feat: LWW timestamps for bidirectional federation profile & layout sync

Profile and space layout changes on remote instances were being
overwritten by stale data on reconnect. Adds Last-Writer-Wins
timestamps so the client-relay mesh rejects stale writes:

- profile_updated_at column on users table with migration + backfill
- Server LWW guards on PATCH /users/@me and PUT /space-layout
- Bidirectional profileSync: pulls newer remote profiles to home
- LWW layout sync replaces home-authoritative _layoutFromTrueHome flag
- Layout pushes to ALL connected instances in parallel

packages/server/src/db/migrate.ts

@@ -117,6 +117,12 @@ export function runMigrations(db: Database.Database): void {
       columns: [
         { name: 'category_id', type: 'TEXT' },
       ]
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'users',
+      columns: [
+        { name: 'profile_updated_at', type: 'INTEGER' },
+      ]
     }
   ];
 
@@ -233,6 +239,9 @@ export function runMigrations(db: Database.Database): void {
   // ─── Convert video channels to voice (video type removed) ─────────────────
   migrateVideoChannels(db);
 
+  // ─── Backfill profile_updated_at from created_at ──────────────────────────
+  migrateProfileUpdatedAt(db);
+
   // ─── Ensure user_space_layout table exists ────────────────────────────────
   db.exec(`
     CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS user_space_layout (
@@ -651,6 +660,16 @@ function migrateVideoChannels(db: Database.Database): void {
   }
 }
 
+/** Backfill profile_updated_at from created_at for existing users */
+function migrateProfileUpdatedAt(db: Database.Database): void {
+  const result = db.prepare(
+    'UPDATE users SET profile_updated_at = created_at WHERE profile_updated_at IS NULL'
+  ).run();
+  if (result.changes > 0) {
+    console.log(`Migrating: Backfilled profile_updated_at for ${result.changes} user(s)`);
+  }
+}
+
 function migrateReplicatedUsernames(db: Database.Database): void {
   const rows = db.prepare(
     "SELECT id, username, home_instance FROM users WHERE home_instance IS NOT NULL AND username NOT LIKE '%@%'"

packages/server/src/db/schema.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export const users = sqliteTable('users', {
   avatarColor: text('avatar_color'),
   bio: text('bio'),
   isDeleted: integer('is_deleted').default(0),
+  profileUpdatedAt: integer('profile_updated_at'),
   createdAt: integer('created_at').notNull(),
 });
 

packages/server/src/routes/users.ts

@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
   });
 
   app.patch<{ Body: UpdateUserRequest }>('/api/users/@me', { preHandler: authenticate }, async (request, reply) => {
-    const { displayName, avatar, banner, accentColor, avatarColor, bio, customStatus, status, replicatedInstances, homeUserId } = request.body;
+    const { displayName, avatar, banner, accentColor, avatarColor, bio, customStatus, status, replicatedInstances, homeUserId, profileUpdatedAt } = request.body;
     const db = getDb();
 
     const updateData: Record<string, string | null | undefined> = {};
@@ -370,6 +370,28 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
       return reply.code(400).send({ error: 'No fields to update', statusCode: 400 });
     }
 
+    // LWW guard: if the caller provided a profileUpdatedAt and profile fields changed,
+    // reject stale writes by comparing timestamps
+    const profileFields = ['displayName', 'avatar', 'banner', 'accentColor', 'avatarColor', 'bio', 'customStatus'];
+    const hasProfileChange = profileFields.some(f => f in updateData);
+
+    if (hasProfileChange) {
+      if (profileUpdatedAt !== undefined && typeof profileUpdatedAt === 'number') {
+        const currentUser = db.select().from(schema.users).where(eq(schema.users.id, request.userId)).get();
+        if (currentUser) {
+          const storedTs = currentUser.profileUpdatedAt ?? currentUser.createdAt;
+          if (profileUpdatedAt < storedTs) {
+            // Incoming data is older — return current state without updating
+            return reply.code(200).send(sanitizeUser(currentUser));
+          }
+        }
+        (updateData as Record<string, unknown>).profileUpdatedAt = profileUpdatedAt;
+      } else {
+        // No explicit timestamp — stamp with server time (local edits)
+        (updateData as Record<string, unknown>).profileUpdatedAt = Date.now();
+      }
+    }
+
     db.update(schema.users).set(updateData).where(eq(schema.users.id, request.userId)).run();
 
     const updatedUser = db.select().from(schema.users).where(eq(schema.users.id, request.userId)).get();
@@ -396,10 +418,7 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
       });
     }
 
-    // Broadcast user_updated for profile field changes
-    const profileFields = ['displayName', 'avatar', 'banner', 'accentColor', 'avatarColor', 'bio', 'customStatus'];
-    const hasProfileChange = profileFields.some(f => f in updateData);
-
+    // Broadcast user_updated for profile field changes (reuse hasProfileChange from LWW guard above)
     if (hasProfileChange) {
       const userUpdatedEvent = { type: 'user_updated' as const, user: sanitized };
       const targetUserIds = new Set<string>();
@@ -444,9 +463,9 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
   });
 
   // PUT /api/users/@me/space-layout — save sidebar layout (reorder, folders)
-  app.put<{ Body: { items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: Record<string, { name: string | null; color: string | null; spaceIds: string[] }> } }>(
+  app.put<{ Body: { items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: Record<string, { name: string | null; color: string | null; spaceIds: string[] }>; updatedAt?: number } }>(
     '/api/users/@me/space-layout', { preHandler: authenticate }, async (request, reply) => {
-    const { items, folders } = request.body;
+    const { items, folders, updatedAt: incomingTs } = request.body;
     const userId = request.userId;
 
     if (!Array.isArray(items)) {
@@ -472,6 +491,39 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
 
     const db = getDb();
 
+    // LWW guard: reject stale layout writes
+    if (incomingTs !== undefined && typeof incomingTs === 'number') {
+      const existingLayout = db.select().from(schema.userSpaceLayout)
+        .where(eq(schema.userSpaceLayout.userId, userId)).get();
+      if (existingLayout && incomingTs < existingLayout.updatedAt) {
+        // Incoming layout is older — return current state without updating
+        const currentItems: SpaceLayoutItem[] = JSON.parse(existingLayout.layout);
+        const currentFolderRows = db.select().from(schema.spaceFolders)
+          .where(eq(schema.spaceFolders.userId, userId))
+          .orderBy(schema.spaceFolders.position)
+          .all();
+        const currentFolders: SpaceFolder[] = currentFolderRows.map(folder => {
+          const memberRows = db.select()
+            .from(schema.spaceFolderMembers)
+            .where(eq(schema.spaceFolderMembers.folderId, folder.id))
+            .orderBy(schema.spaceFolderMembers.position)
+            .all();
+          return {
+            id: folder.id,
+            userId: folder.userId,
+            name: folder.name,
+            color: folder.color,
+            position: folder.position ?? 0,
+            spaceIds: memberRows.map(m => m.spaceId),
+          };
+        });
+        return reply.code(200).send({ items: currentItems, folders: currentFolders, updatedAt: existingLayout.updatedAt });
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Resolve the effective timestamp for this write
+    const effectiveTs = (incomingTs !== undefined && typeof incomingTs === 'number') ? incomingTs : Date.now();
+
     // Map new:* folder keys to server-generated IDs
     const newIdMap = new Map<string, string>();
     for (const key of Object.keys(folders)) {
@@ -553,14 +605,14 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
         .where(eq(schema.userSpaceLayout.userId, userId)).get();
       if (existing) {
         tx.update(schema.userSpaceLayout)
-          .set({ layout: JSON.stringify(finalItems), updatedAt: Date.now() })
+          .set({ layout: JSON.stringify(finalItems), updatedAt: effectiveTs })
           .where(eq(schema.userSpaceLayout.userId, userId))
           .run();
       } else {
         tx.insert(schema.userSpaceLayout).values({
           userId,
           layout: JSON.stringify(finalItems),
-          updatedAt: Date.now(),
+          updatedAt: effectiveTs,
         }).run();
       }
     });
@@ -592,14 +644,17 @@ export async function userRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
       });
     }
 
+    const layoutUpdatedAt = finalLayout?.updatedAt ?? effectiveTs;
+
     // Broadcast to user's other connections (multi-tab sync)
     connectionManager.sendToUser(userId, {
       type: 'space_layout_updated',
       layout: finalItems,
       folders: responseFolders,
+      updatedAt: layoutUpdatedAt,
     });
 
-    return reply.code(200).send({ items: finalItems, folders: responseFolders });
+    return reply.code(200).send({ items: finalItems, folders: responseFolders, updatedAt: layoutUpdatedAt });
   });
 
   app.get<{ Params: { id: string } }>('/api/users/:id', { preHandler: authenticate }, async (request, reply) => {

packages/server/src/utils/sanitize.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export function sanitizeUser(row: typeof schema.users.$inferSelect): User {
       customStatus: null,
       isAdmin: false,
       isDeleted: true,
+      profileUpdatedAt: 0,
       createdAt: row.createdAt,
       homeInstance: null,
       homeUserId: null,
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ export function sanitizeUser(row: typeof schema.users.$inferSelect): User {
     status: (row.status ?? 'offline') as User['status'],
     customStatus: row.customStatus,
     isAdmin: row.isAdmin === 1,
+    profileUpdatedAt: row.profileUpdatedAt ?? row.createdAt,
     createdAt: row.createdAt,
     homeInstance: row.homeInstance ?? null,
     homeUserId: row.homeUserId ?? null,

packages/server/src/ws/handler.ts

@@ -654,6 +654,7 @@ function buildReadyPayload(userId: string): {
   dmChannels: DmChannel[];
   folders: SpaceFolder[];
   spaceLayout: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null;
+  layoutUpdatedAt: number | null;
   voiceStates: Record<string, string[]>;
   voiceUserStates: Record<string, { isMuted: boolean; isDeafened: boolean; isCameraOn: boolean; isScreenSharing: boolean }>;
   spaceVoiceStates: Record<string, { spaceMuted: boolean; spaceDeafened: boolean; permissionMuted: boolean }>;
@@ -946,6 +947,7 @@ function buildReadyPayload(userId: string): {
   const layoutRow = db.select().from(schema.userSpaceLayout)
     .where(eq(schema.userSpaceLayout.userId, userId)).get();
   const spaceLayout: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null = layoutRow ? JSON.parse(layoutRow.layout) : null;
+  const layoutUpdatedAt: number | null = layoutRow?.updatedAt ?? null;
 
   // Build voice states — tell the client who is currently in voice channels
   // across all their spaces
@@ -1037,7 +1039,7 @@ function buildReadyPayload(userId: string): {
     lastReadMessageId: rs.lastReadMessageId,
   }));
 
-  return { user, spaces, dmChannels, folders, spaceLayout, voiceStates, voiceUserStates, spaceVoiceStates, readStates, activeCalls };
+  return { user, spaces, dmChannels, folders, spaceLayout, layoutUpdatedAt, voiceStates, voiceUserStates, spaceVoiceStates, readStates, activeCalls };
 }
 
 export async function registerWebSocket(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {

packages/shared/src/types.ts

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export interface User {
   customStatus: string | null;
   isAdmin: boolean;
   isDeleted?: boolean;
+  profileUpdatedAt?: number;
   createdAt: number;
   homeInstance: string | null;
   homeUserId: string | null;
@@ -271,7 +272,7 @@ export type ClientEvent =
 
 // Server → Client Events
 export type ServerEvent =
-  | { type: 'ready'; user: User; spaces: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers[]; dmChannels: DmChannel[]; folders?: SpaceFolder[]; spaceLayout?: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null; voiceStates?: Record<string, string[]>; voiceUserStates?: Record<string, { isMuted: boolean; isDeafened: boolean; isCameraOn: boolean; isScreenSharing: boolean }>; readStates?: ReadState[]; activeCalls?: ActiveCallInfo[]; spaceVoiceStates?: Record<string, { spaceMuted: boolean; spaceDeafened: boolean }> }
+  | { type: 'ready'; user: User; spaces: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers[]; dmChannels: DmChannel[]; folders?: SpaceFolder[]; spaceLayout?: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null; layoutUpdatedAt?: number; voiceStates?: Record<string, string[]>; voiceUserStates?: Record<string, { isMuted: boolean; isDeafened: boolean; isCameraOn: boolean; isScreenSharing: boolean }>; readStates?: ReadState[]; activeCalls?: ActiveCallInfo[]; spaceVoiceStates?: Record<string, { spaceMuted: boolean; spaceDeafened: boolean }> }
   | { type: 'message_created'; message: MessageWithUser }
   | { type: 'message_updated'; message: MessageWithUser }
   | { type: 'message_deleted'; messageId: string; channelId: string }
@@ -317,7 +318,7 @@ export type ServerEvent =
   | { type: 'category_updated'; category: ChannelCategory; spaceId: string }
   | { type: 'category_deleted'; categoryId: string; spaceId: string }
   | { type: 'channel_layout_updated'; spaceId: string; channels: Channel[]; categories: ChannelCategory[] }
-  | { type: 'space_layout_updated'; layout: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: SpaceFolder[] }
+  | { type: 'space_layout_updated'; layout: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: SpaceFolder[]; updatedAt?: number }
   | { type: 'pong' }
   | { type: 'error'; message: string };
 
@@ -385,6 +386,7 @@ export interface UpdateUserRequest {
   status?: UserStatus;
   replicatedInstances?: ReplicatedInstance[];
   homeUserId?: string;
+  profileUpdatedAt?: number;
 }
 
 export interface UpdateMemberRequest {

packages/web/src/api/client.ts

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export class BackspaceApiClient {
   };
 
   readonly spaceLayout: {
-    update: (data: { items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: Record<string, { name: string | null; color: string | null; spaceIds: string[] }> }) => Promise<{ items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: SpaceFolder[] }>;
+    update: (data: { items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: Record<string, { name: string | null; color: string | null; spaceIds: string[] }>; updatedAt?: number }) => Promise<{ items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: SpaceFolder[]; updatedAt?: number }>;
   };
 
   readonly spaces: {
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ export class BackspaceApiClient {
 
     this.spaceLayout = {
       update: (data) =>
-        request<{ items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: SpaceFolder[] }>('PUT', '/users/@me/space-layout', data),
+        request<{ items: SpaceLayoutItem[]; folders: SpaceFolder[]; updatedAt?: number }>('PUT', '/users/@me/space-layout', data),
     };
 
     this.spaces = {

packages/web/src/hooks/useWebSocket.ts

@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ function handleEvent(origin: string, event: ServerEvent): void {
         }
       }
 
-      populateFromReady(origin, event.spaces, event.folders, event.dmChannels, event.spaceLayout);
+      populateFromReady(origin, event.spaces, event.folders, event.dmChannels, event.spaceLayout, event.layoutUpdatedAt);
 
       // Cache authoritative identity for this origin (federation-safe)
       if (!isHome) {
@@ -698,15 +698,13 @@ function handleEvent(origin: string, event: ServerEvent): void {
     }
 
     case 'space_layout_updated': {
-      // Accept layout updates from browsing instance OR true home
-      const layoutUser = useAuthStore.getState().user;
-      const isLayoutTrueHome = !!layoutUser?.homeInstance && origin !== '' && (() => {
-        try { return new URL(origin).host === layoutUser.homeInstance; } catch { return false; }
-      })();
-      if (!isHome && !isLayoutTrueHome) break;
-      const { setSpaceLayout } = useSpaceStore.getState();
-      setSpaceLayout(event.layout);
-      useSpaceStore.setState({ folders: event.folders });
+      // LWW: only accept if incoming timestamp >= current
+      const incomingTs = event.updatedAt ?? 0;
+      const currentTs = useSpaceStore.getState()._layoutUpdatedAt;
+      if (incomingTs >= currentTs) {
+        useSpaceStore.getState().setSpaceLayout(event.layout);
+        useSpaceStore.setState({ folders: event.folders, _layoutUpdatedAt: incomingTs });
+      }
       break;
     }
 

packages/web/src/stores/spaceStore.ts

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ interface SpaceState {
   channelPermissions: Map<string, string>; // channelId → myPermissions decimal string
   channelOriginMap: Map<string, string>; // channelId → instance origin ('' = home)
   categoryOriginMap: Map<string, string>; // categoryId → instance origin ('' = home)
-  _layoutFromTrueHome: boolean;
+  _layoutUpdatedAt: number;
   setSpaces: (spaces: TaggedSpace[]) => void;
   setCurrentSpace: (spaceId: string | null) => void;
   setChannels: (channels: Channel[]) => void;
@@ -76,13 +76,40 @@ interface SpaceState {
   removeMember: (userId: string) => void;
   setSpaceLayout: (layout: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null) => void;
   updateSpaceLayout: (items: SpaceLayoutItem[], folders: Record<string, { name: string | null; color: string | null; spaceIds: string[] }>) => Promise<void>;
-  populateFromReady: (origin: string, spaces: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers[], folders?: SpaceFolder[], dmChannels?: DmChannel[], spaceLayout?: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null) => void;
+  populateFromReady: (origin: string, spaces: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers[], folders?: SpaceFolder[], dmChannels?: DmChannel[], spaceLayout?: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null, layoutUpdatedAt?: number) => void;
   addSpaceFromReady: (origin: string, space: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers) => void;
   removeInstanceSpaces: (origin: string) => void;
   transferOwnership: (spaceId: string, newOwnerId: string) => Promise<void>;
   findExistingDmForUser: (targetUser: { id: string; homeUserId?: string | null }) => { dm: DmChannel; origin: string } | null;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Push the current layout to a specific origin whose layout was older.
+ * Used when populateFromReady receives a stale layout from an instance.
+ */
+async function pushLayoutToOrigin(
+  origin: string,
+  layout: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null,
+  folders: SpaceFolder[],
+  updatedAt: number,
+): Promise<void> {
+  try {
+    const targetApi = getApiForOrigin(origin);
+    // Build folder map from SpaceFolder[]
+    const folderMap: Record<string, { name: string | null; color: string | null; spaceIds: string[] }> = {};
+    for (const f of folders) {
+      folderMap[f.id] = { name: f.name, color: f.color, spaceIds: f.spaceIds };
+    }
+    await targetApi.spaceLayout.update({
+      items: layout ?? [],
+      folders: folderMap,
+      updatedAt,
+    });
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`[SpaceStore] Failed to push layout to ${origin || 'home'}:`, err);
+  }
+}
+
 export const useSpaceStore = create<SpaceState>((set, get) => ({
   spaces: [],
   currentSpaceId: null,
@@ -99,7 +126,7 @@ export const useSpaceStore = create<SpaceState>((set, get) => ({
   channelPermissions: new Map(),
   channelOriginMap: new Map(),
   categoryOriginMap: new Map(),
-  _layoutFromTrueHome: false,
+  _layoutUpdatedAt: 0,
 
   setSpaces: (spaces) => set({ spaces }),
   setCurrentSpace: (spaceId) => set({ currentSpaceId: spaceId }),
@@ -424,33 +451,43 @@ export const useSpaceStore = create<SpaceState>((set, get) => ({
   setSpaceLayout: (layout) => set({ spaceLayout: layout }),
 
   updateSpaceLayout: async (items, folders) => {
-    // Optimistic: apply the layout immediately
-    set({ spaceLayout: items });
+    const now = Date.now();
+    // Optimistic: apply the layout immediately with new timestamp
+    set({ spaceLayout: items, _layoutUpdatedAt: now });
 
-    const homeOrigin = getLayoutHomeOrigin();
-    const homeApi = getApiForOrigin(homeOrigin);
+    // Push to ALL connected instances in parallel (browsing + remotes)
+    const targets: { origin: string; apiClient: BackspaceApiClient }[] = [
+      { origin: '', apiClient: api },
+    ];
 
+    // Dynamically import instanceStore to avoid circular dep
     try {
-      const result = await homeApi.spaceLayout.update({ items, folders });
-      // Server may have resolved new:* IDs
-      set({ spaceLayout: result.items, folders: result.folders });
-    } catch (err) {
-      // If true home is remote and unreachable, fall back to browsing instance
-      if (homeOrigin) {
-        console.warn(`Layout save to home (${homeOrigin}) failed, falling back to local:`, err);
-        try {
-          const result = await api.spaceLayout.update({ items, folders });
-          set({ spaceLayout: result.items, folders: result.folders });
-        } catch (fallbackErr) {
-          console.error('Failed to save space layout:', fallbackErr);
+      const { useInstanceStore } = await import('./instanceStore');
+      const connected = useInstanceStore.getState().instances.filter(i => i.status === 'connected');
+      for (const inst of connected) {
+        targets.push({ origin: inst.origin, apiClient: inst.api });
       }
-      } else {
-        console.error('Failed to save space layout:', err);
+    } catch { /* instanceStore not available yet */ }
+
+    const results = await Promise.allSettled(
+      targets.map(t => t.apiClient.spaceLayout.update({ items, folders, updatedAt: now }))
+    );
+
+    // Use the first successful response to resolve new:* IDs
+    for (const result of results) {
+      if (result.status === 'fulfilled') {
+        const resolved = result.value;
+        set({
+          spaceLayout: resolved.items,
+          folders: resolved.folders,
+          _layoutUpdatedAt: resolved.updatedAt ?? now,
+        });
+        break;
       }
     }
   },
 
-  populateFromReady: (origin: string, spaces: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers[], folders?: SpaceFolder[], dmChannels?: DmChannel[], spaceLayout?: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null) => {
+  populateFromReady: (origin: string, spaces: SpaceWithChannelsAndMembers[], folders?: SpaceFolder[], dmChannels?: DmChannel[], spaceLayout?: SpaceLayoutItem[] | null, layoutUpdatedAt?: number) => {
     const isHome = !origin;
 
     // Tag all incoming servers with their instance origin
@@ -568,26 +605,19 @@ export const useSpaceStore = create<SpaceState>((set, get) => ({
       categoryOriginMap,
     };
 
-    // Determine if this origin is the user's true home (federation-aware)
-    const currentUser = useAuthStore.getState().user;
-    const isTrueHome = !!currentUser?.homeInstance && origin !== '' && (() => {
-      try { return new URL(origin).host === currentUser.homeInstance; } catch { return false; }
-    })();
-
-    // Accept layout from true home (authoritative) or browsing instance (fallback)
-    if (isTrueHome) {
-      // Authoritative: true home always wins
-      update.folders = folders || [];
-      if (spaceLayout !== undefined) {
-        update.spaceLayout = spaceLayout ?? null;
-      }
-      update._layoutFromTrueHome = true;
-    } else if (isHome && !get()._layoutFromTrueHome) {
-      // Fallback: browsing instance's layout, only until true home connects
+    // LWW layout merge: accept incoming layout only if its timestamp is >= ours
+    const incomingTs = layoutUpdatedAt ?? 0;
+    const currentTs = get()._layoutUpdatedAt;
+    if (incomingTs >= currentTs) {
+      // Incoming is same age or newer — accept
       update.folders = folders || [];
       if (spaceLayout !== undefined) {
         update.spaceLayout = spaceLayout ?? null;
       }
+      (update as any)._layoutUpdatedAt = incomingTs;
+    } else {
+      // Our layout is newer — push back to this instance
+      pushLayoutToOrigin(origin, get().spaceLayout, get().folders, currentTs);
     }
 
     set(update as any);
@@ -706,16 +736,6 @@ export const useSpaceStore = create<SpaceState>((set, get) => ({
         }
       }
 
-      // If the removed origin was the true home, reset the layout authority flag
-      // so the browsing instance's layout can serve as fallback again
-      const currentUser = useAuthStore.getState().user;
-      let resetLayoutFlag = false;
-      if (currentUser?.homeInstance && origin !== '') {
-        try {
-          resetLayoutFlag = new URL(origin).host === currentUser.homeInstance;
-        } catch { /* ignore */ }
-      }
-
       return {
         spaces: remainingSpaces,
         channelToSpaceMap,
@@ -726,7 +746,6 @@ export const useSpaceStore = create<SpaceState>((set, get) => ({
         currentSpaceId: remainingSpaces.find(s => s.id === state.currentSpaceId)
           ? state.currentSpaceId
           : null,
-        ...(resetLayoutFlag ? { _layoutFromTrueHome: false } : {}),
       };
     });
   },

packages/web/src/utils/profileSync.ts

@@ -1,29 +1,52 @@
 import type { UpdateUserRequest } from '@backspace/shared';
 import { useAuthStore } from '../stores/authStore';
 import { useInstanceStore, type ConnectedInstance } from '../stores/instanceStore';
+import { api } from '../api/client';
 
 // ─── Internal helper ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-async function downloadHomeAsset(filename: string): Promise<Blob> {
+async function downloadAsset(filename: string, origin?: string): Promise<Blob> {
   if (filename.startsWith('http') || filename.startsWith('blob:')) {
     const res = await fetch(filename);
     return res.blob();
   }
-  const res = await fetch(`/api/uploads/${filename}`);
+  const base = origin ? `${origin}/api/uploads/${filename}` : `/api/uploads/${filename}`;
+  const res = await fetch(base);
   return res.blob();
 }
 
 // ─── Full profile sync (connect / reconnect) ────────────────────────────────
 
 /**
- * Push the entire home profile to a single remote instance.
- * Called on initial connect, reconnect, and login-to-remote.
+ * Bidirectional profile sync with a single remote instance using LWW timestamps.
+ * - If home is newer (or both equal): push home → remote (existing behavior)
+ * - If remote is newer: pull remote → home, then relay to all other remotes
+ * - If equal: no-op
  */
 export async function syncProfileToRemote(inst: ConnectedInstance): Promise<void> {
   try {
     const homeUser = useAuthStore.getState().user;
     if (!homeUser) return;
 
+    const homeTs = homeUser.profileUpdatedAt ?? 0;
+    const remoteTs = inst.user?.profileUpdatedAt ?? 0;
+
+    if (homeTs >= remoteTs) {
+      // Home is newer (or equal) — push to remote
+      await pushProfileToRemote(inst, homeUser);
+    } else {
+      // Remote is newer — pull from remote to home, then relay
+      await pullProfileFromRemote(inst);
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`[ProfileSync] Full sync with ${inst.origin} failed:`, err);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Push the home profile to a single remote instance.
+ */
+async function pushProfileToRemote(inst: ConnectedInstance, homeUser: NonNullable<ReturnType<typeof useAuthStore.getState>['user']>): Promise<void> {
   const payload: UpdateUserRequest = {
     displayName: homeUser.displayName || undefined,
     avatarColor: homeUser.avatarColor || undefined,
@@ -31,12 +54,13 @@ export async function syncProfileToRemote(inst: ConnectedInstance): Promise<void
     bio: homeUser.bio || undefined,
     customStatus: homeUser.customStatus || undefined,
     status: homeUser.status || undefined,
+    profileUpdatedAt: homeUser.profileUpdatedAt,
   };
 
   // Sync avatar
   if (homeUser.avatar) {
     try {
-        const blob = await downloadHomeAsset(homeUser.avatar);
+      const blob = await downloadAsset(homeUser.avatar);
       const attachment = await inst.api.uploads.upload(new File([blob], homeUser.avatar));
       payload.avatar = attachment.filename;
     } catch (err) {
@@ -49,7 +73,7 @@ export async function syncProfileToRemote(inst: ConnectedInstance): Promise<void
   // Sync banner
   if (homeUser.banner) {
     try {
-        const blob = await downloadHomeAsset(homeUser.banner);
+      const blob = await downloadAsset(homeUser.banner);
       const attachment = await inst.api.uploads.upload(new File([blob], homeUser.banner));
       payload.banner = attachment.filename;
     } catch (err) {
@@ -60,8 +84,62 @@ export async function syncProfileToRemote(inst: ConnectedInstance): Promise<void
   }
 
   await inst.api.users.update(payload);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Pull a remote instance's newer profile to the browsing (home) instance,
+ * then relay to all other connected remotes.
+ */
+async function pullProfileFromRemote(inst: ConnectedInstance): Promise<void> {
+  const remoteUser = inst.user;
+  if (!remoteUser) return;
+
+  const payload: UpdateUserRequest = {
+    displayName: remoteUser.displayName || undefined,
+    avatarColor: remoteUser.avatarColor || undefined,
+    accentColor: remoteUser.accentColor || undefined,
+    bio: remoteUser.bio || undefined,
+    customStatus: remoteUser.customStatus || undefined,
+    profileUpdatedAt: remoteUser.profileUpdatedAt,
+  };
+
+  // Download and re-upload avatar from remote → home
+  if (remoteUser.avatar) {
+    try {
+      const blob = await downloadAsset(remoteUser.avatar, inst.origin);
+      const attachment = await api.uploads.upload(new File([blob], remoteUser.avatar.split('/').pop() || 'avatar'));
+      payload.avatar = attachment.filename;
     } catch (err) {
-    console.warn(`[ProfileSync] Full sync to ${inst.origin} failed:`, err);
+      console.warn('[ProfileSync] Failed to download/upload avatar from remote:', err);
+    }
+  } else {
+    payload.avatar = '';
+  }
+
+  // Download and re-upload banner from remote → home
+  if (remoteUser.banner) {
+    try {
+      const blob = await downloadAsset(remoteUser.banner, inst.origin);
+      const attachment = await api.uploads.upload(new File([blob], remoteUser.banner.split('/').pop() || 'banner'));
+      payload.banner = attachment.filename;
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.warn('[ProfileSync] Failed to download/upload banner from remote:', err);
+    }
+  } else {
+    payload.banner = '';
+  }
+
+  // PATCH browsing instance (home) with the remote's newer data
+  const updatedUser = await api.users.update(payload);
+  useAuthStore.getState().setUser(updatedUser);
+
+  // Relay to all OTHER connected remotes (exclude the source)
+  const { instances } = useInstanceStore.getState();
+  const otherConnected = instances.filter(i => i.status === 'connected' && i.origin !== inst.origin);
+  if (otherConnected.length > 0) {
+    await Promise.allSettled(
+      otherConnected.map(other => pushProfileToRemote(other, updatedUser))
+    );
   }
 }
 
@@ -88,6 +166,9 @@ export async function syncProfileUpdateToRemotes(update: Partial<UpdateUserReque
       }
     }
 
+    // Include the LWW timestamp so remotes can reject stale writes
+    basePayload.profileUpdatedAt = useAuthStore.getState().user?.profileUpdatedAt;
+
     // Pre-download file assets once (if they changed)
     let avatarBlob: Blob | null = null;
     let avatarFilename: string | null = null;
@@ -97,7 +178,7 @@ export async function syncProfileUpdateToRemotes(update: Partial<UpdateUserReque
     if ('avatar' in update) {
       if (update.avatar) {
         try {
-          avatarBlob = await downloadHomeAsset(update.avatar);
+          avatarBlob = await downloadAsset(update.avatar);
           avatarFilename = update.avatar;
         } catch (err) {
           console.warn('[ProfileSync] Failed to download avatar for sync:', err);
@@ -108,7 +189,7 @@ export async function syncProfileUpdateToRemotes(update: Partial<UpdateUserReque
     if ('banner' in update) {
       if (update.banner) {
         try {
-          bannerBlob = await downloadHomeAsset(update.banner);
+          bannerBlob = await downloadAsset(update.banner);
           bannerFilename = update.banner;
         } catch (err) {
           console.warn('[ProfileSync] Failed to download banner for sync:', err);