diff --git a/packages/server/src/routes/federation.peeringNotifications.test.ts b/packages/server/src/routes/federation.peeringNotifications.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9938de33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/routes/federation.peeringNotifications.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,526 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach, afterEach, vi } from 'vitest';
+import Fastify, { type FastifyInstance } from 'fastify';
+import Database from 'better-sqlite3';
+import { drizzle } from 'drizzle-orm/better-sqlite3';
+import { eq } from 'drizzle-orm';
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+import * as schema from '../db/schema.js';
+import { setWorkerId } from '../utils/snowflake.js';
+
+setWorkerId(1);
+
+const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+
+type TestDb = ReturnType<typeof drizzle<typeof schema>>;
+let sqlite: Database.Database;
+let testDb: TestDb;
+
+// The userId set onto request by the mocked authenticate preHandler. Tests
+// override this per-case to simulate different authenticated users.
+let currentUserId = 'alice';
+
+vi.mock('../db/index.js', () => ({
+  getDb: () => testDb,
+  getRawDb: () => sqlite,
+  schema,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../config.js', () => ({
+  config: {
+    domain: 'local.example',
+    port: 3000,
+    host: '0.0.0.0',
+    jwtSecret: 'test-secret-12345678901234567890123456789012',
+    maxUploadSize: 100 * 1024 * 1024,
+    registrationOpen: true,
+  },
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../utils/auth.js', () => ({
+  authenticate: async (req: { userId?: string }) => {
+    req.userId = currentUserId;
+  },
+  requireAdmin: async () => {},
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../utils/federationAuth.js', async () => {
+  const actual = await vi.importActual<typeof import('../utils/federationAuth.js')>('../utils/federationAuth.js');
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    getOurOrigin: () => 'https://local.example',
+    generateHmacSecret: () => 'mock-generated-secret',
+  };
+});
+
+vi.mock('../ws/handler.js', () => ({
+  connectionManager: {
+    sendToAdmins: vi.fn(),
+    getAllOnlineUserIds: () => [],
+    sendToUser: vi.fn(),
+    sendToDmMembers: vi.fn(),
+  },
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../utils/federationPeerActivation.js', () => ({
+  onPeerActivated: vi.fn(async () => undefined),
+  onPeerDeactivated: vi.fn(async () => undefined),
+}));
+
+function applyMigrations(db: Database.Database): void {
+  const migrationsDir = path.resolve(__dirname, '../../drizzle');
+  const files = fs.readdirSync(migrationsDir).filter(f => f.endsWith('.sql')).sort();
+  for (const f of files) {
+    const sqlText = fs.readFileSync(path.join(migrationsDir, f), 'utf8');
+    const statements = sqlText.split(/-->\s*statement-breakpoint/);
+    for (const stmt of statements) {
+      const clean = stmt.trim();
+      if (clean) db.exec(clean);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function seedInstanceSettings(): void {
+  testDb.insert(schema.instanceSettings).values({
+    id: 1,
+    instanceName: 'Local Backspace',
+    autoAcceptPeering: 0,
+    registrationOpen: 1,
+    updatedAt: Date.now(),
+  }).run();
+}
+
+function seedUser(id: string, username: string): void {
+  testDb.insert(schema.users).values({
+    id,
+    username,
+    passwordHash: 'x',
+    displayName: username,
+    createdAt: Date.now(),
+  }).run();
+}
+
+interface SeedNotif {
+  id: string;
+  userId: string;
+  kind: 'approved' | 'denied' | 'expired';
+  peerOrigin: string;
+  triggerReason: string;
+  triggerTarget: string;
+  createdAt: number;
+  readAt: number | null;
+}
+
+function seedNotification(n: SeedNotif): void {
+  testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).values({
+    id: n.id,
+    userId: n.userId,
+    kind: n.kind,
+    peerOrigin: n.peerOrigin,
+    triggerReason: n.triggerReason,
+    triggerTarget: n.triggerTarget,
+    createdAt: n.createdAt,
+    readAt: n.readAt,
+  }).run();
+}
+
+async function buildApp(): Promise<FastifyInstance> {
+  const app = Fastify({ logger: false });
+  const { federationRoutes } = await import('./federation.js');
+  await app.register(federationRoutes);
+  await app.ready();
+  return app;
+}
+
+describe('GET /api/federation/peering-notifications', () => {
+  let app: FastifyInstance;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    sqlite = new Database(':memory:');
+    testDb = drizzle(sqlite, { schema });
+    applyMigrations(sqlite);
+    seedInstanceSettings();
+    seedUser('alice', 'alice');
+    seedUser('bob', 'bob');
+    currentUserId = 'alice';
+    app = await buildApp();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    sqlite.close();
+  });
+
+  // Test 22: GET → user's rows ordered DESC by createdAt.
+  it("returns the user's notifications ordered DESC by createdAt", async () => {
+    const t0 = 1_700_000_000_000;
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-old',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://orbit.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'someone@orbit.example',
+      createdAt: t0,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-new',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://other.example',
+      triggerReason: 'space_join',
+      triggerTarget: 'invite-xyz',
+      createdAt: t0 + 1_000,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-mid',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'expired',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://third.example',
+      triggerReason: 'direct_message',
+      triggerTarget: 'pal@third.example',
+      createdAt: t0 + 500,
+      readAt: t0 + 800,
+    });
+
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'GET',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications',
+    });
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
+    const body = response.json() as {
+      notifications: Array<{
+        id: string;
+        userId: string;
+        kind: string;
+        peerOrigin: string;
+        triggerReason: string;
+        triggerTarget: string;
+        createdAt: number;
+        readAt: number | null;
+      }>;
+    };
+
+    expect(body.notifications).toHaveLength(3);
+    expect(body.notifications.map(n => n.id)).toEqual(['notif-new', 'notif-mid', 'notif-old']);
+
+    // Shape check on the newest row.
+    expect(body.notifications[0]).toEqual({
+      id: 'notif-new',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://other.example',
+      triggerReason: 'space_join',
+      triggerTarget: 'invite-xyz',
+      createdAt: t0 + 1_000,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+  });
+
+  // Test 23: GET ?unread=1 → only readAt IS NULL rows.
+  it('filters to only unread notifications when ?unread=1', async () => {
+    const t0 = 1_700_000_000_000;
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-unread-1',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://a.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: t0,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-read',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://b.example',
+      triggerReason: 'space_join',
+      triggerTarget: 'invite-y',
+      createdAt: t0 + 100,
+      readAt: t0 + 200,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-unread-2',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'expired',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://c.example',
+      triggerReason: 'direct_message',
+      triggerTarget: 'c@c.example',
+      createdAt: t0 + 300,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'GET',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications?unread=1',
+    });
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
+    const body = response.json() as { notifications: Array<{ id: string; readAt: number | null }> };
+    expect(body.notifications).toHaveLength(2);
+    // DESC ordering: unread-2 (newer) before unread-1 (older).
+    expect(body.notifications.map(n => n.id)).toEqual(['notif-unread-2', 'notif-unread-1']);
+    for (const n of body.notifications) {
+      expect(n.readAt).toBeNull();
+    }
+  });
+
+  // Test 26 (cross-user): GET shows only the requesting user's notifications.
+  it('does NOT return other users\' notifications', async () => {
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'alice-notif',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://a.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: 1,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'bob-notif',
+      userId: 'bob',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://b.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'b@b.example',
+      createdAt: 2,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'GET',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications',
+    });
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
+    const body = response.json() as { notifications: Array<{ id: string; userId: string }> };
+    expect(body.notifications).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(body.notifications[0]!.id).toBe('alice-notif');
+    expect(body.notifications[0]!.userId).toBe('alice');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('POST /api/federation/peering-notifications/:id/read', () => {
+  let app: FastifyInstance;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    sqlite = new Database(':memory:');
+    testDb = drizzle(sqlite, { schema });
+    applyMigrations(sqlite);
+    seedInstanceSettings();
+    seedUser('alice', 'alice');
+    seedUser('bob', 'bob');
+    currentUserId = 'alice';
+    app = await buildApp();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    sqlite.close();
+  });
+
+  // Test 24: POST :id/read → sets readAt.
+  it('marks the notification as read by setting readAt', async () => {
+    const t0 = 1_700_000_000_000;
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'notif-1',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://a.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: t0,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+
+    const before = Date.now();
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'POST',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications/notif-1/read',
+    });
+    const after = Date.now();
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
+    expect(response.json()).toEqual({ success: true });
+
+    const row = testDb.select()
+      .from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'notif-1'))
+      .get();
+    expect(row).toBeDefined();
+    expect(row!.readAt).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(row!.readAt!).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(before);
+    expect(row!.readAt!).toBeLessThanOrEqual(after);
+  });
+
+  // Test 26: POST :id/read on another user's notif → 403.
+  it("returns 403 when the notification belongs to another user; row UNTOUCHED", async () => {
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'bob-notif',
+      userId: 'bob',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://b.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'b@b.example',
+      createdAt: 1,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+
+    // currentUserId is alice; row belongs to bob.
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'POST',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications/bob-notif/read',
+    });
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(403);
+    expect((response.json() as { error: string }).error).toBe('forbidden');
+
+    const row = testDb.select()
+      .from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'bob-notif'))
+      .get();
+    expect(row!.readAt).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  // Test 26: POST :id/read on non-existent → 404.
+  it('returns 404 when the notification does not exist', async () => {
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'POST',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications/does-not-exist/read',
+    });
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(404);
+    expect((response.json() as { error: string }).error).toBe('notification_not_found');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('POST /api/federation/peering-notifications/read-all', () => {
+  let app: FastifyInstance;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    sqlite = new Database(':memory:');
+    testDb = drizzle(sqlite, { schema });
+    applyMigrations(sqlite);
+    seedInstanceSettings();
+    seedUser('alice', 'alice');
+    seedUser('bob', 'bob');
+    currentUserId = 'alice';
+    app = await buildApp();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    sqlite.close();
+  });
+
+  // Test 25: POST read-all → marks all unread as read; returns count.
+  // Already-read rows are NOT touched (their readAt is preserved).
+  it('marks the user\'s unread rows as read; preserves already-read readAt; returns affected count', async () => {
+    const t0 = 1_700_000_000_000;
+    const ALREADY_READ_AT = t0 + 50;
+
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'unread-1',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://a.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: t0,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'unread-2',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://b.example',
+      triggerReason: 'space_join',
+      triggerTarget: 'invite-y',
+      createdAt: t0 + 100,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'already-read',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'expired',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://c.example',
+      triggerReason: 'direct_message',
+      triggerTarget: 'c@c.example',
+      createdAt: t0 + 200,
+      readAt: ALREADY_READ_AT,
+    });
+
+    const before = Date.now();
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'POST',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications/read-all',
+    });
+    const after = Date.now();
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
+    expect(response.json()).toEqual({ success: true, count: 2 });
+
+    const u1 = testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'unread-1')).get();
+    const u2 = testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'unread-2')).get();
+    const ar = testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'already-read')).get();
+
+    expect(u1!.readAt).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(u1!.readAt!).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(before);
+    expect(u1!.readAt!).toBeLessThanOrEqual(after);
+    expect(u2!.readAt).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(u2!.readAt!).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(before);
+    expect(u2!.readAt!).toBeLessThanOrEqual(after);
+
+    // already-read row's readAt is preserved (unchanged).
+    expect(ar!.readAt).toBe(ALREADY_READ_AT);
+  });
+
+  // Test 26: POST read-all only marks the requesting user's rows.
+  it('does NOT touch other users\' notifications', async () => {
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'alice-unread',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://a.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: 1,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+    seedNotification({
+      id: 'bob-unread',
+      userId: 'bob',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://b.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'b@b.example',
+      createdAt: 2,
+      readAt: null,
+    });
+
+    const response = await app.inject({
+      method: 'POST',
+      url: '/api/federation/peering-notifications/read-all',
+    });
+
+    expect(response.statusCode).toBe(200);
+    expect(response.json()).toEqual({ success: true, count: 1 });
+
+    const aliceRow = testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'alice-unread')).get();
+    const bobRow = testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'bob-unread')).get();
+
+    expect(aliceRow!.readAt).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(bobRow!.readAt).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/server/src/routes/federation.ts b/packages/server/src/routes/federation.ts
index c26fe11c..8acf51d2 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/routes/federation.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/routes/federation.ts
@@ -1852,6 +1852,92 @@ export async function federationRoutes(app: FastifyInstance): Promise<void> {
     },
   );
 
+  // ─── GET /api/federation/peering-notifications ─────────────────────────────
+  // User-facing: list the requesting user's terminal-state peering
+  // notifications (kind='approved'|'denied'|'expired'). Optional ?unread=1
+  // filter narrows to rows where readAt IS NULL. Ordered DESC by createdAt
+  // (newest first).
+  app.get<{ Querystring: { unread?: string } }>(
+    '/api/federation/peering-notifications',
+    { preHandler: [authenticate] },
+    async (request, reply) => {
+      const db = getDb();
+      const userId = request.userId;
+      const unread = request.query?.unread === '1';
+
+      const whereClause = unread
+        ? and(
+            eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.userId, userId),
+            isNull(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.readAt),
+          )
+        : eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.userId, userId);
+
+      const notifications = db
+        .select()
+        .from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+        .where(whereClause)
+        .orderBy(desc(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.createdAt))
+        .all();
+
+      return reply.send({ notifications });
+    },
+  );
+
+  // ─── POST /api/federation/peering-notifications/:id/read ───────────────────
+  // User-facing: mark a single peering notification as read. Authorization:
+  // notification.userId must match request.userId.
+  app.post<{ Params: { id: string } }>(
+    '/api/federation/peering-notifications/:id/read',
+    { preHandler: [authenticate] },
+    async (request, reply) => {
+      const db = getDb();
+      const { id } = request.params;
+      const userId = request.userId;
+
+      const notif = db
+        .select()
+        .from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+        .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, id))
+        .get();
+      if (!notif) {
+        return reply.code(404).send({ error: 'notification_not_found', statusCode: 404 });
+      }
+      if (notif.userId !== userId) {
+        return reply.code(403).send({ error: 'forbidden', statusCode: 403 });
+      }
+
+      db.update(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+        .set({ readAt: Date.now() })
+        .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, id))
+        .run();
+      return reply.send({ success: true });
+    },
+  );
+
+  // ─── POST /api/federation/peering-notifications/read-all ───────────────────
+  // User-facing: mark all the requesting user's unread peering notifications
+  // as read. Already-read rows are NOT touched (their readAt is preserved).
+  // Returns the count of rows affected for UI feedback.
+  app.post(
+    '/api/federation/peering-notifications/read-all',
+    { preHandler: [authenticate] },
+    async (request, reply) => {
+      const db = getDb();
+      const userId = request.userId;
+      const result = db
+        .update(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+        .set({ readAt: Date.now() })
+        .where(
+          and(
+            eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.userId, userId),
+            isNull(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.readAt),
+          ),
+        )
+        .run();
+      return reply.send({ success: true, count: result.changes });
+    },
+  );
+
   // ─── POST /api/federation/peers/:id/rotate ──────────────────────────────────
   // Admin-only: trigger immediate secret rotation for a peer.
   app.post<{ Params: { id: string } }>(
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.peeringExpiry.test.ts b/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.peeringExpiry.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a8e9488f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.peeringExpiry.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach, afterEach, vi } from 'vitest';
+import Database from 'better-sqlite3';
+import { drizzle } from 'drizzle-orm/better-sqlite3';
+import { eq } from 'drizzle-orm';
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+import * as schema from '../db/schema.js';
+import { setWorkerId } from './snowflake.js';
+
+setWorkerId(2);
+
+const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+
+type TestDb = ReturnType<typeof drizzle<typeof schema>>;
+let sqlite: Database.Database;
+let testDb: TestDb;
+
+vi.mock('../db/index.js', () => ({
+  getDb: () => testDb,
+  getRawDb: () => sqlite,
+  schema,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../config.js', () => ({
+  config: {
+    domain: 'local.example',
+    port: 3000,
+    host: '0.0.0.0',
+    jwtSecret: 'test-secret-12345678901234567890123456789012',
+    maxUploadSize: 100 * 1024 * 1024,
+    registrationOpen: true,
+    uploadDir: '/tmp/backspace-test-uploads',
+  },
+}));
+
+function applyMigrations(db: Database.Database): void {
+  const migrationsDir = path.resolve(__dirname, '../../drizzle');
+  const files = fs.readdirSync(migrationsDir).filter(f => f.endsWith('.sql')).sort();
+  for (const f of files) {
+    const sqlText = fs.readFileSync(path.join(migrationsDir, f), 'utf8');
+    const statements = sqlText.split(/-->\s*statement-breakpoint/);
+    for (const stmt of statements) {
+      const clean = stmt.trim();
+      if (clean) db.exec(clean);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function seedUser(id: string, username: string): void {
+  testDb.insert(schema.users).values({
+    id,
+    username,
+    passwordHash: 'x',
+    displayName: username,
+    createdAt: Date.now(),
+  }).run();
+}
+
+describe('cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    sqlite = new Database(':memory:');
+    testDb = drizzle(sqlite, { schema });
+    applyMigrations(sqlite);
+    seedUser('alice', 'alice');
+    seedUser('bob', 'bob');
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    sqlite.close();
+  });
+
+  // Janitor expiry test A: outbound row with subscribers + past expiresAt →
+  // janitor writes kind='expired' notifications to each subscriber, cascade-deletes parent.
+  it('outbound expired row: fans out kind=expired notifications to each subscriber, then cascade-deletes parent', async () => {
+    const past = Date.now() - 1_000;
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalRequests).values({
+      id: 'req-out',
+      origin: 'https://orbit.example',
+      direction: 'outbound',
+      instanceName: 'Orbit',
+      hmacSecret: null,
+      requestedAt: past - 1000,
+      expiresAt: past,
+      approvalToken: null,
+    }).run();
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers).values({
+      id: 'sub-alice',
+      requestId: 'req-out',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'someone@orbit.example',
+      createdAt: past - 1000,
+    }).run();
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers).values({
+      id: 'sub-bob',
+      requestId: 'req-out',
+      userId: 'bob',
+      triggerReason: 'space_join',
+      triggerTarget: 'invite-xyz',
+      createdAt: past - 500,
+    }).run();
+
+    const { cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests } = await import('./storageJanitor.js');
+    const before = Date.now();
+    const cleaned = cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests();
+    const after = Date.now();
+
+    expect(cleaned).toBe(1);
+
+    // Parent deleted.
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalRequests)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalRequests.id, 'req-out')).get()).toBeUndefined();
+
+    // Subscribers cascade-deleted.
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers.requestId, 'req-out')).all()).toHaveLength(0);
+
+    // Each subscriber received a kind='expired' notification preserving their
+    // trigger_reason / trigger_target.
+    const allNotifs = testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).all();
+    expect(allNotifs).toHaveLength(2);
+
+    const aliceNotif = allNotifs.find(n => n.userId === 'alice');
+    const bobNotif = allNotifs.find(n => n.userId === 'bob');
+
+    expect(aliceNotif).toBeDefined();
+    expect(aliceNotif!.kind).toBe('expired');
+    expect(aliceNotif!.peerOrigin).toBe('https://orbit.example');
+    expect(aliceNotif!.triggerReason).toBe('friend_add');
+    expect(aliceNotif!.triggerTarget).toBe('someone@orbit.example');
+    expect(aliceNotif!.readAt).toBeNull();
+    expect(aliceNotif!.createdAt).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(before);
+    expect(aliceNotif!.createdAt).toBeLessThanOrEqual(after);
+
+    expect(bobNotif).toBeDefined();
+    expect(bobNotif!.kind).toBe('expired');
+    expect(bobNotif!.peerOrigin).toBe('https://orbit.example');
+    expect(bobNotif!.triggerReason).toBe('space_join');
+    expect(bobNotif!.triggerTarget).toBe('invite-xyz');
+    expect(bobNotif!.readAt).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  // Janitor expiry test B: inbound row with past expiresAt → janitor deletes
+  // it without writing any notifications.
+  it('inbound expired row: deletes outright with NO notifications written', async () => {
+    const past = Date.now() - 1_000;
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalRequests).values({
+      id: 'req-in',
+      origin: 'https://orbit.example',
+      direction: 'inbound',
+      instanceName: 'Orbit',
+      hmacSecret: 'shared-secret',
+      requestedAt: past - 1000,
+      expiresAt: past,
+      approvalToken: null,
+    }).run();
+
+    const { cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests } = await import('./storageJanitor.js');
+    const cleaned = cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests();
+
+    expect(cleaned).toBe(1);
+
+    // Parent deleted.
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalRequests)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalRequests.id, 'req-in')).get()).toBeUndefined();
+
+    // No notifications written for inbound.
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).all()).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+
+  // Mixed: not-yet-expired rows are not touched, regardless of direction.
+  it('does not touch rows whose expiresAt is in the future', async () => {
+    const future = Date.now() + 60_000;
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalRequests).values({
+      id: 'req-future-out',
+      origin: 'https://a.example',
+      direction: 'outbound',
+      instanceName: null,
+      hmacSecret: null,
+      requestedAt: Date.now(),
+      expiresAt: future,
+      approvalToken: null,
+    }).run();
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers).values({
+      id: 'sub-future',
+      requestId: 'req-future-out',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: Date.now(),
+    }).run();
+
+    const { cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests } = await import('./storageJanitor.js');
+    const cleaned = cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests();
+
+    expect(cleaned).toBe(0);
+
+    // Row still present.
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalRequests)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalRequests.id, 'req-future-out')).get()).toBeDefined();
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers.id, 'sub-future')).get()).toBeDefined();
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).all()).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('cleanupReadPeeringNotifications', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    sqlite = new Database(':memory:');
+    testDb = drizzle(sqlite, { schema });
+    applyMigrations(sqlite);
+    seedUser('alice', 'alice');
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    sqlite.close();
+  });
+
+  // Cleanup test: read notifications older than 30 days are deleted; unread
+  // and recent-read notifications are NOT deleted.
+  it('deletes only read-AND-old notifications; unread and recent-read survive', async () => {
+    const now = Date.now();
+    const THIRTY_DAYS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+    const cutoffMargin = 60_000;
+
+    // (a) Read & older than 30 days → DELETE
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).values({
+      id: 'old-read',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://a.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'a@a.example',
+      createdAt: now - THIRTY_DAYS - 5 * 60_000,
+      readAt: now - THIRTY_DAYS - cutoffMargin,
+    }).run();
+
+    // (b) Read & recent (< 30 days old) → KEEP
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).values({
+      id: 'recent-read',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'denied',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://b.example',
+      triggerReason: 'space_join',
+      triggerTarget: 'invite-y',
+      createdAt: now - 5 * 60_000,
+      readAt: now - 60_000,
+    }).run();
+
+    // (c) Unread (regardless of age) → KEEP
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).values({
+      id: 'old-unread',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'expired',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://c.example',
+      triggerReason: 'direct_message',
+      triggerTarget: 'c@c.example',
+      createdAt: now - THIRTY_DAYS - 10 * 60_000,
+      readAt: null,
+    }).run();
+    testDb.insert(schema.peerApprovalNotifications).values({
+      id: 'fresh-unread',
+      userId: 'alice',
+      kind: 'approved',
+      peerOrigin: 'https://d.example',
+      triggerReason: 'friend_add',
+      triggerTarget: 'd@d.example',
+      createdAt: now - 60_000,
+      readAt: null,
+    }).run();
+
+    const { cleanupReadPeeringNotifications } = await import('./storageJanitor.js');
+    const deleted = cleanupReadPeeringNotifications();
+
+    expect(deleted).toBe(1);
+
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'old-read')).get()).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'recent-read')).get()).toBeDefined();
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'old-unread')).get()).toBeDefined();
+    expect(testDb.select().from(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.id, 'fresh-unread')).get()).toBeDefined();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.ts b/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.ts
index 73f0ebd2..78f1a562 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/utils/storageJanitor.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { and, eq, inArray, isNotNull, isNull, lt, lte } from 'drizzle-orm';
 import { config } from '../config.js';
 import { getDb, getRawDb, schema } from '../db/index.js';
 import { deleteUploadFile, deleteAttachmentFiles } from './fileCleanup.js';
+import { generateSnowflake } from './snowflake.js';
 import type { StorageStats, StorageBreakdown, OrphanedFile, CleanupResult } from '@backspace/shared';
 
 const IMAGE_EXTS = new Set(['.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png', '.gif', '.webp', '.svg', '.ico', '.bmp', '.avif']);
@@ -433,65 +434,92 @@ export function cleanupFederationFileQueue(): number {
 
 /**
  * Expire peer approval requests older than their expiresAt timestamp.
- * For each expired request, attempt to send a signed denial notification
- * to the requesting instance before deleting. If notification fails,
- * leave the record for the next janitor cycle.
+ *
+ * Outbound rows: before deletion, fan out kind='expired' notifications to
+ * each subscriber so the original requester(s) can see the terminal state on
+ * next page load. Subscriber rows cascade-delete via FK when the parent row
+ * is removed.
+ *
+ * Inbound rows: deleted outright. Both sides expire independently (their
+ * own janitor will fan out kind='expired' notifications to their subscribers
+ * on their schedule); no cross-instance network notification is required.
+ *
+ * No WebSocket broadcast is emitted on expiry — offline users see the
+ * notification on next GET /api/federation/peering-notifications, matching
+ * the persistence guarantee of the notifications table.
  */
-export async function cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests(): Promise<number> {
+export function cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests(): number {
   const db = getDb();
-  const expired = db
+  const expiredRequests = db
     .select()
     .from(schema.peerApprovalRequests)
     .where(lte(schema.peerApprovalRequests.expiresAt, Date.now()))
     .all();
 
-  if (expired.length === 0) return 0;
+  if (expiredRequests.length === 0) return 0;
 
-  const { getOurOrigin, buildFederationHeaders } = await import('./federationAuth.js');
-  const ourOrigin = getOurOrigin();
-  let cleaned = 0;
-
-  for (const req of expired) {
-    // Outbound rows have no hmac_secret and no remote /peer/denied endpoint;
-    // their expiry handling (subscriber notifications) lands in Task 9.
-    // Until then, skip outbound rows here so this loop only processes inbound expirations.
-    if (!req.hmacSecret) {
-      continue;
-    }
-
-    const denialBody = JSON.stringify({
-      origin: ourOrigin,
-      reason: 'expired' as const,
-      message: 'Request expired — no response from admin within 30 days',
-    });
-
-    const headers = buildFederationHeaders(denialBody, req.hmacSecret, ourOrigin);
-
-    let sent = false;
-    try {
-      const response = await fetch(`${req.origin}/api/federation/peer/denied`, {
-        method: 'POST',
-        headers,
-        body: denialBody,
-        signal: AbortSignal.timeout(10_000),
-      });
-      sent = response.ok;
-    } catch {
-      // Network error — will retry next cycle
-    }
-
-    if (sent) {
-      // No rejected peer record for expiry — origin can re-request
-      db.delete(schema.peerApprovalRequests)
-        .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalRequests.id, req.id))
-        .run();
-      cleaned++;
-    } else {
-      console.warn(`[storage-janitor] Failed to send expiry denial to ${req.origin} — will retry next cycle`);
+  const now = Date.now();
+  let deletedCount = 0;
+  for (const req of expiredRequests) {
+    if (req.direction === 'outbound') {
+      // Fan out kind='expired' notifications to subscribers before delete.
+      const subs = db
+        .select()
+        .from(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers)
+        .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalSubscribers.requestId, req.id))
+        .all();
+      for (const sub of subs) {
+        db.insert(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+          .values({
+            id: generateSnowflake(),
+            userId: sub.userId,
+            kind: 'expired',
+            peerOrigin: req.origin,
+            triggerReason: sub.triggerReason,
+            triggerTarget: sub.triggerTarget,
+            createdAt: now,
+            readAt: null,
+          })
+          .run();
+      }
     }
+    // Cascade-delete the parent (subscribers go via FK cascade for outbound;
+    // inbound has no subscribers to clear).
+    db.delete(schema.peerApprovalRequests)
+      .where(eq(schema.peerApprovalRequests.id, req.id))
+      .run();
+    deletedCount++;
   }
 
-  return cleaned;
+  if (deletedCount > 0) {
+    console.log(`[storage-janitor] Deleted ${deletedCount} expired peer_approval_requests rows`);
+  }
+
+  return deletedCount;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Delete read peering notifications older than 30 days. Unread notifications
+ * are never auto-cleaned — the user must explicitly read or dismiss them.
+ */
+const NOTIFICATION_RETENTION_MS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+
+export function cleanupReadPeeringNotifications(): number {
+  const db = getDb();
+  const cutoff = Date.now() - NOTIFICATION_RETENTION_MS;
+  const result = db
+    .delete(schema.peerApprovalNotifications)
+    .where(
+      and(
+        isNotNull(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.readAt),
+        lte(schema.peerApprovalNotifications.readAt, cutoff),
+      ),
+    )
+    .run();
+  if (result.changes > 0) {
+    console.log(`[storage-janitor] Deleted ${result.changes} read peering notifications older than 30 days`);
+  }
+  return result.changes;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -629,14 +657,18 @@ export function runFederationJanitor(): void {
       );
     }
 
-    // Async: expire approval requests (sends network notifications)
-    cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests().then((approvalExpired) => {
+    // Expire approval requests (outbound rows fan out kind='expired'
+    // notifications to subscribers before delete; inbound rows are deleted
+    // outright). Then sweep read peering notifications older than 30 days.
+    try {
+      const approvalExpired = cleanupExpiredApprovalRequests();
       if (approvalExpired > 0) {
         console.log(`[storage-janitor] Expired ${approvalExpired} peer approval request(s)`);
       }
-    }).catch((err) => {
+      cleanupReadPeeringNotifications();
+    } catch (err) {
       console.error('[storage-janitor] Approval request expiry error:', err);
-    });
+    }
   } catch (err) {
     console.error('[storage-janitor] Federation GC sweep error:', err);
   }