diff --git a/meshchatx/meshchat.py b/meshchatx/meshchat.py
index fd188a7..6cc42b8 100644
--- a/meshchatx/meshchat.py
+++ b/meshchatx/meshchat.py
@@ -201,6 +201,8 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
         auth_enabled: bool = False,
         public_dir: str | None = None,
         emergency: bool = False,
+        gitea_base_url: str | None = None,
+        docs_download_urls: str | None = None,
     ):
         self.running = True
         self.reticulum_config_dir = reticulum_config_dir
@@ -210,6 +212,8 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
         self.emergency = emergency
         self.auth_enabled_initial = auth_enabled
         self.public_dir_override = public_dir
+        self.gitea_base_url_override = gitea_base_url
+        self.docs_download_urls_override = docs_download_urls
         self.websocket_clients: list[web.WebSocketResponse] = []
 
         # track announce timestamps for rate calculation
@@ -1177,11 +1181,15 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
     def get_app_version() -> str:
         return app_version
 
-    def get_lxst_version(self) -> str:
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_package_version(package_name: str, default: str = "unknown") -> str:
         try:
-            return importlib.metadata.version("lxst")
+            return importlib.metadata.version(package_name)
         except Exception:
-            return getattr(LXST, "__version__", "unknown")
+            return default
+
+    def get_lxst_version(self) -> str:
+        return self.get_package_version("lxst", getattr(LXST, "__version__", "unknown"))
 
     # automatically announces based on user config
     async def announce_loop(self, session_id, context=None):
@@ -2272,9 +2280,16 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
             if not url:
                 return web.json_response({"error": "URL is required"}, status=400)
 
-            # Restrict to GitHub for safety
-            if not url.startswith("https://git.quad4.io/") and not url.startswith(
-                "https://objects.githubusercontent.com/"
+            # Restrict to allowed sources for safety
+            gitea_url = "https://git.quad4.io"
+            if self.current_context and self.current_context.config:
+                gitea_url = self.current_context.config.gitea_base_url.get()
+
+            if (
+                not url.startswith(gitea_url + "/")
+                and not url.startswith("https://git.quad4.io/")
+                and not url.startswith("https://github.com/")
+                and not url.startswith("https://objects.githubusercontent.com/")
             ):
                 return web.json_response({"error": "Invalid download URL"}, status=403)
 
@@ -3172,21 +3187,21 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
                         "lxst_version": self.get_lxst_version(),
                         "python_version": platform.python_version(),
                         "dependencies": {
-                            "aiohttp": importlib.metadata.version("aiohttp"),
-                            "aiohttp_session": importlib.metadata.version(
+                            "aiohttp": self.get_package_version("aiohttp"),
+                            "aiohttp_session": self.get_package_version(
                                 "aiohttp-session"
                             ),
-                            "cryptography": importlib.metadata.version("cryptography"),
-                            "psutil": importlib.metadata.version("psutil"),
-                            "requests": importlib.metadata.version("requests"),
-                            "websockets": importlib.metadata.version("websockets"),
+                            "cryptography": self.get_package_version("cryptography"),
+                            "psutil": self.get_package_version("psutil"),
+                            "requests": self.get_package_version("requests"),
+                            "websockets": self.get_package_version("websockets"),
                             "audioop_lts": (
-                                importlib.metadata.version("audioop-lts")
+                                self.get_package_version("audioop-lts")
                                 if sys.version_info >= (3, 13)
                                 else "n/a"
                             ),
-                            "ply": importlib.metadata.version("ply"),
-                            "bcrypt": importlib.metadata.version("bcrypt"),
+                            "ply": self.get_package_version("ply"),
+                            "bcrypt": self.get_package_version("bcrypt"),
                         },
                         "storage_path": self.storage_path,
                         "database_path": self.database_path,
@@ -7290,16 +7305,59 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
 
             response.headers["X-XSS-Protection"] = "1; mode=block"
             response.headers["Referrer-Policy"] = "strict-origin-when-cross-origin"
+
             # CSP: allow localhost for development and Electron, websockets, and blob URLs
             # Add 'unsafe-inline' and 'unsafe-eval' for some legacy doc scripts if needed,
             # and allow framing ourselves for the docs page.
+            gitea_url = "https://git.quad4.io"
+            connect_sources = [
+                "'self'",
+                "ws://localhost:*",
+                "wss://localhost:*",
+                "blob:",
+                "https://*.tile.openstreetmap.org",
+                "https://tile.openstreetmap.org",
+                "https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org",
+            ]
+
+            if self.current_context and self.current_context.config:
+                # Add configured Gitea base URL
+                gitea_url = self.current_context.config.gitea_base_url.get()
+                if gitea_url not in connect_sources:
+                    connect_sources.append(gitea_url)
+
+                # Add configured docs download URLs domains
+                docs_urls_str = self.current_context.config.docs_download_urls.get()
+                docs_urls = [
+                    u.strip()
+                    for u in docs_urls_str.replace("\n", ",").split(",")
+                    if u.strip()
+                ]
+                for url in docs_urls:
+                    try:
+                        from urllib.parse import urlparse
+
+                        parsed = urlparse(url)
+                        if parsed.netloc:
+                            domain = f"{parsed.scheme}://{parsed.netloc}"
+                            if domain not in connect_sources:
+                                connect_sources.append(domain)
+
+                            # If GitHub is used, also allow objects.githubusercontent.com for redirects
+                            if "github.com" in domain:
+                                content_domain = "https://objects.githubusercontent.com"
+                                if content_domain not in connect_sources:
+                                    connect_sources.append(content_domain)
+                    except Exception:  # noqa: S110
+                        pass
+
             csp = (
                 "default-src 'self'; "
                 "script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval'; "
                 "style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; "
                 "img-src 'self' data: blob: https://*.tile.openstreetmap.org https://tile.openstreetmap.org; "
                 "font-src 'self' data:; "
-                "connect-src 'self' ws://localhost:* wss://localhost:* blob: https://*.tile.openstreetmap.org https://tile.openstreetmap.org https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org https://git.quad4.io; "
+                f"connect-src {' '.join(connect_sources)}; "
                 "media-src 'self' blob:; "
                 "worker-src 'self' blob:; "
                 "frame-src 'self'; "
@@ -10153,6 +10211,18 @@ def main():
         default=os.environ.get("MESHCHAT_PUBLIC_DIR"),
         help="Path to the directory containing the frontend static files (default: bundled public folder). Can also be set via MESHCHAT_PUBLIC_DIR environment variable.",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--gitea-base-url",
+        type=str,
+        default=os.environ.get("MESHCHAT_GITEA_BASE_URL"),
+        help="Base URL for Gitea instance (default: https://git.quad4.io). Can also be set via MESHCHAT_GITEA_BASE_URL environment variable.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--docs-download-urls",
+        type=str,
+        default=os.environ.get("MESHCHAT_DOCS_DOWNLOAD_URLS"),
+        help="Comma-separated list of URLs to download documentation from. Can also be set via MESHCHAT_DOCS_DOWNLOAD_URLS environment variable.",
+    )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--test-exception-message",
         type=str,
@@ -10278,6 +10348,8 @@ def main():
         auth_enabled=args.auth,
         public_dir=args.public_dir,
         emergency=args.emergency,
+        gitea_base_url=args.gitea_base_url,
+        docs_download_urls=args.docs_download_urls,
     )
 
     # update recovery with known paths
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/backend/config_manager.py b/meshchatx/src/backend/config_manager.py
index 8ac0122..c86d249 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/backend/config_manager.py
+++ b/meshchatx/src/backend/config_manager.py
@@ -118,6 +118,14 @@ class ConfigManager:
             "initial_docs_download_attempted",
             False,
         )
+        self.gitea_base_url = self.StringConfig(
+            self, "gitea_base_url", "https://git.quad4.io"
+        )
+        self.docs_download_urls = self.StringConfig(
+            self,
+            "docs_download_urls",
+            "https://git.quad4.io/Reticulum/reticulum_website/archive/main.zip,https://github.com/markqvist/reticulum_website/archive/refs/heads/main.zip",
+        )
 
         # desktop config
         self.desktop_open_calls_in_separate_window = self.BoolConfig(
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/backend/docs_manager.py b/meshchatx/src/backend/docs_manager.py
index 513839e..954f91a 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/backend/docs_manager.py
+++ b/meshchatx/src/backend/docs_manager.py
@@ -86,7 +86,10 @@ class DocsManager:
 
         try:
             # Try symlink first as it's efficient
-            os.symlink(version_path, self.docs_dir)
+            # We use a relative path for the symlink target to make the storage directory portable
+            # version_path is relative to CWD, so we need it relative to the parent of self.docs_dir
+            rel_target = os.path.relpath(version_path, os.path.dirname(self.docs_dir))
+            os.symlink(rel_target, self.docs_dir)
         except (OSError, AttributeError):
             # Fallback to copy
             shutil.copytree(version_path, self.docs_dir)
@@ -440,54 +443,68 @@ class DocsManager:
         self.download_progress = 0
         self.last_error = None
 
-        try:
-            # We use the reticulum_website repository which contains the built HTML docs
-            # Default to git.quad4.io as requested
-            url = "https://git.quad4.io/Reticulum/reticulum_website/archive/main.zip"
-            zip_path = os.path.join(self.docs_base_dir, "website.zip")
+        # Get URLs from config
+        urls_str = self.config.docs_download_urls.get()
+        urls = [u.strip() for u in urls_str.replace("\n", ",").split(",") if u.strip()]
+        if not urls:
+            urls = ["https://git.quad4.io/Reticulum/reticulum_website/archive/main.zip"]
 
-            # Download ZIP
-            response = requests.get(url, stream=True, timeout=60)
-            response.raise_for_status()
+        last_exception = None
+        for url in urls:
+            try:
+                logging.info(f"Attempting to download docs from {url}")
+                zip_path = os.path.join(self.docs_base_dir, "website.zip")
 
-            total_size = int(response.headers.get("content-length", 0))
-            downloaded_size = 0
+                # Download ZIP
+                response = requests.get(url, stream=True, timeout=60)
+                response.raise_for_status()
 
-            with open(zip_path, "wb") as f:
-                for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=8192):
-                    if chunk:
-                        f.write(chunk)
-                        downloaded_size += len(chunk)
-                        if total_size > 0:
-                            self.download_progress = int(
-                                (downloaded_size / total_size) * 90
-                            )
+                total_size = int(response.headers.get("content-length", 0))
+                downloaded_size = 0
 
-            # Extract
-            self.download_status = "extracting"
-            # For automatic downloads from git, we'll use a timestamp as version if none provided
-            if version == "latest":
-                import time
+                with open(zip_path, "wb") as f:
+                    for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=8192):
+                        if chunk:
+                            f.write(chunk)
+                            downloaded_size += len(chunk)
+                            if total_size > 0:
+                                self.download_progress = int(
+                                    (downloaded_size / total_size) * 90
+                                )
 
-                version = f"git-{int(time.time())}"
+                # Extract
+                self.download_status = "extracting"
+                # For automatic downloads from git, we'll use a timestamp as version if none provided
+                if version == "latest":
+                    import time
 
-            self._extract_docs(zip_path, version)
+                    version = f"git-{int(time.time())}"
 
-            # Cleanup
-            if os.path.exists(zip_path):
-                os.remove(zip_path)
+                self._extract_docs(zip_path, version)
 
-            self.config.docs_downloaded.set(True)
-            self.download_progress = 100
-            self.download_status = "completed"
+                # Cleanup
+                if os.path.exists(zip_path):
+                    os.remove(zip_path)
 
-            # Switch to the new version
-            self.switch_version(version)
+                self.config.docs_downloaded.set(True)
+                self.download_progress = 100
+                self.download_status = "completed"
 
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.last_error = str(e)
-            self.download_status = "error"
-            logging.exception(f"Failed to update docs: {e}")
+                # Switch to the new version
+                self.switch_version(version)
+                return  # Success, exit task
+
+            except Exception as e:
+                logging.warning(f"Failed to download docs from {url}: {e}")
+                last_exception = e
+                if os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.docs_base_dir, "website.zip")):
+                    os.remove(os.path.join(self.docs_base_dir, "website.zip"))
+                continue  # Try next URL
+
+        # If we got here, all URLs failed
+        self.last_error = str(last_exception)
+        self.download_status = "error"
+        logging.error(f"All docs download sources failed. Last error: {last_exception}")
 
     def upload_zip(self, zip_bytes, version):
         self.download_status = "extracting"
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/backend/identity_context.py b/meshchatx/src/backend/identity_context.py
index 2d3c2d5..78f4d6a 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/backend/identity_context.py
+++ b/meshchatx/src/backend/identity_context.py
@@ -129,6 +129,19 @@ class IdentityContext:
 
         # 3. Initialize Config and Managers
         self.config = ConfigManager(self.database)
+
+        # Apply overrides from CLI/ENV if provided
+        if (
+            hasattr(self.app, "gitea_base_url_override")
+            and self.app.gitea_base_url_override
+        ):
+            self.config.gitea_base_url.set(self.app.gitea_base_url_override)
+        if (
+            hasattr(self.app, "docs_download_urls_override")
+            and self.app.docs_download_urls_override
+        ):
+            self.config.docs_download_urls.set(self.app.docs_download_urls_override)
+
         self.message_handler = MessageHandler(self.database)
         self.announce_manager = AnnounceManager(self.database)
         self.archiver_manager = ArchiverManager(self.database)
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/backend/telephone_manager.py b/meshchatx/src/backend/telephone_manager.py
index 08ea766..1779df7 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/backend/telephone_manager.py
+++ b/meshchatx/src/backend/telephone_manager.py
@@ -141,19 +141,12 @@ class TelephoneManager:
         self.call_start_time = time.time()
         self.call_was_established = True
 
-        # Clear initiation status as soon as call is established
-        self._update_initiation_status(None, None)
-
         # Track per-call stats from the active link (uses RNS Link counters)
         link = getattr(self.telephone, "active_call", None)
         self.call_stats = {
             "link": link,
         }
 
-        # Recording disabled for now due to stability issues with LXST
-        # if self.config_manager and self.config_manager.call_recording_enabled.get():
-        #     self.start_recording()
-
         if self.on_established_callback:
             self.on_established_callback(caller_identity)
 
@@ -351,6 +344,14 @@ class TelephoneManager:
             await asyncio.sleep(3)
             raise
         finally:
+            # If call was successful, keep status for a moment to prevent UI flicker
+            # while the frontend picks up the new active_call state
+            if (
+                self.telephone
+                and self.telephone.active_call
+                and self.telephone.call_status == 6
+            ):
+                await asyncio.sleep(1.5)
             self._update_initiation_status(None, None)
 
     def mute_transmit(self):
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/App.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/App.vue
index 68810c7..c0a8642 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/App.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/App.vue
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
                                 {{ $t("app.custom_fork_by") }}
                                 <a
                                     target="_blank"
-                                    href="https://git.quad4.io/Sudo-Ivan"
+                                    :href="`${giteaBaseUrl}/Sudo-Ivan`"
                                     class="text-blue-500 dark:text-blue-300 hover:underline"
                                     >Sudo-Ivan</a
                                 >
@@ -573,6 +573,9 @@ export default {
         };
     },
     computed: {
+        giteaBaseUrl() {
+            return this.config?.gitea_base_url || "https://git.quad4.io";
+        },
         currentPopoutType() {
             if (this.$route?.meta?.popoutType) {
                 return this.$route.meta.popoutType;
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/call/CallPage.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/call/CallPage.vue
index fca70f5..abeb991 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/call/CallPage.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/call/CallPage.vue
@@ -2304,7 +2304,6 @@ export default {
                 const response = await window.axios.get("/api/v1/telephone/status");
                 const oldCall = this.activeCall;
                 const newCall = response.data.active_call;
-                const callStatus = response.data.call_status;
 
                 // Sync local mute state from backend
                 if (newCall) {
@@ -2319,14 +2318,6 @@ export default {
                 this.initiationTargetHash = response.data.initiation_target_hash;
                 this.initiationTargetName = response.data.initiation_target_name;
 
-                // If no active call and status is idle/busy/rejected/available, clear stale initiation UI
-                const isIdleState = !this.activeCall && ![2, 4, 5].includes(callStatus);
-                if (isIdleState && this.initiationStatus) {
-                    this.initiationStatus = null;
-                    this.initiationTargetHash = null;
-                    this.initiationTargetName = null;
-                }
-
                 if (this.activeCall?.is_voicemail) {
                     this.wasVoicemail = true;
                 }
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/docs/DocsPage.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/docs/DocsPage.vue
index c5af436..52c4e67 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/docs/DocsPage.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/docs/DocsPage.vue
@@ -367,12 +367,48 @@
                     <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="alert-circle-outline" class="w-12 h-12 mx-auto mb-3" />
                     <div class="text-lg font-bold mb-2">{{ $t("docs.error") }}</div>
                     <div class="text-sm opacity-80">{{ status.last_error }}</div>
-                    <button
-                        class="mt-6 px-6 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-xl text-xs font-bold hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors"
-                        @click="updateDocs"
-                    >
-                        Retry Download
-                    </button>
+                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-4 mt-6">
+                        <button
+                            class="px-6 py-2.5 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-xl text-xs font-bold hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors shadow-lg"
+                            @click="updateDocs"
+                        >
+                            Retry Download
+                        </button>
+
+                        <div class="relative py-2">
+                            <div class="absolute inset-0 flex items-center" aria-hidden="true">
+                                <div class="w-full border-t border-red-200 dark:border-red-900/50"></div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="relative flex justify-center text-[10px] uppercase font-bold">
+                                <span class="bg-red-50 dark:bg-zinc-900 px-2 text-red-400"
+                                    >or use alternate source</span
+                                >
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div class="space-y-2">
+                            <input
+                                v-model="alternateDocsUrl"
+                                type="text"
+                                class="w-full px-4 py-2.5 bg-white dark:bg-zinc-800 border border-red-200 dark:border-red-900/50 rounded-xl text-xs focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-red-500/20 text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100"
+                                placeholder="https://mirror.example.com/reticulum_docs.zip"
+                            />
+                            <button
+                                class="w-full px-6 py-2.5 bg-zinc-900 dark:bg-white text-white dark:text-zinc-900 rounded-xl text-xs font-bold hover:opacity-90 transition-opacity disabled:opacity-50"
+                                :disabled="!alternateDocsUrl"
+                                @click="addAndRetryDocs"
+                            >
+                                Add Source & Retry
+                            </button>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <RouterLink
+                            :to="{ name: 'settings' }"
+                            class="text-[10px] font-bold text-red-500/60 hover:text-red-500 uppercase tracking-widest transition-colors"
+                        >
+                            Manage all sources in settings
+                        </RouterLink>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
 
@@ -535,6 +571,7 @@ export default {
             meshchatxDocs: [],
             selectedDocPath: null,
             selectedDocContent: null,
+            alternateDocsUrl: "",
             languages: {
                 en: "English",
                 de: "Deutsch",
@@ -636,6 +673,27 @@ export default {
                 console.error("Failed to trigger docs update:", error);
             }
         },
+        async addAndRetryDocs() {
+            if (!this.alternateDocsUrl) return;
+            try {
+                // Get current config
+                const configResponse = await window.axios.get("/api/v1/config");
+                const currentUrls = configResponse.data.config.docs_download_urls || "";
+                const newUrls = currentUrls ? `${currentUrls},${this.alternateDocsUrl}` : this.alternateDocsUrl;
+
+                // Update config
+                await window.axios.patch("/api/v1/config", {
+                    docs_download_urls: newUrls,
+                });
+
+                // Clear input and retry
+                this.alternateDocsUrl = "";
+                await this.updateDocs();
+            } catch (error) {
+                console.error("Failed to add alternate source:", error);
+                ToastUtils.error("Failed to update documentation sources");
+            }
+        },
         async switchVersion(version) {
             try {
                 await window.axios.post("/api/v1/docs/switch", { version });
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/forms/Toggle.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/forms/Toggle.vue
index 0146320..3fe2501 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/forms/Toggle.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/forms/Toggle.vue
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 <template>
-    <label :for="id" class="relative inline-flex items-center cursor-pointer">
+    <label
+        :for="id"
+        class="relative inline-flex items-center"
+        :class="disabled ? 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed' : 'cursor-pointer'"
+    >
         <input
             :id="id"
             type="checkbox"
             :checked="modelValue"
+            :disabled="disabled"
             class="sr-only peer"
-            @change="$emit('update:modelValue', $event.target.checked)"
+            @change="!disabled && $emit('update:modelValue', $event.target.checked)"
         />
         <div
             class="w-11 h-6 bg-gray-200 peer-focus:outline-none peer-focus:ring-4 peer-focus:ring-blue-300 dark:peer-focus:ring-blue-800 rounded-full peer dark:bg-zinc-700 peer-checked:after:translate-x-full peer-checked:after:border-white after:content-[''] after:absolute after:top-[2px] after:left-[2px] after:bg-white after:border-gray-300 after:border after:rounded-full after:h-5 after:w-5 after:transition-all dark:border-gray-600 peer-checked:bg-blue-600 dark:peer-checked:bg-blue-600"
@@ -30,6 +35,10 @@ export default {
             type: String,
             default: null,
         },
+        disabled: {
+            type: Boolean,
+            default: false,
+        },
     },
     emits: ["update:modelValue"],
 };
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/ConversationViewer.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/ConversationViewer.vue
index 920aaff..8c2456f 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/ConversationViewer.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/ConversationViewer.vue
@@ -881,47 +881,96 @@
     </div>
 
     <!-- no peer selected -->
-    <div v-else class="flex flex-col h-full items-center justify-center">
-        <div class="w-full max-w-md px-4">
-            <div class="mb-6 text-center">
+    <div v-else class="flex flex-col h-full overflow-y-auto bg-gray-50/50 dark:bg-zinc-950/50">
+        <div class="max-w-4xl mx-auto w-full px-4 py-8 sm:py-12 flex flex-col items-center">
+            <!-- welcome header -->
+            <div class="text-center mb-12">
                 <div
-                    class="w-16 h-16 mx-auto mb-4 rounded-2xl bg-gradient-to-br from-blue-100 to-blue-200 dark:from-blue-900/30 dark:to-blue-800/30 flex items-center justify-center"
+                    class="inline-flex items-center justify-center p-4 rounded-3xl bg-blue-600 shadow-xl shadow-blue-500/20 mb-6"
                 >
-                    <svg
-                        xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-                        fill="none"
-                        viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-                        stroke-width="1.5"
-                        stroke="currentColor"
-                        class="w-8 h-8 text-blue-600 dark:text-blue-400"
-                    >
-                        <path
-                            stroke-linecap="round"
-                            stroke-linejoin="round"
-                            d="M20.25 8.511c.884.284 1.5 1.128 1.5 2.097v4.286c0 1.136-.847 2.1-1.98 2.193-.34.027-.68.052-1.02.072v3.091l-3-3c-1.354 0-2.694-.055-4.02-.163a2.115 2.115 0 0 1-.825-.242m9.345-8.334a2.126 2.126 0 0 0-.476-.095 48.64 48.64 0 0 0-8.048 0c-1.131.094-1.976 1.057-1.976 2.192v4.286c0 .837.46 1.58 1.155 1.951m9.345-8.334V6.637c0-1.621-1.152-3.026-2.76-3.235A48.455 48.455 0 0 0 11.25 3c-2.115 0-4.198.137-6.24.402-1.608.209-2.76 1.614-2.76 3.235v6.226c0 1.621 1.152 3.026 2.76 3.235.577.075 1.157.14 1.74.194V21l4.155-4.155"
-                        />
-                    </svg>
+                    <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="message-text" class="size-10 text-white" />
                 </div>
+                <h1 class="text-3xl font-black text-gray-900 dark:text-white tracking-tight mb-3">
+                    {{ $t("messages.no_active_chat") }}
+                </h1>
+                <p class="text-gray-500 dark:text-zinc-400 max-w-sm mx-auto">
+                    {{ $t("messages.select_peer_or_enter_address") }}
+                </p>
             </div>
-            <h3 class="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100 mb-1">
-                {{ $t("messages.no_active_chat") }}
-            </h3>
-            <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 dark:text-zinc-400 mb-8">
-                {{ $t("messages.select_peer_or_enter_address") }}
-            </p>
 
-            <!-- latest chats grid (desktop only) -->
-            <div v-if="!isMobile && latestConversations.length > 0" class="w-full max-w-2xl mb-8">
-                <div class="flex items-center justify-between mb-4">
-                    <h4 class="text-xs font-bold text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 uppercase tracking-widest">
-                        Latest Chats
-                    </h4>
+            <!-- main actions grid -->
+            <div class="grid grid-cols-2 sm:grid-cols-4 gap-4 w-full mb-12">
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    class="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 p-6 rounded-3xl bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 hover:border-blue-500/50 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-blue-500/5 transition-all group"
+                    @click="focusComposeInput"
+                >
+                    <div
+                        class="size-12 rounded-2xl bg-blue-50 dark:bg-blue-900/20 text-blue-600 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:scale-110 transition-transform"
+                    >
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="plus" class="size-6" />
+                    </div>
+                    <span class="text-sm font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100">New Message</span>
+                </button>
+
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    class="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 p-6 rounded-3xl bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 hover:border-blue-500/50 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-blue-500/5 transition-all group"
+                    @click="syncPropagationNode"
+                >
+                    <div
+                        class="size-12 rounded-2xl bg-indigo-50 dark:bg-indigo-900/20 text-indigo-600 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:scale-110 transition-transform"
+                        :class="{ 'animate-spin': isSyncingPropagationNode }"
+                    >
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="sync" class="size-6" />
+                    </div>
+                    <span class="text-sm font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100">{{
+                        isSyncingPropagationNode ? "Syncing..." : "Sync Node"
+                    }}</span>
+                </button>
+
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    class="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 p-6 rounded-3xl bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 hover:border-blue-500/50 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-blue-500/5 transition-all group"
+                    @click="copyMyAddress"
+                >
+                    <div
+                        class="size-12 rounded-2xl bg-emerald-50 dark:bg-emerald-900/20 text-emerald-600 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:scale-110 transition-transform"
+                    >
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="content-copy" class="size-6" />
+                    </div>
+                    <span class="text-sm font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100">My Address</span>
+                </button>
+
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    class="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 p-6 rounded-3xl bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 hover:border-blue-500/50 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-blue-500/5 transition-all group"
+                    @click="$router.push({ name: 'identities' })"
+                >
+                    <div
+                        class="size-12 rounded-2xl bg-purple-50 dark:bg-purple-900/20 text-purple-600 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:scale-110 transition-transform"
+                    >
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="account-multiple" class="size-6" />
+                    </div>
+                    <span class="text-sm font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100">Identities</span>
+                </button>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- latest chats section -->
+            <div v-if="latestConversations.length > 0" class="w-full mb-12">
+                <div class="flex items-center justify-between mb-6">
+                    <h2
+                        class="text-sm font-black text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 uppercase tracking-widest flex items-center gap-2"
+                    >
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="history" class="size-4" />
+                        Latest Conversations
+                    </h2>
                 </div>
                 <div class="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
                     <div
                         v-for="chat in latestConversations"
                         :key="chat.destination_hash"
-                        class="group cursor-pointer p-4 bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900/50 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 rounded-2xl hover:border-blue-500/50 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-blue-500/5 transition-all duration-300 flex items-center gap-4"
+                        class="group cursor-pointer p-4 bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 rounded-3xl hover:border-blue-500/50 hover:shadow-xl transition-all flex items-center gap-4"
                         @click="$emit('update:selectedPeer', chat)"
                     >
                         <div class="flex-shrink-0">
@@ -933,90 +982,103 @@
                                         : 'account'
                                 "
                                 :icon-foreground-colour="
-                                    chat.lxmf_user_icon && chat.lxmf_user_icon.foreground_colour
-                                        ? chat.lxmf_user_icon.foreground_colour
-                                        : ''
+                                    chat.lxmf_user_icon ? chat.lxmf_user_icon.foreground_colour : ''
                                 "
                                 :icon-background-colour="
-                                    chat.lxmf_user_icon && chat.lxmf_user_icon.background_colour
-                                        ? chat.lxmf_user_icon.background_colour
-                                        : ''
+                                    chat.lxmf_user_icon ? chat.lxmf_user_icon.background_colour : ''
                                 "
                                 icon-class="size-12 sm:size-14"
                             />
                         </div>
                         <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                            <div class="font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100 truncate">
-                                {{ chat.custom_display_name ?? chat.display_name }}
+                            <div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+                                <div class="font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100 truncate">
+                                    {{ chat.custom_display_name ?? chat.display_name }}
+                                </div>
+                                <div class="text-[10px] text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 whitespace-nowrap">
+                                    {{ formatTimeAgo(chat.updated_at) }}
+                                </div>
                             </div>
                             <div class="text-xs text-gray-500 dark:text-zinc-500 truncate mt-0.5">
                                 {{ chat.latest_message_preview || chat.latest_message_title || "No messages yet" }}
                             </div>
                         </div>
-                        <v-icon
-                            icon="mdi-chevron-right"
-                            size="18"
-                            class="text-gray-300 dark:text-zinc-700 group-hover:text-blue-500 transition-colors"
-                        ></v-icon>
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon
+                            icon-name="chevron-right"
+                            class="size-5 text-gray-300 dark:text-zinc-700 group-hover:text-blue-500 transition-colors"
+                        />
                     </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
 
-            <!-- compose message input -->
-            <div class="w-full relative">
-                <input
-                    id="compose-input"
-                    ref="compose-input"
-                    v-model="composeAddress"
-                    :readonly="isSendingMessage"
-                    type="text"
-                    class="w-full bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-200 dark:border-zinc-800 text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100 text-sm rounded-xl focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500/50 focus:border-blue-500 px-4 py-2.5 shadow-sm transition-all placeholder:text-gray-400 dark:placeholder:text-zinc-500"
-                    placeholder="Enter LXMF address..."
-                    @keydown.enter.exact.prevent="onComposeEnterPressed"
-                    @keydown.up.prevent="handleComposeInputUp"
-                    @keydown.down.prevent="handleComposeInputDown"
-                    @focus="isComposeInputFocused = true"
-                    @blur="onComposeInputBlur"
-                />
-                <!-- Suggestions Dropdown -->
-                <div
-                    v-if="isComposeInputFocused && composeSuggestions.length > 0"
-                    class="absolute z-50 left-0 right-0 bottom-full mb-1 bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-200 dark:border-zinc-800 rounded-xl shadow-xl overflow-hidden animate-in fade-in slide-in-from-bottom-2 duration-200"
-                >
+            <!-- address input composer -->
+            <div class="w-full max-w-xl">
+                <div class="relative group">
+                    <div class="absolute inset-y-0 left-0 pl-4 flex items-center pointer-events-none">
+                        <MaterialDesignIcon
+                            icon-name="at"
+                            class="size-5 text-gray-400 group-focus-within:text-blue-500 transition-colors"
+                        />
+                    </div>
+                    <input
+                        id="compose-input"
+                        ref="compose-input"
+                        v-model="composeAddress"
+                        :readonly="isSendingMessage"
+                        type="text"
+                        class="w-full bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border-2 border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-100 text-base rounded-3xl focus:ring-4 focus:ring-blue-500/10 focus:border-blue-500 pl-12 pr-4 py-4 shadow-sm transition-all placeholder:text-gray-400 dark:placeholder:text-zinc-600 font-medium"
+                        placeholder="Enter LXMF address to start a conversation..."
+                        @keydown.enter.exact.prevent="onComposeEnterPressed"
+                        @keydown.up.prevent="handleComposeInputUp"
+                        @keydown.down.prevent="handleComposeInputDown"
+                        @focus="isComposeInputFocused = true"
+                        @blur="onComposeInputBlur"
+                    />
+
+                    <!-- Suggestions Dropdown -->
                     <div
-                        v-for="(suggestion, index) in composeSuggestions"
-                        :key="suggestion.hash"
-                        class="px-4 py-2.5 flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer transition-colors"
-                        :class="[
-                            index === selectedComposeSuggestionIndex
-                                ? 'bg-blue-50 dark:bg-blue-900/30 text-blue-600 dark:text-blue-400'
-                                : 'hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-zinc-800/50 text-gray-700 dark:text-zinc-300',
-                        ]"
-                        @mousedown.prevent="selectComposeSuggestion(suggestion)"
+                        v-if="isComposeInputFocused && composeSuggestions.length > 0"
+                        class="absolute z-50 left-0 right-0 bottom-full mb-4 bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 rounded-3xl shadow-2xl overflow-hidden animate-in fade-in slide-in-from-bottom-4 duration-300"
                     >
-                        <div
-                            class="shrink-0 size-8 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs"
-                            :class="
-                                suggestion.type === 'contact'
-                                    ? 'bg-blue-100 dark:bg-blue-900/40 text-blue-600'
-                                    : 'bg-gray-100 dark:bg-zinc-800 text-gray-500'
-                            "
-                        >
-                            <MaterialDesignIcon :icon-name="suggestion.icon" class="size-4" />
-                        </div>
-                        <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                            <div class="text-sm font-bold truncate">
-                                {{ suggestion.name }}
+                        <div class="p-2 space-y-1">
+                            <div
+                                v-for="(suggestion, index) in composeSuggestions"
+                                :key="suggestion.hash"
+                                class="px-4 py-3 flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer rounded-2xl transition-all"
+                                :class="[
+                                    index === selectedComposeSuggestionIndex
+                                        ? 'bg-blue-600 text-white shadow-lg'
+                                        : 'hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-zinc-800/50 text-gray-700 dark:text-zinc-300',
+                                ]"
+                                @mousedown.prevent="selectComposeSuggestion(suggestion)"
+                            >
+                                <div
+                                    class="shrink-0 size-10 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center"
+                                    :class="[
+                                        index === selectedComposeSuggestionIndex
+                                            ? 'bg-white/20'
+                                            : suggestion.type === 'contact'
+                                              ? 'bg-blue-100 dark:bg-blue-900/40 text-blue-600'
+                                              : 'bg-gray-100 dark:bg-zinc-800 text-gray-500',
+                                    ]"
+                                >
+                                    <MaterialDesignIcon :icon-name="suggestion.icon" class="size-5" />
+                                </div>
+                                <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                                    <div class="text-sm font-bold truncate">
+                                        {{ suggestion.name }}
+                                    </div>
+                                    <div class="text-[10px] font-mono opacity-60 truncate">
+                                        {{ formatDestinationHash(suggestion.hash) }}
+                                    </div>
+                                </div>
+                                <div
+                                    v-if="suggestion.type === 'contact'"
+                                    class="text-[10px] uppercase font-black tracking-widest opacity-40 px-2 py-1 rounded-md bg-black/5"
+                                >
+                                    Contact
+                                </div>
                             </div>
-                            <div class="text-[10px] font-mono opacity-50 truncate">
-                                {{ formatDestinationHash(suggestion.hash) }}
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                        <div
-                            v-if="suggestion.type === 'contact'"
-                            class="text-[10px] uppercase font-bold tracking-widest opacity-30"
-                        >
-                            Contact
                         </div>
                     </div>
                 </div>
@@ -1097,10 +1159,157 @@
                         <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="close" class="size-6" />
                     </button>
                 </div>
-                <div class="p-6 overflow-y-auto font-mono text-xs bg-gray-50 dark:bg-black/40">
-                    <pre class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-all text-gray-800 dark:text-zinc-300">{{
-                        JSON.stringify(rawMessageData, null, 2)
-                    }}</pre>
+                <div class="p-0 overflow-y-auto bg-gray-50 dark:bg-zinc-950 flex-grow">
+                    <div class="p-6 space-y-6">
+                        <!-- header / status info -->
+                        <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >Message ID</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-sm font-mono text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.id }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >State</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+                                    <span
+                                        class="inline-flex items-center rounded-md px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium ring-1 ring-inset"
+                                        :class="
+                                            rawMessageData.state === 'delivered'
+                                                ? 'bg-green-50 text-green-700 ring-green-600/20 dark:bg-green-900/30 dark:text-green-400'
+                                                : 'bg-blue-50 text-blue-700 ring-blue-700/10 dark:bg-blue-900/30 dark:text-blue-400'
+                                        "
+                                    >
+                                        {{ rawMessageData.state }}
+                                    </span>
+                                    <span v-if="rawMessageData.is_incoming" class="text-[10px] text-gray-400"
+                                        >Incoming</span
+                                    >
+                                    <span v-else class="text-[10px] text-gray-400">Outbound</span>
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div class="space-y-1">
+                            <label
+                                class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                >Message Hash</label
+                            >
+                            <div
+                                class="text-sm font-mono break-all text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200 bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 p-2 rounded border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800"
+                            >
+                                {{ rawMessageData.hash }}
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >Source Hash</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-xs font-mono break-all text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.source_hash }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >Destination Hash</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-xs font-mono break-all text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.destination_hash }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div class="grid grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-4 gap-4">
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >Method</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-sm text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200 capitalize">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.method }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >RSSI</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-sm text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.rssi || "N/A" }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >SNR</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-sm text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.snr || "N/A" }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="space-y-1">
+                                <label
+                                    class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                    >Attempts</label
+                                >
+                                <div class="text-sm text-gray-900 dark:text-zinc-200">
+                                    {{ rawMessageData.delivery_attempts }}
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div class="space-y-1">
+                            <label
+                                class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                >Content / App Data</label
+                            >
+                            <div
+                                class="text-xs font-mono bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 p-3 rounded border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 whitespace-pre-wrap break-all text-gray-800 dark:text-zinc-300"
+                            >
+                                {{ rawMessageData.content }}
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <div v-if="rawMessageData.raw_uri" class="space-y-1">
+                            <label
+                                class="text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500"
+                                >Raw LXMF URI</label
+                            >
+                            <div
+                                class="text-[10px] font-mono bg-white dark:bg-zinc-900 p-2 rounded border border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 break-all text-gray-600 dark:text-zinc-400"
+                            >
+                                {{ rawMessageData.raw_uri }}
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <!-- JSON fallback for full detail -->
+                        <details class="group">
+                            <summary
+                                class="flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer text-[10px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 hover:text-gray-600 dark:hover:text-zinc-300 transition-colors"
+                            >
+                                <MaterialDesignIcon
+                                    icon-name="chevron-right"
+                                    class="size-4 group-open:rotate-90 transition-transform"
+                                />
+                                View Full JSON Object
+                            </summary>
+                            <div class="mt-2 p-4 bg-black/5 dark:bg-black/20 rounded-lg overflow-x-auto">
+                                <pre class="text-[10px] font-mono text-gray-600 dark:text-zinc-400">{{
+                                    JSON.stringify(rawMessageData, null, 2)
+                                }}</pre>
+                            </div>
+                        </details>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
                 <div class="px-6 py-4 border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-zinc-800 flex justify-end shrink-0">
                     <button
@@ -1233,9 +1442,21 @@ export default {
             rawMessageData: null,
             hasTranslator: false,
             translatorLanguages: [],
+            propagationNodeStatus: null,
+            propagationStatusInterval: null,
         };
     },
     computed: {
+        isSyncingPropagationNode() {
+            return [
+                "path_requested",
+                "link_establishing",
+                "link_established",
+                "request_sent",
+                "receiving",
+                "response_received",
+            ].includes(this.propagationNodeStatus?.state);
+        },
         blockedDestinations() {
             return GlobalState.blockedDestinations;
         },
@@ -1387,6 +1608,9 @@ export default {
         // stop listening for websocket messages
         WebSocketConnection.off("message", this.onWebsocketMessage);
         GlobalEmitter.off("compose-new-message", this.onComposeNewMessageEvent);
+        if (this.propagationStatusInterval) {
+            clearInterval(this.propagationStatusInterval);
+        }
     },
     mounted() {
         // listen for websocket messages
@@ -1400,8 +1624,42 @@ export default {
 
         // fetch contacts for suggestions
         this.fetchContacts();
+
+        // fetch propagation status
+        this.updatePropagationNodeStatus();
+        this.propagationStatusInterval = setInterval(() => {
+            this.updatePropagationNodeStatus();
+        }, 2000);
     },
     methods: {
+        async updatePropagationNodeStatus() {
+            try {
+                const response = await window.axios.get("/api/v1/lxmf/propagation-node/status");
+                this.propagationNodeStatus = response.data.propagation_node_status;
+            } catch {
+                // do nothing on error
+            }
+        },
+        async syncPropagationNode() {
+            GlobalEmitter.emit("sync-propagation-node");
+        },
+        async copyMyAddress() {
+            try {
+                await navigator.clipboard.writeText(this.myLxmfAddressHash);
+                ToastUtils.success("Your LXMF address copied to clipboard");
+            } catch (e) {
+                console.error(e);
+                ToastUtils.error("Failed to copy address");
+            }
+        },
+        focusComposeInput() {
+            this.$nextTick(() => {
+                const input = document.getElementById("compose-input");
+                if (input) {
+                    input.focus();
+                }
+            });
+        },
         async fetchContacts() {
             try {
                 const response = await window.axios.get("/api/v1/telephone/contacts");
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/MessagesSidebar.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/MessagesSidebar.vue
index af65ae4..b3b25f1 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/MessagesSidebar.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/messages/MessagesSidebar.vue
@@ -34,7 +34,10 @@
             class="flex-1 flex flex-col bg-white dark:bg-zinc-950 border-r border-gray-200 dark:border-zinc-700 overflow-hidden min-h-0"
         >
             <!-- search + filters -->
-            <div v-if="conversations.length > 0" class="p-1 border-b border-gray-300 dark:border-zinc-700 space-y-2">
+            <div
+                v-if="conversations.length > 0 || isFilterActive"
+                class="p-1 border-b border-gray-300 dark:border-zinc-700 space-y-2"
+            >
                 <div class="flex gap-1">
                     <input
                         :value="conversationSearchTerm"
@@ -188,7 +191,10 @@
                     </div>
 
                     <!-- no conversations at all -->
-                    <div v-else-if="conversations.length === 0" class="flex flex-col text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">
+                    <div
+                        v-else-if="conversations.length === 0 && !isFilterActive"
+                        class="flex flex-col text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                    >
                         <div class="mx-auto mb-1 text-gray-500">
                             <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="tray-remove" class="size-6" />
                         </div>
@@ -196,11 +202,8 @@
                         <div>Discover peers on the Announces tab</div>
                     </div>
 
-                    <!-- is searching, but no results -->
-                    <div
-                        v-else-if="conversationSearchTerm !== ''"
-                        class="flex flex-col text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100"
-                    >
+                    <!-- is searching or filtering, but no results -->
+                    <div v-else-if="isFilterActive" class="flex flex-col text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">
                         <div class="mx-auto mb-1 text-gray-500">
                             <MaterialDesignIcon icon-name="magnify-close" class="size-6" />
                         </div>
@@ -418,6 +421,14 @@ export default {
         };
     },
     computed: {
+        isFilterActive() {
+            return (
+                this.conversationSearchTerm !== "" ||
+                this.filterUnreadOnly ||
+                this.filterFailedOnly ||
+                this.filterHasAttachmentsOnly
+            );
+        },
         blockedDestinations() {
             return GlobalState.blockedDestinations;
         },
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/settings/SettingsPage.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/settings/SettingsPage.vue
index c08c739..49c8291 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/settings/SettingsPage.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/settings/SettingsPage.vue
@@ -183,19 +183,20 @@
                             </div>
                         </header>
                         <div class="glass-card__body space-y-4">
-                            <label class="setting-toggle">
+                            <label class="setting-toggle opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed">
                                 <Toggle
                                     id="desktop-open-calls-in-separate-window"
-                                    v-model="config.desktop_open_calls_in_separate_window"
-                                    @update:model-value="onDesktopOpenCallsInSeparateWindowChange"
+                                    :model-value="false"
+                                    :disabled="true"
                                 />
                                 <span class="setting-toggle__label">
                                     <span class="setting-toggle__title">{{
                                         $t("app.desktop_open_calls_in_separate_window")
                                     }}</span>
-                                    <span class="setting-toggle__description">{{
-                                        $t("app.desktop_open_calls_in_separate_window_description")
-                                    }}</span>
+                                    <span class="setting-toggle__description">
+                                        {{ $t("app.desktop_open_calls_in_separate_window_description") }}
+                                        <span class="text-blue-500 font-bold block mt-1">(Phased out for now)</span>
+                                    </span>
                                 </span>
                             </label>
 
@@ -615,6 +616,47 @@
                         </div>
                     </section>
 
+                    <!-- Sources & Infrastructure -->
+                    <section class="glass-card break-inside-avoid">
+                        <header class="glass-card__header">
+                            <div>
+                                <div class="glass-card__eyebrow">Infrastructure</div>
+                                <h2>Sources & Mirroring</h2>
+                                <p>Customize URLs for documentation and external resources.</p>
+                            </div>
+                        </header>
+                        <div class="glass-card__body space-y-4">
+                            <div class="space-y-2">
+                                <div class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">Gitea Base URL</div>
+                                <input
+                                    v-model="config.gitea_base_url"
+                                    type="text"
+                                    placeholder="https://git.quad4.io"
+                                    class="input-field"
+                                    @input="onGiteaConfigChange"
+                                />
+                                <div class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+                                    The base URL for your preferred Gitea instance.
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+
+                            <div class="space-y-2">
+                                <div class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">
+                                    Documentation Download URLs
+                                </div>
+                                <textarea
+                                    v-model="config.docs_download_urls"
+                                    placeholder="Enter one URL per line (or comma-separated)"
+                                    class="input-field min-h-[100px] text-xs font-mono"
+                                    @input="onGiteaConfigChange"
+                                ></textarea>
+                                <div class="text-xs text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
+                                    List of ZIP URLs to try when downloading documentation. One URL per line.
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+                    </section>
+
                     <!-- Messages -->
                     <section class="glass-card break-inside-avoid">
                         <header class="glass-card__header">
@@ -904,6 +946,8 @@ export default {
                 blackhole_integration_enabled: true,
                 telephone_tone_generator_enabled: true,
                 telephone_tone_generator_volume: 50,
+                gitea_base_url: "https://git.quad4.io",
+                docs_download_urls: "",
             },
             saveTimeouts: {},
             shortcuts: [],
@@ -1257,6 +1301,18 @@ export default {
                 );
             }, 1000);
         },
+        async onGiteaConfigChange() {
+            if (this.saveTimeouts.gitea) clearTimeout(this.saveTimeouts.gitea);
+            this.saveTimeouts.gitea = setTimeout(async () => {
+                await this.updateConfig(
+                    {
+                        gitea_base_url: this.config.gitea_base_url,
+                        docs_download_urls: this.config.docs_download_urls,
+                    },
+                    "Infrastructure"
+                );
+            }, 1000);
+        },
         async flushArchivedPages() {
             if (
                 !(await DialogUtils.confirm(
diff --git a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/tools/RNodeFlasherPage.vue b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/tools/RNodeFlasherPage.vue
index cf9c10a..b003375 100644
--- a/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/tools/RNodeFlasherPage.vue
+++ b/meshchatx/src/frontend/components/tools/RNodeFlasherPage.vue
@@ -396,13 +396,13 @@
                 <div class="flex items-center gap-4">
                     <a
                         target="_blank"
-                        href="https://git.quad4.io/Reticulum/rnode-flasher"
+                        :href="`${giteaBaseUrl}/Reticulum/rnode-flasher`"
                         class="text-blue-500 hover:underline text-sm font-bold"
                         >RNode Flasher GH</a
                     >
                     <a
                         target="_blank"
-                        href="https://git.quad4.io/Reticulum/RNode_Firmware"
+                        :href="`${giteaBaseUrl}/Reticulum/RNode_Firmware`"
                         class="text-blue-500 hover:underline text-sm font-bold"
                         >RNode Firmware GH</a
                     >
@@ -420,6 +420,7 @@ import Nrf52DfuFlasher from "../../js/rnode/Nrf52DfuFlasher.js";
 import RNodeUtils from "../../js/rnode/RNodeUtils.js";
 import products from "../../js/rnode/products.js";
 import ToastUtils from "../../js/ToastUtils.js";
+import GlobalState from "../../js/GlobalState";
 
 export default {
     name: "RNodeFlasherPage",
@@ -459,6 +460,9 @@ export default {
         recommendedFirmwareFilename() {
             return this.selectedModel?.firmware_filename ?? this.selectedProduct?.firmware_filename;
         },
+        giteaBaseUrl() {
+            return GlobalState.config?.gitea_base_url || "https://git.quad4.io";
+        },
     },
     watch: {
         selectedProduct() {
@@ -473,7 +477,7 @@ export default {
         async fetchLatestRelease() {
             try {
                 const response = await fetch(
-                    "https://git.quad4.io/api/v1/repos/Reticulum/RNode_Firmware/releases/latest"
+                    `${this.giteaBaseUrl}/api/v1/repos/Reticulum/RNode_Firmware/releases/latest`
                 );
                 if (response.ok) {
                     this.latestRelease = await response.json();