diff --git a/VISION.md b/VISION.md
index 37538d2..df6d2d4 100644
--- a/VISION.md
+++ b/VISION.md
@@ -218,6 +218,7 @@ Sprout is designed as a complete platform, not a collection of independent micro
 | ✅ | Nostr proxy (`sprout-proxy`) — guest client compatibility |
 | ✅ | Huddle (`sprout-huddle`) — LiveKit integration |
 | ✅ | Admin CLI (`sprout-admin`) |
+| ✅ | Channel features — messaging, threads, DMs, reactions, NIP-29 group management, soft-delete |
 | 🚧 | Web client (Tauri) — Stream, Forum, DM, Search |
 | ✅ | Workflow engine (`sprout-workflow`) — YAML-as-code, 4 trigger types, 7 action types, approval gates, execution traces |
 | ✅ | Home Feed (`/api/feed`) — @mentions, needs-action, channel activity, agent activity |
diff --git a/crates/sprout-db/src/channel.rs b/crates/sprout-db/src/channel.rs
index 17be3de..73a343a 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-db/src/channel.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-db/src/channel.rs
@@ -511,8 +511,9 @@ pub async fn remove_member(
 pub async fn is_member(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid, pubkey: &[u8]) -> Result<bool> {
     let channel_id_bytes = channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
     let row = sqlx::query(
-        "SELECT COUNT(*) as cnt FROM channel_members \
-         WHERE channel_id = ? AND pubkey = ? AND removed_at IS NULL",
+        "SELECT COUNT(*) as cnt FROM channel_members cm \
+         JOIN channels c ON cm.channel_id = c.id AND c.deleted_at IS NULL \
+         WHERE cm.channel_id = ? AND cm.pubkey = ? AND cm.removed_at IS NULL",
     )
     .bind(&channel_id_bytes)
     .bind(pubkey)
@@ -523,14 +524,17 @@ pub async fn is_member(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid, pubkey: &[u8]) -> Res
 }
 
 /// Returns all active members of the given channel.
+///
+/// Returns an empty list if the channel has been soft-deleted.
 pub async fn get_members(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<Vec<MemberRecord>> {
     let channel_id_bytes = channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
     let rows = sqlx::query(
         r#"
-        SELECT channel_id, pubkey, role, joined_at, invited_by, removed_at
-        FROM channel_members
-        WHERE channel_id = ? AND removed_at IS NULL
-        ORDER BY joined_at ASC
+        SELECT cm.channel_id, cm.pubkey, cm.role, cm.joined_at, cm.invited_by, cm.removed_at
+        FROM channel_members cm
+        JOIN channels c ON cm.channel_id = c.id AND c.deleted_at IS NULL
+        WHERE cm.channel_id = ? AND cm.removed_at IS NULL
+        ORDER BY cm.joined_at ASC
         LIMIT 1000
         "#,
     )
@@ -547,9 +551,10 @@ pub async fn get_members(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<Vec<Membe
 pub async fn get_accessible_channel_ids(pool: &MySqlPool, pubkey: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<Uuid>> {
     let rows = sqlx::query(
         r#"
-        SELECT channel_id
-        FROM channel_members
-        WHERE pubkey = ? AND removed_at IS NULL
+        SELECT cm.channel_id
+        FROM channel_members cm
+        JOIN channels c ON cm.channel_id = c.id AND c.deleted_at IS NULL
+        WHERE cm.pubkey = ? AND cm.removed_at IS NULL
         UNION
         SELECT id AS channel_id
         FROM channels
@@ -1008,6 +1013,21 @@ pub async fn unarchive_channel(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<()>
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Soft-delete a channel by setting `deleted_at = NOW(6)`.
+///
+/// Returns `Ok(true)` if the channel was deleted, `Ok(false)` if already
+/// deleted or not found.
+pub async fn soft_delete_channel(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<bool> {
+    let id_bytes = channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
+    let result =
+        sqlx::query("UPDATE channels SET deleted_at = NOW(6) WHERE id = ? AND deleted_at IS NULL")
+            .bind(&id_bytes)
+            .execute(pool)
+            .await?;
+
+    Ok(result.rows_affected() > 0)
+}
+
 /// Returns the count of active (non-removed) members in a channel.
 pub async fn get_member_count(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<i64> {
     let id_bytes = channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
@@ -1020,6 +1040,42 @@ pub async fn get_member_count(pool: &MySqlPool, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<i64>
     Ok(row.try_get("cnt")?)
 }
 
+/// Bulk-fetch member counts for a set of channel IDs.
+///
+/// Returns a map of `channel_id → count`. Channels with zero members are omitted.
+/// Single query regardless of input size.
+pub async fn get_member_counts_bulk(
+    pool: &MySqlPool,
+    channel_ids: &[Uuid],
+) -> Result<std::collections::HashMap<Uuid, i64>> {
+    use crate::event::uuid_from_bytes;
+
+    if channel_ids.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(std::collections::HashMap::new());
+    }
+
+    let mut qb: sqlx::QueryBuilder<sqlx::MySql> = sqlx::QueryBuilder::new(
+        "SELECT channel_id, COUNT(*) as cnt FROM channel_members \
+         WHERE removed_at IS NULL AND channel_id IN (",
+    );
+    let mut sep = qb.separated(", ");
+    for id in channel_ids {
+        sep.push_bind(id.as_bytes().to_vec());
+    }
+    qb.push(") GROUP BY channel_id");
+
+    let rows = qb.build().fetch_all(pool).await?;
+
+    let mut map = std::collections::HashMap::with_capacity(rows.len());
+    for row in rows {
+        let id_bytes: Vec<u8> = row.try_get("channel_id")?;
+        let id = uuid_from_bytes(&id_bytes)?;
+        let cnt: i64 = row.try_get("cnt")?;
+        map.insert(id, cnt);
+    }
+    Ok(map)
+}
+
 /// Get the active role of a pubkey in a channel.
 ///
 /// Returns `None` if the pubkey is not an active member.
@@ -1030,7 +1086,9 @@ pub async fn get_member_role(
 ) -> Result<Option<String>> {
     let channel_id_bytes = channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
     let row = sqlx::query(
-        "SELECT role FROM channel_members WHERE channel_id = ? AND pubkey = ? AND removed_at IS NULL",
+        "SELECT cm.role FROM channel_members cm \
+         JOIN channels c ON cm.channel_id = c.id AND c.deleted_at IS NULL \
+         WHERE cm.channel_id = ? AND cm.pubkey = ? AND cm.removed_at IS NULL",
     )
     .bind(&channel_id_bytes)
     .bind(pubkey)
diff --git a/crates/sprout-db/src/event.rs b/crates/sprout-db/src/event.rs
index b5594fd..2614030 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-db/src/event.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-db/src/event.rs
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ pub async fn query_events(pool: &MySqlPool, q: &EventQuery) -> Result<Vec<Stored
 
     let mut qb: QueryBuilder<sqlx::MySql> = QueryBuilder::new(
         "SELECT id, pubkey, created_at, kind, tags, content, sig, received_at, channel_id \
-         FROM events WHERE 1=1",
+         FROM events WHERE deleted_at IS NULL",
     );
 
     if let Some(ch) = q.channel_id {
@@ -185,8 +185,154 @@ pub(crate) fn row_to_stored_event(row: sqlx::mysql::MySqlRow) -> Result<Option<S
     )))
 }
 
-/// Fetches a single event by its raw 32-byte ID. Returns `None` if not found.
+/// Soft-delete an event by setting `deleted_at = NOW(6)`.
+///
+/// Returns `Ok(true)` if the event was deleted, `Ok(false)` if already deleted
+/// or not found. Callers are responsible for decrementing thread reply counts
+/// when the deleted event is a thread reply.
+pub async fn soft_delete_event(pool: &MySqlPool, event_id: &[u8]) -> Result<bool> {
+    let result =
+        sqlx::query("UPDATE events SET deleted_at = NOW(6) WHERE id = ? AND deleted_at IS NULL")
+            .bind(event_id)
+            .execute(pool)
+            .await?;
+
+    Ok(result.rows_affected() > 0)
+}
+
+/// Atomically soft-delete an event and decrement thread reply counters.
+///
+/// Wraps the delete + counter update in a single transaction so a crash between
+/// them cannot leave counters permanently inflated. Returns `Ok(true)` if the
+/// event was deleted this call.
+pub async fn soft_delete_event_and_update_thread(
+    pool: &MySqlPool,
+    event_id: &[u8],
+    parent_event_id: Option<&[u8]>,
+    root_event_id: Option<&[u8]>,
+) -> Result<bool> {
+    let mut tx = pool.begin().await?;
+
+    let result =
+        sqlx::query("UPDATE events SET deleted_at = NOW(6) WHERE id = ? AND deleted_at IS NULL")
+            .bind(event_id)
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await?;
+
+    let deleted = result.rows_affected() > 0;
+
+    if deleted {
+        if let Some(pid) = parent_event_id {
+            sqlx::query(
+                "UPDATE thread_metadata \
+                 SET reply_count = GREATEST(reply_count - 1, 0) \
+                 WHERE event_id = ?",
+            )
+            .bind(pid)
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await?;
+
+            if let Some(root_id) = root_event_id {
+                sqlx::query(
+                    "UPDATE thread_metadata \
+                     SET descendant_count = GREATEST(descendant_count - 1, 0) \
+                     WHERE event_id = ?",
+                )
+                .bind(root_id)
+                .execute(&mut *tx)
+                .await?;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    tx.commit().await?;
+    Ok(deleted)
+}
+
+/// Returns the `created_at` timestamp of the most recent non-deleted event in a channel.
+pub async fn get_last_message_at(
+    pool: &MySqlPool,
+    channel_id: uuid::Uuid,
+) -> Result<Option<DateTime<Utc>>> {
+    let id_bytes = channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
+    let row = sqlx::query(
+        "SELECT created_at FROM events \
+         WHERE channel_id = ? AND deleted_at IS NULL \
+         ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1",
+    )
+    .bind(&id_bytes)
+    .fetch_optional(pool)
+    .await?;
+
+    match row {
+        Some(r) => Ok(Some(r.try_get("created_at")?)),
+        None => Ok(None),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Bulk-fetch the most recent `created_at` for a set of channel IDs.
+///
+/// Returns a map of `channel_id → last_message_at`. Channels with no events are omitted.
+/// Single query regardless of input size.
+pub async fn get_last_message_at_bulk(
+    pool: &MySqlPool,
+    channel_ids: &[uuid::Uuid],
+) -> Result<std::collections::HashMap<uuid::Uuid, DateTime<Utc>>> {
+    if channel_ids.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(std::collections::HashMap::new());
+    }
+
+    let mut qb: QueryBuilder<sqlx::MySql> = QueryBuilder::new(
+        "SELECT channel_id, MAX(created_at) as last_at FROM events \
+         WHERE deleted_at IS NULL AND channel_id IN (",
+    );
+    let mut sep = qb.separated(", ");
+    for id in channel_ids {
+        sep.push_bind(id.as_bytes().to_vec());
+    }
+    qb.push(") GROUP BY channel_id");
+
+    let rows = qb.build().fetch_all(pool).await?;
+
+    let mut map = std::collections::HashMap::with_capacity(rows.len());
+    for row in rows {
+        let id_bytes: Vec<u8> = row.try_get("channel_id")?;
+        let id = uuid_from_bytes(&id_bytes)?;
+        let last_at: DateTime<Utc> = row.try_get("last_at")?;
+        map.insert(id, last_at);
+    }
+    Ok(map)
+}
+
+/// Fetches a single non-deleted event by its raw 32-byte ID.
+///
+/// Returns `None` if the event does not exist or has been soft-deleted.
+/// Use [`get_event_by_id_including_deleted`] when you need to inspect
+/// tombstoned rows (e.g. audit, undelete).
 pub async fn get_event_by_id(pool: &MySqlPool, id_bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<Option<StoredEvent>> {
+    let row = sqlx::query(
+        "SELECT id, pubkey, created_at, kind, tags, content, sig, received_at, channel_id \
+         FROM events WHERE id = ? AND deleted_at IS NULL ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1",
+    )
+    .bind(id_bytes)
+    .fetch_optional(pool)
+    .await?;
+
+    match row {
+        Some(r) => row_to_stored_event(r),
+        None => Ok(None),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Fetches a single event by its raw 32-byte ID, **including soft-deleted rows**.
+///
+/// Most callers should use [`get_event_by_id`] instead. This variant is needed
+/// when the caller must distinguish "never existed" from "was deleted" (e.g.
+/// audit trails, compliance queries).
+pub async fn get_event_by_id_including_deleted(
+    pool: &MySqlPool,
+    id_bytes: &[u8],
+) -> Result<Option<StoredEvent>> {
     let row = sqlx::query(
         "SELECT id, pubkey, created_at, kind, tags, content, sig, received_at, channel_id \
          FROM events WHERE id = ? ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1",
@@ -201,6 +347,154 @@ pub async fn get_event_by_id(pool: &MySqlPool, id_bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<Option
     }
 }
 
+/// Parameters for [`insert_event_with_thread_metadata`].
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct ThreadMetadataParams<'a> {
+    /// The Nostr event ID of this message.
+    pub event_id: &'a [u8],
+    /// When the event was created.
+    pub event_created_at: DateTime<Utc>,
+    /// The channel this event belongs to.
+    pub channel_id: Uuid,
+    /// Event ID of the direct parent, if this is a reply.
+    pub parent_event_id: Option<&'a [u8]>,
+    /// When the parent event was created.
+    pub parent_event_created_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+    /// Event ID of the thread root, if this is a nested reply.
+    pub root_event_id: Option<&'a [u8]>,
+    /// When the root event was created.
+    pub root_event_created_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+    /// Nesting depth (root = 0).
+    pub depth: i32,
+    /// Whether this reply is broadcast to the channel timeline.
+    pub broadcast: bool,
+}
+
+/// Atomically insert an event AND its thread metadata in a single transaction.
+///
+/// This prevents the race condition where a concurrent delete between separate
+/// `insert_event` and `insert_thread_metadata` calls could leave reply counters
+/// permanently inflated (the metadata insert increments counters for an event
+/// that was already soft-deleted).
+///
+/// Returns `(StoredEvent, was_inserted)`.
+pub async fn insert_event_with_thread_metadata(
+    pool: &MySqlPool,
+    event: &Event,
+    channel_id: Option<Uuid>,
+    thread_meta: Option<ThreadMetadataParams<'_>>,
+) -> Result<(StoredEvent, bool)> {
+    let kind_u16 = event.kind.as_u16();
+    let kind_u32 = u32::from(kind_u16);
+
+    if kind_u32 == KIND_AUTH {
+        return Err(DbError::AuthEventRejected);
+    }
+    if is_ephemeral(kind_u32) {
+        return Err(DbError::EphemeralEventRejected(kind_u16));
+    }
+
+    let id_bytes = event.id.as_bytes();
+    let pubkey_bytes = event.pubkey.to_bytes();
+    let sig_bytes = event.sig.serialize();
+    let tags_json = serde_json::to_value(&event.tags)?;
+    let kind_i32 = event_kind_i32(event);
+    let created_at_secs = event.created_at.as_u64() as i64;
+    let created_at = DateTime::from_timestamp(created_at_secs, 0)
+        .ok_or(DbError::InvalidTimestamp(created_at_secs))?;
+    let received_at = Utc::now();
+    let channel_id_bytes: Option<[u8; 16]> = channel_id.map(|u| *u.as_bytes());
+
+    let mut tx = pool.begin().await?;
+
+    // ── Insert event ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    let result = sqlx::query(
+        r#"
+        INSERT IGNORE INTO events (id, pubkey, created_at, kind, tags, content, sig, received_at, channel_id)
+        VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+        "#,
+    )
+    .bind(id_bytes.as_slice())
+    .bind(pubkey_bytes.as_slice())
+    .bind(created_at)
+    .bind(kind_i32)
+    .bind(&tags_json)
+    .bind(&event.content)
+    .bind(sig_bytes.as_slice())
+    .bind(received_at)
+    .bind(channel_id_bytes.as_ref().map(|b| b.as_slice()))
+    .execute(&mut *tx)
+    .await?;
+
+    let was_inserted = result.rows_affected() > 0;
+
+    // ── Insert thread metadata (if provided and event was actually inserted) ──
+    if was_inserted {
+        if let Some(ref meta) = thread_meta {
+            let ch_bytes = meta.channel_id.as_bytes().as_slice().to_vec();
+            let broadcast_val: i8 = if meta.broadcast { 1 } else { 0 };
+
+            let tm_result = sqlx::query(
+                r#"
+                INSERT IGNORE INTO thread_metadata
+                    (event_created_at, event_id, channel_id,
+                     parent_event_id, parent_event_created_at,
+                     root_event_id, root_event_created_at,
+                     depth, broadcast)
+                VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+                "#,
+            )
+            .bind(meta.event_created_at)
+            .bind(meta.event_id)
+            .bind(ch_bytes.as_slice())
+            .bind(meta.parent_event_id)
+            .bind(meta.parent_event_created_at)
+            .bind(meta.root_event_id)
+            .bind(meta.root_event_created_at)
+            .bind(meta.depth)
+            .bind(broadcast_val)
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await?;
+
+            // Only bump reply counts if the metadata row was actually inserted.
+            if tm_result.rows_affected() > 0 {
+                if let Some(pid) = meta.parent_event_id {
+                    sqlx::query(
+                        r#"
+                        UPDATE thread_metadata
+                        SET reply_count = reply_count + 1, last_reply_at = NOW(6)
+                        WHERE event_id = ?
+                        "#,
+                    )
+                    .bind(pid)
+                    .execute(&mut *tx)
+                    .await?;
+
+                    if let Some(root_id) = meta.root_event_id {
+                        sqlx::query(
+                            r#"
+                            UPDATE thread_metadata
+                            SET descendant_count = descendant_count + 1
+                            WHERE event_id = ?
+                            "#,
+                        )
+                        .bind(root_id)
+                        .execute(&mut *tx)
+                        .await?;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    tx.commit().await?;
+
+    Ok((
+        StoredEvent::with_received_at(event.clone(), received_at, channel_id, true),
+        was_inserted,
+    ))
+}
+
 /// Convert raw BINARY(16) bytes to a [`Uuid`].
 pub(crate) fn uuid_from_bytes(bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<Uuid> {
     Uuid::from_slice(bytes).map_err(|e| DbError::InvalidData(format!("invalid UUID: {e}")))
diff --git a/crates/sprout-db/src/lib.rs b/crates/sprout-db/src/lib.rs
index 5c37242..6829b15 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-db/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-db/src/lib.rs
@@ -139,11 +139,70 @@ impl Db {
         event::query_events(&self.pool, q).await
     }
 
-    /// Fetches a single event by its raw ID bytes. Returns `None` if not found.
+    /// Fetches a single non-deleted event by its raw ID bytes.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `None` if the event does not exist or has been soft-deleted.
     pub async fn get_event_by_id(&self, id_bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<Option<StoredEvent>> {
         event::get_event_by_id(&self.pool, id_bytes).await
     }
 
+    /// Fetches a single event by ID, **including soft-deleted rows**.
+    ///
+    /// Most callers should use [`get_event_by_id`] instead.
+    pub async fn get_event_by_id_including_deleted(
+        &self,
+        id_bytes: &[u8],
+    ) -> Result<Option<StoredEvent>> {
+        event::get_event_by_id_including_deleted(&self.pool, id_bytes).await
+    }
+
+    /// Atomically insert an event and its thread metadata in one transaction.
+    ///
+    /// Prevents the race where a concurrent delete between separate insert calls
+    /// could leave reply counters permanently inflated.
+    pub async fn insert_event_with_thread_metadata(
+        &self,
+        ev: &nostr::Event,
+        channel_id: Option<Uuid>,
+        thread_meta: Option<event::ThreadMetadataParams<'_>>,
+    ) -> Result<(StoredEvent, bool)> {
+        event::insert_event_with_thread_metadata(&self.pool, ev, channel_id, thread_meta).await
+    }
+
+    /// Soft-delete an event. Returns `true` if the event was deleted.
+    pub async fn soft_delete_event(&self, event_id: &[u8]) -> Result<bool> {
+        event::soft_delete_event(&self.pool, event_id).await
+    }
+
+    /// Atomically soft-delete an event and decrement thread counters in one transaction.
+    pub async fn soft_delete_event_and_update_thread(
+        &self,
+        event_id: &[u8],
+        parent_event_id: Option<&[u8]>,
+        root_event_id: Option<&[u8]>,
+    ) -> Result<bool> {
+        event::soft_delete_event_and_update_thread(
+            &self.pool,
+            event_id,
+            parent_event_id,
+            root_event_id,
+        )
+        .await
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the timestamp of the most recent non-deleted event in a channel.
+    pub async fn get_last_message_at(&self, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<Option<DateTime<Utc>>> {
+        event::get_last_message_at(&self.pool, channel_id).await
+    }
+
+    /// Bulk-fetch last message timestamps for multiple channels in one query.
+    pub async fn get_last_message_at_bulk(
+        &self,
+        channel_ids: &[Uuid],
+    ) -> Result<std::collections::HashMap<Uuid, DateTime<Utc>>> {
+        event::get_last_message_at_bulk(&self.pool, channel_ids).await
+    }
+
     // ── Feed ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     /// Returns events that mention `pubkey` in the given channels.
@@ -309,11 +368,24 @@ impl Db {
         channel::unarchive_channel(&self.pool, channel_id).await
     }
 
+    /// Soft-delete a channel. Returns `true` if the channel was deleted.
+    pub async fn soft_delete_channel(&self, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<bool> {
+        channel::soft_delete_channel(&self.pool, channel_id).await
+    }
+
     /// Returns the count of active members in a channel.
     pub async fn get_member_count(&self, channel_id: Uuid) -> Result<i64> {
         channel::get_member_count(&self.pool, channel_id).await
     }
 
+    /// Bulk-fetch member counts for multiple channels in one query.
+    pub async fn get_member_counts_bulk(
+        &self,
+        channel_ids: &[Uuid],
+    ) -> Result<std::collections::HashMap<Uuid, i64>> {
+        channel::get_member_counts_bulk(&self.pool, channel_ids).await
+    }
+
     /// Returns the active role of a pubkey in a channel.
     pub async fn get_member_role(&self, channel_id: Uuid, pubkey: &[u8]) -> Result<Option<String>> {
         channel::get_member_role(&self.pool, channel_id, pubkey).await
@@ -379,6 +451,18 @@ impl Db {
         thread::get_channel_messages_top_level(&self.pool, channel_id, limit, before).await
     }
 
+    /// Decrement reply counts when a thread reply is deleted.
+    ///
+    /// Decrements `reply_count` on the parent and `descendant_count` on the root
+    /// (floor at 0). Mirrors [`thread::increment_reply_count`] exactly.
+    pub async fn decrement_reply_count(
+        &self,
+        parent_event_id: &[u8],
+        root_event_id: Option<&[u8]>,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        thread::decrement_reply_count(&self.pool, parent_event_id, root_event_id).await
+    }
+
     /// Fetch a raw thread_metadata row by event ID.
     pub async fn get_thread_metadata_by_event(
         &self,
diff --git a/crates/sprout-db/src/thread.rs b/crates/sprout-db/src/thread.rs
index 1471e88..39fb25b 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-db/src/thread.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-db/src/thread.rs
@@ -186,6 +186,11 @@ pub async fn insert_thread_metadata(
 /// root — even when root == parent (direct reply to root). This is correct
 /// because `reply_count` tracks direct children only, while `descendant_count`
 /// tracks ALL descendants at every nesting level.
+///
+/// NOTE: The primary increment path is inlined inside [`insert_thread_metadata`]'s
+/// transaction. This standalone version exists for future use cases where
+/// incrementing outside of insert is needed (e.g., event re-parenting).
+#[allow(dead_code)]
 pub async fn increment_reply_count(
     pool: &MySqlPool,
     parent_event_id: &[u8],
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels.rs
index a217eb4..df100a3 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,20 @@ pub async fn channels_handler(
         .await
         .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
 
+    // Bulk-fetch member counts and last-message timestamps in two queries
+    // instead of 2N queries (one per channel per metric).
+    let channel_ids: Vec<uuid::Uuid> = channels.iter().map(|ch| ch.id).collect();
+    let member_counts = state
+        .db
+        .get_member_counts_bulk(&channel_ids)
+        .await
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+    let last_messages = state
+        .db
+        .get_last_message_at_bulk(&channel_ids)
+        .await
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+
     let mut result = Vec::with_capacity(channels.len());
 
     for ch in &channels {
@@ -45,10 +59,15 @@ pub async fn channels_handler(
             (vec![], vec![])
         };
 
+        let member_count = member_counts.get(&ch.id).copied().unwrap_or(0);
+        let last_message_at = last_messages.get(&ch.id).copied();
+
         result.push(channel_record_to_json(
             ch,
             participants,
             participant_pubkeys,
+            member_count,
+            last_message_at,
         ));
     }
 
@@ -120,7 +139,7 @@ pub async fn create_channel(
 
     Ok((
         StatusCode::CREATED,
-        Json(channel_record_to_json(&channel, vec![], vec![])),
+        Json(channel_record_to_json(&channel, vec![], vec![], 1, None)),
     ))
 }
 
@@ -128,12 +147,23 @@ fn channel_record_to_json(
     channel: &ChannelRecord,
     participants: Vec<String>,
     participant_pubkeys: Vec<String>,
+    member_count: i64,
+    last_message_at: Option<chrono::DateTime<chrono::Utc>>,
 ) -> serde_json::Value {
     serde_json::json!({
         "id": channel.id.to_string(),
         "name": &channel.name,
         "channel_type": &channel.channel_type,
+        "visibility": &channel.visibility,
         "description": channel.description.clone().unwrap_or_default(),
+        "topic": channel.topic,
+        "purpose": channel.purpose,
+        "created_by": nostr_hex::encode(&channel.created_by),
+        "created_at": channel.created_at.to_rfc3339(),
+        "updated_at": channel.updated_at.to_rfc3339(),
+        "archived_at": channel.archived_at.map(|t| t.to_rfc3339()),
+        "member_count": member_count,
+        "last_message_at": last_message_at.map(|t| t.to_rfc3339()),
         "participants": participants,
         "participant_pubkeys": participant_pubkeys,
     })
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels_metadata.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels_metadata.rs
index aa3e848..73e2f3d 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels_metadata.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/channels_metadata.rs
@@ -428,3 +428,54 @@ pub async fn unarchive_channel_handler(
 
     Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({ "ok": true })))
 }
+
+/// DELETE /api/channels/{channel_id} — Soft-delete a channel.
+///
+/// Requires owner role. Sets `deleted_at` on the channel record; the channel
+/// becomes invisible to all queries that filter on `deleted_at IS NULL`.
+pub async fn delete_channel_handler(
+    State(state): State<Arc<AppState>>,
+    headers: HeaderMap,
+    Path(channel_id_str): Path<String>,
+) -> Result<Json<serde_json::Value>, (StatusCode, Json<serde_json::Value>)> {
+    let (_pubkey, pubkey_bytes) = extract_auth_pubkey(&headers, &state).await?;
+    let channel_id = parse_channel_id(&channel_id_str)?;
+
+    // Only channel owners may delete.
+    let role = state
+        .db
+        .get_member_role(channel_id, &pubkey_bytes)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
+    match role.as_deref() {
+        Some("owner") => {}
+        Some(_) => return Err(forbidden("only channel owner can delete")),
+        None => return Err(forbidden("not a member of this channel")),
+    }
+
+    let deleted = state
+        .db
+        .soft_delete_channel(channel_id)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
+
+    if !deleted {
+        return Err(api_error(StatusCode::CONFLICT, "channel already deleted"));
+    }
+
+    let actor_hex = nostr_hex::encode(&pubkey_bytes);
+    if let Err(e) = emit_system_message(
+        &state,
+        channel_id,
+        serde_json::json!({
+            "type": "channel_deleted",
+            "actor": actor_hex,
+        }),
+    )
+    .await
+    {
+        tracing::warn!("Failed to emit system message: {e}");
+    }
+
+    Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({ "ok": true, "deleted": true })))
+}
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/messages.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/messages.rs
index 85ad66e..e0074bd 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/messages.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/messages.rs
@@ -29,7 +29,44 @@ use serde::Deserialize;
 
 use crate::state::AppState;
 
-use super::{api_error, check_channel_access, extract_auth_pubkey, internal_error, not_found};
+use super::{
+    api_error, check_channel_access, extract_auth_pubkey, forbidden, internal_error, not_found,
+};
+
+/// Extract the effective message author from a stored event.
+///
+/// REST-created messages are signed by the relay keypair and attribute the real
+/// sender via a `p` tag. For user-signed events (WebSocket), `event.pubkey` is
+/// the author. This helper returns the correct author bytes in both cases.
+fn effective_author(event: &nostr::Event, relay_pubkey: &nostr::PublicKey) -> Vec<u8> {
+    if event.pubkey == *relay_pubkey {
+        // Relay-signed: real author is in the first p tag.
+        for tag in event.tags.iter() {
+            if tag.kind().to_string() == "p" {
+                if let Some(hex) = tag.content() {
+                    if let Ok(bytes) = nostr_hex::decode(hex) {
+                        if bytes.len() == 32 {
+                            return bytes;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    // User-signed or no p tag found: pubkey is the author.
+    event.pubkey.serialize().to_vec()
+}
+
+/// Serialize a slice of reaction summaries to JSON.
+fn reactions_to_json(reactions: &[sprout_db::reaction::ReactionSummary]) -> serde_json::Value {
+    serde_json::json!(reactions
+        .iter()
+        .map(|r| serde_json::json!({
+            "emoji": r.emoji,
+            "count": r.count,
+        }))
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>())
+}
 
 // ── POST /api/channels/:channel_id/messages ───────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -215,32 +252,26 @@ pub async fn send_message(
         chrono::DateTime::from_timestamp(ts, 0).unwrap_or_else(Utc::now)
     };
 
-    // ── Persist event ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── Persist event + thread metadata atomically ──────────────────────────
+
+    let thread_meta = Some(sprout_db::event::ThreadMetadataParams {
+        event_id: &event_id_bytes,
+        event_created_at,
+        channel_id,
+        parent_event_id: parent_id_bytes.as_deref(),
+        parent_event_created_at: parent_created_at,
+        root_event_id: root_id_bytes.as_deref(),
+        root_event_created_at: root_created_at,
+        depth,
+        broadcast: body.broadcast_to_channel,
+    });
 
     state
         .db
-        .insert_event(&event, Some(channel_id))
+        .insert_event_with_thread_metadata(&event, Some(channel_id), thread_meta)
         .await
         .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
 
-    // ── Persist thread metadata ───────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-    state
-        .db
-        .insert_thread_metadata(
-            &event_id_bytes,
-            event_created_at,
-            channel_id,
-            parent_id_bytes.as_deref(),
-            parent_created_at,
-            root_id_bytes.as_deref(),
-            root_created_at,
-            depth,
-            body.broadcast_to_channel,
-        )
-        .await
-        .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("thread metadata error: {e}")))?;
-
     // ── Response ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({
@@ -252,6 +283,82 @@ pub async fn send_message(
     })))
 }
 
+// ── DELETE /api/messages/:event_id ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/// Soft-delete a message by event ID.
+///
+/// Authorization: the caller must be the message author, or an owner/admin of
+/// the channel the message belongs to. If the deleted event is a thread reply,
+/// parent/root reply counts are decremented.
+pub async fn delete_message(
+    State(state): State<Arc<AppState>>,
+    headers: HeaderMap,
+    Path(event_id_hex): Path<String>,
+) -> Result<Json<serde_json::Value>, (StatusCode, Json<serde_json::Value>)> {
+    let (_pubkey, pubkey_bytes) = extract_auth_pubkey(&headers, &state).await?;
+
+    let event_id_bytes = nostr_hex::decode(&event_id_hex)
+        .map_err(|_| api_error(StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "invalid event_id hex"))?;
+
+    // Look up the event to check ownership and channel.
+    let stored = state
+        .db
+        .get_event_by_id(&event_id_bytes)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?
+        .ok_or_else(|| not_found("event not found"))?;
+
+    let channel_id = stored
+        .channel_id
+        .ok_or_else(|| api_error(StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "event has no channel"))?;
+
+    // Auth: must be the message author OR an owner/admin of the channel.
+    // For relay-signed REST messages, the real author is in the p tag.
+    let author_bytes = effective_author(&stored.event, &state.relay_keypair.public_key());
+    let is_author = author_bytes == pubkey_bytes;
+
+    if !is_author {
+        let role = state
+            .db
+            .get_member_role(channel_id, &pubkey_bytes)
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
+        match role.as_deref() {
+            Some("owner") | Some("admin") => {} // authorized
+            _ => return Err(forbidden("must be message author or channel owner/admin")),
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Look up thread metadata before deleting so we can pass parent/root IDs
+    // to the transactional delete function. Fail hard on DB errors to avoid
+    // deleting the event without decrementing counters.
+    let meta = state
+        .db
+        .get_thread_metadata_by_event(&event_id_bytes)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
+
+    let parent_id = meta.as_ref().and_then(|m| m.parent_event_id.clone());
+    let root_id = meta.as_ref().and_then(|m| m.root_event_id.clone());
+
+    // Atomically soft-delete the event and decrement thread counters in one transaction.
+    let deleted = state
+        .db
+        .soft_delete_event_and_update_thread(
+            &event_id_bytes,
+            parent_id.as_deref(),
+            root_id.as_deref(),
+        )
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
+
+    if !deleted {
+        return Err(api_error(StatusCode::CONFLICT, "event already deleted"));
+    }
+
+    Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({ "ok": true, "deleted": true })))
+}
+
 // ── GET /api/channels/:channel_id/messages ────────────────────────────────────
 
 /// Query parameters for listing top-level channel messages.
@@ -297,15 +404,33 @@ pub async fn list_messages(
         .await
         .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("db error: {e}")))?;
 
-    // Optionally enrich with thread summaries.
-    if params.with_threads {
-        for msg in &mut messages {
-            if let Ok(summary) = state.db.get_thread_summary(&msg.event_id).await {
-                msg.thread_summary = summary;
-            }
+    // Always enrich with thread summaries for messages that have replies.
+    // The `with_threads` param is kept for backward compatibility but summaries
+    // are now included by default.
+    for msg in &mut messages {
+        if let Ok(summary) = state.db.get_thread_summary(&msg.event_id).await {
+            msg.thread_summary = summary;
         }
     }
 
+    // Bulk-fetch reaction counts for all messages in this page.
+    let event_pairs: Vec<(&[u8], chrono::DateTime<Utc>)> = messages
+        .iter()
+        .map(|m| (m.event_id.as_slice(), m.created_at))
+        .collect();
+    let bulk_reactions = state
+        .db
+        .get_reactions_bulk(&event_pairs)
+        .await
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+
+    // Index reactions by event_id for O(1) lookup during serialization.
+    let reaction_map: std::collections::HashMap<Vec<u8>, &[sprout_db::reaction::ReactionSummary]> =
+        bulk_reactions
+            .iter()
+            .map(|entry| (entry.event_id.clone(), entry.reactions.as_slice()))
+            .collect();
+
     // Determine next_cursor from the oldest message in this page.
     let next_cursor = messages.last().map(|m| m.created_at.timestamp());
 
@@ -332,6 +457,11 @@ pub async fn list_messages(
                 });
             }
 
+            // Embed reaction counts if any exist for this message.
+            if let Some(reactions) = reaction_map.get(&m.event_id) {
+                obj["reactions"] = reactions_to_json(reactions);
+            }
+
             obj
         })
         .collect();
@@ -443,7 +573,7 @@ pub async fn get_thread(
 
     // Serialize root event.
     let root_created_at = root_event.event.created_at.as_u64() as i64;
-    let root_obj = serde_json::json!({
+    let mut root_obj = serde_json::json!({
         "event_id":   root_event.event.id.to_hex(),
         "pubkey":     root_event.event.pubkey.to_hex(),
         "content":    root_event.event.content,
@@ -460,11 +590,37 @@ pub async fn get_thread(
         })),
     });
 
+    // Bulk-fetch reaction counts for root + all replies.
+    let root_created_at_dt =
+        chrono::DateTime::from_timestamp(root_created_at, 0).unwrap_or_else(Utc::now);
+    let mut thread_event_pairs: Vec<(&[u8], chrono::DateTime<Utc>)> =
+        vec![(root_id_bytes.as_slice(), root_created_at_dt)];
+    for r in &replies {
+        thread_event_pairs.push((r.event_id.as_slice(), r.created_at));
+    }
+    let thread_bulk_reactions = state
+        .db
+        .get_reactions_bulk(&thread_event_pairs)
+        .await
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+    let thread_reaction_map: std::collections::HashMap<
+        Vec<u8>,
+        &[sprout_db::reaction::ReactionSummary],
+    > = thread_bulk_reactions
+        .iter()
+        .map(|entry| (entry.event_id.clone(), entry.reactions.as_slice()))
+        .collect();
+
+    // Attach reactions to root event.
+    if let Some(reactions) = thread_reaction_map.get(&root_id_bytes) {
+        root_obj["reactions"] = reactions_to_json(reactions);
+    }
+
     // Serialize replies.
     let reply_objs: Vec<serde_json::Value> = replies
         .iter()
         .map(|r| {
-            serde_json::json!({
+            let mut obj = serde_json::json!({
                 "event_id":        nostr_hex::encode(&r.event_id),
                 "parent_event_id": r.parent_event_id.as_ref().map(nostr_hex::encode),
                 "root_event_id":   r.root_event_id.as_ref().map(nostr_hex::encode),
@@ -475,7 +631,13 @@ pub async fn get_thread(
                 "depth":           r.depth,
                 "created_at":      r.created_at.timestamp(),
                 "broadcast":       r.broadcast,
-            })
+            });
+
+            if let Some(reactions) = thread_reaction_map.get(&r.event_id) {
+                obj["reactions"] = reactions_to_json(reactions);
+            }
+
+            obj
         })
         .collect();
 
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/mod.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/mod.rs
index e811d0a..127aa87 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/api/mod.rs
@@ -43,13 +43,13 @@ pub use agents::agents_handler;
 pub use approvals::{deny_approval, grant_approval};
 pub use channels::{channels_handler, create_channel};
 pub use channels_metadata::{
-    archive_channel_handler, get_channel_handler, set_purpose_handler, set_topic_handler,
-    unarchive_channel_handler, update_channel_handler,
+    archive_channel_handler, delete_channel_handler, get_channel_handler, set_purpose_handler,
+    set_topic_handler, unarchive_channel_handler, update_channel_handler,
 };
 pub use dms::{add_dm_member_handler, list_dms_handler, open_dm_handler};
 pub use feed::feed_handler;
 pub use members::{add_members, join_channel, leave_channel, list_members, remove_member};
-pub use messages::{get_thread, list_messages, send_message};
+pub use messages::{delete_message, get_thread, list_messages, send_message};
 pub use presence::presence_handler;
 pub use reactions::{add_reaction_handler, list_reactions_handler, remove_reaction_handler};
 pub use search::search_handler;
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/handlers/side_effects.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/handlers/side_effects.rs
index 8bcbae7..0413e10 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/handlers/side_effects.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/handlers/side_effects.rs
@@ -145,13 +145,55 @@ pub async fn validate_admin_event(
             }
         }
         9005 => {
-            // DELETE_EVENT: owner/admin or event author
-            // For now, just check membership
-            let is_member = state.db.is_member(channel_id, &actor_bytes).await?;
-            if is_member {
-                Ok(())
-            } else {
-                Err(anyhow::anyhow!("not a member"))
+            // DELETE_EVENT: event author OR channel owner/admin.
+            // Extract target event from e tag to check authorship.
+            let target_id = event
+                .tags
+                .iter()
+                .find_map(|tag| {
+                    if tag.kind().to_string() == "e" {
+                        tag.content().and_then(|v| hex::decode(v).ok())
+                    } else {
+                        None
+                    }
+                })
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("missing e tag for target event"))?;
+
+            // Verify the target event belongs to the h-tag channel BEFORE storage.
+            // Without this, an admin of channel A could craft h=A, e=<event-in-B>
+            // and the relay would store the invalid admin event.
+            if let Ok(Some(target_event)) = state.db.get_event_by_id(&target_id).await {
+                match target_event.channel_id {
+                    Some(target_ch) if target_ch != channel_id => {
+                        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+                            "target event belongs to a different channel"
+                        ));
+                    }
+                    None => {
+                        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("target event has no channel"));
+                    }
+                    _ => {} // Same channel — OK
+                }
+
+                // Check if actor is the event author.
+                // For relay-signed REST messages, the real author is in the p tag.
+                let author = effective_message_author(
+                    &target_event.event,
+                    &state.relay_keypair.public_key(),
+                );
+                if author == actor_bytes {
+                    return Ok(()); // Author can always delete their own messages
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Not the author — must be owner/admin.
+            let members = state.db.get_members(channel_id).await?;
+            let actor_member = members.iter().find(|m| m.pubkey == actor_bytes);
+            match actor_member {
+                Some(m) if m.role == "owner" || m.role == "admin" => Ok(()),
+                _ => Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+                    "must be event author or channel owner/admin"
+                )),
             }
         }
         9008 => {
@@ -378,8 +420,50 @@ async fn handle_delete_event_side_effect(
         })
         .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("missing e tag for target event"))?;
 
-    // TODO: Add soft_delete_event to Db for full implementation
-    tracing::info!(target_event = %hex::encode(&target_id), "Would soft-delete event");
+    // Verify the target event belongs to the same channel as the h-tag.
+    // Without this check, an admin of channel A could delete events in channel B
+    // by sending h=A, e=<event-in-B>.
+    if let Some(target_event) = state
+        .db
+        .get_event_by_id_including_deleted(&target_id)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("get_event_by_id failed: {e}"))?
+    {
+        match target_event.channel_id {
+            Some(target_ch) if target_ch != channel_id => {
+                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+                    "target event belongs to a different channel"
+                ));
+            }
+            None => {
+                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("target event has no channel"));
+            }
+            _ => {} // Same channel — OK
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Look up thread metadata so we can pass parent/root IDs to the
+    // transactional delete function.
+    let meta = state
+        .db
+        .get_thread_metadata_by_event(&target_id)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("get_thread_metadata failed: {e}"))?;
+
+    let parent_id = meta.as_ref().and_then(|m| m.parent_event_id.clone());
+    let root_id = meta.as_ref().and_then(|m| m.root_event_id.clone());
+
+    // Atomically soft-delete the event and decrement thread counters in one transaction.
+    let deleted = state
+        .db
+        .soft_delete_event_and_update_thread(&target_id, parent_id.as_deref(), root_id.as_deref())
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("soft_delete_event failed: {e}"))?;
+
+    if !deleted {
+        warn!(target_event = %hex::encode(&target_id), "event already deleted or not found");
+        return Ok(()); // No-op: skip system message to avoid false audit records.
+    }
 
     let actor_hex = nostr::util::hex::encode(event.pubkey.serialize());
     emit_system_message(
@@ -393,6 +477,7 @@ async fn handle_delete_event_side_effect(
     )
     .await?;
 
+    info!(target_event = %hex::encode(&target_id), "NIP-29 DELETE_EVENT processed");
     Ok(())
 }
 
@@ -436,7 +521,17 @@ async fn handle_delete_group(event: &Event, state: &Arc<AppState>) -> anyhow::Re
         extract_h_tag_channel(event).ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("missing h tag"))?;
     let actor_bytes = event.pubkey.serialize().to_vec();
 
-    // TODO: Add soft_delete_channel to Db for full implementation
+    // Soft-delete the channel.
+    let deleted = state
+        .db
+        .soft_delete_channel(channel_id)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("soft_delete_channel failed: {e}"))?;
+
+    if !deleted {
+        warn!(channel = %channel_id, "channel already deleted or not found");
+    }
+
     let actor_hex = nostr::util::hex::encode(&actor_bytes);
     emit_system_message(
         state,
@@ -447,6 +542,7 @@ async fn handle_delete_group(event: &Event, state: &Arc<AppState>) -> anyhow::Re
     )
     .await?;
 
+    info!(channel = %channel_id, "NIP-29 DELETE_GROUP processed");
     Ok(())
 }
 
@@ -581,6 +677,28 @@ fn extract_p_tag(event: &Event) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
     None
 }
 
+/// Extract the effective message author from a stored event.
+///
+/// REST-created messages are signed by the relay keypair and attribute the real
+/// sender via a `p` tag. For user-signed events (WebSocket), `event.pubkey` is
+/// the author. Returns the correct author bytes in both cases.
+fn effective_message_author(event: &Event, relay_pubkey: &nostr::PublicKey) -> Vec<u8> {
+    if event.pubkey == *relay_pubkey {
+        for tag in event.tags.iter() {
+            if tag.kind().to_string() == "p" {
+                if let Some(hex) = tag.content() {
+                    if let Ok(bytes) = hex::decode(hex) {
+                        if bytes.len() == 32 {
+                            return bytes;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    event.pubkey.serialize().to_vec()
+}
+
 /// Extract value of a named tag.
 fn extract_tag_value(event: &Event, tag_name: &str) -> Option<String> {
     for tag in event.tags.iter() {
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/nip11.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/nip11.rs
index 1ba6c79..68c6821 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/nip11.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/nip11.rs
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ impl RelayInfo {
             description: "Sprout — private team communication relay".to_string(),
             pubkey: None,
             contact: None,
-            supported_nips: vec![1, 11, 42],
+            supported_nips: vec![1, 11, 25, 29, 42],
             software: "https://github.com/sprout-rs/sprout".to_string(),
             version: env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION").to_string(),
             limitation: Some(RelayLimitation {
diff --git a/crates/sprout-relay/src/router.rs b/crates/sprout-relay/src/router.rs
index f201f77..800274a 100644
--- a/crates/sprout-relay/src/router.rs
+++ b/crates/sprout-relay/src/router.rs
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ pub fn build_router(state: Arc<AppState>) -> Router {
         // Channel detail + metadata routes
         .route(
             "/api/channels/{channel_id}",
-            get(api::get_channel_handler).put(api::update_channel_handler),
+            get(api::get_channel_handler)
+                .put(api::update_channel_handler)
+                .delete(api::delete_channel_handler),
         )
         .route(
             "/api/channels/{channel_id}/topic",
@@ -98,6 +100,8 @@ pub fn build_router(state: Arc<AppState>) -> Router {
             "/api/dms/{channel_id}/members",
             post(api::add_dm_member_handler),
         )
+        // Message delete route
+        .route("/api/messages/{event_id}", delete(api::delete_message))
         // Reaction routes
         .route(
             "/api/messages/{event_id}/reactions",