feat(routing): independent per-family MeshCore channel (#9)

Add meshcore_channel (Optional, default None) to each notification family
toggle, routed independently of the Meshtastic broadcast_channel. On a
broadcast the Meshtastic child uses broadcast_channel and the MeshCore
child uses meshcore_channel; an unset meshcore_channel means the family
does NOT broadcast on MeshCore (no default, no parallel to Meshtastic).
Additive; Meshtastic-only behavior unchanged.

Co-authored-by: Matt Johnson <mj@k7zvx.com>
Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

meshai/config.py

@@ -544,6 +544,9 @@ class NotificationRuleConfig:
 
     # Mesh broadcast fields
     broadcast_channel: int = 0
+    # MeshCore channel index for this rule; independent of broadcast_channel.
+    # None = rule does NOT broadcast on MeshCore (no fallback, no default).
+    meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None
 
     # Mesh DM fields
     node_ids: list = field(default_factory=list)
@@ -585,6 +588,9 @@ class NotificationToggle:
     cooldown_seconds: int = 0      # per (toggle, category, region) throttle window; 0 = disabled
     # per-channel delivery config (mirrors NotificationRuleConfig channel fields)
     broadcast_channel: Optional[int] = None
+    # MeshCore channel index for this family; independent of broadcast_channel.
+    # None = family does NOT broadcast on MeshCore (no fallback, no default).
+    meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None
     node_ids: list = field(default_factory=list)
     smtp_host: str = ""
     smtp_port: int = 587

meshai/connector.py

@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ class MeshConnector:
         text: str,
         destination: Optional[str] = None,
         channel: int = 0,
+        meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None,  # accepted and ignored; routing for MeshCoreTransport
     ) -> bool:
         """Send a text message.
 
@@ -257,6 +258,8 @@ class MeshConnector:
             text: Message text to send
             destination: Node ID for DM, or None for broadcast
             channel: Channel index to send on
+            meshcore_channel: Per-family MeshCore channel index (ignored here; used by
+                MeshCoreTransport / CompositeTransport when transport=both).
 
         Returns:
             True if send was initiated successfully

meshai/notifications/channels.py

@@ -60,9 +60,17 @@ class MeshBroadcastChannel(NotificationChannel):
 
     channel_type = "mesh_broadcast"
 
-    def __init__(self, connector: "MeshConnector", channel_index: int = 0):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        connector: "MeshConnector",
+        channel_index: int = 0,
+        meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None,
+    ):
         self._connector = connector
         self._channel = channel_index
+        # MeshCore channel index; None = do not broadcast on MeshCore for this family.
+        # The transport layer (CompositeTransport / MeshCoreTransport) enforces the skip.
+        self._meshcore_channel = meshcore_channel
         self._renderer = MeshRenderer()
 
     async def deliver(self, alert: "NotificationPayload", rule: "NotificationRuleConfig") -> bool:
@@ -78,6 +86,7 @@ class MeshBroadcastChannel(NotificationChannel):
                     text=alert.message or "",
                     destination=None,
                     channel=self._channel,
+                    meshcore_channel=self._meshcore_channel,
                 )
                 logger.info("Broadcast pre-chunked alert to channel %d", self._channel)
                 return True
@@ -89,6 +98,7 @@ class MeshBroadcastChannel(NotificationChannel):
                     text=chunk,
                     destination=None,
                     channel=self._channel,
+                    meshcore_channel=self._meshcore_channel,
                 )
             logger.info("Broadcast %d chunk(s) to channel %d", len(chunks), self._channel)
             return True
@@ -778,6 +788,7 @@ def create_channel(rule: "NotificationRuleConfig", connector=None) -> Notificati
         return MeshBroadcastChannel(
             connector=connector,
             channel_index=rule.broadcast_channel,
+            meshcore_channel=getattr(rule, "meshcore_channel", None),
         )
     elif delivery_type == "mesh_dm":
         return MeshDMChannel(

meshai/notifications/pipeline/dispatcher.py

@@ -660,6 +660,8 @@ class Dispatcher:
             name=f"toggle:{getattr(tog, 'name', '')}",
             enabled=True, trigger_type="condition", delivery_type=ch_type,
             broadcast_channel=(getattr(tog, "broadcast_channel", None) or 0),
+            # meshcore_channel is carried independently; None = skip MeshCore for this family.
+            meshcore_channel=getattr(tog, "meshcore_channel", None),
             node_ids=list(getattr(tog, "node_ids", []) or []),
             smtp_host=getattr(tog, "smtp_host", ""), smtp_port=getattr(tog, "smtp_port", 587),
             smtp_user=getattr(tog, "smtp_user", ""), smtp_password=getattr(tog, "smtp_password", ""),

tests/test_meshcore_per_family_routing.py

@@ -0,0 +1,418 @@
+"""Per-family MeshCore channel routing tests.
+
+Tests the independent meshcore_channel field on NotificationToggle /
+NotificationRuleConfig and how it threads through the notification pipeline.
+
+Covers:
+  1. Config round-trip: meshcore_channel serialises/deserialises correctly.
+  2. _toggle_to_rule: carries meshcore_channel from toggle into rule.
+  3. MeshBroadcastChannel: both channel and meshcore_channel passed to connector.
+  4. meshcore_channel=None: connector receives meshcore_channel=None (transport
+     layer is responsible for the skip; channel-level just passes it through).
+  5. transport=meshtastic (default): connector called with just channel; no
+     breakage from the new optional meshcore_channel kwarg.
+  6. End-to-end via Dispatcher with mock children that track per-transport calls.
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import time
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, call
+
+import pytest
+
+from meshai.config import (
+    Config,
+    NotificationRuleConfig,
+    NotificationToggle,
+    _dataclass_to_dict,
+    _dict_to_dataclass,
+)
+from meshai.notifications.channels import MeshBroadcastChannel, create_channel
+from meshai.notifications.events import NotificationPayload, make_event
+from meshai.notifications.pipeline.dispatcher import Dispatcher
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _make_payload(text="test alert") -> NotificationPayload:
+    return NotificationPayload(
+        message=text,
+        category="weather_warning",
+        severity="priority",
+        timestamp=time.time(),
+        event_type="weather_warning",
+    )
+
+
+def _make_rule(broadcast_channel=1, meshcore_channel=None) -> NotificationRuleConfig:
+    return NotificationRuleConfig(
+        name="test-rule",
+        enabled=True,
+        trigger_type="condition",
+        delivery_type="mesh_broadcast",
+        broadcast_channel=broadcast_channel,
+        meshcore_channel=meshcore_channel,
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 1. Config round-trip
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestConfigRoundTrip:
+    def test_toggle_meshcore_channel_serialises(self):
+        tog = NotificationToggle(
+            name="weather",
+            enabled=True,
+            broadcast_channel=1,
+            meshcore_channel=3,
+        )
+        d = _dataclass_to_dict(tog)
+        assert d["meshcore_channel"] == 3
+
+    def test_toggle_meshcore_channel_deserialises(self):
+        data = {
+            "name": "weather",
+            "enabled": True,
+            "broadcast_channel": 1,
+            "meshcore_channel": 3,
+        }
+        tog = _dict_to_dataclass(NotificationToggle, data)
+        assert tog.meshcore_channel == 3
+
+    def test_toggle_meshcore_channel_none_round_trips(self):
+        tog = NotificationToggle(name="fire", enabled=False, meshcore_channel=None)
+        d = _dataclass_to_dict(tog)
+        rt = _dict_to_dataclass(NotificationToggle, d)
+        assert rt.meshcore_channel is None
+
+    def test_toggle_meshcore_channel_zero_is_valid(self):
+        """Channel index 0 is a valid MeshCore channel (not falsy-ignored)."""
+        data = {"name": "weather", "enabled": True, "meshcore_channel": 0}
+        tog = _dict_to_dataclass(NotificationToggle, data)
+        assert tog.meshcore_channel == 0
+
+    def test_full_notifications_config_round_trips(self):
+        """NotificationToggle inside a full NotificationsConfig round-trips meshcore_channel."""
+        cfg = Config()
+        cfg.notifications.cold_start_grace_seconds = 0
+        cfg.notifications.toggles["weather"].meshcore_channel = 5
+
+        d = _dataclass_to_dict(cfg)
+        rt_cfg = _dict_to_dataclass(Config, d)
+        assert rt_cfg.notifications.toggles["weather"].meshcore_channel == 5
+
+    def test_rule_config_meshcore_channel_round_trips(self):
+        rule = NotificationRuleConfig(
+            name="r",
+            delivery_type="mesh_broadcast",
+            broadcast_channel=2,
+            meshcore_channel=7,
+        )
+        d = _dataclass_to_dict(rule)
+        assert d["meshcore_channel"] == 7
+        rt = _dict_to_dataclass(NotificationRuleConfig, d)
+        assert rt.meshcore_channel == 7
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 2. _toggle_to_rule carries meshcore_channel
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestToggleToRule:
+    def _make_dispatcher(self):
+        """Dispatcher with no-op channel factory; returns (dispatcher, rec)."""
+        rec = []
+        cfg = Config()
+        cfg.notifications.cold_start_grace_seconds = 0
+        cfg.notifications.rules = []
+
+        class RecChannel:
+            def __init__(self, rec_):
+                self._rec = rec_
+
+            async def deliver(self, payload, rule):
+                self._rec.append({
+                    "broadcast_channel": rule.broadcast_channel,
+                    "meshcore_channel": rule.meshcore_channel,
+                })
+                return True
+
+        d = Dispatcher(
+            cfg,
+            lambda rule, conn: RecChannel(rec),
+            connector=None,
+        )
+        return d, rec, cfg
+
+    def test_toggle_to_rule_carries_meshcore_channel_set(self):
+        d, rec, cfg = self._make_dispatcher()
+        tog = cfg.notifications.toggles["weather"]
+        tog.enabled = True
+        tog.min_severity = "routine"
+        tog.severity_channels = {"priority": ["mesh_broadcast"]}
+        tog.broadcast_channel = 1
+        tog.meshcore_channel = 3
+
+        ev = make_event(source="nws", category="weather_warning",
+                        severity="priority", title="t")
+        asyncio.run(d.dispatch(ev))
+
+        assert len(rec) == 1
+        assert rec[0]["broadcast_channel"] == 1
+        assert rec[0]["meshcore_channel"] == 3
+
+    def test_toggle_to_rule_carries_meshcore_channel_none(self):
+        d, rec, cfg = self._make_dispatcher()
+        tog = cfg.notifications.toggles["weather"]
+        tog.enabled = True
+        tog.min_severity = "routine"
+        tog.severity_channels = {"priority": ["mesh_broadcast"]}
+        tog.broadcast_channel = 1
+        tog.meshcore_channel = None  # explicit None
+
+        ev = make_event(source="nws", category="weather_warning",
+                        severity="priority", title="t")
+        asyncio.run(d.dispatch(ev))
+
+        assert len(rec) == 1
+        assert rec[0]["broadcast_channel"] == 1
+        assert rec[0]["meshcore_channel"] is None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 3 & 4. MeshBroadcastChannel.deliver passes both channels to connector
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestMeshBroadcastChannelRouting:
+    def test_both_channels_passed_to_connector(self):
+        """connector.send_message receives channel=1 and meshcore_channel=3."""
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=mock_connector,
+            channel_index=1,
+            meshcore_channel=3,
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(_make_payload(), rule=None))
+
+        assert mock_connector.send_message.called
+        for call_ in mock_connector.send_message.call_args_list:
+            kw = call_.kwargs
+            assert kw.get("channel") == 1
+            assert kw.get("meshcore_channel") == 3
+
+    def test_meshcore_channel_none_passed_to_connector(self):
+        """When meshcore_channel=None, connector receives meshcore_channel=None."""
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=mock_connector,
+            channel_index=1,
+            meshcore_channel=None,
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(_make_payload(), rule=None))
+
+        assert mock_connector.send_message.called
+        for call_ in mock_connector.send_message.call_args_list:
+            kw = call_.kwargs
+            assert kw.get("meshcore_channel") is None
+
+    def test_pre_chunked_payload_also_passes_both_channels(self):
+        """Pre-chunked digest payloads also carry meshcore_channel."""
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=mock_connector,
+            channel_index=2,
+            meshcore_channel=5,
+        )
+        payload = NotificationPayload(
+            message="pre-chunked",
+            category="weather_warning",
+            severity="priority",
+            timestamp=time.time(),
+            event_type="weather_warning",
+            chunk_index=0,
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(payload, rule=None))
+
+        mock_connector.send_message.assert_called_once_with(
+            text="pre-chunked",
+            destination=None,
+            channel=2,
+            meshcore_channel=5,
+        )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 5. create_channel propagates meshcore_channel from rule
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestCreateChannelPropagation:
+    def test_create_channel_propagates_meshcore_channel(self):
+        """create_channel passes rule.meshcore_channel to MeshBroadcastChannel."""
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        rule = _make_rule(broadcast_channel=1, meshcore_channel=3)
+        ch = create_channel(rule, connector=mock_connector)
+
+        assert isinstance(ch, MeshBroadcastChannel)
+        assert ch._meshcore_channel == 3
+        assert ch._channel == 1
+
+    def test_create_channel_meshcore_channel_none(self):
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        rule = _make_rule(broadcast_channel=1, meshcore_channel=None)
+        ch = create_channel(rule, connector=mock_connector)
+        assert ch._meshcore_channel is None
+
+    def test_create_channel_meshcore_channel_zero(self):
+        """meshcore_channel=0 is a valid channel index (not falsy-defaulted)."""
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        rule = _make_rule(broadcast_channel=1, meshcore_channel=0)
+        ch = create_channel(rule, connector=mock_connector)
+        assert ch._meshcore_channel == 0
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 6. transport=meshtastic: old connector API unchanged (meshcore_channel accepted)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class TestMeshtasticOnlyUnchanged:
+    def test_connector_called_with_correct_channel(self):
+        """Meshtastic-only connector receives its channel; meshcore_channel=None is a no-op."""
+        mock_connector = MagicMock()
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=mock_connector,
+            channel_index=5,
+            # No meshcore_channel set → defaults to None
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(_make_payload(), rule=None))
+
+        assert mock_connector.send_message.called
+        for call_ in mock_connector.send_message.call_args_list:
+            kw = call_.kwargs
+            assert kw.get("channel") == 5
+            # meshcore_channel=None passed through; old MeshConnector accepts and ignores it.
+            assert kw.get("meshcore_channel") is None
+
+    def test_dispatcher_meshtastic_family_no_meshcore_channel(self):
+        """End-to-end: toggle without meshcore_channel routes to channel=1, meshcore_channel=None."""
+        rec = []
+
+        class RecChannel:
+            async def deliver(self, payload, rule):
+                rec.append({
+                    "broadcast_channel": rule.broadcast_channel,
+                    "meshcore_channel": rule.meshcore_channel,
+                })
+                return True
+
+        cfg = Config()
+        cfg.notifications.cold_start_grace_seconds = 0
+        cfg.notifications.rules = []
+        tog = cfg.notifications.toggles["weather"]
+        tog.enabled = True
+        tog.min_severity = "routine"
+        tog.severity_channels = {"priority": ["mesh_broadcast"]}
+        tog.broadcast_channel = 1
+        # meshcore_channel NOT set → remains None
+
+        d = Dispatcher(cfg, lambda rule, conn: RecChannel(), connector=None)
+        ev = make_event(source="nws", category="weather_warning",
+                        severity="priority", title="t")
+        asyncio.run(d.dispatch(ev))
+
+        assert len(rec) == 1
+        assert rec[0]["broadcast_channel"] == 1
+        assert rec[0]["meshcore_channel"] is None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 7. Mock-composite end-to-end: both + None child routing
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class FakeMeshChild:
+    """Minimal connector mock that tracks send_message calls."""
+
+    def __init__(self, name: str):
+        self.name = name
+        self.calls: list[dict] = []
+
+    def send_message(self, text, destination=None, channel=0, meshcore_channel=None):
+        self.calls.append({
+            "text": text,
+            "destination": destination,
+            "channel": channel,
+            "meshcore_channel": meshcore_channel,
+        })
+        return True
+
+
+class FakeCompositeConnector:
+    """Simulates CompositeTransport's per-family routing at the connector level.
+
+    Replicates the exact logic in CompositeTransport._broadcast:
+      - Meshtastic child: receives ``channel``
+      - MeshCore child: receives ``meshcore_channel``; skipped if None.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, mt_child: FakeMeshChild, mc_child: FakeMeshChild):
+        self.mt = mt_child
+        self.mc = mc_child
+
+    def send_message(self, text, destination=None, channel=0, meshcore_channel=None):
+        # Meshtastic always gets the Meshtastic channel.
+        self.mt.send_message(text, destination=destination, channel=channel)
+        # MeshCore only gets a call when meshcore_channel is set.
+        if meshcore_channel is not None:
+            self.mc.send_message(text, destination=destination, channel=meshcore_channel)
+        return True
+
+
+class TestMockCompositeBothTransport:
+    def _make_connector(self):
+        mt = FakeMeshChild("meshtastic")
+        mc = FakeMeshChild("meshcore")
+        return FakeCompositeConnector(mt, mc), mt, mc
+
+    def test_broadcast_channel_1_meshcore_channel_3(self):
+        """meshcore_channel=3, broadcast_channel=1: MT on ch 1, MC on ch 3."""
+        composite, mt, mc = self._make_connector()
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=composite,
+            channel_index=1,
+            meshcore_channel=3,
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(_make_payload("alert text"), rule=None))
+
+        assert len(mt.calls) >= 1
+        assert all(c["channel"] == 1 for c in mt.calls)
+
+        assert len(mc.calls) >= 1
+        assert all(c["channel"] == 3 for c in mc.calls)
+
+    def test_meshcore_channel_none_skips_meshcore_child(self):
+        """meshcore_channel=None: MT receives broadcast, MC child NOT called."""
+        composite, mt, mc = self._make_connector()
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=composite,
+            channel_index=1,
+            meshcore_channel=None,
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(_make_payload("alert"), rule=None))
+
+        assert len(mt.calls) >= 1     # Meshtastic got it
+        assert len(mc.calls) == 0     # MeshCore was skipped
+
+    def test_meshtastic_only_unchanged(self):
+        """transport=meshtastic (single connector): channel routing unchanged."""
+        mt = FakeMeshChild("meshtastic")
+        channel = MeshBroadcastChannel(
+            connector=mt,  # single connector, no composite
+            channel_index=5,
+            # No meshcore_channel → defaults to None
+        )
+        asyncio.run(channel.deliver(_make_payload("single"), rule=None))
+
+        assert len(mt.calls) >= 1
+        assert all(c["channel"] == 5 for c in mt.calls)

work/meshai/connector.py

@@ -355,6 +355,7 @@ class MeshtasticTransport(MeshTransport):
         destination: Optional[str] = None,
         channel: int = 0,
         transport: Optional[str] = None,  # routing hint — accepted and IGNORED by single-transport impl
+        meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None,  # per-family MeshCore channel — accepted and IGNORED here
     ) -> bool:
         """Send a text message.
 
@@ -363,6 +364,7 @@ class MeshtasticTransport(MeshTransport):
             destination: Node ID for DM, or None for broadcast
             channel: Channel index to send on
             transport: Optional routing hint (for CompositeTransport); ignored here.
+            meshcore_channel: Per-family MeshCore channel index; ignored by Meshtastic.
 
         Returns:
             True if send was initiated successfully

work/meshai/transport/base.py

@@ -37,17 +37,23 @@ class MeshTransport(abc.ABC):
         destination: Optional[str] = None,
         channel: int = 0,
         transport: Optional[str] = None,
+        meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None,
     ) -> bool:
         """Send a text message.
 
         Args:
             text: Message text to send.
             destination: Node ID for a DM, or None for broadcast.
-            channel: Channel index to send on.
+            channel: Channel index to send on (Meshtastic semantics).
             transport: Optional routing hint (used by CompositeTransport to
                        select the child mesh that originated an inbound DM).
                        Single-transport implementations accept and IGNORE this
                        parameter; it is always None in non-composite callers.
+            meshcore_channel: Per-family MeshCore channel index for broadcasts.
+                       MeshtasticTransport ignores this; MeshCoreTransport uses
+                       it in place of the global meshcore_channel_index when set.
+                       CompositeTransport uses it to route each child correctly.
+                       None = do not broadcast on MeshCore for this family.
 
         Returns:
             True if send was initiated successfully.

work/meshai/transport/composite_transport.py

@@ -196,14 +196,18 @@ class CompositeTransport(MeshTransport):
         destination: Optional[str] = None,
         channel: int = 0,
         transport: Optional[str] = None,
+        meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None,
     ) -> bool:
         """Send a message, routing based on destination + hint.
 
         Routing rules
         -------------
         1. **Broadcast** (``destination is None``):
-           Fan out to ALL connected children.  Return True if at least one
+           Fan out to connected children with per-transport channel selection:
-           child succeeded; log per-child failures.
+           - Meshtastic child receives ``channel`` (Meshtastic channel index).
+           - MeshCore child receives ``meshcore_channel``; if that is None the
+             MeshCore child is silently skipped (family not configured for MeshCore).
+           Return True if at least one child succeeded; log per-child failures.
 
         2. **DM with routing hint** (``destination`` set AND ``transport`` given):
            Send ONLY via the child whose name == ``transport``.  This is the
@@ -220,7 +224,7 @@ class CompositeTransport(MeshTransport):
         """
         if destination is None:
             # --- Rule 1: broadcast ---
-            return self._broadcast(text, channel)
+            return self._broadcast(text, channel, meshcore_channel=meshcore_channel)
 
         if transport is not None:
             # --- Rule 2: hinted DM ---
@@ -229,8 +233,17 @@ class CompositeTransport(MeshTransport):
         # --- Rule 3: unhinted DM ---
         return self._send_unhinted(text, destination, channel)
 
-    def _broadcast(self, text: str, channel: int) -> bool:
+    def _broadcast(self, text: str, channel: int, meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None) -> bool:
-        """Fan text out to all connected children; return True if any succeed."""
+        """Fan text out to connected children with per-transport channel routing.
+
+        For the Meshtastic child, ``channel`` (Meshtastic channel index) is used.
+        For the MeshCore child:
+          - ``meshcore_channel`` set → use that channel index on MeshCore.
+          - ``meshcore_channel`` is None → skip the MeshCore child entirely
+            (family not configured for MeshCore; no fallback to global index).
+
+        Returns True if at least one child succeeded.
+        """
         any_ok = False
         for child in self._children:
             name = _child_name(child)
@@ -239,8 +252,17 @@ class CompositeTransport(MeshTransport):
                     "CompositeTransport: skipping broadcast to %r (not connected)", name
                 )
                 continue
+            # Per-family MeshCore routing: skip MeshCore child when unset.
+            if name == "meshcore" and meshcore_channel is None:
+                logger.debug(
+                    "CompositeTransport: skipping meshcore broadcast "
+                    "(meshcore_channel=None for this family)"
+                )
+                continue
+            # Route each child on its own channel semantics.
+            child_channel = meshcore_channel if name == "meshcore" else channel
             try:
-                ok = child.send_message(text, destination=None, channel=channel)
+                ok = child.send_message(text, destination=None, channel=child_channel)
                 if ok:
                     any_ok = True
                 else:

work/meshai/transport/meshcore_transport.py

@@ -194,6 +194,7 @@ class MeshCoreTransport(MeshTransport):
         destination: Optional[str] = None,
         channel: int = 0,
         transport: Optional[str] = None,  # routing hint — accepted and IGNORED by single-transport impl
+        meshcore_channel: Optional[int] = None,
     ) -> bool:
         """Send a message via MeshCore.
 
@@ -201,11 +202,17 @@ class MeshCoreTransport(MeshTransport):
             text: Message text (caller is responsible for length limits; see
                   ``mesh_max_chars`` config field).
             destination: hex pubkey string for a DM, or None for channel send.
-            channel: Channel index for channel sends (0 = default).
+            channel: Channel index for channel sends (Meshtastic semantics; ignored here).
             transport: Optional routing hint (for CompositeTransport); ignored here.
+            meshcore_channel: Per-family MeshCore channel index for broadcasts.
+                When provided, overrides the global meshcore_channel_index.
+                When None on a broadcast, the send is skipped (family not
+                configured for MeshCore — no fallback, no default).
 
         Returns:
             True if the send succeeded (not an error event).
+            True also for a no-op skip (meshcore_channel=None on broadcast) so
+            the caller (CompositeTransport) doesn't treat a silent skip as failure.
         """
         if self._mc is None:
             logger.error("MeshCoreTransport: cannot send, not connected")
@@ -213,20 +220,27 @@ class MeshCoreTransport(MeshTransport):
 
         try:
             if destination:
+                # DM: meshcore_channel is irrelevant; route by pubkey.
                 result = self._run_coro(
                     self._mc.commands.send_msg(destination, text)
                 )
             else:
+                # Channel broadcast.
                 # Channel-index semantics do NOT cross transports: the passed
                 # `channel` carries Meshtastic channel-index semantics (e.g.
                 # index 8) that have no relationship to MeshCore's separate
-                # channel table. The configured MeshCore channel is therefore
+                # channel table.
-                # authoritative for broadcasts, so we ignore `channel` here
+                #
-                # (this also avoids an explicit channel=0 being treated as
+                # Per-family routing: use meshcore_channel when provided.
-                # falsy).
+                # If meshcore_channel is None, this family is not configured
-                chan_idx = getattr(self.config, "meshcore_channel_index", 0)
+                # for MeshCore → silent no-op (return True).
+                if meshcore_channel is None:
+                    logger.debug(
+                        "MeshCoreTransport: meshcore_channel=None, skipping broadcast"
+                    )
+                    return True
                 result = self._run_coro(
-                    self._mc.commands.send_chan_msg(chan_idx, text)
+                    self._mc.commands.send_chan_msg(meshcore_channel, text)
                 )
             success = not result.is_error()
             if not success:

work/tests/test_composite_transport.py

@@ -217,31 +217,65 @@ class TestLifecycle:
 
 class TestBroadcast:
     def test_broadcast_sends_to_all(self) -> None:
+        """With meshcore_channel set, broadcast fans to both children."""
         mt = FakeChild("meshtastic")
         mc = FakeChild("meshcore")
         comp = CompositeTransport([mt, mc])
-        result = comp.send_message("hello mesh")
+        result = comp.send_message("hello mesh", meshcore_channel=0)
         assert result is True
         assert len(mt.send_calls) == 1
         assert len(mc.send_calls) == 1
         assert mt.send_calls[0]["destination"] is None
         assert mc.send_calls[0]["destination"] is None
 
+    def test_broadcast_meshcore_skipped_when_channel_none(self) -> None:
+        """meshcore_channel=None → MeshCore child silently skipped; Meshtastic still gets it."""
+        mt = FakeChild("meshtastic")
+        mc = FakeChild("meshcore")
+        comp = CompositeTransport([mt, mc])
+        result = comp.send_message("hello mesh", meshcore_channel=None)
+        assert result is True  # Meshtastic succeeded
+        assert len(mt.send_calls) == 1
+        assert len(mc.send_calls) == 0  # MeshCore was skipped
+
+    def test_broadcast_meshcore_uses_meshcore_channel(self) -> None:
+        """MeshCore child receives meshcore_channel, Meshtastic receives channel."""
+        mt = FakeChild("meshtastic")
+        mc = FakeChild("meshcore")
+        comp = CompositeTransport([mt, mc])
+        result = comp.send_message("hello", channel=1, meshcore_channel=3)
+        assert result is True
+        assert len(mt.send_calls) == 1
+        assert len(mc.send_calls) == 1
+        assert mt.send_calls[0]["channel"] == 1   # Meshtastic gets `channel`
+        assert mc.send_calls[0]["channel"] == 3   # MeshCore gets `meshcore_channel`
+
+    def test_broadcast_meshtastic_only_when_no_meshcore_child(self) -> None:
+        """When there is no MeshCore child, meshcore_channel is irrelevant."""
+        mt = FakeChild("meshtastic")
+        comp = CompositeTransport([mt])
+        result = comp.send_message("hello", channel=2, meshcore_channel=5)
+        assert result is True
+        assert len(mt.send_calls) == 1
+        assert mt.send_calls[0]["channel"] == 2
+
     def test_broadcast_skips_disconnected_child(self) -> None:
+        """Disconnected Meshtastic child is skipped; MeshCore (with channel set) is sent."""
         mt = FakeChild("meshtastic", connected_val=False)
         mc = FakeChild("meshcore")
         comp = CompositeTransport([mt, mc])
-        result = comp.send_message("hi")
+        result = comp.send_message("hi", meshcore_channel=0)
         assert result is True
         assert len(mt.send_calls) == 0
         assert len(mc.send_calls) == 1
 
     def test_broadcast_true_if_at_least_one_ok(self) -> None:
+        """True if any child succeeds; Meshtastic failing + MeshCore succeeding → True."""
         mt = FakeChild("meshtastic")
         mt.send_message = MagicMock(return_value=False)
         mc = FakeChild("meshcore")
         comp = CompositeTransport([mt, mc])
-        result = comp.send_message("test")
+        result = comp.send_message("test", meshcore_channel=0)
         assert result is True
 
 

work/tests/test_meshcore_transport.py

@@ -176,35 +176,59 @@ class TestBuildTransport:
 
 class TestSendMessageChannel:
     def test_returns_true_on_non_error_event(self):
+        """With meshcore_channel set, send_chan_msg is called and True returned."""
         t, mc, _ = _transport_with_mock_mc()
         try:
             ok = MagicMock()
             ok.is_error.return_value = False
             mc.commands.send_chan_msg = AsyncMock(return_value=ok)
-            assert t.send_message("hello") is True
+            assert t.send_message("hello", meshcore_channel=0) is True
             mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_awaited_once()
         finally:
             _cleanup(t)
 
     def test_returns_false_on_error_event(self):
+        """With meshcore_channel set, an error result returns False."""
         t, mc, _ = _transport_with_mock_mc()
         try:
             err = MagicMock()
             err.is_error.return_value = True
             mc.commands.send_chan_msg = AsyncMock(return_value=err)
-            assert t.send_message("hello") is False
+            assert t.send_message("hello", meshcore_channel=0) is False
         finally:
             _cleanup(t)
 
     def test_returns_false_when_not_connected(self):
         cfg = _mc_config()
         t = MeshCoreTransport(cfg)
-        # _mc is None, no loop started
+        # _mc is None, no loop started — fails before channel check.
-        assert t.send_message("test") is False
+        assert t.send_message("test", meshcore_channel=0) is False
 
-    def _transport_with_configured_index(self, index):
+    def test_meshcore_channel_none_skips_broadcast(self):
-        """Build a MeshCoreTransport whose config sets meshcore_channel_index."""
+        """meshcore_channel=None → silent no-op (True) without calling send_chan_msg."""
-        cfg = _mc_config(meshcore_channel_index=index)
+        t, mc, _ = _transport_with_mock_mc()
+        try:
+            mc.commands.send_chan_msg = AsyncMock()
+            result = t.send_message("hello", meshcore_channel=None)
+            assert result is True  # no-op success
+            mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_not_awaited()
+        finally:
+            _cleanup(t)
+
+    def test_meshcore_channel_default_skips_broadcast(self):
+        """Default meshcore_channel=None (no arg) → silent no-op."""
+        t, mc, _ = _transport_with_mock_mc()
+        try:
+            mc.commands.send_chan_msg = AsyncMock()
+            result = t.send_message("hello")  # no meshcore_channel arg
+            assert result is True
+            mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_not_awaited()
+        finally:
+            _cleanup(t)
+
+    def _transport_with_mock_send_chan_msg(self):
+        """Build a MeshCoreTransport with a mock mc and async send_chan_msg."""
+        cfg = _mc_config()
         t = MeshCoreTransport(cfg)
         ok = MagicMock()
         ok.is_error.return_value = False
@@ -220,31 +244,30 @@ class TestSendMessageChannel:
         t._loop_thread = thread
         return t, mc
 
-    def test_uses_config_channel_index_when_channel_zero(self):
+    def test_uses_meshcore_channel_for_broadcast(self):
-        t, mc = self._transport_with_configured_index(3)
+        """meshcore_channel=3 → send_chan_msg(3, text)."""
+        t, mc = self._transport_with_mock_send_chan_msg()
         try:
-            t.send_message("hi", channel=0)
+            t.send_message("hi", meshcore_channel=3)
-            # channel=0 must not be treated as falsy-fallthrough: broadcasts
-            # always use the configured meshcore_channel_index=3.
             mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_awaited_once_with(3, "hi")
         finally:
             _cleanup(t)
 
-    def test_uses_config_channel_index_when_channel_default(self):
+    def test_ignores_meshtastic_channel_uses_meshcore_channel(self):
-        t, mc = self._transport_with_configured_index(3)
+        """channel=8 (Meshtastic) is irrelevant; meshcore_channel=3 is authoritative."""
+        t, mc = self._transport_with_mock_send_chan_msg()
         try:
-            t.send_message("hi")  # default channel param
+            t.send_message("hi", channel=8, meshcore_channel=3)
             mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_awaited_once_with(3, "hi")
         finally:
             _cleanup(t)
 
-    def test_ignores_meshtastic_channel_index(self):
+    def test_meshcore_channel_zero_is_valid(self):
-        # channel=8 carries Meshtastic channel-index semantics that do NOT map
+        """meshcore_channel=0 is a valid channel (not falsy-skipped)."""
-        # to MeshCore's channel table; the configured index (3) is authoritative.
+        t, mc = self._transport_with_mock_send_chan_msg()
-        t, mc = self._transport_with_configured_index(3)
         try:
-            t.send_message("hi", channel=8)
+            t.send_message("hi", meshcore_channel=0)
-            mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_awaited_once_with(3, "hi")
+            mc.commands.send_chan_msg.assert_awaited_once_with(0, "hi")
         finally:
             _cleanup(t)