diff --git a/daemon/Cargo.toml b/daemon/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66b738e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+[package]
+name = "smolboid"
+version = "0.1.0"
+edition = "2021"
+description = "smolboid daemon: twtxt feeds published by smolmail"
+license = "Apache-2.0"
+
+[dependencies]
+smolboid-core = { path = "../core" }
+fumi-core = { path = "../../fumi/core" }
+serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
+serde_json = "1"
diff --git a/daemon/src/config.rs b/daemon/src/config.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df96842
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/config.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+//! Instance configuration: one flat `key = value` file, `#` comments. The
+//! daemon's smolmail identity is bootstrapped out of band with the fumi CLI
+//! against the same master key and store (`fumi trust`, `fumi register`).
+
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct Config {
+    /// HTTP listen address for the feed server.
+    pub listen: String,
+    /// Canonical origin the `# url` metadata carries.
+    pub base_url: String,
+    /// Host serving the daemon's smolmail mailbox.
+    pub smolmail_host: String,
+    /// Local part of the daemon's mailbox, for display.
+    pub mailbox: String,
+    /// 32-byte master secret, the fumi convention.
+    pub master: PathBuf,
+    /// State directory: state.json, mail.db and feeds/.
+    pub data: PathBuf,
+    pub posts_per_day: u32,
+    pub reposts_per_day: u32,
+    /// Per-feed size cap in bytes (PLAN.md, Retention).
+    pub cap_bytes: usize,
+    pub poll_secs: u64,
+    /// Network timeout for smolmail operations, seconds.
+    pub timeout: u64,
+}
+
+impl Default for Config {
+    fn default() -> Config {
+        Config {
+            listen: "127.0.0.1:8080".into(),
+            base_url: "http://localhost:8080".into(),
+            smolmail_host: "localhost".into(),
+            mailbox: "twtxt".into(),
+            master: PathBuf::from("master.key"),
+            data: PathBuf::from("data"),
+            posts_per_day: 50,
+            reposts_per_day: 50,
+            cap_bytes: 1_048_576,
+            poll_secs: 60,
+            timeout: 30,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Config {
+    pub fn load(path: &Path) -> Result<Config, String> {
+        let text = std::fs::read_to_string(path)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("cannot read {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
+        let mut cfg = Config::default();
+        for (n, line) in text.lines().enumerate() {
+            let line = line.trim();
+            if line.is_empty() || line.starts_with('#') {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let Some((key, value)) = line.split_once('=') else {
+                return Err(format!("line {}: expected `key = value`", n + 1));
+            };
+            let (key, value) = (key.trim(), value.trim());
+            let bad = |_| format!("line {}: bad value for `{key}`", n + 1);
+            match key {
+                "listen" => cfg.listen = value.into(),
+                "base_url" => cfg.base_url = value.into(),
+                "smolmail_host" => cfg.smolmail_host = value.into(),
+                "mailbox" => cfg.mailbox = value.into(),
+                "master" => cfg.master = PathBuf::from(value),
+                "data" => cfg.data = PathBuf::from(value),
+                "posts_per_day" => cfg.posts_per_day = value.parse().map_err(&bad)?,
+                "reposts_per_day" => cfg.reposts_per_day = value.parse().map_err(&bad)?,
+                "cap_bytes" => cfg.cap_bytes = value.parse().map_err(&bad)?,
+                "poll_secs" => cfg.poll_secs = value.parse().map_err(&bad)?,
+                "timeout" => cfg.timeout = value.parse().map_err(&bad)?,
+                other => return Err(format!("line {}: unknown key `{other}`", n + 1)),
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(cfg)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_and_defaults() {
+        let cfg = Config::load(Path::new("no-such-file")).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(cfg.contains("cannot read"));
+
+        let text = "# instance\nlisten = 0.0.0.0:9000\nbase_url = https://smol.place\ncap_bytes = 4096\n";
+        std::fs::write("/tmp/smolboid-test.toml", text).unwrap();
+        let cfg = Config::load(Path::new("/tmp/smolboid-test.toml")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(cfg.listen, "0.0.0.0:9000");
+        assert_eq!(cfg.base_url, "https://smol.place");
+        assert_eq!(cfg.cap_bytes, 4096);
+        assert_eq!(cfg.poll_secs, 60, "unset keys keep defaults");
+
+        std::fs::write("/tmp/smolboid-test.toml", "wat = 1\n").unwrap();
+        assert!(Config::load(Path::new("/tmp/smolboid-test.toml")).is_err());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/daemon/src/dispatch.rs b/daemon/src/dispatch.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a061b02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/dispatch.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,290 @@
+//! Mail-to-action translation (PLAN.md, Management mail): a post mail is
+//! bare text or a block whose only field is Reply-To; a command mail opens a
+//! §5.5 block. Pure — the caller owns admission, retention and error replies.
+
+use smolboid_core::feed::MailLine;
+use smolboid_core::rules::validate_text;
+use smolboid_core::time;
+use smolboid_core::{repost_body, reply_to_body};
+
+use crate::state::PruneMode;
+
+/// One fetched mail, opened and verified by the caller.
+pub struct Incoming {
+    pub sender: [u8; 32],
+    pub epk: [u8; 32],
+    pub sig: [u8; 64],
+    pub time: i64,
+    pub body: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+pub enum Action {
+    Post {
+        timestamp: String,
+        text: String,
+        /// The Reply-To value the body carried, when the ordinary-send block
+        /// form was used; bound in the feed's `smol:reply_to` metadata.
+        reply_to: Option<String>,
+        mail: MailLine,
+    },
+    Repost {
+        timestamp: String,
+        args: String,
+        reply_to: Option<String>,
+        mail: MailLine,
+    },
+    Commands(Vec<Command>),
+    /// Nothing to do: recognized by the rules as benign, never published.
+    Ignore,
+}
+
+pub enum Command {
+    Nick(String),
+    Delete(String),
+    Prune(PruneMode),
+}
+
+/// The `Twt-` frontmatter fields a command mail may carry; unknown keys are
+/// preserved upstream and never alter behaviour (SPEC.md §5.5).
+const F_NICK: &str = "twt-nick";
+const F_DELETE: &str = "twt-delete";
+const F_REPOST: &str = "twt-repost";
+const F_PRUNE: &str = "twt-prune";
+const F_REPLY_TO: &str = "reply-to";
+
+/// Fails closed: a block with unreconstructible fields is never published.
+pub fn dispatch(incoming: &Incoming) -> Result<Action, String> {
+    let text = std::str::from_utf8(&incoming.body).map_err(|_| "body is not UTF-8".to_owned())?;
+
+    if !text.starts_with("---\n") {
+        // The bare post form: the body is the twt, byte for byte.
+        return post(incoming, text, None);
+    }
+
+    let (fields, rest) = fumi_core::message::parse_frontmatter(text);
+    if fields.is_empty() {
+        // An empty or malformed block: nothing reliable, nothing published.
+        return Ok(Action::Ignore);
+    }
+
+    let reply_to = fields.get(F_REPLY_TO).cloned();
+    let beyond_reply_to: Vec<&String> = fields
+        .keys()
+        .filter(|k| k.as_str() != F_REPLY_TO)
+        .collect();
+
+    // A post in the ordinary-send form: a block whose only field is Reply-To.
+    if beyond_reply_to.is_empty() {
+        if let Some(reply_to) = &reply_to {
+            if text != reply_to_body(reply_to, &rest) {
+                return Err("post mail is not in canonical form".to_owned());
+            }
+            return post(incoming, &rest, Some(reply_to.clone()));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // A repost: the Twt-Repost field, optionally with the same Reply-To an
+    // ordinary send carries; both must reconstruct byte-exactly.
+    if fields.len() <= 2 {
+        if let Some(args) = fields.get(F_REPOST) {
+            let canonical_no = repost_body(args, None);
+            let canonical_yes = repost_body(args, reply_to.as_deref());
+            if text == canonical_no || text == canonical_yes {
+                validate_text(args).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+                return Ok(Action::Repost {
+                    timestamp: time::render(incoming.time),
+                    args: args.clone(),
+                    reply_to,
+                    mail: MailLine {
+                        sender: incoming.sender,
+                        epk: incoming.epk,
+                        sig: incoming.sig,
+                    },
+                });
+            }
+            return Err("repost mail is not in canonical form".to_owned());
+        }
+    }
+
+    // A block with extra fields and no Twt field: the author plainly meant to
+    // publish, and silence would hide the problem.
+    if !fields.contains_key(F_NICK)
+        && !fields.contains_key(F_DELETE)
+        && !fields.contains_key(F_PRUNE)
+        && !fields.contains_key(F_REPOST)
+    {
+        return Err(
+            "post mail carries fields beyond Reply-To (Subject, headers or an Accept token); \
+             resend the bare text"
+                .to_owned(),
+        );
+    }
+
+    let mut commands = Vec::new();
+    if let Some(nick) = fields.get(F_NICK) {
+        if !crate::feedstore::valid_username(nick) {
+            return Err("nick must be 1-30 bytes of a-z, 0-9 or hyphen".to_owned());
+        }
+        commands.push(Command::Nick(nick.clone()));
+    }
+    if let Some(timestamp) = fields.get(F_DELETE) {
+        if time::parse(timestamp).is_none() {
+            return Err("Twt-Delete needs an RFC 3339 UTC timestamp".to_owned());
+        }
+        commands.push(Command::Delete(timestamp.clone()));
+    }
+    if let Some(mode) = fields.get(F_PRUNE) {
+        commands.push(Command::Prune(match mode.as_str() {
+            "fifo" => PruneMode::Fifo,
+            "off" => PruneMode::Off,
+            other => return Err(format!("unknown prune mode `{other}`, want fifo or off")),
+        }));
+    }
+    // A mixed mail is a command mail; the body is ignored, never posted.
+    if commands.is_empty() {
+        Ok(Action::Ignore)
+    } else {
+        Ok(Action::Commands(commands))
+    }
+}
+
+fn post(incoming: &Incoming, text: &str, reply_to: Option<String>) -> Result<Action, String> {
+    validate_text(text).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+    Ok(Action::Post {
+        timestamp: time::render(incoming.time),
+        text: text.to_owned(),
+        reply_to,
+        mail: MailLine {
+            sender: incoming.sender,
+            epk: incoming.epk,
+            sig: incoming.sig,
+        },
+    })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn incoming(body: &str) -> Incoming {
+        Incoming {
+            sender: [1; 32],
+            epk: [2; 32],
+            sig: [3; 64],
+            time: 1_760_000_000,
+            body: body.as_bytes().to_vec(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn plain_body_is_a_post() {
+        let Action::Post { timestamp, text, reply_to, mail } = dispatch(&incoming("hello smolverse")).unwrap() else {
+            panic!("expected a post");
+        };
+        assert_eq!(timestamp, "2025-10-09T08:53:20Z");
+        assert_eq!(text, "hello smolverse");
+        assert!(reply_to.is_none());
+        assert_eq!(mail.sender, [1; 32]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ordinary_send_form_is_a_post() {
+        // What `fumi send --body x` emits: a block with only Reply-To.
+        let body = "---\nReply-To: smol://tobias@smol.place/k\n---\nhello smolverse";
+        let Action::Post { text, reply_to, .. } = dispatch(&incoming(body)).unwrap() else {
+            panic!("expected a post");
+        };
+        assert_eq!(text, "hello smolverse");
+        assert_eq!(reply_to.as_deref(), Some("smol://tobias@smol.place/k"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dashed_body_is_still_a_post() {
+        // A single line can never open a block, so nothing is escaped.
+        let Action::Post { text, .. } = dispatch(&incoming("--- dashed opening")).unwrap() else {
+            panic!("expected a post");
+        };
+        assert_eq!(text, "--- dashed opening");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn post_rules_are_enforced_with_reasons() {
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming(&"a".repeat(161))).is_err());
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming("a\tb")).is_err());
+        let bad = Incoming { body: vec![0xff, 0xfe], ..incoming("") };
+        assert!(dispatch(&bad).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn extra_fields_make_a_rejected_post() {
+        // A Subject, or the Accept token of an accepted recipient.
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming("---\nReply-To: smol://a/b\nSubject: hi\n---\nbody\n")).is_err());
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming("---\nAccept: token\n---\nbody\n")).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn canonical_repost_command_publishes() {
+        let args = "@<dana https://smol.place/twtxt/dana.txt> #abc1234";
+        let no_reply_to = format!("---\nTwt-Repost: {args}\n---\n");
+        let Action::Repost { args: got, reply_to, mail, .. } =
+            dispatch(&incoming(&no_reply_to)).unwrap() else {
+                panic!("expected a repost");
+            };
+        assert_eq!(got, args);
+        assert!(reply_to.is_none());
+        assert_eq!(mail.sig, [3; 64]);
+
+        // The ordinary-send form, Twt-Repost before Reply-To as fumi emits.
+        let with_reply_to = format!("---\nTwt-Repost: {args}\nReply-To: smol://tobias@s/k\n---\n");
+        let Action::Repost { args: got, reply_to, .. } =
+            dispatch(&incoming(&with_reply_to)).unwrap() else {
+                panic!("expected a repost");
+            };
+        assert_eq!(got, args);
+        assert_eq!(reply_to.as_deref(), Some("smol://tobias@s/k"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn noncanonical_reposts_are_rejected() {
+        let args = "@<d u> #abc";
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming(&format!("---\nTwt-Repost:  {args} \n---\n"))).is_err());
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming(&format!("---\nTwt-Repost: {args}\n---\nextra\n"))).is_err());
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming(&format!(
+            "---\nTwt-Repost: {args}\nTwt-Nick: x\n---\n"
+        )))
+        .is_err());
+        // Reply-To after the closing marker, wrong order relative to the
+        // canonical forms.
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming(&format!(
+            "---\nReply-To: smol://a/b\nTwt-Repost: {args}\n---\n"
+        )))
+        .is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn command_mails_apply_all_recognized_fields() {
+        let body = "---\nTwt-Nick: toby\nTwt-Prune: fifo\nSubject: ignored\n---\nignored body\n";
+        let Action::Commands(cmds) = dispatch(&incoming(body)).unwrap() else {
+            panic!("expected commands");
+        };
+        assert_eq!(cmds.len(), 2);
+        assert!(matches!(cmds[0], Command::Nick(ref n) if n == "toby"));
+        assert!(matches!(cmds[1], Command::Prune(PruneMode::Fifo)));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn command_values_are_validated() {
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming("---\nTwt-Nick: Bad Nick\n---\n")).is_err());
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming("---\nTwt-Delete: not-a-date\n---\n")).is_err());
+        assert!(dispatch(&incoming("---\nTwt-Prune: sometimes\n---\n")).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn odd_mail_shapes_fail_closed_to_ignore() {
+        // Malformed block, empty escape block, only unknown fields with a
+        // Twt- field absent — but pure unknown-field blocks are rejected
+        // as posts, so the ignore set is the malformed and empty ones.
+        assert!(matches!(dispatch(&incoming("---\nno colon here\n---\n")), Ok(Action::Ignore)));
+        assert!(matches!(dispatch(&incoming("---\n---\n")), Ok(Action::Ignore)));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/daemon/src/feedstore.rs b/daemon/src/feedstore.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb1874e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/feedstore.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+//! The feed directory: one `twtxt.txt` per username under `<data>/feeds/`.
+//! The path is the verified smolmail username, so usernames are validated
+//! before ever touching the filesystem.
+
+use std::io;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+
+use smolboid_core::Feed;
+
+/// 1-30 bytes of `[a-z0-9-]`: a valid feed path segment and nick.
+pub fn valid_username(name: &str) -> bool {
+    !name.is_empty()
+        && name.len() <= 30
+        && name.bytes().all(|c| c.is_ascii_lowercase() || c.is_ascii_digit() || c == b'-')
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct FeedStore {
+    root: PathBuf,
+}
+
+impl FeedStore {
+    pub fn new(data: &Path) -> io::Result<FeedStore> {
+        let root = data.join("feeds");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&root)?;
+        Ok(FeedStore { root })
+    }
+
+    fn path(&self, username: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, String> {
+        if !valid_username(username) {
+            return Err(format!("invalid username `{username}`"));
+        }
+        Ok(self.root.join(format!("{username}.txt")))
+    }
+
+    /// The feed file's mtime for `Last-Modified`; missing feeds are epoch.
+    pub fn path_mtime(&self, username: &str) -> Option<std::time::SystemTime> {
+        self.path(username).ok().and_then(|p| p.metadata().ok())
+            .and_then(|m| m.modified().ok())
+    }
+
+    pub fn exists(&self, username: &str) -> Result<bool, String> {
+        Ok(self.path(username)?.exists())
+    }
+
+    pub fn load(&self, username: &str) -> Result<Feed, String> {
+        let path = self.path(username)?;
+        match std::fs::read_to_string(&path) {
+            Ok(text) => Ok(Feed::parse(&text)),
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(Feed::new()),
+            Err(e) => Err(format!("cannot read {}: {e}", path.display())),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Atomic replace, so a concurrent HTTP reader sees the old or the new
+    /// file, never a half-written one.
+    pub fn save(&self, username: &str, feed: &Feed) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let path = self.path(username)?;
+        let tmp = path.with_extension("tmp");
+        std::fs::write(&tmp, feed.render())
+            .map_err(|e| format!("cannot write {}: {e}", tmp.display()))?;
+        std::fs::rename(&tmp, &path)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("cannot replace {}: {e}", path.display()))
+    }
+
+    /// Creates the feed skeleton at `admit` time: metadata only, no records.
+    pub fn create(
+        &self,
+        username: &str,
+        nick: &str,
+        address: &str,
+        base_url: &str,
+        host_key: &[u8; 32],
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        if self.exists(username)? {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+        let mut feed = Feed::new();
+        feed.set_meta("nick", nick);
+        feed.set_meta("url", &format!("{base_url}/twtxt/{username}.txt"));
+        feed.set_meta("smol:author", address);
+        feed.set_meta("smol:host_key", &fumi_core::crypto::b32(host_key));
+        self.save(username, &feed)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn usernames_gate_the_filesystem_path() {
+        assert!(valid_username("tobias"));
+        assert!(valid_username("a-b2"));
+        assert!(!valid_username(""));
+        assert!(!valid_username("Tobias"));
+        assert!(!valid_username("a_b"));
+        assert!(!valid_username("../../etc/passwd"));
+        assert!(!valid_username(&"a".repeat(31)));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn create_save_load_round_trip() {
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join("smolboid-feeds-test");
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+        let feeds = FeedStore::new(&dir).unwrap();
+
+        feeds
+            .create("tobias", "tobias", "tobias@smol.place", "https://x", &[9u8; 32])
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(feeds.exists("tobias").unwrap());
+        assert!(!feeds.exists("dana").unwrap());
+
+        let feed = feeds.load("tobias").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(feed.author(), Some("tobias@smol.place"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            feed.meta("url"),
+            Some("https://x/twtxt/tobias.txt")
+        );
+
+        let mut feed = feeds.load("tobias").unwrap();
+        feed.set_meta("nick", "toby");
+        feeds.save("tobias", &feed).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(feeds.load("tobias").unwrap().meta("nick"), Some("toby"));
+
+        // Path traversal is refused before any I/O.
+        assert!(feeds.load("../etc/passwd").is_err());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/daemon/src/http.rs b/daemon/src/http.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b5a19b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/http.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,315 @@
+//! The HTTP listener: one route, `GET /twtxt/<username>.txt`, with the strong
+//! ETag and caching behaviour the plan fixes. Hand-rolled on purpose — one
+//! static file with conditional requests is smaller than any framework.
+
+use std::io::{Read, Write};
+use std::net::{TcpListener, TcpStream};
+use std::time::UNIX_EPOCH;
+
+use fumi_core::crypto::sha256;
+use smolboid_core::time;
+
+use crate::feedstore::FeedStore;
+
+const MAX_REQUEST: usize = 8 * 1024;
+
+pub fn serve(listener: TcpListener, feeds: FeedStore) -> ! {
+    loop {
+        match listener.accept() {
+            Ok((stream, _)) => {
+                let feeds = feeds.clone();
+                std::thread::spawn(move || handle(stream, feeds));
+            }
+            Err(e) => eprintln!("http: accept failed: {e}"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle(mut stream: TcpStream, feeds: FeedStore) {
+    // Bounded slow-client exposure: each connection gets its own thread, so
+    // a client that dribbles bytes must not hold it forever.
+    let _ = stream.set_read_timeout(Some(std::time::Duration::from_secs(10)));
+    let _ = stream.set_write_timeout(Some(std::time::Duration::from_secs(10)));
+    let request = match read_request(&mut stream) {
+        Some(r) => r,
+        None => return,
+    };
+    let (method, path, headers) = match parse_request(&request) {
+        Some(parts) => parts,
+        None => {
+            let _ = write_simple(&mut stream, 400, "Bad Request", "bad request\n");
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    if method != "GET" {
+        let _ = write_simple(&mut stream, 405, "Method Not Allowed", "GET only\n");
+        return;
+    }
+    let Some(username) = username_of(path) else {
+        let _ = write_simple(&mut stream, 404, "Not Found", "not found\n");
+        return;
+    };
+    // An admitted author's feed exists from `admit` on; anything else,
+    // including a valid username with no feed, is not there to be served.
+    if !feeds.exists(&username).unwrap_or(false) {
+        let _ = write_simple(&mut stream, 404, "Not Found", "not found\n");
+        return;
+    }
+    let Ok(feed) = feeds.load(&username) else {
+        let _ = write_simple(&mut stream, 404, "Not Found", "not found\n");
+        return;
+    };
+    let body = feed.render().into_bytes();
+    let etag = hex(&sha256(&[&body]));
+    let modified = mtime(&feeds, &username);
+    let cached = matches_cache(&headers, &etag, modified);
+
+    let mut head = format!(
+        "HTTP/1.1 {} {}\r\nETag: \"{etag}\"\r\nLast-Modified: {}\r\nCache-Control: max-age=300\r\nAccess-Control-Allow-Origin: *\r\n",
+        if cached { 304 } else { 200 },
+        if cached { "Not Modified" } else { "OK" },
+        http_date(modified),
+    );
+    if cached {
+        head.push_str("\r\n");
+        let _ = stream.write_all(head.as_bytes());
+        return;
+    }
+    head.push_str(&format!(
+        "Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8\r\nContent-Length: {}\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n",
+        body.len()
+    ));
+    let _ = stream.write_all(head.as_bytes());
+    let _ = stream.write_all(&body);
+}
+
+/// `If-None-Match` takes precedence; `If-Modified-Since` applies only without
+/// it (PLAN.md, Serving).
+fn matches_cache(headers: &[(String, String)], etag: &str, modified: i64) -> bool {
+    if let Some((_, inm)) = headers.iter().find(|(k, _)| k == "if-none-match") {
+        return inm == "*" || inm.contains(&format!("\"{etag}\""));
+    }
+    if let Some((_, ims)) = headers.iter().find(|(k, _)| k == "if-modified-since") {
+        if let Some(since) = parse_http_date(ims) {
+            return modified <= since;
+        }
+    }
+    false
+}
+
+fn username_of(path: &str) -> Option<String> {
+    let name = path.strip_prefix("/twtxt/")?.strip_suffix(".txt")?;
+    crate::feedstore::valid_username(name).then(|| name.to_owned())
+}
+
+fn read_request(stream: &mut TcpStream) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
+    let mut buf = Vec::new();
+    let mut chunk = [0u8; 512];
+    loop {
+        let n = stream.read(&mut chunk).ok()?;
+        if n == 0 {
+            return None;
+        }
+        buf.extend_from_slice(&chunk[..n]);
+        if buf.windows(4).any(|w| w == b"\r\n\r\n") || buf.len() > MAX_REQUEST {
+            return Some(buf);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn parse_request(request: &[u8]) -> Option<(&str, &str, Vec<(String, String)>)> {
+    let text = std::str::from_utf8(request).ok()?;
+    let mut lines = text.split("\r\n");
+    let request_line = lines.next()?;
+    let mut parts = request_line.split(' ');
+    let method = parts.next()?;
+    let path = parts.next()?;
+    let mut headers = Vec::new();
+    for line in lines {
+        if line.is_empty() {
+            break;
+        }
+        if let Some((name, value)) = line.split_once(':') {
+            headers.push((name.trim().to_ascii_lowercase(), value.trim().to_owned()));
+        }
+    }
+    Some((method, path, headers))
+}
+
+fn write_simple(stream: &mut TcpStream, code: u16, label: &str, body: &str) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    write!(
+        stream,
+        "HTTP/1.1 {code} {label}\r\nContent-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8\r\nContent-Length: {}\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n{body}",
+        body.len()
+    )
+}
+
+fn mtime(feeds: &FeedStore, username: &str) -> i64 {
+    feeds
+        .path_mtime(username)
+        .and_then(|t| t.duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH).ok())
+        .map(|d| d.as_secs() as i64)
+        .unwrap_or(0)
+}
+
+const DAYS: [&str; 7] = ["Sun", "Mon", "Tue", "Wed", "Thu", "Fri", "Sat"];
+const MONTHS: [&str; 12] = [
+    "Jan", "Feb", "Mar", "Apr", "May", "Jun", "Jul", "Aug", "Sep", "Oct", "Nov", "Dec",
+];
+
+/// IMF-fixdate, the only Last-Modified form (RFC 9110).
+fn http_date(unix: i64) -> String {
+    let (y, mo, d, h, mi, s) = time::utc_parts(unix);
+    let wday = (unix.div_euclid(86_400) + 4).rem_euclid(7) as usize; // 1970-01-01: Thursday
+    format!(
+        "{}, {:02} {} {} {:02}:{:02}:{:02} GMT",
+        DAYS[wday], d, MONTHS[(mo - 1) as usize], y, h, mi, s
+    )
+}
+
+fn parse_http_date(text: &str) -> Option<i64> {
+    let rest = text.split(", ").nth(1)?;
+    let mut parts = rest.split(' ');
+    let date = parts.next()?;
+    let month = parts.next()?;
+    let year = parts.next()?;
+    let clock = parts.next()?;
+    if parts.next() != Some("GMT") {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let (d, mo) = month_of(date, month)?;
+    let mut clock = clock.split(':');
+    let (h, mi, s) = (
+        clock.next()?.parse().ok()?,
+        clock.next()?.parse().ok()?,
+        clock.next()?.parse().ok()?,
+    );
+    time::from_parts(year.parse().ok()?, mo, d, h, mi, s)
+}
+
+fn month_of(date: &str, month: &str) -> Option<(u32, u32)> {
+    let d: u32 = date.parse().ok()?;
+    let mo = MONTHS.iter().position(|m| *m == month)? as u32 + 1;
+    Some((d, mo))
+}
+
+fn hex(raw: &[u8]) -> String {
+    let mut out = String::with_capacity(raw.len() * 2);
+    for byte in raw {
+        out.push_str(&format!("{byte:02x}"));
+    }
+    out
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn dir(name: &str) -> std::path::PathBuf {
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("smolboid-http-{name}"));
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+        dir
+    }
+
+    fn start(feeds: FeedStore) -> std::net::SocketAddr {
+        let listener = TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").unwrap();
+        let addr = listener.local_addr().unwrap();
+        std::thread::spawn(move || serve(listener, feeds));
+        addr
+    }
+
+    fn get(addr: &std::net::SocketAddr, request: &str) -> String {
+        use std::net::ToSocketAddrs;
+        let mut stream = TcpStream::connect(addr.to_socket_addrs().unwrap().next().unwrap())
+            .expect("connect");
+        stream.write_all(request.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+        let mut response = Vec::new();
+        stream.read_to_end(&mut response).unwrap();
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&response).into_owned()
+    }
+
+    fn with_feed(name: &str) -> (FeedStore, String) {
+        let feeds = FeedStore::new(&dir(name)).unwrap();
+        feeds.create("tobias", "tobias", "tobias@smol.place", "https://x", &[9; 32]).unwrap();
+        let addr = start(feeds.clone());
+        (feeds, format!("{addr}"))
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn serves_the_feed_with_the_planned_headers() {
+        let (_, addr) = with_feed("headers");
+        let response = get(&addr.parse().unwrap(), "GET /twtxt/tobias.txt HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: x\r\n\r\n");
+        assert!(response.starts_with("HTTP/1.1 200 OK\r\n"), "{response}");
+        assert!(response.contains("ETag: \""));
+        assert!(response.contains("Cache-Control: max-age=300"));
+        assert!(response.contains("Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *"));
+        assert!(response.contains("Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8"));
+        assert!(response.contains("# smol:author = tobias@smol.place\n"));
+        assert!(response.ends_with(&format!(
+            "# smol:host_key = {}\n",
+            fumi_core::crypto::b32(&[9u8; 32])
+        )));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn etag_match_answers_304() {
+        let (_, addr) = with_feed("etag");
+        let addr: std::net::SocketAddr = addr.parse().unwrap();
+        let first = get(&addr, "GET /twtxt/tobias.txt HTTP/1.1\r\n\r\n");
+        let etag = first
+            .split("\r\n")
+            .find(|l| l.starts_with("ETag: "))
+            .unwrap()
+            .trim_start_matches("ETag: ");
+        let hit = get(
+            &addr,
+            &format!("GET /twtxt/tobias.txt HTTP/1.1\r\nIf-None-Match: {etag}\r\n\r\n"),
+        );
+        assert!(hit.starts_with("HTTP/1.1 304"), "{hit}");
+        assert!(hit.contains("ETag: "));
+        assert!(!hit.contains("ignored-body"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn if_none_match_takes_precedence_over_if_modified_since() {
+        let (_, addr) = with_feed("precedence");
+        let addr: std::net::SocketAddr = addr.parse().unwrap();
+        // An IMS after the file's mtime alone yields 304; a mismatching INM
+        // must win over that matching IMS.
+        let ahead = "Mon, 01 Jan 2035 00:00:00 GMT";
+        let hit = get(
+            &addr,
+            &format!("GET /twtxt/tobias.txt HTTP/1.1\r\nIf-Modified-Since: {ahead}\r\n\r\n"),
+        );
+        assert!(hit.starts_with("HTTP/1.1 304"), "{hit}");
+
+        let miss = get(
+            &addr,
+            &format!(
+                "GET /twtxt/tobias.txt HTTP/1.1\r\nIf-None-Match: \"deadbeef\"\r\nIf-Modified-Since: {ahead}\r\n\r\n"
+            ),
+        );
+        assert!(miss.starts_with("HTTP/1.1 200"), "{miss}");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn unknown_paths_and_methods_do_not_publish() {
+        let (_, addr) = with_feed("paths");
+        let addr: std::net::SocketAddr = addr.parse().unwrap();
+        assert!(get(&addr, "GET /twtxt/../etc/passwd HTTP/1.1\r\n\r\n").starts_with("HTTP/1.1 404"));
+        assert!(get(&addr, "GET /nope.txt HTTP/1.1\r\n\r\n").starts_with("HTTP/1.1 404"));
+        // A valid username without a feed is not served as an empty feed.
+        assert!(get(&addr, "GET /twtxt/nobody.txt HTTP/1.1\r\n\r\n").starts_with("HTTP/1.1 404"));
+        assert!(get(&addr, "POST /twtxt/tobias.txt HTTP/1.1\r\n\r\n").starts_with("HTTP/1.1 405"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn http_dates_round_trip() {
+        for unix in [0i64, 1_760_000_000, 951_782_400] {
+            let date = http_date(unix);
+            assert_eq!(parse_http_date(&date), Some(unix), "{date}");
+        }
+        assert_eq!(http_date(0), "Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 GMT");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/daemon/src/mailloop.rs b/daemon/src/mailloop.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..693c9de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/mailloop.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,595 @@
+//! The mail loop: fetch from the daemon's mailbox, admit by ownership, apply
+//! each mail to its feed, and send rate-limited error replies. The apply and
+//! retention logic is pure and unit-tested; network glue stays thin.
+
+use fumi_core::account::Account;
+use fumi_core::address::Address;
+use fumi_core::client;
+use fumi_core::store::{now, Store};
+use fumi_core::error::Error as FumiError;
+use smolboid_core::feed::{Feed, MailLine, Record};
+use smolboid_core::envelope;
+
+use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::dispatch::{self, Action, Command, Incoming};
+use crate::feedstore::FeedStore;
+use crate::state::{payload_key, reply_allowed, FeedState, PruneMode, State};
+
+use std::sync::{Mutex, MutexGuard};
+
+/// Everything needed to publish one record, before retention gets a say.
+pub struct PendingRecord {
+    pub timestamp: String,
+    pub text: String,
+    pub repost: bool,
+    /// The Reply-To the mail carried, when the ordinary-send form was used.
+    pub reply_to: Option<String>,
+    pub mail: MailLine,
+}
+
+/// Failures that draw an error reply (PLAN.md, Management mail).
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub enum ApplyError {
+    OverQuota(bool),
+    Collision(String),
+    FeedFull,
+    /// The author's Reply-To changed after the feed bound one: published
+    /// records would stop reconstructing (PLAN.md, smol:reply_to).
+    ReplyToChanged,
+}
+
+/// Applies a published record to the feed: quota, uniqueness, retention
+/// (pruning in Fifo mode, rejecting in Off mode), then the append.
+/// Returns the rendered size after appending, for the 90% warning.
+pub fn apply_record(
+    feed: &mut Feed,
+    fs: &mut FeedState,
+    cfg: &Config,
+    record: PendingRecord,
+    now_unix: i64,
+) -> Result<(), ApplyError> {
+    State::roll_counters(fs, now_unix);
+    let (counter, limit) = if record.repost {
+        (&mut fs.reposts, cfg.reposts_per_day)
+    } else {
+        (&mut fs.posts, cfg.posts_per_day)
+    };
+    if *counter >= limit {
+        return Err(ApplyError::OverQuota(record.repost));
+    }
+    if feed.has_timestamp(&record.timestamp) {
+        // The signature pins the time, so a bump is impossible; the author
+        // resends a second later (post rule 2).
+        return Err(ApplyError::Collision(record.timestamp));
+    }
+
+    // The Reply-To must be the author's own address (key = sender), and the
+    // verifier derives it from `smol:author` plus the record's sender key. The
+    // first publishing mail adopts the author's own spelling of the address;
+    // a later change cannot be adopted without invalidating old records.
+    if let Some(reply_to) = &record.reply_to {
+        let Ok(addr) = Address::parse(reply_to) else {
+            return Err(ApplyError::ReplyToChanged);
+        };
+        if addr.identity != Some(record.mail.sender) || addr.short() != feed.author().unwrap_or_default() {
+            if feed.entries().is_empty() {
+                feed.set_meta("smol:author", &addr.short());
+            } else {
+                return Err(ApplyError::ReplyToChanged);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    let entry = if record.repost {
+        Record::Repost {
+            timestamp: record.timestamp.clone(),
+            args: record.text.clone(),
+        }
+    } else {
+        Record::Post {
+            timestamp: record.timestamp.clone(),
+            text: record.text.clone(),
+        }
+    };
+    let rendered = entry.render();
+    let addition = rendered.len() + 1 + record.mail.render().len() + 1;
+    let mut size = feed.render().len() + addition;
+    if size > cfg.cap_bytes {
+        if fs.prune == PruneMode::Off {
+            return Err(ApplyError::FeedFull);
+        }
+        // FIFO: drop oldest records until the new one fits. If even an empty
+        // feed cannot hold it, the record simply exceeds the cap.
+        while size > cfg.cap_bytes {
+            let Some(oldest) = feed.entries().first().map(|e| e.record.timestamp().to_owned())
+            else {
+                return Err(ApplyError::FeedFull);
+            };
+            feed.delete(&oldest);
+            size = feed.render().len() + addition;
+        }
+    }
+
+    feed.append(entry, Some(record.mail));
+    *counter += 1;
+
+    // The 90% warning fires once per growth episode (PLAN.md, Retention).
+    let size = feed.render().len();
+    if size * 10 >= cfg.cap_bytes * 9 {
+        if !fs.warned {
+            fs.warned = true;
+        }
+    } else if fs.warned {
+        fs.warned = false;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Applies command fields to feed and state. Deletion failure is reported so
+/// the caller can reply.
+pub fn apply_commands(
+    feed: &mut Feed,
+    fs: &mut FeedState,
+    commands: &[Command],
+) -> Result<usize, String> {
+    for command in commands {
+        match command {
+            Command::Nick(nick) => {
+                fs.nick = nick.clone();
+                feed.set_meta("nick", nick);
+            }
+            Command::Delete(timestamp) => {
+                if !feed.delete(timestamp) {
+                    return Err(format!("no record at {timestamp}"));
+                }
+            }
+            Command::Prune(mode) => fs.prune = *mode,
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(commands.len())
+}
+
+pub struct Daemon {
+    pub cfg: Config,
+    pub store: Store,
+    pub account: Account,
+    pub state: Mutex<State>,
+    pub feeds: FeedStore,
+}
+
+impl Daemon {
+    /// One poll cycle. Returns a human summary line.
+    pub fn poll(&self) -> Result<String, String> {
+        let summary = client::fetch(&self.store, &self.account, false, false, self.cfg.timeout)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("fetch: {e}"))?;
+        if summary.stored == 0 {
+            return Ok("no new mail".into());
+        }
+        let mut applied = 0;
+        let mut dropped = 0;
+        let mut replies: Vec<(String, String, String)> = Vec::new(); // (address, subject, body)
+
+        let inbox = self
+            .store
+            .mail("inbox")
+            .map_err(|e| format!("inbox: {e}"))?;
+        for stored in &inbox {
+            let outcome = self.process(stored.id, &stored.envelope, &mut replies);
+            let _ = self.store.delete_local("inbox", &stored.id);
+            match outcome {
+                Ok(true) => applied += 1,
+                Ok(false) => dropped += 1,
+                Err(e) => eprintln!("mail: {e}"),
+            }
+        }
+        self.send_replies(replies)?;
+        Ok(format!(
+            "{} applied, {} dropped",
+            applied, dropped
+        ))
+    }
+
+    /// Processes one stored envelope end to end. Ok(true) when the feed or
+    /// state changed.
+    fn process(
+        &self,
+        id: [u8; 32],
+        envelope: &[u8],
+        replies: &mut Vec<(String, String, String)>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, String> {
+        let opened = envelope::open(self.account.keys(), envelope, now())
+            .map_err(|e| format!("open {}: {e}", &fumi_core::crypto::b32(&id)[..8]))?;
+        let incoming = Incoming {
+            sender: opened.sender,
+            epk: opened.epk,
+            sig: opened.sig,
+            time: opened.time,
+            body: opened.body,
+        };
+
+        let mut state = self.state.lock().unwrap();
+        // Admission: a feed must exist and its owner must still be accepted.
+        // Requests-tier or blocked mail has neither and is dropped without a
+        // reply (PLAN.md, Admission and Error replies) — main-tier inbox rows
+        // are all `mail("inbox")` ever returns.
+        let index = match state.feed_of(&opened.sender) {
+            Some(index) => index,
+            None => match self.follow_rotation(&incoming, &mut state)? {
+                Some(index) => index,
+                None => return Ok(false),
+            },
+        };
+        let feed_state = state.feeds[index].clone();
+        if !self.accepted(&feed_state.address)? {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+
+        self.apply(&incoming, index, &mut state, replies)
+    }
+
+    fn accepted(&self, address: &str) -> Result<bool, String> {
+        match self.store.accepted_state(address) {
+            Ok(Some(true)) => Ok(true),
+            Ok(_) => Ok(false),
+            Err(e) => Err(format!("accepted_state: {e}")),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// An unknown sender may be a rotated owner: a signed Reply-To names the
+    /// address, and a verified chain from the key we hold to this one
+    /// (SPEC.md §7) moves the feed to the new key, after which the very mail
+    /// that announced the rotation applies as the rotated owner. Anything
+    /// else is dropped.
+    fn follow_rotation(
+        &self,
+        incoming: &Incoming,
+        state: &mut MutexGuard<'_, State>,
+    ) -> Result<Option<usize>, String> {
+        let Ok(text) = std::str::from_utf8(&incoming.body) else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        let (fields, _) = fumi_core::message::parse_frontmatter(text);
+        let Some(reply_to) = fields.get("reply-to") else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        let Ok(addr) = Address::parse(reply_to) else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        let Some(user_key) = addr.identity else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        if user_key != incoming.sender {
+            return Ok(None);
+        }
+        let Some(index) = state.feeds.iter().position(|f| f.address == addr.short()) else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        let Some(old) = state.feeds[index].latest_owner() else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        let mut session = client::connect(&self.store, &addr, false, self.cfg.timeout)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("rotation connect: {e}"))?;
+        let resolved = client::resolve(session.transport(), &addr.user)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("rotation resolve: {e}"))?;
+        session.close();
+        let (current, chain) = resolved;
+        if !client::walk_chain(&addr.user, &old, &current, &chain) {
+            return Ok(None);
+        }
+        if state.feeds[index].owner_keys.last().map(String::as_str)
+            != Some(fumi_core::crypto::b32(&current).as_str())
+        {
+            state.feeds[index]
+                .owner_keys
+                .push(fumi_core::crypto::b32(&current));
+        }
+        Ok(Some(index))
+    }
+
+    fn apply(
+        &self,
+        incoming: &Incoming,
+        index: usize,
+        state: &mut MutexGuard<'_, State>,
+        replies: &mut Vec<(String, String, String)>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, String> {
+        let username = state.feeds[index].username.clone();
+        let address = state.feeds[index].address.clone();
+        let mut feed = self.feeds.load(&username)?;
+        let before = feed.render();
+
+        let outcome = match dispatch::dispatch(incoming) {
+            Ok(Action::Post { timestamp, text, reply_to, mail }) => {
+                self.publish(
+                    state, index, &mut feed, &address, incoming, replies,
+                    PendingRecord { timestamp, text, reply_to, repost: false, mail },
+                )?
+            }
+            Ok(Action::Repost { timestamp, args, reply_to, mail }) => {
+                self.publish(
+                    state, index, &mut feed, &address, incoming, replies,
+                    PendingRecord { timestamp, text: args, reply_to, repost: true, mail },
+                )?
+            }
+            Ok(Action::Commands(commands)) => {
+                match apply_commands(&mut feed, &mut state.feeds[index], &commands) {
+                    Ok(n) => n > 0,
+                    Err(reason) => {
+                        self.queue_reply(state, incoming, &address, &reason, replies);
+                        false
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            Ok(Action::Ignore) => false,
+            Err(reason) => {
+                self.queue_reply(state, incoming, &address, &reason, replies);
+                false
+            }
+        };
+
+        let after = feed.render();
+        if after != before {
+            self.feeds.save(&username, &feed)?;
+        }
+        // Counters, ledgers and prune modes change even when no record did.
+        state
+            .save(&self.cfg.data.join("state.json"))
+            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
+        Ok(outcome)
+    }
+
+    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+    fn publish(
+        &self,
+        state: &mut MutexGuard<'_, State>,
+        index: usize,
+        feed: &mut Feed,
+        address: &str,
+        incoming: &Incoming,
+        replies: &mut Vec<(String, String, String)>,
+        record: PendingRecord,
+    ) -> Result<bool, String> {
+        let was_warned = state.feeds[index].warned;
+        match apply_record(feed, &mut state.feeds[index], &self.cfg, record, incoming.time) {
+            Ok(()) => {
+                // The transition false -> true sends the cap warning once per
+                // growth episode (PLAN.md, Retention).
+                if state.feeds[index].warned && !was_warned {
+                    replies.push((
+                        address.to_owned(),
+                        "twtxt: feed at 90% of its size cap".into(),
+                        format!(
+                            "Your feed has reached 90% of the {}-byte cap.\n\n\
+                             In hard-limit mode (the default) a full feed rejects new records; \
+                             delete some with Twt-Delete, or choose FIFO pruning with \
+                             Twt-Prune: fifo, which drops the oldest records to make room.",
+                            self.cfg.cap_bytes
+                        ),
+                    ));
+                }
+                Ok(true)
+            }
+            Err(e) => {
+                let reason = match &e {
+                    ApplyError::OverQuota(repost) => format!(
+                        "daily {} quota exceeded; try tomorrow",
+                        if *repost { "repost" } else { "post" }
+                    ),
+                    ApplyError::Collision(ts) => {
+                        format!("timestamp {ts} already exists; wait a second and resend")
+                    }
+                    ApplyError::FeedFull => "feed is at its size cap; delete records with Twt-Delete or choose Twt-Prune: fifo".to_owned(),
+                    ApplyError::ReplyToChanged => format!(
+                        "your Reply-To does not match the feed's bound author {}; \
+                         send from that address or mail the operator",
+                        feed.author().unwrap_or_default()
+                    ),
+                };
+                self.queue_reply(state, incoming, address, &reason, replies);
+                Ok(false)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// One error reply per rejected payload, within the hourly budget.
+    fn queue_reply(
+        &self,
+        state: &mut MutexGuard<'_, State>,
+        incoming: &Incoming,
+        address: &str,
+        reason: &str,
+        replies: &mut Vec<(String, String, String)>,
+    ) {
+        let key = payload_key(&incoming.sender, incoming.time, &incoming.body);
+        if !reply_allowed(&mut **state, &incoming.sender, &key, now()) {
+            return;
+        }
+        let text = std::str::from_utf8(&incoming.body)
+            .map(|t| t.chars().take(200).collect::<String>())
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        replies.push((
+            address.to_owned(),
+            format!("twtxt: {reason}"),
+            format!(
+                "Your mail could not be applied.\n\nReason: {reason}\n\nQuoted mail:\n{text}\n"
+            ),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    fn send_replies(&self, replies: Vec<(String, String, String)>) -> Result<(), String> {
+        for (address, subject, body) in replies {
+            let addr = Address::parse(&address).map_err(|e| format!("reply address: {e}"))?;
+            client::send(
+                &self.store,
+                &self.account,
+                &client::SendDraft {
+                    address: &addr,
+                    text: body,
+                    subject: Some(&subject),
+                    reply_to: None,
+                    headers: &[],
+                    anonymous: false,
+                    no_pad: true,
+                },
+                self.cfg.timeout,
+            )
+            .map_err(|e: FumiError| format!("reply to {address}: {e}"))?;
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::config::Config;
+    use crate::state::State;
+    use smolboid_core::verify;
+
+    fn feed_state() -> FeedState {
+        FeedState {
+            username: "tobias".into(),
+            address: "tobias@smol.place".into(),
+            owner_keys: vec![fumi_core::crypto::b32(&[1; 32])],
+            nick: "tobias".into(),
+            prune: PruneMode::Off,
+            warned: false,
+            day: State::day(0),
+            posts: 0,
+            reposts: 0,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A record renders at roughly 260 bytes: the post line plus a
+    /// `# smol:mail` line of three base32 values.
+    fn config(cap: usize) -> Config {
+        Config {
+            cap_bytes: cap,
+            ..Config::default()
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn record(ts: &str, text: &str) -> PendingRecord {
+        PendingRecord {
+            timestamp: ts.into(),
+            text: text.into(),
+            repost: false,
+            reply_to: None,
+            mail: MailLine {
+                sender: [1; 32],
+                epk: [2; 32],
+                sig: [3; 64],
+            },
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn posts_publish_and_verify() {
+        let mut feed = smolboid_core::Feed::new();
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &config(1 << 20), record("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z", "hello"), 0).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(fs.posts, 1);
+        let report = verify(&feed);
+        assert_eq!(report.states, vec![smolboid_core::State::Unsigned]);
+        assert_eq!(feed.entries().len(), 1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reposts_publish_as_repost_records() {
+        let mut feed = smolboid_core::Feed::new();
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        let record = PendingRecord {
+            timestamp: "2026-10-01T12:47:00Z".into(),
+            text: "@<dana https://x/d.txt> #abc1234".into(),
+            repost: true,
+            reply_to: None,
+            mail: MailLine { sender: [1; 32], epk: [2; 32], sig: [3; 64] },
+        };
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &config(1 << 20), record, 0).unwrap();
+        let entry = &feed.entries()[0];
+        assert!(matches!(&entry.record, Record::Repost { args, .. } if args == "@<dana https://x/d.txt> #abc1234"));
+        assert_eq!(fs.reposts, 1);
+        assert_eq!(fs.posts, 0);
+        assert!(feed.render().starts_with("# smol:repost 2026-10-01T12:47:00Z @<dana https://x/d.txt> #abc1234\n"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn collisions_and_quotas_reject_without_appending() {
+        let mut feed = smolboid_core::Feed::new();
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        let cfg = config(1 << 20);
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z", "one"), 0).unwrap();
+        assert!(matches!(
+            apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z", "two"), 0),
+            Err(ApplyError::Collision(_))
+        ));
+        assert_eq!(feed.entries().len(), 1);
+
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        fs.posts = 50;
+        assert!(matches!(
+            apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &config(1 << 20), record("2026-10-01T12:48:00Z", "x"), 0),
+            Err(ApplyError::OverQuota(_))
+        ));
+        // A new UTC day rolls the counters.
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        fs.posts = 50;
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &config(1 << 20), record("2026-10-01T12:48:00Z", "x"), 1_760_000_000).unwrap();
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hard_limit_rejects_and_fifo_prunes_oldest() {
+        let mut feed = smolboid_core::Feed::new();
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        let cfg = config(300);
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z", "first post here"), 0).unwrap();
+        assert!(matches!(
+            apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:48:00Z", "second post"), 0),
+            Err(ApplyError::FeedFull)
+        ));
+        assert_eq!(feed.entries().len(), 1, "off mode removes nothing");
+
+        fs.prune = PruneMode::Fifo;
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:48:00Z", "second post"), 0).unwrap();
+        let entries = feed.entries();
+        assert_eq!(entries.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(entries[0].record.timestamp(), "2026-10-01T12:48:00Z");
+        // The quota counts published posts; pruning does not refund it.
+        assert_eq!(fs.posts, 2);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn warning_flag_flips_at_ninety_percent() {
+        let mut feed = smolboid_core::Feed::new();
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        let cfg = config(1300);
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z", "x"), 0).unwrap();
+        assert!(!fs.warned);
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:47:01Z", &"y".repeat(700)), 0).unwrap();
+        assert!(fs.warned, "crossing 90% sets the flag once");
+        feed.delete("2026-10-01T12:47:01Z");
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &cfg, record("2026-10-01T12:47:02Z", "z"), 0).unwrap();
+        assert!(!fs.warned, "shrinking below the threshold resets it");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn commands_touch_feed_and_state() {
+        let mut feed = smolboid_core::Feed::new();
+        let mut fs = feed_state();
+        apply_record(&mut feed, &mut fs, &config(1 << 20), record("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z", "gone soon"), 0).unwrap();
+
+        apply_commands(
+            &mut feed,
+            &mut fs,
+            &[Command::Nick("toby".into()), Command::Prune(PruneMode::Fifo)],
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(fs.nick, "toby");
+        assert_eq!(feed.meta("nick"), Some("toby"));
+        assert_eq!(fs.prune, PruneMode::Fifo);
+
+        apply_commands(&mut feed, &mut fs, &[Command::Delete("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z".into())]).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(feed.entries().len(), 0);
+        assert!(apply_commands(&mut feed, &mut fs, &[Command::Delete("2026-10-01T12:47:00Z".into())]).is_err());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/daemon/src/main.rs b/daemon/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb5089b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,301 @@
+//! smolboid: serve twtxt feeds published by smolmail (PLAN.md).
+//!
+//! Bootstrap with the fumi CLI against the same master key and store before
+//! the first `serve`: `fumi --key <master> --db <data>/mail.db trust <host>
+//! <server-key>` then `fumi ... register <mailbox>@<host>`.
+
+mod config;
+mod dispatch;
+mod feedstore;
+mod http;
+mod mailloop;
+mod state;
+
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+use config::Config;
+use feedstore::FeedStore;
+use fumi_core::account::Account;
+use fumi_core::address::Address;
+use fumi_core::client::{self, Pushed};
+use fumi_core::crypto::{b32, fingerprint};
+use fumi_core::store::Store;
+use mailloop::Daemon;
+use state::{FeedState, State};
+
+const USAGE: &str = "\
+smolboid — twtxt feeds published by smolmail
+
+  smolboid serve  --config <file>              run the daemon (default ./smolboid.toml)
+  smolboid admit  --config <file> <address>    verify, accept, and create the feed
+  smolboid block --config <file> <address>    withdraw the accept token
+  smolboid keygen <path>                       write a fresh 32-byte master
+  smolboid check <feed-file>                   verify a feed's records
+";
+
+fn main() {
+    let args: Vec<String> = std::env::args().skip(1).collect();
+    let rest: &[String] = &args;
+    let command = args.first().map(String::as_str).unwrap_or("");
+    let result = match command {
+        "serve" => serve(config_of(&rest[1..])),
+        "admit" => admit(config_of(&rest[1..])),
+        "block" => block(config_of(&rest[1..])),
+        "keygen" if rest.len() == 2 => keygen(&PathBuf::from(&rest[1])),
+        "check" if rest.len() == 2 => check(&PathBuf::from(&rest[1])),
+        _ => {
+            println!("{USAGE}");
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    if let Err(message) = result {
+        eprintln!("smolboid: {message}");
+        std::process::exit(1);
+    }
+}
+
+/// The last non-flag argument of `admit`/`block` is the address; `--config`
+/// or the default file names the instance.
+fn config_of(rest: &[String]) -> ConfigAndArg {
+    let mut path = PathBuf::from("smolboid.toml");
+    let mut arg = String::new();
+    let mut iter = rest.iter();
+    while let Some(flag) = iter.next() {
+        match flag.as_str() {
+            "--config" => path = PathBuf::from(iter.next().expect("--config needs a file")),
+            other => arg = other.to_owned(),
+        }
+    }
+    ConfigAndArg { path, arg }
+}
+
+struct ConfigAndArg {
+    path: PathBuf,
+    arg: String,
+}
+
+fn load(config: &ConfigAndArg) -> Result<(Config, Store, Account, State, FeedStore), String> {
+    let cfg = Config::load(&config.path)?;
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&cfg.data).map_err(|e| format!("data dir: {e}"))?;
+    let master = std::fs::read(&cfg.master)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("master at {}: {e}; run keygen", cfg.master.display()))?;
+    let master: [u8; 32] = master
+        .try_into()
+        .map_err(|v: Vec<u8>| format!("master is {} bytes, want 32", v.len()))?;
+    let store = Store::open(&cfg.data.join("mail.db")).map_err(|e| format!("store: {e}"))?;
+    let account = Account::new(master, store.rotations().map_err(|e| format!("store: {e}"))?)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("identity: {e}"))?;
+    let state = State::load(&cfg.data.join("state.json")).map_err(|e| format!("state: {e}"))?;
+    let feeds = FeedStore::new(&cfg.data).map_err(|e| format!("feeds: {e}"))?;
+    Ok((cfg, store, account, state, feeds))
+}
+
+fn serve(config: ConfigAndArg) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let (cfg, store, account, state, feeds) = load(&config)?;
+    let daemon = Daemon {
+        cfg: cfg.clone(),
+        store,
+        account,
+        state: Mutex::new(state),
+        feeds: feeds.clone(),
+    };
+    let listener = std::net::TcpListener::bind(&cfg.listen)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot listen on {}: {e}", cfg.listen))?;
+    println!(
+        "smolboid serving {} at http://{} as {}@{}",
+        cfg.base_url,
+        listener.local_addr().map_err(|e| e.to_string())?,
+        cfg.mailbox,
+        cfg.smolmail_host
+    );
+    std::thread::spawn(move || http::serve(listener, feeds));
+    loop {
+        match daemon.poll() {
+            Ok(summary) => println!("{} {}", now_stamp(), summary),
+            Err(e) => eprintln!("{} poll: {e}", now_stamp()),
+        }
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(cfg.poll_secs));
+    }
+}
+
+fn admit(config: ConfigAndArg) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let (cfg, store, account, mut state, feeds) = load(&config)?;
+    let addr = Address::parse(&config.arg).map_err(|e| format!("address: {e}"))?;
+
+    // Verify the author's key against their own server, then accept them.
+    let mut session = client::connect(&store, &addr, false, cfg.timeout)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("connecting to {}: {e}", addr.host))?;
+    let (key, change) = client::trust_key(&store, session.transport(), &addr)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("resolving {}: {e}", config.arg))?;
+    session.close();
+    store
+        .accept(&addr.short(), &key)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("accepting: {e}"))?;
+    match client::push_tokens(&store, &account, None, cfg.timeout) {
+        Ok(Pushed::Held(held)) => println!("server now holds {held} accept token(s)"),
+        Ok(Pushed::NotRegistered) => println!("not registered; tokens travel with the first fetch"),
+        Err(e) => return Err(format!("pushing tokens: {e}")),
+    }
+    println!(
+        "{}: {} ({:?})",
+        config.arg,
+        b32(&key),
+        change
+    );
+
+    // The username is the feed path; a second owner for one username is a
+    // collision the operator must see.
+    let existing = state.feed_by_username(&addr.user);
+    if let Some(existing) = existing {
+        if existing.address != addr.short() {
+            return Err(format!(
+                "username `{}` already has a feed from {}",
+                addr.user, existing.address
+            ));
+        }
+        println!("feed already exists; re-accepted");
+    }
+
+    let feed_state = FeedState {
+        username: addr.user.clone(),
+        address: addr.short(),
+        owner_keys: vec![b32(&key)],
+        nick: addr.user.clone(),
+        prune: Default::default(),
+        warned: false,
+        day: State::day(0),
+        posts: 0,
+        reposts: 0,
+    };
+    if existing.is_none() {
+        feeds.create(
+            &feed_state.username,
+            &feed_state.nick,
+            &feed_state.address,
+            &cfg.base_url,
+            &account.me().pk(),
+        )?;
+        state.feeds.push(feed_state);
+    }
+    state
+        .save(&cfg.data.join("state.json"))
+        .map_err(|e| format!("state: {e}"))?;
+    println!(
+        "feed created: {}/twtxt/{}.txt (host key {})",
+        cfg.base_url,
+        addr.user,
+        b32(&account.me().pk())
+    );
+
+    // The welcome mail carries the Accept token (sec 5.8), which is what
+    // moves the author's posts into the daemon's main tier; without it their
+    // mail would stay in requests and never publish.
+    let sent = client::send(
+        &store,
+        &account,
+        &client::SendDraft {
+            address: &addr,
+            text: format!(
+                "Your smolboid feed is live: {}/twtxt/{}.txt\n\n\
+                 Post by sending mail to this address with the twt as the body. Manage it with\n\
+                 Twt-Nick, Twt-Delete, Twt-Repost and Twt-Prune frontmatter fields (PLAN.md).",
+                cfg.base_url, addr.user
+            ),
+            subject: Some("twtxt: your feed is ready"),
+            reply_to: None,
+            headers: &[],
+            anonymous: false,
+            no_pad: true,
+        },
+        cfg.timeout,
+    )
+    .map_err(|e| format!("welcome mail: {e}"))?;
+    println!(
+        "welcome mail sent{}; fetch it before your first post",
+        if sent.token_used { " with the accept token" } else { "" }
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn block(config: ConfigAndArg) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let (cfg, store, account, _state, _feeds) = load(&config)?;
+    if !store.block(&config.arg).map_err(|e| format!("block: {e}"))? {
+        return Err(format!("{} was never accepted", config.arg));
+    }
+    match client::push_tokens(&store, &account, None, cfg.timeout) {
+        Ok(Pushed::Held(held)) => println!("server now holds {held} accept token(s)"),
+        Ok(Pushed::NotRegistered) => println!("not registered; tokens travel with the first fetch"),
+        Err(e) => return Err(format!("pushing tokens: {e}")),
+    }
+    println!(
+        "blocked {arg}; their mail lands in requests from their next message on",
+        arg = config.arg
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn keygen(path: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
+    if path.exists() {
+        return Err(format!("{} exists; refusing to overwrite", path.display()));
+    }
+    let mut master = [0u8; 32];
+    std::fs::File::open("/dev/urandom")
+        .and_then(|mut f| {
+            use std::io::Read;
+            f.read_exact(&mut master)
+        })
+        .map_err(|e| format!("urandom: {e}"))?;
+    std::fs::write(path, master).map_err(|e| format!("cannot write {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
+    set_private(path);
+    let account = Account::new(master, 0).map_err(|e| format!("identity: {e}"))?;
+    println!("master:      {}  (back this up; it is the only secret)", path.display());
+    println!("public key:  {}", b32(&account.me().pk()));
+    println!("fingerprint: {}", fingerprint(&account.me().pk()));
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+fn set_private(path: &Path) {
+    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+    let _ = std::fs::set_permissions(path, std::fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o600));
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(unix))]
+fn set_private(_path: &Path) {}
+
+/// Verifies every record of a feed file and reports the three states; a
+/// nonzero exit marks forged records, so scripts can gate on it.
+fn check(path: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let text = std::fs::read_to_string(path)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot read {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
+    let feed = smolboid_core::Feed::parse(&text);
+    let report = smolboid_core::verify(&feed);
+    if report.legacy {
+        println!("legacy feed: no smol metadata, nothing to verify");
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let entries = feed.entries();
+    let mut counts = [0usize; 3];
+    for (entry, state) in entries.iter().zip(&report.states) {
+        let index = match state {
+            smolboid_core::State::Verified => 0,
+            smolboid_core::State::Unsigned => 1,
+            smolboid_core::State::Invalid => 2,
+        };
+        counts[index] += 1;
+        println!("{}  {}", entry.record.timestamp(), state.as_str());
+    }
+    println!(
+        "{} verified, {} unsigned, {} invalid",
+        counts[0], counts[1], counts[2]
+    );
+    if counts[2] > 0 {
+        return Err(format!("{} record(s) do not verify", counts[2]));
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn now_stamp() -> String {
+    smolboid_core::render_timestamp(fumi_core::store::now())
+}
diff --git a/daemon/src/state.rs b/daemon/src/state.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e5177a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/daemon/src/state.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+//! Persistent instance state: one record per feed (ownership, nick, prune
+//! mode, daily counters) plus the reply ledgers. Kept as one JSON file with
+//! atomic replace, the feed files being the only other on-disk truth.
+
+use std::io;
+use std::path::Path;
+
+use fumi_core::crypto::{b32, sha256};
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+/// At most this many replies per sender per hour (PLAN.md, Error replies).
+pub const REPLIES_PER_HOUR: usize = 10;
+/// Rejected-payload keys remembered for reply dedup, a bounded ring.
+pub const DEDUPE_MAX: usize = 256;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct FeedState {
+    pub username: String,
+    /// The owner's smolmail address, `user@host` short form.
+    pub address: String,
+    /// Owner identity keys, oldest first; a rotation appends (SPEC.md §7).
+    pub owner_keys: Vec<String>,
+    /// Display nick; the feed path is the username and never changes.
+    pub nick: String,
+    pub prune: PruneMode,
+    /// The 90% cap warning has been sent since the feed last shrank.
+    pub warned: bool,
+    /// Daily counters, UTC-day keyed: `YYYY-MM-DD`.
+    pub day: String,
+    pub posts: u32,
+    pub reposts: u32,
+}
+
+impl FeedState {
+    pub fn latest_owner(&self) -> Option<[u8; 32]> {
+        self.owner_keys
+            .last()
+            .and_then(|k| fumi_core::crypto::unb32(k).ok())
+            .and_then(|k| k.try_into().ok())
+    }
+
+    /// True when this identity key owns the feed, at any rotation index.
+    pub fn owned_by(&self, key: &[u8; 32]) -> bool {
+        self.owner_keys
+            .iter()
+            .any(|k| fumi_core::crypto::unb32(k).map(|raw| raw == key).unwrap_or(false))
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub enum PruneMode {
+    /// The default: a full feed rejects new records (PLAN.md, Retention).
+    #[default]
+    Off,
+    /// A full feed drops its oldest records until the new one fits.
+    Fifo,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct State {
+    pub feeds: Vec<FeedState>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    replies: Vec<ReplyLedger>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    dedupe: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+struct ReplyLedger {
+    sender: String,
+    times: Vec<i64>,
+}
+
+impl State {
+    pub fn load(path: &Path) -> io::Result<State> {
+        match std::fs::read_to_string(path) {
+            Ok(text) => serde_json::from_str(&text).map_err(|e| io::Error::other(e)),
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(State::default()),
+            Err(e) => Err(e),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn save(&self, path: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
+        if let Some(dir) = path.parent() {
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(dir)?;
+        }
+        let tmp = path.with_extension("json.tmp");
+        std::fs::write(&tmp, serde_json::to_string_pretty(self).unwrap())?;
+        std::fs::rename(&tmp, path)
+    }
+
+    pub fn feed_of(&self, key: &[u8; 32]) -> Option<usize> {
+        self.feeds.iter().position(|f| f.owned_by(key))
+    }
+
+    pub fn feed_by_username(&self, username: &str) -> Option<&FeedState> {
+        self.feeds.iter().find(|f| f.username == username)
+    }
+
+    /// The UTC day of a timestamp, counter key.
+    pub fn day(now: i64) -> String {
+        smolboid_core::render_timestamp(now)[..10].to_owned()
+    }
+
+    /// Rolls the daily counters when the day changed.
+    pub fn roll_counters(feed: &mut FeedState, now: i64) {
+        let today = State::day(now);
+        if feed.day != today {
+            feed.day = today;
+            feed.posts = 0;
+            feed.reposts = 0;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// One rejected mail, identified by signer, payload time and body: an
+/// identical resubmission is a new envelope with the same payload, so it is
+/// matched here rather than by message id.
+pub fn payload_key(sender: &[u8; 32], time: i64, body: &[u8]) -> String {
+    b32(&sha256(&[sender, &time.to_be_bytes(), body]))
+}
+
+/// Whether an error reply may still be sent: within the per-sender hourly
+/// budget and never for a payload already answered. Records the decision.
+pub fn reply_allowed(state: &mut State, sender: &[u8; 32], payload: &str, now: i64) -> bool {
+    if state.dedupe.iter().any(|seen| seen == payload) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    let sender_b32 = b32(sender);
+    if !state.replies.iter().any(|l| l.sender == sender_b32) {
+        state.replies.push(ReplyLedger {
+            sender: sender_b32.clone(),
+            times: Vec::new(),
+        });
+    }
+    let ledger = state
+        .replies
+        .iter_mut()
+        .find(|l| l.sender == sender_b32)
+        .expect("just pushed");
+        ledger.times.retain(|t| now - t < 3600);
+    if ledger.times.len() >= REPLIES_PER_HOUR {
+        return false;
+    }
+    ledger.times.push(now);
+    state.dedupe.push(payload.to_owned());
+    let excess = state.dedupe.len().saturating_sub(DEDUPE_MAX);
+    state.dedupe.drain(..excess);
+    true
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn feed(username: &str, key: u8) -> FeedState {
+        FeedState {
+            username: username.into(),
+            address: format!("{username}@smol.place"),
+            owner_keys: vec![b32(&[key; 32])],
+            nick: username.into(),
+            prune: PruneMode::default(),
+            warned: false,
+            day: State::day(0),
+            posts: 0,
+            reposts: 0,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn finds_feeds_by_any_rotation_era_key() {
+        let mut fs = feed("tobias", 1);
+        let rotated = b32(&[2u8; 32]);
+        assert!(!fs.owned_by(&[2; 32]));
+        fs.owner_keys.push(rotated);
+        let mut state = State::default();
+        state.feeds.push(fs);
+        assert_eq!(state.feed_of(&[1; 32]), Some(0));
+        assert_eq!(state.feed_of(&[2; 32]), Some(0));
+        assert_eq!(state.feed_of(&[3; 32]), None);
+        assert_eq!(state.feed_by_username("tobias").unwrap().address, "tobias@smol.place");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn counters_roll_over_at_utc_midnight() {
+        let mut fs = feed("tobias", 1);
+        fs.day = "1970-01-01".into();
+        fs.posts = 9;
+        State::roll_counters(&mut fs, 1_760_000_000);
+        assert_eq!(fs.posts, 0);
+        assert_eq!(fs.day, State::day(1_760_000_000));
+        fs.posts = 1;
+        State::roll_counters(&mut fs, 1_760_000_000);
+        assert_eq!(fs.posts, 1, "same day keeps counters");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reply_budget_and_dedupe() {
+        let mut state = State::default();
+        let sender = [7u8; 32];
+        let payload = payload_key(&sender, 0, b"body");
+        for i in 0..REPLIES_PER_HOUR {
+            let p = payload_key(&sender, i as i64, b"body");
+            assert!(reply_allowed(&mut state, &sender, &p, 1000));
+        }
+        // Budget exhausted for this hour.
+        assert!(!reply_allowed(
+            &mut state,
+            &sender,
+            &payload_key(&sender, 99, b"other"),
+            1000
+        ));
+        // An identical payload never draws a second reply, even later.
+        assert!(!reply_allowed(&mut state, &sender, &payload, 5000));
+        // A new hour opens the budget again, for a new payload.
+        assert!(reply_allowed(
+            &mut state,
+            &sender,
+            &payload_key(&sender, 100, b"fresh"),
+            1000 + 3601
+        ));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn state_round_trips_through_json() {
+        let mut state = State::default();
+        state.feeds.push(feed("tobias", 1));
+        let path = std::env::temp_dir().join("smolboid-state-test.json");
+        state.save(&path).unwrap();
+        let back = State::load(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(back.feeds[0].username, "tobias");
+        assert!(State::load(&std::env::temp_dir().join("smolboid-absent.json"))
+            .unwrap()
+            .feeds
+            .is_empty());
+    }
+}