ReactPermission};
@@ -6213,7 +6226,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(s.get_comment_policy(&post_id).unwrap().is_none());
 
         let policy = CommentPolicy {
-            allow_comments: CommentPermission::AudienceOnly,
+            allow_comments: CommentPermission::FollowersOnly,
             allow_reacts: ReactPermission::Public,
             moderation: ModerationMode::AuthorBlocklist,
             blocklist: vec![make_node_id(99)],
@@ -6221,7 +6234,7 @@ mod tests {
         s.set_comment_policy(&post_id, &policy).unwrap();
 
         let loaded = s.get_comment_policy(&post_id).unwrap().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(loaded.allow_comments, CommentPermission::AudienceOnly);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.allow_comments, CommentPermission::FollowersOnly);
         assert_eq!(loaded.allow_reacts, ReactPermission::Public);
         assert_eq!(loaded.blocklist.len(), 1);
 
diff --git a/crates/core/src/types.rs b/crates/core/src/types.rs
index a6598d3..ece69f4 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/types.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/types.rs
@@ -157,42 +157,6 @@ pub struct WormResult {
     pub blob_holder: Option<NodeId>,
 }
 
-/// Audience relationship direction
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub enum AudienceDirection {
-    /// They are in our audience (we push to them)
-    Inbound,
-    /// We are in their audience (they push to us)
-    Outbound,
-}
-
-/// Audience membership status
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub enum AudienceStatus {
-    Pending,
-    Approved,
-    Denied,
-}
-
-/// An audience membership record
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct AudienceRecord {
-    pub node_id: NodeId,
-    pub direction: AudienceDirection,
-    pub status: AudienceStatus,
-    pub requested_at: u64,
-    pub approved_at: Option<u64>,
-}
-
-/// Audience approval mode setting
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub enum AudienceApprovalMode {
-    /// Auto-accept all audience join requests
-    PublicApprove,
-    /// Queue requests for manual review
-    ApprovalQueue,
-}
-
 // --- Encryption / Circles ---
 
 /// Circle name (unique per node)
@@ -213,7 +177,13 @@ pub struct GroupMemberKey {
     pub wrapped_group_key: Vec<u8>,
 }
 
-/// A group key record (circle ↔ group key binding)
+/// A group key record (circle ↔ group key binding).
+///
+/// v0.6.2: `canonical_root_post_id` distinguishes **groups** (many-way,
+/// anchored at a public root post; any member can post) from **circles**
+/// (one-way, admin-only, `None`). The encryption primitives are identical;
+/// the flag is a UX + query hint so UIs can cluster group posts under
+/// their root.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct GroupKeyRecord {
     pub group_id: GroupId,
@@ -222,6 +192,10 @@ pub struct GroupKeyRecord {
     pub group_public_key: [u8; 32],
     pub admin: NodeId,
     pub created_at: u64,
+    /// When set, this record represents a group rooted at the given public
+    /// post. When `None`, the record is a traditional circle.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub canonical_root_post_id: Option<PostId>,
 }
 
 /// Visibility of a post — separate from Post struct so it doesn't affect PostId
@@ -251,7 +225,15 @@ pub struct WrappedKey {
     pub wrapped_cek: Vec<u8>,
 }
 
-/// User-facing intent for post visibility (resolved to recipients before encryption)
+/// User-facing intent for post visibility (resolved to recipients before encryption).
+///
+/// A few variants exist for structural distinctions rather than visibility:
+/// - `Control` — the post carries a signed operation (delete / visibility
+///   update) that receivers apply. Wire visibility is Public; the post is
+///   filtered out of feeds and rendered nowhere.
+/// - `Profile` — the post carries persona display metadata (display_name,
+///   bio, avatar). Wire visibility is Public; the post is not shown in the
+///   feed but consulted when rendering the author's name on other posts.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum VisibilityIntent {
     Public,
@@ -261,6 +243,74 @@ pub enum VisibilityIntent {
     Circle(String),
     /// Specific recipients
     Direct(Vec<NodeId>),
+    /// Protocol-control post (delete / visibility change).
+    Control,
+    /// Persona profile post (display_name, bio, avatar).
+    Profile,
+    /// Encrypted distribution of a group/circle seed to that group's
+    /// members. Replaces the v0.6.1 `GroupKeyDistribute` wire push with a
+    /// standard encrypted post that propagates via the CDN. Members
+    /// decrypt with their posting secret to recover the seed.
+    GroupKeyDistribute,
+}
+
+/// Content payload of a `VisibilityIntent::Profile` post — persona display
+/// metadata (display_name, bio, avatar_cid) signed by the posting identity.
+/// The post's `author` IS the posting identity; `signature` is an ed25519
+/// signature by that identity's secret over the fields (see `crypto::sign_profile`).
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct ProfilePostContent {
+    pub display_name: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub bio: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub avatar_cid: Option<[u8; 32]>,
+    pub timestamp_ms: u64,
+    /// 64-byte ed25519 signature. See `crypto::sign_profile` for the byte
+    /// layout signed by the posting identity.
+    pub signature: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+/// Content payload of a `VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute` post.
+/// Wrapped inside a standard `PostVisibility::Encrypted` envelope — members
+/// decrypt via `crypto::decrypt_post` with their posting secret, then parse
+/// this struct to recover the group seed and metadata.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct GroupKeyDistributionContent {
+    pub group_id: GroupId,
+    pub circle_name: String,
+    pub epoch: GroupEpoch,
+    pub group_public_key: [u8; 32],
+    pub admin: NodeId,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub canonical_root_post_id: Option<PostId>,
+    /// The raw group seed (32 bytes). This is the sensitive field — its
+    /// confidentiality is protected by the enclosing encrypted post, which
+    /// is wrapped to each member's posting public key.
+    pub group_seed: [u8; 32],
+}
+
+/// Content payload of a `VisibilityIntent::Control` post, serialized as JSON
+/// into the post's content field.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(tag = "op", rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum ControlOp {
+    /// Delete post `post_id`. Signature is over `b"ctrl:delete:" || post_id
+    /// || timestamp_ms (LE)`, by the target post's author.
+    DeletePost {
+        post_id: PostId,
+        timestamp_ms: u64,
+        /// 64-byte ed25519 signature
+        signature: Vec<u8>,
+    },
+    /// Update post `post_id` visibility. Signature is over
+    /// `b"ctrl:vis:" || post_id || canonical(new_visibility) || timestamp_ms (LE)`.
+    UpdateVisibility {
+        post_id: PostId,
+        new_visibility: PostVisibility,
+        timestamp_ms: u64,
+        signature: Vec<u8>,
+    },
 }
 
 /// A named group of recipients
@@ -612,20 +662,17 @@ impl std::str::FromStr for ReachMethod {
     }
 }
 
-/// Social relationship type
+/// Social relationship type. v0.6.2: audience removed; only `Follow` remains.
+/// Kept as an enum for forward compatibility (future persona-level relations).
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum SocialRelation {
     Follow,
-    Audience,
-    Mutual,
 }
 
 impl std::fmt::Display for SocialRelation {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
         match self {
             SocialRelation::Follow => write!(f, "follow"),
-            SocialRelation::Audience => write!(f, "audience"),
-            SocialRelation::Mutual => write!(f, "mutual"),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -635,8 +682,8 @@ impl std::str::FromStr for SocialRelation {
     fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
         match s {
             "follow" => Ok(SocialRelation::Follow),
-            "audience" => Ok(SocialRelation::Audience),
-            "mutual" => Ok(SocialRelation::Mutual),
+            // Legacy DB values from v0.6.1 and earlier — map to Follow.
+            "audience" | "mutual" => Ok(SocialRelation::Follow),
             _ => Err(anyhow::anyhow!("unknown social relation: {}", s)),
         }
     }
@@ -764,22 +811,36 @@ pub struct Reaction {
     pub signature: Vec<u8>,
 }
 
-/// An inline comment on a post
+/// An inline comment on a post.
+///
+/// v0.6.2 adds `ref_post_id`: when present, `content` is a short preview
+/// string and the full comment body (long text, attachments, rich formatting)
+/// lives in a separate referenced Post authored by the commenter. Clients
+/// pull the referenced post lazily when rendering the expanded view.
+/// When `ref_post_id` is `None`, `content` is the complete comment text
+/// (the v0.6.1 shape).
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct InlineComment {
     /// Comment author
     pub author: NodeId,
     /// Which post this comment is on
     pub post_id: PostId,
-    /// Comment text
+    /// Either the full comment text (short comments) or a short preview of
+    /// the referenced post (when `ref_post_id` is set).
     pub content: String,
     /// When the comment was created (ms)
     pub timestamp_ms: u64,
-    /// ed25519 signature over BLAKE3(author || post_id || content || timestamp_ms)
+    /// ed25519 signature. Binds author/post_id/content/timestamp_ms, plus
+    /// `ref_post_id` when present. See `crypto::sign_comment`.
     pub signature: Vec<u8>,
     /// Tombstone timestamp — if set, this comment has been soft-deleted
     #[serde(default)]
     pub deleted_at: Option<u64>,
+    /// Optional reference to a full-content Post (long body + attachments).
+    /// When set, `content` is a preview; readers fetch the referenced post
+    /// for the expanded view.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub ref_post_id: Option<PostId>,
 }
 
 /// Permission level for comments on a post
@@ -787,8 +848,9 @@ pub struct InlineComment {
 pub enum CommentPermission {
     /// Anyone can comment
     Public,
-    /// Only people in author's audience can comment
-    AudienceOnly,
+    /// Only people the author follows publicly can comment.
+    /// Renamed from `AudienceOnly` in v0.6.2 when audience was removed.
+    FollowersOnly,
     /// Comments disabled
     None,
 }
@@ -823,8 +885,9 @@ impl Default for ReactPermission {
 pub enum ModerationMode {
     /// Author maintains a blocklist of users
     AuthorBlocklist,
-    /// Only audience members can engage
-    AudienceOnly,
+    /// Only people the author follows publicly can engage.
+    /// Renamed from `AudienceOnly` in v0.6.2.
+    FollowersOnly,
 }
 
 impl Default for ModerationMode {
diff --git a/crates/tauri-app/Cargo.toml b/crates/tauri-app/Cargo.toml
index 87f1f4d..17975ed 100644
--- a/crates/tauri-app/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/tauri-app/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "itsgoin-desktop"
-version = "0.6.1"
+version = "0.6.2"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [lib]
diff --git a/crates/tauri-app/src/lib.rs b/crates/tauri-app/src/lib.rs
index 142907e..7f2368d 100644
--- a/crates/tauri-app/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/tauri-app/src/lib.rs
@@ -238,6 +238,9 @@ async fn post_to_dto(
                 VisibilityIntent::Friends => "friends".to_string(),
                 VisibilityIntent::Circle(_) => "circle".to_string(),
                 VisibilityIntent::Direct(_) => "direct".to_string(),
+                VisibilityIntent::Control => "control".to_string(),
+                VisibilityIntent::Profile => "profile".to_string(),
+                VisibilityIntent::GroupKeyDistribute => "group_key_distribute".to_string(),
             },
             _ => "unknown".to_string(),
         }
@@ -1354,111 +1357,6 @@ async fn list_known_anchors(state: State<'_, AppNode>) -> Result<Vec<KnownAnchor
     Ok(dtos)
 }
 
-#[derive(Serialize)]
-#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
-struct AudienceDto {
-    node_id: String,
-    display_name: Option<String>,
-    direction: String,
-    status: String,
-    requested_at: u64,
-    approved_at: Option<u64>,
-}
-
-#[tauri::command]
-async fn list_audience(state: State<'_, AppNode>) -> Result<Vec<AudienceDto>, String> {
-    let node = get_node(&state).await;
-    let records = node
-        .list_audience(
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceDirection::Inbound,
-            None,
-        )
-        .await
-        .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
-    let mut dtos = Vec::with_capacity(records.len());
-    for r in &records {
-        let display_name = node.get_display_name(&r.node_id).await.unwrap_or(None);
-        let direction = match r.direction {
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceDirection::Inbound => "inbound",
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceDirection::Outbound => "outbound",
-        };
-        let status = match r.status {
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceStatus::Pending => "pending",
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceStatus::Approved => "approved",
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceStatus::Denied => "denied",
-        };
-        dtos.push(AudienceDto {
-            node_id: hex::encode(r.node_id),
-            display_name,
-            direction: direction.to_string(),
-            status: status.to_string(),
-            requested_at: r.requested_at,
-            approved_at: r.approved_at,
-        });
-    }
-    Ok(dtos)
-}
-
-#[tauri::command]
-async fn list_audience_outbound(state: State<'_, AppNode>) -> Result<Vec<AudienceDto>, String> {
-    let node = get_node(&state).await;
-    let records = node
-        .list_audience(
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceDirection::Outbound,
-            None,
-        )
-        .await
-        .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
-    let mut dtos = Vec::with_capacity(records.len());
-    for r in &records {
-        let display_name = node.get_display_name(&r.node_id).await.unwrap_or(None);
-        let status = match r.status {
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceStatus::Pending => "pending",
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceStatus::Approved => "approved",
-            itsgoin_core::types::AudienceStatus::Denied => "denied",
-        };
-        dtos.push(AudienceDto {
-            node_id: hex::encode(r.node_id),
-            display_name,
-            direction: "outbound".to_string(),
-            status: status.to_string(),
-            requested_at: r.requested_at,
-            approved_at: r.approved_at,
-        });
-    }
-    Ok(dtos)
-}
-
-#[tauri::command]
-async fn request_audience(
-    state: State<'_, AppNode>,
-    node_id_hex: String,
-) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let node = get_node(&state).await;
-    let nid = parse_node_id(&node_id_hex)?;
-    node.request_audience(&nid).await.map_err(|e| e.to_string())
-}
-
-#[tauri::command]
-async fn approve_audience(
-    state: State<'_, AppNode>,
-    node_id_hex: String,
-) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let node = get_node(&state).await;
-    let nid = parse_node_id(&node_id_hex)?;
-    node.approve_audience(&nid).await.map_err(|e| e.to_string())
-}
-
-#[tauri::command]
-async fn remove_audience(
-    state: State<'_, AppNode>,
-    node_id_hex: String,
-) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let node = get_node(&state).await;
-    let nid = parse_node_id(&node_id_hex)?;
-    node.remove_audience(&nid).await.map_err(|e| e.to_string())
-}
-
 #[derive(Serialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
 struct WormResultDto {
@@ -2399,7 +2297,7 @@ async fn set_comment_policy(
     let node = get_node(&state).await;
     let pid = hex_to_postid(&post_id)?;
     let comment_perm = match allow_comments.as_str() {
-        "audience_only" => itsgoin_core::types::CommentPermission::AudienceOnly,
+        "followers_only" | "audience_only" => itsgoin_core::types::CommentPermission::FollowersOnly,
         "none" => itsgoin_core::types::CommentPermission::None,
         _ => itsgoin_core::types::CommentPermission::Public,
     };
@@ -3009,11 +2907,6 @@ pub fn run() {
             set_anchors,
             list_anchor_peers,
             list_known_anchors,
-            list_audience,
-            list_audience_outbound,
-            request_audience,
-            approve_audience,
-            remove_audience,
             list_connections,
             worm_lookup,
             list_social_routes,
diff --git a/crates/tauri-app/tauri.conf.json b/crates/tauri-app/tauri.conf.json
index 4bf316a..19dc5b3 100644
--- a/crates/tauri-app/tauri.conf.json
+++ b/crates/tauri-app/tauri.conf.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "productName": "itsgoin",
-  "version": "0.6.1",
+  "version": "0.6.2",
   "identifier": "com.itsgoin.app",
   "build": {
     "frontendDist": "../../frontend",
diff --git a/frontend/app.js b/frontend/app.js
index 64b8aab..65ad834 100644
--- a/frontend/app.js
+++ b/frontend/app.js
@@ -1422,14 +1422,8 @@ async function loadPeerBios(container) {
 
 async function loadFollows() {
     try {
-        const [follows, outbound, inbound] = await Promise.all([
-            invoke('list_follows'),
-            invoke('list_audience_outbound'),
-            invoke('list_audience'),
-        ]);
-        const outboundSet = new Set(outbound.map(r => r.nodeId));
-        const approvedSet = new Set(outbound.filter(r => r.status === 'approved').map(r => r.nodeId));
-        const inboundApprovedSet = new Set(inbound.filter(r => r.status === 'approved').map(r => r.nodeId));
+        // v0.6.2: audience removed. No more audience/mutual badges or request flow.
+        const follows = await invoke('list_follows');
 
         // Filter out self before rendering
         const others = follows.filter(f => f.nodeId !== myNodeId);
@@ -1443,34 +1437,21 @@ async function loadFollows() {
                 const label = escapeHtml(peerLabel(f.nodeId, f.displayName));
                 const isSelf = f.nodeId === myNodeId;
 
-                let audienceBadge = '';
-                let mutualBadge = '';
                 let lastSeenHtml = '';
                 let actions = '';
                 if (isSelf) {
                     actions = '<span class="self-tag">(you)</span>';
                 } else {
-                    if (inboundApprovedSet.has(f.nodeId)) {
-                        mutualBadge = '<span class="mutual-badge">mutual</span>';
-                    }
-                    if (approvedSet.has(f.nodeId)) {
-                        audienceBadge = '<span class="audience-badge">audience</span>';
-                    } else if (outboundSet.has(f.nodeId)) {
-                        audienceBadge = '<span class="audience-badge pending">requested</span>';
-                    }
                     if (!f.isOnline && f.lastActivityMs > 0) {
                         lastSeenHtml = `<span class="last-seen">Last online: ${formatTimeAgo(f.lastActivityMs)}</span>`;
                     }
-                    const audienceBtn = !approvedSet.has(f.nodeId) && !outboundSet.has(f.nodeId)
-                        ? `<button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm request-audience-btn" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}">Ask to join audience</button>`
-                        : '';
                     const syncBtn = `<button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm sync-peer-btn" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}" title="Sync posts from this peer">Sync</button>`;
                     const msgBtn = `<button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm msg-peer-btn" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}" title="Send message">msg</button>`;
                     const unfollowBtn = `<button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm unfollow-btn" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}">Unfollow</button>`;
-                    actions = `${audienceBtn} ${syncBtn} ${msgBtn} ${unfollowBtn}`;
+                    actions = `${syncBtn} ${msgBtn} ${unfollowBtn}`;
                 }
                 return `<div class="peer-card" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}">
-                    <div class="peer-card-row">${icon} <a class="peer-name-link" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}">${label}</a> ${mutualBadge} ${audienceBadge}</div>
+                    <div class="peer-card-row">${icon} <a class="peer-name-link" data-node-id="${f.nodeId}">${label}</a></div>
                     ${lastSeenHtml ? `<div class="peer-card-lastseen">${lastSeenHtml}</div>` : ''}
                     <div class="peer-card-bio"></div>
                     <div class="peer-card-actions">${actions}</div>
@@ -1562,22 +1543,6 @@ async function loadFollows() {
                 });
             });
 
-            // Attach audience request handlers
-            followsList.querySelectorAll('.request-audience-btn').forEach(btn => {
-                btn.addEventListener('click', async () => {
-                    btn.disabled = true;
-                    try {
-                        await invoke('request_audience', { nodeIdHex: btn.dataset.nodeId });
-                        toast('Audience request sent!');
-                        loadFollows();
-                    } catch (e) {
-                        toast('Error: ' + e);
-                    } finally {
-                        btn.disabled = false;
-                    }
-                });
-            });
-
             // Lazy-load bios
             loadPeerBios(followsList);
         }
@@ -1702,81 +1667,13 @@ async function loadRedundancy() {
     }
 }
 
-// --- Audience management ---
+// v0.6.2: audience removed. loadAudience is a no-op kept so existing call
+// sites don't break; DOM panels (if still in markup) are hidden.
 async function loadAudience() {
-    try {
-        const records = await invoke('list_audience');
-        const pending = records.filter(r => r.status === 'pending');
-        const approved = records.filter(r => r.status === 'approved');
-
-        if (pending.length === 0) {
-            audiencePendingList.innerHTML = '<p class="empty-hint">No pending requests</p>';
-        } else {
-            audiencePendingList.innerHTML = pending.map(r => {
-                const label = escapeHtml(peerLabel(r.nodeId, r.displayName));
-                const icon = generateIdenticon(r.nodeId, 18);
-                return `<div class="peer-card">
-                    <div class="peer-card-row">${icon} ${label}</div>
-                    <div class="peer-card-meta"><span>${relativeTime(r.requestedAt)}</span></div>
-                    <div class="peer-card-actions">
-                        <button class="btn btn-primary btn-sm approve-audience-btn" data-node-id="${r.nodeId}">Approve</button>
-                        <button class="btn btn-danger btn-sm deny-audience-btn" data-node-id="${r.nodeId}">Deny</button>
-                    </div>
-                </div>`;
-            }).join('');
-
-            audiencePendingList.querySelectorAll('.approve-audience-btn').forEach(btn => {
-                btn.addEventListener('click', async () => {
-                    btn.disabled = true;
-                    try {
-                        await invoke('approve_audience', { nodeIdHex: btn.dataset.nodeId });
-                        toast('Audience approved');
-                        loadAudience();
-                    } catch (e) { toast('Error: ' + e); }
-                });
-            });
-            audiencePendingList.querySelectorAll('.deny-audience-btn').forEach(btn => {
-                btn.addEventListener('click', async () => {
-                    btn.disabled = true;
-                    try {
-                        await invoke('remove_audience', { nodeIdHex: btn.dataset.nodeId });
-                        toast('Audience denied');
-                        loadAudience();
-                    } catch (e) { toast('Error: ' + e); }
-                });
-            });
-        }
-
-        if (approved.length === 0) {
-            audienceApprovedList.innerHTML = '<p class="empty-hint">No approved audience members</p>';
-        } else {
-            audienceApprovedList.innerHTML = approved.map(r => {
-                const label = escapeHtml(peerLabel(r.nodeId, r.displayName));
-                const icon = generateIdenticon(r.nodeId, 18);
-                return `<div class="peer-card">
-                    <div class="peer-card-row">${icon} ${label}</div>
-                    <div class="peer-card-meta"><span>Approved ${r.approvedAt ? relativeTime(r.approvedAt) : ''}</span></div>
-                    <div class="peer-card-actions">
-                        <button class="btn btn-danger btn-sm remove-audience-btn" data-node-id="${r.nodeId}">Remove</button>
-                    </div>
-                </div>`;
-            }).join('');
-
-            audienceApprovedList.querySelectorAll('.remove-audience-btn').forEach(btn => {
-                btn.addEventListener('click', async () => {
-                    if (!confirm('Remove this audience member?')) return;
-                    btn.disabled = true;
-                    try {
-                        await invoke('remove_audience', { nodeIdHex: btn.dataset.nodeId });
-                        toast('Audience member removed');
-                        loadAudience();
-                    } catch (e) { toast('Error: ' + e); }
-                });
-            });
-        }
-    } catch (e) {
-        audiencePendingList.innerHTML = `<p class="status-err">Error: ${e}</p>`;
-    }
+    if (audiencePendingList) audiencePendingList.style.display = 'none';
+    if (audienceApprovedList) audienceApprovedList.style.display = 'none';
+    const headings = document.querySelectorAll('.audience-section, #audience-section');
+    headings.forEach(el => { el.style.display = 'none'; });
 }
 
 // --- Network diagnostics ---
diff --git a/frontend/index.html b/frontend/index.html
index aede0b9..8abc84b 100644
--- a/frontend/index.html
+++ b/frontend/index.html
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
               <select id="circle-select" class="hidden"></select>
               <select id="comment-perm-select" title="Comment permission">
                 <option value="public">Comments: All</option>
-                <option value="audience_only">Comments: Audience</option>
+                <option value="followers_only">Comments: Followers</option>
                 <option value="none">Comments: Off</option>
               </select>
               <select id="react-perm-select" title="React permission">
@@ -132,16 +132,7 @@
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <div class="section-card">
-        <h3>Audience</h3>
-        <p class="empty-hint">People who receive your public posts.</p>
-        <h4 class="subsection-title">Pending Requests</h4>
-        <div id="audience-pending-list"></div>
-        <h4 class="subsection-title">Approved</h4>
-        <div id="audience-approved-list"></div>
-      </div>
-
-      <div class="section-card" style="display:flex;gap:0.5rem;flex-wrap:wrap">
+<div class="section-card" style="display:flex;gap:0.5rem;flex-wrap:wrap">
         <button id="share-details-btn" class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm">Share my details</button>
         <button id="connect-toggle" class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm">Add peer manually</button>
         <div id="connect-body" class="hidden">
diff --git a/website/download.html b/website/download.html
index 1ef9567..2c06425 100644
--- a/website/download.html
+++ b/website/download.html
@@ -46,6 +46,38 @@
                 <p style="margin: 0.5rem 0 0 0; font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--text-muted);">v0.5.3 is kept online only as an upgrade bridge &mdash; it no longer connects to the live network.</p>
             </div>
 
+            <h2 style="margin-top: 2rem;">v0.6.2 &mdash; April 22, 2026</h2>
+            <p style="color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem;">Every remaining persona-signed direct push is off the wire. Deletes, visibility changes, profile updates, and group-key distribution now travel as encrypted / signed posts through the CDN. Groups are a first-class primitive. Plus two pre-release fixes &mdash; an admin-forgery check on group keys and a cap on concurrent port-scan hole punches that explains the 10 Mbps upload storm some users saw on VPNs.</p>
+
+            <div class="downloads">
+                <a href="itsgoin-0.6.2.apk" class="download-btn btn-android">
+                    Android APK
+                    <span class="sub">v0.6.2</span>
+                </a>
+                <a href="itsgoin_0.6.2_amd64.AppImage" class="download-btn btn-linux">
+                    Linux AppImage
+                    <span class="sub">v0.6.2</span>
+                </a>
+                <a href="itsgoin-cli-0.6.2-linux-amd64" class="download-btn btn-linux">
+                    Linux CLI / Anchor
+                    <span class="sub">v0.6.2</span>
+                </a>
+            </div>
+
+            <ul style="color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem; line-height: 1.6; margin-top: 1rem;">
+                <li><strong>Deletes + visibility changes travel as signed control posts</strong> through the CDN. The <code>DeleteRecord</code> / <code>VisibilityUpdate</code> direct pushes are gone.</li>
+                <li><strong>Profile display data (name, bio, avatar) travels as a persona-signed profile post.</strong> Peer-visible names are back &mdash; but bound to the posting identity, not the network endpoint.</li>
+                <li><strong>Rich comments</strong> &mdash; a comment can reference a separate post for long bodies or attachments; inline preview is signed alongside the reference.</li>
+                <li><strong>Groups as a primitive</strong> &mdash; many-way posting anchored at a public root post. Circles remain one-way (admin-only).</li>
+                <li><strong>Group keys distribute as encrypted posts</strong> &mdash; the <code>GroupKeyDistribute</code> wire message is gone.</li>
+                <li><strong>Audience removed.</strong> Simpler social graph; anyone-can-send model via follows.</li>
+                <li><strong>PostPush / PostNotification wire messages retired</strong> &mdash; all content propagates via CDN.</li>
+                <li><strong>Port-scan hole punches are now capped at 1 concurrent</strong> &mdash; fixes sustained multi-Mbps upload on obfuscated VPNs after anchor connect.</li>
+                <li><strong>Outgoing-connect dedup</strong> &mdash; auto-reconnect, rebalance, and relay-introduction no longer race to the same peer.</li>
+                <li><strong>Security fix: group-key distribution verifies the claimed admin matches the post author</strong>, preventing a pollution attack where a peer who knows your posting id could overwrite your stored group key.</li>
+            </ul>
+            <p style="color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem;">v0.6.2 is a wire-breaking fork from v0.6.1 (the retired message types are not optional). Upgrade both ends.</p>
+
             <h2 style="margin-top: 2rem;">v0.6.1 &mdash; April 22, 2026</h2>
             <p style="color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem;">Network identity is now fully separated from posting identity on every install. Plus: Android auto-backup disabled by default, Reset actually resets, import preserves your personas, and display name is optional.</p>
 
@@ -128,6 +160,22 @@
         <section>
             <h2>Changelog</h2>
             <div class="changelog">
+                <div class="changelog-date">v0.6.2 &mdash; April 22, 2026</div>
+                <ul>
+                    <li><strong>Deletes and visibility changes travel as signed control posts.</strong> New <code>VisibilityIntent::Control</code> post type carries a signed <code>DeletePost</code> / <code>UpdateVisibility</code> operation. Receivers verify the ed25519 signature against the target post's author, then apply. <code>DeleteRecord</code> and <code>VisibilityUpdate</code> wire pushes are removed.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Persona display data (name / bio / avatar) travels as a signed profile post.</strong> New <code>VisibilityIntent::Profile</code>; authored by the posting identity, propagates via the CDN. The <code>ProfileUpdate</code> wire message keeps only routing fields (anchors, recent_peers, preferred_peers).</li>
+                    <li><strong>Rich comments.</strong> <code>InlineComment</code> gains an optional <code>ref_post_id</code>; when set, <code>content</code> is a short preview and the full body (long text, attachments) lives in the referenced post. Signature binds the reference so a peer can't strip or swap it.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Groups vs circles.</strong> Groups are a new many-way primitive &mdash; anchored at a public root post, any member can post to the group once they have the seed. Circles stay one-way (admin-only). The distinction is a <code>canonical_root_post_id</code> field on the group-key record; groups reuse the same encryption machinery.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Group-key distribution as an encrypted post.</strong> The <code>GroupKeyDistribute</code> (0xA0) wire push is retired. Admins publish an encrypted post carrying the seed; members decrypt with their posting secret. Removes the last persona-signed direct push.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Audience primitive removed.</strong> No more audience tables, no more <code>AudienceRequest</code>/<code>AudienceResponse</code> wire messages, no more <code>SocialRelation::Audience</code>/<code>Mutual</code>. Comment permission <code>AudienceOnly</code> renamed to <code>FollowersOnly</code>.</li>
+                    <li><strong>PostPush + PostNotification retired.</strong> All content propagates only via CDN (pull + header-diff neighbor propagation). <code>BlobDeleteNotice</code> also retired &mdash; orphan blobs on remote holders evict via LRU.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Security: group-key admin-forgery rejection.</strong> Distribution posts whose inner <code>admin</code> field doesn't match the post's author are rejected before storage. Prevents an attacker who knows a victim's posting id and the target group_id from overwriting the victim's legitimate group-key record.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Bandwidth: port-scan hole punch capped at one concurrent scanner.</strong> Each scanner fires ~100 QUIC ClientHellos/sec for up to 5 minutes. Without a cap, parallel referrals could drive sustained multi-Mbps upload &mdash; especially on obfuscated VPNs where every probe stalls at a proxy timeout. Extra callers fall back to the standard 2s-round hole punch.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Outgoing-connect dedup.</strong> <code>PendingConnectGuard</code> prevents auto-reconnect, rebalance-slots, and relay-introduction from racing to connect to the same peer. Same-peer only &mdash; different peers connect independently; inbound connections are unaffected.</li>
+                    <li><strong>Merged-pull bugfix.</strong> The pull query now includes every posting identity we hold (not just the network id), so DMs addressed to any of our personas are found via the recipient-match path.</li>
+                </ul>
+                <p style="color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.8rem; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1rem;">v0.6.2 is a wire-breaking fork from v0.6.1. Retired message types (0x42 PostNotification, 0x43 PostPush, 0x44 AudienceRequest, 0x45 AudienceResponse, 0x95 BlobDeleteNotice, 0xA0 GroupKeyDistribute) are not optional &mdash; upgrade both ends.</p>
+
                 <div class="changelog-date">v0.6.1 &mdash; April 22, 2026</div>
                 <ul>
                     <li><strong>Network ID and posting ID are now separate by default.</strong> Fresh installs generate two independent ed25519 keys. Upgraders rotate their network key on first launch; the old key stays as the default posting persona. Peers see the same author; only the QUIC endpoint changes.</li>