feat(identity): transport-aware bot identity + alert-channel awareness

Fixes the LLM system prompt being transport-blind: MeshCore DMs were
being told they were on the freq51 Meshtastic mesh network and were
physical node !27780c47 (AIDA-N2), and MeshMonitor/node-health text
(Meshtastic-only) leaked into MeshCore prompts too.

- config.py: BotConfig gains mt_mesh_name/mt_node/mc_mesh_name (generic
  OSS defaults empty; name/owner defaults now generic MeshAI/Unknown).
  LLMConfig.system_prompt code default no longer hardcodes freq51/Twin
  Falls.
- router.py: generate_llm_response() computes transport once and
  branches identity: MeshCore gets an AIDA/MeshCore-radio framing with
  no MT node id; Meshtastic keeps the physical-node framing from the
  new config fields. MeshMonitor block and MT node-health/gateway/packet
  reporting (mesh_reporter Tier1/region/node detail + _MESH_AWARENESS_PROMPT
  + region geography) are now gated to transport == meshtastic. New
  _build_alert_channels_line() adds a short identity-block line on both
  transports listing region_routes-derived alert channels (MT channel
  index or MC channel name). MeshCore channel-recommendation block stays
  transport-neutral.
- README.md: dead gemini-2.5-flash-lite example updated to
  gemini-3.1-flash-lite.

Live config (meshai_data volume, not git-tracked): bot.name=AIDA,
bot.owner=K7ZVX (local.yaml identity.owner, which overrides config.yaml
per config_loader.py LOCAL_FIELDS), mt_mesh_name/mt_node set to the
freq51/AIDA-N2 values, mc_mesh_name left empty. llm.yaml system_prompt
freq51 line removed.

Verified via in-container prompt-assembly dry run through the real
generate_llm_response() path (no LLM call) for both transports, and a
live gemini-3.1-flash-lite 3-query behavior test confirming the
MeshCore channel-recommendation feature still works correctly.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

work/README.md

@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ The curated channel chatter your bot observes is used only as short-term *contex
 llm:
   backend: "google"          # google | openai | anthropic
   api_key: "your-api-key"
-  model: "gemini-2.5-flash"
+  model: "gemini-3.1-flash-lite"
 ```
 
 Any OpenAI-compatible endpoint works for local models — point `base_url` at Ollama (`http://localhost:11434/v1`), LiteLLM (`http://localhost:4000/v1`), or Open WebUI.

work/dashboard-frontend/src/lib/api.ts

@@ -606,6 +606,38 @@ export async function getMeshcoreChannelsDetail(): Promise<MeshcoreChannelsDetai
   return fetchJson<MeshcoreChannelsDetail>('/api/meshcore/channels/detail')
 }
 
+// Provision a new MeshCore channel on the companion. `key` is a 32-char hex
+// PSK (16 bytes); omit it for a public channel (name must start with "#").
+// Throws (with the backend's `detail` message) on failure — e.g. duplicate
+// name, no free slot, bad key, or MeshCore not connected.
+export async function addMeshcoreChannel(
+  name: string,
+  key?: string,
+): Promise<MeshcoreChannels> {
+  const response = await fetch('/api/meshcore/channels', {
+    method: 'POST',
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+    body: JSON.stringify({ name, key: key || undefined }),
+  })
+  if (!response.ok) {
+    const body = await response.json().catch(() => null)
+    throw new Error(body?.detail || `API error: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}`)
+  }
+  return response.json()
+}
+
+// Remove a provisioned MeshCore channel from the companion by name.
+export async function removeMeshcoreChannel(name: string): Promise<MeshcoreChannels> {
+  const response = await fetch(`/api/meshcore/channels/${encodeURIComponent(name)}`, {
+    method: 'DELETE',
+  })
+  if (!response.ok) {
+    const body = await response.json().catch(() => null)
+    throw new Error(body?.detail || `API error: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}`)
+  }
+  return response.json()
+}
+
 // MeshCore room servers (type-3 contacts). A routing cell targets a room with
 // the value ``room:<pubkey>`` (vs a bare channel name for channel targets).
 // ``active:false`` / [] when MeshCore is not connected.

work/dashboard-frontend/src/pages/MeshCoreConnection.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,18 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useCallback } from 'react'
 import { Link } from 'react-router-dom'
-import { Save, RotateCcw, RefreshCw, Check, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Save, RotateCcw, RefreshCw, Check, ChevronRight, Trash2, Eye, EyeOff, Copy } from 'lucide-react'
 import { TextInput, NumberInput, Toggle, ListInput, SelectInput } from './Config'
 import SerialPortPicker from '@/components/SerialPortPicker'
 import { notifyRestartRequired } from '@/components/RestartBanner'
-import { fetchConfig as apiFetchConfig, updateConfig as apiUpdateConfig, getMeshcoreChannels, sendTestMessage } from '@/lib/api'
+import {
+  fetchConfig as apiFetchConfig,
+  updateConfig as apiUpdateConfig,
+  getMeshcoreChannels,
+  getMeshcoreChannelsDetail,
+  addMeshcoreChannel,
+  removeMeshcoreChannel,
+  sendTestMessage,
+} from '@/lib/api'
 import { useDirty } from '@/context/DirtyContext'
 
 // Only the fields this page edits are typed explicitly; the rest of the
@@ -54,11 +62,23 @@ export default function MeshCoreConnection() {
   // Test send state
   const [channelsActive, setChannelsActive] = useState(false)
   const [channels, setChannels] = useState<string[]>([])
+  // Per-channel PSK hex (name -> key), captured from the companion so operators
+  // can share the key with people who want to join. Masked by default.
+  const [channelKeys, setChannelKeys] = useState<Record<string, string | null>>({})
+  const [revealedKeys, setRevealedKeys] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set())
+  const [copiedKey, setCopiedKey] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [selectedChannel, setSelectedChannel] = useState('')
   const [testText, setTestText] = useState('')
   const [testSending, setTestSending] = useState(false)
   const [testResult, setTestResult] = useState<{ sent: boolean; detail: string } | null>(null)
 
+  // Add / remove channel state (provisions the companion's channel table)
+  const [newChannelName, setNewChannelName] = useState('')
+  const [newChannelKey, setNewChannelKey] = useState('')
+  const [channelSaving, setChannelSaving] = useState(false)
+  const [channelRemoving, setChannelRemoving] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const [channelError, setChannelError] = useState<string | null>(null)
+
   const fetchConfig = useCallback(async () => {
     setLoading(true)
     try {
@@ -84,18 +104,91 @@ export default function MeshCoreConnection() {
     fetchConfig()
   }, [fetchConfig])
 
-  useEffect(() => {
+  const refreshChannels = useCallback(async () => {
-    getMeshcoreChannels()
+    try {
-      .then((res) => {
+      // Prefer the detail endpoint (name + PSK key); it carries everything the
+      // names-only list does. Fall back to names-only if detail is unavailable.
+      const detail = await getMeshcoreChannelsDetail()
+      const names = detail.channels.map((c) => c.name)
+      const keyMap: Record<string, string | null> = {}
+      for (const c of detail.channels) keyMap[c.name] = c.key
+      setChannelsActive(detail.active)
+      setChannels(names)
+      setChannelKeys(keyMap)
+      setSelectedChannel((prev) => (prev && names.includes(prev) ? prev : names[0] ?? ''))
+    } catch {
+      try {
+        const res = await getMeshcoreChannels()
         setChannelsActive(res.active)
         setChannels(res.channels)
-        if (res.channels.length > 0) setSelectedChannel(res.channels[0])
+        setChannelKeys({})
-      })
+        setSelectedChannel((prev) => (prev && res.channels.includes(prev) ? prev : res.channels[0] ?? ''))
-      .catch(() => {
+      } catch {
         setChannelsActive(false)
-      })
+      }
+    }
   }, [])
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    refreshChannels()
+  }, [refreshChannels])
+
+  const toggleRevealKey = (name: string) => {
+    setRevealedKeys((prev) => {
+      const next = new Set(prev)
+      if (next.has(name)) next.delete(name)
+      else next.add(name)
+      return next
+    })
+  }
+
+  const handleCopyKey = async (name: string, key: string) => {
+    try {
+      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(key)
+      setCopiedKey(name)
+      setTimeout(() => setCopiedKey((prev) => (prev === name ? null : prev)), 1500)
+    } catch {
+      // Clipboard API can be blocked (non-secure context); reveal the key so
+      // the operator can copy it manually instead of failing silently.
+      setRevealedKeys((prev) => new Set(prev).add(name))
+    }
+  }
+
+  const handleAddChannel = async () => {
+    const name = newChannelName.trim()
+    if (!name) return
+    setChannelSaving(true)
+    setChannelError(null)
+    try {
+      await addMeshcoreChannel(name, newChannelKey.trim())
+      setNewChannelName('')
+      setNewChannelKey('')
+      await refreshChannels()
+    } catch (err) {
+      setChannelError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to add channel')
+    } finally {
+      setChannelSaving(false)
+    }
+  }
+
+  const handleRemoveChannel = async (name: string) => {
+    setChannelRemoving(name)
+    setChannelError(null)
+    try {
+      await removeMeshcoreChannel(name)
+      // Drop it from Observe Channels too, if it was selected there.
+      setMcContext((c) => {
+        if (!c || !(c.observe_channels ?? []).includes(name)) return c
+        return { ...c, observe_channels: (c.observe_channels ?? []).filter((n) => n !== name) }
+      })
+      await refreshChannels()
+    } catch (err) {
+      setChannelError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to remove channel')
+    } finally {
+      setChannelRemoving(null)
+    }
+  }
+
   const handleTestSend = async () => {
     setTestSending(true)
     setTestResult(null)
@@ -357,19 +450,69 @@ export default function MeshCoreConnection() {
             <div className="border border-[#1e2a3a] p-2 space-y-1">
               {channels.map((ch) => {
                 const selected = (mcContext.observe_channels ?? []).includes(ch)
+                const key = channelKeys[ch] ?? null
+                const revealed = revealedKeys.has(ch)
                 return (
-                  <label
+                  <div
                     key={ch}
-                    onClick={() => toggleObserveChannel(ch)}
+                    className="flex items-center gap-2 p-2 rounded hover:bg-[#0a0e17]"
-                    className="flex items-center gap-2 p-2 rounded hover:bg-[#0a0e17] cursor-pointer"
                   >
-                    <div className={`w-4 h-4 rounded border flex items-center justify-center ${
+                    <label
-                      selected ? 'bg-accent border-accent' : 'border-slate-600'
+                      onClick={() => toggleObserveChannel(ch)}
-                    }`}>
+                      className="flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer shrink-0"
-                      {selected && <Check size={12} className="text-white" />}
+                    >
+                      <div className={`w-4 h-4 rounded border flex items-center justify-center ${
+                        selected ? 'bg-accent border-accent' : 'border-slate-600'
+                      }`}>
+                        {selected && <Check size={12} className="text-white" />}
+                      </div>
+                      <span className="text-sm text-slate-200">{ch}</span>
+                    </label>
+                    {/* Channel key (PSK hex) — share this to let others join. Masked by
+                        default; reveal per-row with the eye, copy with the copy button. */}
+                    <div className="flex items-center gap-1 flex-1 min-w-0 justify-end">
+                      {key ? (
+                        <>
+                          <code
+                            title={revealed ? key : 'Key hidden — click the eye to reveal'}
+                            className="text-xs font-mono text-slate-400 truncate max-w-[16rem]"
+                          >
+                            {revealed ? key : '••••••••••••••••'}
+                          </code>
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            title={revealed ? 'Hide key' : 'Reveal key'}
+                            aria-label={revealed ? `Hide key for ${ch}` : `Reveal key for ${ch}`}
+                            onClick={() => toggleRevealKey(ch)}
+                            className="p-1 text-slate-600 hover:text-slate-300"
+                          >
+                            {revealed ? <EyeOff size={14} /> : <Eye size={14} />}
+                          </button>
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            title="Copy key to clipboard"
+                            aria-label={`Copy key for ${ch}`}
+                            onClick={() => handleCopyKey(ch, key)}
+                            className="p-1 text-slate-600 hover:text-accent"
+                          >
+                            {copiedKey === ch ? <Check size={14} className="text-green-400" /> : <Copy size={14} />}
+                          </button>
+                        </>
+                      ) : (
+                        <span className="text-xs font-mono text-slate-600" title="No retrievable key for this channel">—</span>
+                      )}
                     </div>
-                    <span className="text-sm text-slate-200">{ch}</span>
+                    <button
-                  </label>
+                      type="button"
+                      title={`Remove channel '${ch}' from the companion`}
+                      aria-label={`Remove channel ${ch}`}
+                      disabled={channelRemoving === ch}
+                      onClick={() => handleRemoveChannel(ch)}
+                      className="p-1 text-slate-600 hover:text-red-400 disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed shrink-0"
+                    >
+                      <Trash2 size={14} />
+                    </button>
+                  </div>
                 )
               })}
               {channels.length === 0 && (
@@ -378,7 +521,42 @@ export default function MeshCoreConnection() {
                 </div>
               )}
             </div>
-            <p className="text-xs text-slate-600">Choose which MeshCore channels feed MeshAI's context. Empty = none are watched — pick channels to include their chatter in what the bot knows about the mesh. Leave busy/public channels out to keep them out of context.</p>
+            <p className="text-xs text-slate-600">Choose which MeshCore channels feed MeshAI's context. Empty = none are watched — pick channels to include their chatter in what the bot knows about the mesh. Leave busy/public channels out to keep them out of context. Each channel's key (PSK) is shown on the right — reveal and copy it to share with people who want to join.</p>
+
+            {/* Add a new channel (name + PSK) to the companion's channel table */}
+            <div className="flex items-end gap-2 pt-2">
+              <div className="flex-1 space-y-1">
+                <label className="block text-xs text-slate-500 uppercase tracking-wide">Name</label>
+                <input
+                  type="text"
+                  value={newChannelName}
+                  onChange={(e) => setNewChannelName(e.target.value)}
+                  placeholder="#channel-name"
+                  disabled={!channelsActive}
+                  className="w-full px-2 py-1.5 bg-[#0a0e17] border border-[#1e2a3a] rounded text-sm text-slate-200 focus:outline-none focus:border-accent disabled:opacity-50"
+                />
+              </div>
+              <div className="flex-1 space-y-1">
+                <label className="block text-xs text-slate-500 uppercase tracking-wide">Key</label>
+                <input
+                  type="text"
+                  value={newChannelKey}
+                  onChange={(e) => setNewChannelKey(e.target.value)}
+                  placeholder="PSK hex (32 chars) — leave blank for public #channel"
+                  disabled={!channelsActive}
+                  className="w-full px-2 py-1.5 bg-[#0a0e17] border border-[#1e2a3a] rounded text-sm text-slate-200 focus:outline-none focus:border-accent disabled:opacity-50"
+                />
+              </div>
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                onClick={handleAddChannel}
+                disabled={!channelsActive || channelSaving || !newChannelName.trim()}
+                className="px-3 py-1.5 bg-accent hover:bg-accent/80 disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed rounded text-sm text-white whitespace-nowrap"
+              >
+                {channelSaving ? 'Saving…' : 'Save'}
+              </button>
+            </div>
+            {channelError && <p className="text-xs text-red-400">{channelError}</p>}
           </div>
           <ListInput
             label="Ignore MeshCore Contacts"

work/meshai/config.py

@@ -13,13 +13,22 @@ _config_logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 @dataclass
 class BotConfig:
-    """Bot identity and trigger settings."""
+    """Bot identity and trigger settings.
 
-    name: str = "ai"
+    mt_mesh_name/mt_node/mc_mesh_name: transport-specific identity used ONLY
-    owner: str = ""
+    when generating the LLM system prompt for that transport (see
+    router.generate_llm_response). Generic OSS defaults are intentionally
+    empty/mesh-agnostic -- deployments fill these in via config.
+    """
+
+    name: str = "MeshAI"
+    owner: str = "Unknown"
     contact_email: str = ""
     respond_to_dms: bool = True
     filter_bbs_protocols: bool = True
+    mt_mesh_name: str = ""   # e.g. "freq51 Meshtastic mesh" -- Meshtastic-only identity framing
+    mt_node: str = ""        # e.g. "!27780c47 (AIDA-N2)" -- Meshtastic-only physical node id
+    mc_mesh_name: str = ""   # e.g. "the MeshCore mesh" -- MeshCore-only identity framing
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -167,9 +176,7 @@ class LLMConfig:
         "observed any yet.\n"
         "- When asked about yourself or commands, answer conversationally based on "
         "the command list provided below. Don't dump lists unless asked.\n"
-        "- You are part of the freq51 mesh.\n"
         "- When asked about yourself or commands, answer conversationally. Don't dump lists.\n"
-        "- You are part of the freq51 mesh in the Twin Falls, Idaho area.\n"
         "- NEVER use markdown formatting (no bold, no asterisks, no bullet points, no numbered lists). Plain text only.\n"
         "- NEVER say 'Want me to keep going?' -- the system handles continuation prompts automatically."
     )

work/meshai/dashboard/api/mesh_send_routes.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import logging
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Optional, Union
 
-from fastapi import APIRouter, Request
+from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Request
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 from meshai import secrets_store
 
@@ -58,6 +58,85 @@ async def meshcore_channels_detail(request: Request):
     return {"active": False, "channels": []}
 
 
+class AddChannelRequest(BaseModel):
+    name: str
+    key: Optional[str] = None
+
+
+@router.post("/meshcore/channels")
+async def meshcore_add_channel(request: Request, body: AddChannelRequest):
+    """Provision a new MeshCore channel (name + PSK) onto the companion.
+
+    Body: {"name": str, "key"?: str}. ``key`` is a 32-char hex string (16
+    bytes) — omit it (or leave empty) for a public channel, which requires
+    ``name`` to start with "#" so the companion derives the PSK from the
+    name. Returns the refreshed channel list on success.
+    """
+    connector = getattr(request.app.state, "connector", None)
+    mc = _find_child(connector, "meshcore")
+    if mc is None or not getattr(mc, "connected", False):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=409, detail="MeshCore not connected")
+
+    name = (body.name or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Channel name must not be empty")
+
+    key = (body.key or "").strip()
+    secret: Optional[bytes] = None
+    if key:
+        try:
+            secret = bytes.fromhex(key)
+        except ValueError:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Channel key must be valid hex")
+        if len(secret) != 16:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=400,
+                detail="Channel key must be exactly 32 hex characters (16 bytes)",
+            )
+    elif not name.startswith("#"):
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail="A channel key is required unless the name starts with '#' (public)",
+        )
+
+    try:
+        mc.add_channel(name, secret)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=409, detail=str(exc))
+    except RuntimeError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=409, detail=str(exc))
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.error("dashboard: meshcore add_channel error: %s", exc)
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(exc))
+
+    logger.info("dashboard: meshcore channel '%s' added", name)
+    return {"active": True, "channels": list(mc.known_channels())}
+
+
+@router.delete("/meshcore/channels/{name}")
+async def meshcore_remove_channel(request: Request, name: str):
+    """Remove a provisioned MeshCore channel from the companion by name.
+
+    Returns the refreshed channel list on success; 404 if the name is not
+    on the companion's channel table.
+    """
+    connector = getattr(request.app.state, "connector", None)
+    mc = _find_child(connector, "meshcore")
+    if mc is None or not getattr(mc, "connected", False):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=409, detail="MeshCore not connected")
+
+    try:
+        mc.remove_channel(name)
+    except RuntimeError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(exc))
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.error("dashboard: meshcore remove_channel error: %s", exc)
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(exc))
+
+    logger.info("dashboard: meshcore channel '%s' removed", name)
+    return {"active": True, "channels": list(mc.known_channels())}
+
+
 @router.get("/meshcore/rooms")
 async def meshcore_rooms(request: Request):
     """List MeshCore room servers if a meshcore transport is connected.

work/meshai/router.py

@@ -256,6 +256,255 @@ def _build_region_abbreviations(region_names: list[str]) -> dict[str, str]:
     return abbrevs
 
 
+def _build_alert_channels_line(config, transport: str) -> str:
+    """Build a short identity-block line describing regional alert channels
+    for the given transport, sourced from notifications.region_routes.
+
+    Reads config.notifications.region_routes.cells (family -> region ->
+    cell_dict). Only includes cells that are enabled (matrix-level
+    mt_enabled/mc_enabled AND the cell's own "enabled" flag) and that have
+    a non-empty value in this transport's column ("mt" channel index for
+    meshtastic, "mc" channel name for meshcore).
+
+    Region names are used verbatim from region_routes — they are NOT
+    reconciled with mesh_intelligence region names.
+
+    Fail-safe: returns "" on any error so a broken/missing config never
+    breaks prompt assembly.
+
+    Returns:
+        A 1-3 line string (no leading/trailing blank lines), or "" if no
+        routed regions are configured/enabled for this transport.
+    """
+    try:
+        region_routes = getattr(config.notifications, "region_routes", None)
+        if region_routes is None:
+            return ""
+
+        transport_enabled = (
+            region_routes.mt_enabled if transport == "meshtastic" else region_routes.mc_enabled
+        )
+        if not transport_enabled:
+            return ""
+
+        cells = getattr(region_routes, "cells", {}) or {}
+        col = "mt" if transport == "meshtastic" else "mc"
+
+        # region -> set(family) for families/regions routed on this transport.
+        families_by_region: dict = {}
+        for family, region_map in cells.items():
+            if not isinstance(region_map, dict):
+                continue
+            for region_name, cell in region_map.items():
+                if not isinstance(cell, dict) or not cell.get("enabled", False):
+                    continue
+                dest = cell.get(col)
+                if not dest:
+                    continue
+                families_by_region.setdefault(region_name, set()).add(family)
+
+        if not families_by_region:
+            return ""
+
+        # Distinct hazard families across all routed regions, for the intro line.
+        all_families = sorted({f for fams in families_by_region.values() for f in fams})
+        _FAMILY_LABELS = {
+            "weather": "weather",
+            "fire": "fire",
+            "roads": "roads",
+            "avalanche": "avalanche",
+            "seismic": "seismic",
+            "power_outage": "power outages",
+            "satpass": "satellite passes",
+        }
+        hazard_words = ", ".join(_FAMILY_LABELS.get(f, f) for f in all_families)
+
+        # region -> destination value (mt index or mc name), for the mapping line.
+        # A region may route different families to different destinations in
+        # theory; in practice the matrix is uniform per-region, so just take
+        # the first cell's destination for the mapping display.
+        dest_by_region = {}
+        for family, region_map in cells.items():
+            if not isinstance(region_map, dict):
+                continue
+            for region_name, cell in region_map.items():
+                if region_name not in families_by_region:
+                    continue
+                if region_name in dest_by_region:
+                    continue
+                dest = cell.get(col)
+                if dest:
+                    dest_by_region[region_name] = dest
+
+        if transport == "meshtastic":
+            mapping = ", ".join(
+                f"channel {dest_by_region[r]} = {r}" for r in dest_by_region
+            )
+        else:
+            mapping = ", ".join(
+                f"{dest_by_region[r]} = {r}" for r in dest_by_region
+            )
+
+        if not mapping:
+            return ""
+
+        return (
+            f"You broadcast regional hazard alerts ({hazard_words}). "
+            f"People can join a channel to receive that region's alerts: {mapping}."
+        )
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("alert channels line build failed")
+        return ""
+
+
+def _build_meshcore_channel_block(config, channel_details, position=None) -> str:
+    """Build the MeshCore channel-recommendation context block.
+
+    Single-shot context-stuffing for the LLM (no tools): lists ONLY the
+    channels the operator has opted to observe (``meshcore_context.observe_channels``),
+    each annotated with its PSK key (from ``channel_details``) and — where a
+    region routing cell maps to it — the covered region's human geography
+    (local name, cities, centroid) so the model can match a user's town/GPS
+    to the right channel.
+
+    Args:
+        config: the loaded Config object (reads meshcore_context.observe_channels,
+            notifications.region_routes, mesh_intelligence.regions).
+        channel_details: list of {name, hash, key} dicts from
+            CompositeTransport.channel_details() (key = PSK hex).
+        position: optional (lat, lon) tuple for the requesting user; when
+            present a "USER LOCATION" line is emitted so the LLM can auto-match.
+
+    Returns:
+        The block as a string, or "" if no observed channels are configured
+        (caller should skip injection in that case).
+    """
+    # 1. Observed set — the ONLY channels we may disclose/recommend.
+    observe = list(getattr(config.meshcore_context, "observe_channels", []) or [])
+    if not observe:
+        return ""
+    observe_set = set(observe)
+
+    # 2. key lookup: channel name -> PSK hex (from live channel_details()).
+    key_by_name = {}
+    for d in (channel_details or []):
+        name = d.get("name")
+        if name:
+            key_by_name[name] = d.get("key")
+
+    # 3. Reverse map: channel name -> set(route region names), scanning every
+    #    family/region in region_routes for a cell whose `mc` names the channel.
+    regions_by_channel = {}
+    try:
+        cells = getattr(config.notifications.region_routes, "cells", {}) or {}
+        for _family, region_map in cells.items():
+            if not isinstance(region_map, dict):
+                continue
+            for region_name, cell in region_map.items():
+                if not isinstance(cell, dict):
+                    continue
+                mc = cell.get("mc")
+                if mc:
+                    regions_by_channel.setdefault(mc, set()).add(region_name)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("region_routes reverse-map build failed")
+
+    # 4. Human geography from mesh_intelligence regions (best-effort attach).
+    #    region_routes uses "SW/SC/East Idaho"; mesh_intelligence uses names
+    #    like "South Western ID" — we do a loose direction-word match rather
+    #    than a strict reconcile, and let the LLM reason over the raw metadata.
+    geo_regions = []
+    try:
+        geo_regions = list(getattr(config.mesh_intelligence, "regions", []) or [])
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("mesh_intelligence regions read failed")
+
+    _DIRECTION_TOKENS = {
+        "sw": "south west", "sc": "south central", "se": "south east",
+        "nw": "north west", "ne": "north east",
+        "n": "north", "s": "south", "e": "east", "w": "west", "c": "central",
+    }
+
+    def _direction_words(route_region: str) -> set:
+        """Expand the leading direction abbreviation of a route region name
+        (e.g. "SW Idaho" -> {south, west}; "East Idaho" -> {east})."""
+        words = set()
+        for tok in route_region.lower().replace("-", " ").split():
+            if tok in ("idaho", "id"):
+                continue
+            expanded = _DIRECTION_TOKENS.get(tok, tok)
+            words.update(expanded.split())
+        return words
+
+    def _match_geo(route_region: str):
+        """Fuzzy/substring match a route region name to a mesh_intelligence
+        region; returns the RegionAnchor or None."""
+        rr_words = _direction_words(route_region)
+        best = None
+        best_score = 0
+        for r in geo_regions:
+            name = (getattr(r, "name", "") or "").lower()
+            geo_words = set(name.replace("-", " ").split()) - {"idaho", "id"}
+            score = len(rr_words & geo_words)
+            if score > best_score:
+                best_score, best = score, r
+        return best if best_score > 0 else None
+
+    # 5. Emit one concise line per OBSERVED channel.
+    lines = ["", "MESHCORE CHANNELS YOU CAN RECOMMEND (name + join key):"]
+    for name in observe:
+        if name not in observe_set:
+            continue
+        key = key_by_name.get(name)
+        key_str = key if key else "(key unavailable)"
+        route_regions = sorted(regions_by_channel.get(name, set()))
+        region_str = ""
+        if route_regions:
+            details = []
+            for rr in route_regions:
+                geo = _match_geo(rr)
+                if geo is not None:
+                    local = getattr(geo, "local_name", "") or ""
+                    cities = getattr(geo, "cities", []) or []
+                    lat = getattr(geo, "lat", None)
+                    lon = getattr(geo, "lon", None)
+                    bits = [rr]
+                    inner = []
+                    if local:
+                        inner.append(local)
+                    if cities:
+                        inner.append(", ".join(cities[:4]))
+                    if inner:
+                        bits.append(f"({'; '.join(inner)}")
+                        if lat is not None and lon is not None:
+                            bits[-1] += f"; ~{lat:.2f},{lon:.2f}"
+                        bits[-1] += ")"
+                    elif lat is not None and lon is not None:
+                        bits.append(f"(~{lat:.2f},{lon:.2f})")
+                    details.append(" ".join(bits))
+                else:
+                    details.append(rr)
+            region_str = " — region: " + " / ".join(details)
+        lines.append(f"  {name}{region_str} — key: {key_str}")
+
+    # 6. Optional user location for auto-matching.
+    if position is not None:
+        try:
+            lat, lon = position
+            lines.append(f"USER LOCATION: {lat},{lon}")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    # 7. Instruction for the model.
+    lines.append(
+        "If the user asks which MeshCore channel to join: determine their area "
+        "from USER LOCATION if given, otherwise ask which Idaho town/area they're "
+        "in, then tell them the channel NAME and KEY to join. Only recommend "
+        "channels listed above; never invent a channel or key."
+    )
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
 class MessageRouter:
     """Routes incoming messages to appropriate handlers."""
 
@@ -675,20 +924,56 @@ class MessageRouter:
 
         # Build system prompt in order: identity -> static -> meshmonitor -> context -> knowledge -> mesh
 
-        # 1. Dynamic identity from bot config
+        # Transport of the originating message -- drives identity framing and
+        # gating of transport-specific prompt blocks below.
+        transport = getattr(message, "transport", "meshtastic")
+
+        # 1. Dynamic identity from bot config, branched by transport.
         bot_name = self.config.bot.name or "MeshAI"
         bot_owner = self.config.bot.owner or "Unknown"
 
-        identity = (
+        if transport == "meshcore":
-            f"You are {bot_name}, an LLM-powered assistant on the freq51 Meshtastic mesh network. "
+            mc_mesh_name = self.config.bot.mc_mesh_name or "the MeshCore mesh"
-            f"Your managing operator is {bot_owner}. "
+            identity = (
-            f"You are open source at github.com/zvx-echo6/meshai.\n\n"
+                f"You are {bot_name}, an LLM-powered assistant on {mc_mesh_name}, "
-            f"IDENTITY: Your name is {bot_name}. You ARE a physical node on the mesh — "
+                f"connected via a MeshCore companion radio. "
-            f"node !27780c47 (AIDA-N2). You have a real location, real GPS coordinates, "
+                f"Your managing operator is {bot_owner}. "
-            f"and real radio connections. When someone asks how far something is from you, "
+                f"You are open source at github.com/zvx-echo6/meshai.\n\n"
-            f"check the mesh data for your node's position and calculate. "
+                f"IDENTITY: Your name is {bot_name}. You have a real MeshCore radio "
-            f"You are NOT just software — you are a node that other nodes can see, hear, and route through.\n\n"
+                f"presence — you send and receive over an actual MeshCore companion "
-        )
+                f"radio, not just software. You do NOT have a Meshtastic node identity "
+                f"and you are NOT part of MeshMonitor.\n\n"
+            )
+        else:
+            mt_mesh_name = self.config.bot.mt_mesh_name
+            mt_node = self.config.bot.mt_node
+            if mt_mesh_name or mt_node:
+                mesh_label = mt_mesh_name or "the mesh"
+                identity = (
+                    f"You are {bot_name}, an LLM-powered assistant on {mesh_label}. "
+                    f"Your managing operator is {bot_owner}. "
+                    f"You are open source at github.com/zvx-echo6/meshai.\n\n"
+                )
+                if mt_node:
+                    identity += (
+                        f"IDENTITY: Your name is {bot_name}. You ARE a physical node on "
+                        f"the mesh — node {mt_node}. You have a real location, real GPS "
+                        f"coordinates, and real radio connections. When someone asks how "
+                        f"far something is from you, check the mesh data for your node's "
+                        f"position and calculate. You are NOT just software — you are a "
+                        f"node that other nodes can see, hear, and route through.\n\n"
+                    )
+            else:
+                # No transport identity configured -- generic non-MT-specific fallback.
+                identity = (
+                    f"You are {bot_name}, an LLM-powered assistant on a mesh network. "
+                    f"Your managing operator is {bot_owner}. "
+                    f"You are open source at github.com/zvx-echo6/meshai.\n\n"
+                )
+
+        alert_channels_line = _build_alert_channels_line(self.config, transport)
+        if alert_channels_line:
+            identity += alert_channels_line + "\n\n"
 
         # 2. Static system prompt from config
         static_prompt = ""
@@ -724,9 +1009,11 @@ class MessageRouter:
                 )
                 system_prompt += "\n".join(cmd_lines)
 
-        # 3. MeshMonitor info (only when enabled)
+        # 3. MeshMonitor info (only when enabled -- Meshtastic-only, MeshMonitor
+        # has no MeshCore concept)
         if (
-            self.meshmonitor_sync
+            transport == "meshtastic"
+            and self.meshmonitor_sync
             and self.config.meshmonitor.enabled
             and self.config.meshmonitor.inject_into_prompt
         ):
@@ -837,53 +1124,78 @@ class MessageRouter:
             # v0.7-fire-tracker-4: scope already detected above; no
             # second call needed.
 
-            # Always include Tier 1 summary for mesh questions
+            # Meshtastic-only: node-health/gateway/packet reporting. This whole
-            tier1 = self.mesh_reporter.build_tier1_summary()
+            # sub-block is built from meshtasticd/MeshMonitor-derived node data
-            system_prompt += "\n\n" + tier1
+            # (mesh_reporter tracks Meshtastic node IDs, infra/gateway scoring,
+            # packet cadence, etc.) and has no MeshCore equivalent.
+            if transport == "meshtastic":
+                # Always include Tier 1 summary for mesh questions
+                tier1 = self.mesh_reporter.build_tier1_summary()
+                system_prompt += "\n\n" + tier1
 
-            # Add Tier 2 detail if scoped
+                # Add Tier 2 detail if scoped
-            if scope_type == "region" and scope_value:
+                if scope_type == "region" and scope_value:
-                region_detail = self.mesh_reporter.build_region_detail(scope_value)
+                    region_detail = self.mesh_reporter.build_region_detail(scope_value)
-                system_prompt += "\n\n" + region_detail
+                    system_prompt += "\n\n" + region_detail
-            elif scope_type == "node" and scope_value:
+                elif scope_type == "node" and scope_value:
-                node_detail = self.mesh_reporter.build_node_detail(scope_value)
+                    node_detail = self.mesh_reporter.build_node_detail(scope_value)
-                system_prompt += "\n\n" + node_detail
+                    system_prompt += "\n\n" + node_detail
 
-            # Always include relevant recommendations
+                # Always include relevant recommendations
-            recommendations = self.mesh_reporter.build_recommendations(scope_type, scope_value)
+                recommendations = self.mesh_reporter.build_recommendations(scope_type, scope_value)
-            if recommendations:
+                if recommendations:
-                system_prompt += "\n\n" + recommendations
+                    system_prompt += "\n\n" + recommendations
 
-            # Add mesh awareness instructions with dynamic region name mappings
+                # Add mesh awareness instructions with dynamic region name mappings
-            region_name_instructions = ""
+                region_name_instructions = ""
-            if self.config.mesh_intelligence and self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
+                if self.config.mesh_intelligence and self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
-                # Build region name mappings for the prompt
+                    # Build region name mappings for the prompt
-                mappings = []
+                    mappings = []
-                for region in self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
+                    for region in self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
-                    local = getattr(region, "local_name", "") or ""
+                        local = getattr(region, "local_name", "") or ""
-                    if local and local != region.name:
+                        if local and local != region.name:
-                        mappings.append(f'say "{local}" not "{region.name}"')
+                            mappings.append(f'say "{local}" not "{region.name}"')
-                if mappings:
+                    if mappings:
-                    region_name_instructions = f"- ALWAYS use local region names: {', '.join(mappings)}. The code names mean nothing to users."
+                        region_name_instructions = f"- ALWAYS use local region names: {', '.join(mappings)}. The code names mean nothing to users."
 
-            system_prompt += _MESH_AWARENESS_PROMPT.format(
+                system_prompt += _MESH_AWARENESS_PROMPT.format(
-                region_name_instructions=region_name_instructions
+                    region_name_instructions=region_name_instructions
-            )
+                )
 
-            # Build region geography from config dynamically
+                # Build region geography from config dynamically
-            if self.config.mesh_intelligence and self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
+                if self.config.mesh_intelligence and self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
-                geo_lines = ["", "REGION GEOGRAPHY (use local names when discussing these regions):"]
+                    geo_lines = ["", "REGION GEOGRAPHY (use local names when discussing these regions):"]
-                for region in self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
+                    for region in self.config.mesh_intelligence.regions:
-                    local = getattr(region, "local_name", "") or ""
+                        local = getattr(region, "local_name", "") or ""
-                    local_str = f' "{local}"' if local else ""
+                        local_str = f' "{local}"' if local else ""
-                    desc = getattr(region, "description", "") or ""
+                        desc = getattr(region, "description", "") or ""
-                    desc_str = f" — {desc}" if desc else ""
+                        desc_str = f" — {desc}" if desc else ""
-                    aliases = getattr(region, "aliases", []) or []
+                        aliases = getattr(region, "aliases", []) or []
-                    alias_str = ""
+                        alias_str = ""
-                    if aliases:
+                        if aliases:
-                        alias_str = f'\n    People may call this: {", ".join(aliases)}'
+                            alias_str = f'\n    People may call this: {", ".join(aliases)}'
-                    geo_lines.append(f"  - {region.name}{local_str}{desc_str}{alias_str}")
+                        geo_lines.append(f"  - {region.name}{local_str}{desc_str}{alias_str}")
-                system_prompt += "\n".join(geo_lines)
+                    system_prompt += "\n".join(geo_lines)
+
+            # MeshCore channel-recommendation block: for "what channel
+            # should I join?" style questions. Transport-neutral (works for
+            # both meshes -- the block itself is scoped to MeshCore channel
+            # data). Fail-safe — never break the LLM path if transport/config
+            # access throws.
+            try:
+                channel_details = self.connector.channel_details()
+                position = None
+                try:
+                    position = self.connector.get_node_position(message.sender_id)
+                except Exception:
+                    position = None
+                mc_block = _build_meshcore_channel_block(
+                    self.config, channel_details, position
+                )
+                if mc_block:
+                    system_prompt += "\n\n" + mc_block
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception("meshcore channel block injection failed")
 
             # Update mesh context tracking
             self._update_user_mesh_context(

work/meshai/transport/composite_transport.py

@@ -92,6 +92,11 @@ class CompositeTransport(MeshTransport):
         child = self.meshcore_child()
         return child.known_channels() if child is not None else []
 
+    def channel_details(self) -> List[dict]:
+        """Passthrough to the MeshCore child's [{name, hash, key}] channel view; [] if no meshcore child."""
+        child = self.meshcore_child()
+        return child.channel_details() if child is not None else []
+
     def get_contacts(self) -> List[dict]:
         """Passthrough to the MeshCore child's contact roster; [] if no meshcore child."""
         child = self.meshcore_child()

work/meshai/transport/meshcore_transport.py

@@ -852,6 +852,119 @@ class MeshCoreTransport(MeshTransport):
         dashboard; captured alongside _chan_name_to_idx at connect."""
         return list(self._chan_details)
 
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Channel provisioning (add / remove) — self-service from the dashboard.
+    #
+    # There is no dedicated "delete channel" opcode in the companion
+    # firmware/lib; ``set_channel`` (opcode 0x20) is the only channel write.
+    # A slot is considered EMPTY when ``get_channel(idx)`` reports a blank
+    # ``channel_name`` (see _enumerate_channels). Freeing a slot therefore
+    # means writing it back to that same empty state: name="" and a fixed
+    # all-zero 16-byte secret (passed explicitly so the lib's "derive from
+    # sha256(name)" fallback — which only triggers when secret is None or
+    # name starts with "#" — never fires for a blank name).
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    # Companion channel table has a hard cap of 40 slots (0-39); see
+    # _enumerate_channels. Firmware truncates names to 32 bytes.
+    _MAX_CHANNEL_SLOTS = 40
+    _MAX_CHANNEL_NAME_BYTES = 32
+    _EMPTY_SECRET = bytes(16)
+
+    def _find_free_slot(self) -> Optional[int]:
+        """Scan the full companion channel table for the first EMPTY slot.
+
+        Unlike ``_enumerate_channels`` (which stops early after 3 contiguous
+        empty slots as a fast-path heuristic for the common contiguous-
+        provisioning case), this scans every slot 0..39 without an early
+        empty-run cutoff, so a free slot past a gap is never missed. Stops
+        early only on a transport error/None result (treated as end of a
+        usable table). Returns None if no empty slot was found.
+        """
+        for idx in range(self._MAX_CHANNEL_SLOTS):
+            try:
+                event = self._run_coro(self._mc.commands.get_channel(idx))
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.debug(
+                    "MeshCore: get_channel(%d) failed while scanning for free slot: %s",
+                    idx, exc,
+                )
+                break
+            if not event:
+                break
+            is_err = getattr(event, "is_error", None)
+            if callable(is_err) and event.is_error():
+                break
+            payload = event.payload or {}
+            name = payload.get("channel_name", "")
+            if not name:
+                return idx
+        return None
+
+    def add_channel(self, name: str, secret: Optional[bytes]) -> dict:
+        """Provision a new channel (name + PSK) onto the companion.
+
+        ``secret`` is 16 raw bytes, or None for a public/derived channel
+        (name should start with "#" in that case — the lib derives the PSK
+        as sha256(name)[:16]). Picks the first free slot, writes it, then
+        re-enumerates so ``_chan_name_to_idx``/``_chan_details`` reflect the
+        change immediately. Raises ValueError on bad input, RuntimeError if
+        not connected or no free slot, and re-raises transport errors.
+        """
+        if self._mc is None or not self._connected:
+            raise RuntimeError("MeshCore not connected")
+        name = (name or "").strip()
+        if not name:
+            raise ValueError("Channel name must not be empty")
+        if len(name.encode("utf-8")) > self._MAX_CHANNEL_NAME_BYTES:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Channel name exceeds {self._MAX_CHANNEL_NAME_BYTES}-byte companion limit"
+            )
+        if secret is not None and len(secret) != 16:
+            raise ValueError("Channel secret must be exactly 16 bytes")
+        if name in self._chan_name_to_idx:
+            raise ValueError(f"Channel '{name}' already exists")
+
+        free_idx = self._find_free_slot()
+        if free_idx is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("No free channel slot on companion")
+
+        event = self._run_coro(self._mc.commands.set_channel(free_idx, name, secret))
+        is_err = getattr(event, "is_error", None)
+        if callable(is_err) and event.is_error():
+            reason = (getattr(event, "payload", None) or {}).get("reason", "unknown")
+            raise RuntimeError(f"set_channel failed: {reason}")
+
+        self._enumerate_channels()
+        logger.info("MeshCore: added channel '%s' at slot %d", name, free_idx)
+        return {"name": name, "idx": free_idx}
+
+    def remove_channel(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """Clear a provisioned channel's slot on the companion.
+
+        Resolves *name* to its slot via ``_chan_name_to_idx`` and writes the
+        slot back to its empty state (blank name, all-zero secret) — the
+        companion firmware exposes no dedicated delete opcode, so this is
+        the only way to free a slot. Re-enumerates on success. Raises
+        RuntimeError if not connected or the name is unknown.
+        """
+        if self._mc is None or not self._connected:
+            raise RuntimeError("MeshCore not connected")
+        idx = self._chan_name_to_idx.get(name)
+        if idx is None:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Channel '{name}' not found on companion")
+
+        event = self._run_coro(
+            self._mc.commands.set_channel(idx, "", self._EMPTY_SECRET)
+        )
+        is_err = getattr(event, "is_error", None)
+        if callable(is_err) and event.is_error():
+            reason = (getattr(event, "payload", None) or {}).get("reason", "unknown")
+            raise RuntimeError(f"set_channel (clear) failed: {reason}")
+
+        self._enumerate_channels()
+        logger.info("MeshCore: removed channel '%s' (was slot %d)", name, idx)
+
     def get_contacts(self) -> list[dict]:
         """Roster of known MeshCore contacts. [] if not connected."""
         if self._mc is None or not self._connected: