Reset DCT options to Color+JPEG when switching from LSB

Encode page:
- Inline mode buttons: DCT | LSB | Color | Gray | JPEG | PNG
- LSB mode auto-selects Color+PNG and disables Gray/JPEG
- Dynamic hint text with icons below mode buttons

Decode page:
- Compact inline mode buttons: Auto | LSB | DCT
- Dynamic hints that change per mode selection

CSS:
- Disabled btn-check styling for dimmed unavailable options

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.gitignore

@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ scripts/*
 !scripts/validate-release.sh
 
 # Web UI auth database and SSL certs
+instance/
 frontends/web/instance/
 frontends/web/certs/
 
@@ -84,3 +85,11 @@ pishrink.sh
 
 # Temp file storage
 frontends/web/temp_files/
+rpi/config.json
+
+# Pre-built Pi tarballs and images (release assets, too large for git)
+rpi/*.tar.zst
+rpi/*.tar.zst.zip
+rpi/*.img
+rpi/*.img.zst
+rpi/*.img.zst.zip

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,27 @@ All notable changes to Stegasoo will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org).
 
+## [4.1.5] - 2026-01-07
+
+### Added
+- **Developer Documentation**: Educational comments throughout core modules
+  - DCT module: zig-zag diagrams, QIM explanation, Reed-Solomon deep dive
+  - LSB module: visual bit embedding examples, ChaCha20 pixel selection
+  - Crypto module: multi-factor KDF flow diagrams, Argon2id reasoning
+  - CLI module: Click patterns (groups, JSON output, secure input)
+  - Web UI module: Flask architecture, subprocess isolation, async jobs
+- **Pi Test Automation**: `rpi/kickoff-pi-test.sh` script
+  - One command to flash, wait for boot, setup, and smoke test
+  - Self-contained (no dotfile dependencies)
+- **v4.2 Wishlist**: `WISHLIST-4.2.md` for blue-sky ideas (GPU acceleration)
+
+### Changed
+- **Pi MOTD Improvements**:
+  - Dynamic temperature emoji (ice/cool/fire based on temp)
+  - Rocket emoji for service status, globe emoji for URL
+  - Shortened Debian boilerplate message
+  - Fixed escaped variable syntax in heredoc
+
 ## [4.1.3] - 2026-01-05
 
 ### Added
@@ -180,6 +201,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org).
 - CLI interface
 - Basic PIN authentication
 
+[4.1.5]: https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/compare/v4.1.3...v4.1.5
 [4.1.3]: https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/compare/v4.1.0...v4.1.3
 [4.1.0]: https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/compare/v4.0.2...v4.1.0
 [4.0.2]: https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/compare/v4.0.1...v4.0.2

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Thank you for your interest in contributing to Stegasoo! This document provides
 
 ### Prerequisites
 
-- Python 3.10 or higher
+- Python 3.10 - 3.12
 - Git
 - Docker (optional, for container testing)
 

PLAN-4.1.0.md

@@ -1,538 +0,0 @@
-# Stegasoo 4.1.0 Plan
-
-## Overview
-
-Version 4.1.0 is a feature release focusing on small-group deployment improvements and new utilities.
-
-## Goals
-
-1. ~~**Multi-User Support** - Admin can create up to 16 users for shared deployments~~ ✅ DONE
-2. **Channel Key QR** - Easy visual sharing of channel keys via QR codes
-3. ~~**CLI Channel Commands** - Manage channel keys from command line~~ ✅ DONE
-4. **Advanced Tools** - Image/stego utilities (TBD)
-
----
-
-## Feature 1: Multi-User Support ✅ COMPLETED
-
-> Implemented in commit 7b33501. All requirements met.
-
-### Requirements
-
-- 16 users + 1 admin maximum (17 total)
-- First user created at setup is always admin
-- Admin can add/delete users, reset passwords
-- Regular users can only change their own password
-- No self-registration (admin-invite only)
-
-### Database Changes
-
-**Update User model in `frontends/web/models.py`:**
-
-```python
-class User(db.Model):
-    id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True)
-    username = Column(String(80), unique=True, nullable=False)
-    password_hash = Column(String(255), nullable=False)
-    role = Column(String(20), default='user')  # 'admin' or 'user'
-    created_at = Column(DateTime, default=datetime.utcnow)
-```
-
-**Migration:** Add `role` and `created_at` columns. Existing users get `role='admin'`.
-
-### New Routes
-
-| Route | Method | Access | Description |
-|-------|--------|--------|-------------|
-| `/admin/users` | GET | admin | List all users |
-| `/admin/users/new` | GET, POST | admin | Create user form |
-| `/admin/users/<id>/delete` | POST | admin | Delete user |
-| `/admin/users/<id>/reset-password` | POST | admin | Generate temp password |
-
-### New Decorator
-
-```python
-# auth.py
-def admin_required(f):
-    @wraps(f)
-    def decorated(*args, **kwargs):
-        if not current_user.is_authenticated:
-            return redirect(url_for('login'))
-        if current_user.role != 'admin':
-            flash('Admin access required', 'error')
-            return redirect(url_for('index'))
-        return f(*args, **kwargs)
-    return decorated
-```
-
-### UI Changes
-
-**Navigation (for admin users):**
-- Add "Users" link in navbar (visible only to admin)
-
-**Account page (`/account`):**
-- Admin sees link to user management
-- All users see their own password change form
-
-**New template: `templates/admin/users.html`:**
-- Table: Username | Role | Created | Actions
-- Actions: Reset Password, Delete (disabled for self)
-- "Add User" button (disabled if at 16 user limit)
-- Show count: "3 of 16 users"
-
-**New template: `templates/admin/user_new.html`:**
-- Username field (email-style allowed)
-- Password field (auto-populated with random 8-char, admin can override)
-- Submit → confirmation page shows password once with copy button
-
-### Validation
-
-- Username: 3-80 chars, alphanumeric + underscore/hyphen + @/. for email-style
-- Password: 8+ chars (same as current)
-- Can't delete yourself
-- Can't demote the last admin
-- Deleting user immediately invalidates their sessions
-
----
-
-## Feature 2: Channel Key QR
-
-### Web UI
-
-**About page additions:**
-
-If `STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY` environment variable is set:
-
-```
-┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│  Channel Key                            │
-│                                         │
-│  ██████████████    Your server uses a   │
-│  ██          ██    private channel key. │
-│  ██  ██████  ██    Share this QR with   │
-│  ██  ██████  ██    others to join.      │
-│  ██          ██                         │
-│  ██████████████    [Copy Key] [Download]│
-│                                         │
-│  Key: abc123...xyz                      │
-└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
-```
-
-- QR generated server-side using `qrcode` library
-- "Copy Key" copies text to clipboard
-- "Download QR" saves as PNG
-
-**Implementation:**
-
-```python
-# about route addition
-@app.route('/about')
-def about():
-    channel_key = os.environ.get('STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY', '')
-    channel_qr_b64 = None
-    if channel_key:
-        # Generate QR as base64 PNG
-        qr = qrcode.make(channel_key)
-        buffer = BytesIO()
-        qr.save(buffer, format='PNG')
-        channel_qr_b64 = base64.b64encode(buffer.getvalue()).decode()
-    return render_template('about.html',
-                          channel_key=channel_key,
-                          channel_qr=channel_qr_b64)
-```
-
-### CLI Commands
-
-**New command group: `stegasoo channel`**
-
-```bash
-# Generate a new channel key
-stegasoo channel generate
-# Output:
-# Channel Key: stg_abc123...xyz789
-#
-# ██████████████████
-# ██              ██
-# ██  ██████████  ██
-# ...
-#
-# Set in environment: export STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY="stg_abc123..."
-
-# Show current key (from env or argument)
-stegasoo channel show
-# Output:
-# Channel Key: stg_abc123...xyz789
-
-# Display QR in terminal (ASCII)
-stegasoo channel qr
-# Output: ASCII QR code
-
-# Save QR as PNG
-stegasoo channel qr -o channel-key.png
-# Output: Saved to channel-key.png
-
-# Explicit format selection
-stegasoo channel qr --format ascii      # Terminal (default)
-stegasoo channel qr --format png -o -   # PNG to stdout
-```
-
-**Implementation notes:**
-
-- Use `qrcode[pil]` for PNG output
-- Use `qrcode` with `print_ascii()` for terminal
-- Read key from `--key` argument or `STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY` env var
-- `generate` uses existing `generate_channel_key()` from `stegasoo.channel`
-
----
-
-## File Changes Summary
-
-### New Files
-
-| File | Description |
-|------|-------------|
-| `frontends/web/templates/admin/users.html` | User management page |
-| `frontends/web/templates/admin/user_new.html` | Add user form |
-
-### Modified Files
-
-| File | Changes |
-|------|---------|
-| `frontends/web/models.py` | Add `role`, `created_at` to User |
-| `frontends/web/auth.py` | Add `@admin_required`, user management routes |
-| `frontends/web/templates/base.html` | Add Users link for admins |
-| `frontends/web/templates/account.html` | Add admin link |
-| `frontends/web/templates/about.html` | Add channel key QR section |
-| `src/stegasoo/cli.py` | Add `channel` command group |
-
----
-
-## Testing Plan
-
-### Multi-User
-
-1. Fresh install → first user is admin
-2. Admin can create users up to limit (16)
-3. Admin can't create 17th user (shows error)
-4. Regular user can log in, encode/decode
-5. Regular user can't access `/admin/users`
-6. Admin can reset user password
-7. Admin can delete user
-8. Admin can't delete self
-9. Existing 4.0.2 databases upgrade correctly (single user becomes admin)
-
-### Channel Key QR
-
-1. About page shows nothing if no channel key
-2. About page shows QR + key if channel key set
-3. Copy button works
-4. Download gives valid PNG
-5. QR scans correctly to key value
-
-### CLI
-
-1. `channel generate` creates valid key + shows QR
-2. `channel show` displays current key
-3. `channel qr` outputs ASCII to terminal
-4. `channel qr -o file.png` saves PNG
-5. Commands work with `--key` override
-6. Commands read from env var
-
----
-
-## Feature 3: Advanced Tools
-
-### Included Tools
-
-| Tool | Web | CLI | Description |
-|------|-----|-----|-------------|
-| **Capacity Calculator** | ✓ | ✓ | Upload image → show DCT/LSB capacity |
-| **Metadata Stripper** | ✓ | ✓ | Remove EXIF/metadata from image |
-| **Stego Detector** | ✓ | ✓ | Analyze image for signs of hidden data |
-| **Image Compare** | ✓ | - | Side-by-side before/after diff |
-| **Header Peek** | ✓ | ✓ | Check for Stegasoo header without decrypting |
-| **Batch Mode** | - | ✓ | Encode/decode multiple files |
-
-### Web UI: `/tools` Page
-
-New page with card-based layout:
-
-```
-┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│  🛠️ Advanced Tools                                          │
-├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
-│                                                             │
-│  ┌─────────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐                   │
-│  │ 📏 Capacity     │  │ 🧹 Metadata     │                   │
-│  │   Calculator    │  │   Stripper      │                   │
-│  │                 │  │                 │                   │
-│  │ Check how much  │  │ Remove EXIF     │                   │
-│  │ data fits       │  │ before encoding │                   │
-│  └─────────────────┘  └─────────────────┘                   │
-│                                                             │
-│  ┌─────────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐                   │
-│  │ 🔍 Stego        │  │ 🔎 Header       │                   │
-│  │   Detector      │  │   Peek          │                   │
-│  │                 │  │                 │                   │
-│  │ Analyze image   │  │ Check for       │                   │
-│  │ for hidden data │  │ Stegasoo data   │                   │
-│  └─────────────────┘  └─────────────────┘                   │
-│                                                             │
-│  ┌─────────────────┐                                        │
-│  │ ⚖️ Image        │                                        │
-│  │   Compare       │                                        │
-│  │                 │                                        │
-│  │ Before/after    │                                        │
-│  │ diff view       │                                        │
-│  └─────────────────┘                                        │
-│                                                             │
-└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
-```
-
-Each card opens a modal or expands inline for the tool interface.
-
-### CLI Structure
-
-```bash
-# Capacity calculator
-stegasoo capacity image.jpg
-stegasoo capacity image.jpg --format json
-
-# Metadata stripper
-stegasoo strip image.jpg                    # Output to image_stripped.jpg
-stegasoo strip image.jpg -o clean.jpg       # Custom output
-stegasoo strip image.jpg --in-place         # Overwrite original
-
-# Stego detector
-stegasoo detect image.jpg
-stegasoo detect image.jpg --verbose         # Detailed analysis
-
-# Header peek
-stegasoo peek image.jpg
-# Output: "Stegasoo DCT header detected" or "No Stegasoo header found"
-
-# Batch mode
-stegasoo encode --batch manifest.json       # JSON with files + credentials
-stegasoo decode --batch input_dir/ --out output_dir/
-```
-
-### Tool Details
-
-#### Capacity Calculator
-- Input: Image file
-- Output: Dimensions, megapixels, DCT capacity, LSB capacity
-- Web: Upload zone + results panel
-- CLI: Table or JSON output
-
-#### Metadata Stripper
-- Input: Image file
-- Output: Clean image (EXIF/metadata removed)
-- Show what was removed (camera model, GPS, etc.)
-- Preserve image quality
-
-#### Stego Detector
-- Input: Image file
-- Analysis:
-  - Chi-square analysis (LSB detection)
-  - DCT coefficient histogram analysis
-  - Visual inspection hints
-- Output: Likelihood score + findings
-- Note: Detection is probabilistic, not definitive
-
-#### Image Compare
-- Input: Two images (original + stego)
-- Output:
-  - Side-by-side view
-  - Difference overlay (amplified)
-  - Pixel-level stats (PSNR, SSIM)
-- Web only (visual tool)
-
-#### Header Peek
-- Input: Image file
-- Output: Header found (yes/no), mode (DCT/LSB), embedded size estimate
-- Does NOT decrypt - just checks for valid header structure
-- Useful for "is this a stego image?" without credentials
-
-#### Batch Mode
-- CLI only
-- Manifest file (JSON) or directory-based
-- Progress bar for multiple files
-- Error handling per-file (continue on failure)
-
----
-
-## Migration Notes
-
-### Database Migration
-
-For existing 4.0.2 installations:
-
-```python
-# migrations/add_user_role.py
-def upgrade():
-    # Add columns with defaults
-    op.add_column('user', sa.Column('role', sa.String(20), default='user'))
-    op.add_column('user', sa.Column('created_at', sa.DateTime))
-
-    # Set existing users as admin (they were the first user)
-    op.execute("UPDATE user SET role = 'admin' WHERE role IS NULL")
-    op.execute("UPDATE user SET created_at = datetime('now') WHERE created_at IS NULL")
-```
-
-Or simpler: detect on startup, update schema automatically (current pattern).
-
----
-
-## Out of Scope
-
-- Per-user channel keys
-- User groups/teams
-- API authentication tokens
-- User activity logging
-- Password complexity rules beyond length
-
----
-
-## Estimated Effort
-
-| Component | Complexity |
-|-----------|------------|
-| Database schema change | Low |
-| Admin routes + templates | Medium |
-| Access control decorator | Low |
-| About page QR | Low |
-| CLI channel commands | Medium |
-| Advanced Tools (TBD) | Medium-High |
-| Testing | Medium |
-
----
-
-## Decisions
-
-1. **Temp password flow:** Password field auto-populates with random 8-char password. Admin can override if desired. Show password once on confirmation page.
-
-2. **Session handling:** Yes - deleting a user immediately invalidates their active sessions (ban hammer).
-
-3. **Username rules:** Sane requirements, email-style allowed. Validation: 3-80 chars, alphanumeric, underscore, hyphen, @ and . for email-style.
-
----
-
-## Approval
-
-- [x] Plan reviewed
-- [x] Questions resolved
-- [x] Ready to implement
-
-## Progress
-
-- [x] Multi-User Support (commit 7b33501)
-- [x] Channel Key QR (Web UI) - added QR generator on About page
-- [x] CLI Channel Commands
-- [x] Saved Channel Keys (Web UI) - users can save/manage channel keys
-- [x] Advanced Tools - Image Security Toolkit
-  - [x] CLI: `stegasoo tools capacity/strip/peek/exif`
-  - [x] API: `/api/tools/capacity`, `/api/tools/peek`, `/api/tools/exif/*`
-  - [x] WebUI: Tools page with tabbed interface
-  - [x] EXIF Editor with inline editing, clear all, save/download
-
----
-
-## Architectural Improvements (4.1.0)
-
-### Consolidated Channel Key Resolution
-
-Moved `resolve_channel_key()` from 3 duplicate implementations to single source of truth in `src/stegasoo/channel.py`:
-
-```python
-# Library: src/stegasoo/channel.py
-def resolve_channel_key(value, *, file_path=None, no_channel=False) -> str | None:
-    """Unified channel key resolution - returns None (auto), "" (public), or key."""
-
-def get_channel_response_info(channel_key) -> dict:
-    """Get channel info dict for API/WebUI responses."""
-```
-
-Frontends now use thin wrappers that translate exceptions to their context (Click/HTTP).
-
-### DCT Payload Pre-Check
-
-Added `will_fit_by_mode()` pre-check to WebUI encode to fail fast with helpful error message instead of cryptic exception deep in DCT processing.
-
-### EXIF Tools (Library Layer)
-
-Added to `src/stegasoo/utils.py`:
-- `read_image_exif(image_data)` - Read EXIF metadata as dict
-- `write_image_exif(image_data, updates)` - Update EXIF fields (JPEG only)
-
-Dependencies added: `piexif>=1.1.0`
-
----
-
-## Action Item: Architectural Review ✅ DONE
-
-Reviewed modules for consistency with Library → CLI → API → WebUI pattern:
-
-| Module | Library | CLI | API | WebUI | Status |
-|--------|---------|-----|-----|-------|--------|
-| encode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Consistent |
-| decode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Consistent |
-| channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Consolidated resolve_channel_key |
-| tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
-| generate | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | CLI has `stegasoo generate` |
-
-Priority order: Developer/CLI → API integrator → WebUI end-user
-
----
-
-## Admin Recovery System (4.1.0) ✅ DONE
-
-Password reset capability for locked-out admins with multiple backup options.
-
-### Library Layer (`src/stegasoo/recovery.py`)
-
-```python
-# Key generation and validation
-generate_recovery_key() -> str       # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-... (32 chars)
-hash_recovery_key(key) -> str        # SHA-256 for storage
-verify_recovery_key(key, hash) -> bool
-
-# QR code (obfuscated - scans as gibberish)
-obfuscate_key(key) -> str            # XOR with RECOVERY_OBFUSCATION_KEY
-deobfuscate_key(data) -> str | None
-generate_recovery_qr(key) -> bytes   # PNG with obfuscated data
-extract_key_from_qr(image) -> str | None
-
-# Stego backup (hide key in an image)
-create_stego_backup(key, carrier_image) -> bytes
-extract_stego_backup(stego_image, reference) -> str | None
-```
-
-### Database (`app_settings` table)
-
-- `recovery_key_hash` - SHA-256 of recovery key (or null if disabled)
-
-### Web Routes
-
-| Route | Method | Description |
-|-------|--------|-------------|
-| `/setup/recovery` | GET, POST | Step 2 of initial setup |
-| `/recover` | GET, POST | Password reset page |
-| `/recover/stego` | POST | Extract key from stego backup |
-| `/account/recovery/regenerate` | GET, POST | Generate new key |
-| `/account/recovery/disable` | POST | Remove recovery option |
-| `/account/recovery/stego-backup` | POST | Create stego backup |
-
-### CLI Commands
-
-```bash
-stegasoo admin recover --db path/to/stegasoo.db  # Reset password
-stegasoo admin generate-key [--qr]               # Generate key (reference)
-```
-
-### Security Model
-
-1. Recovery key shown once during setup - only hash stored
-2. QR codes XOR'd with `RECOVERY_OBFUSCATION_KEY` (fixed in constants.py)
-3. Stego backups use fixed internal passphrase/PIN - security is obscurity
-4. Instance-bound: recovery key hash must match in target database
-5. Options: text file, QR image, stego image, or no recovery (most secure)

PLAN-4.1.2.md

@@ -1,250 +0,0 @@
-# Stegasoo 4.1.2 Plan
-
-## Release Theme
-Polish and UX improvements after the 4.1.1 stability release.
-
----
-
-## 1. Real Progress Bar for Encode/Decode
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** Users see elapsed time but no indication of how far along the operation is. Long DCT encodes on Pi can take 2-3 minutes with no feedback.
-
-**Solution:** Polling + progress file approach
-
-### Backend Changes
-
-1. **dct_steganography.py** - Write progress during block loop:
-   ```python
-   if progress_file and block_num % 50 == 0:
-       with open(progress_file, 'w') as f:
-           json.dump({"current": block_num, "total": total_blocks, "phase": "embedding"}, f)
-   ```
-
-2. **app.py** - New endpoints:
-   - `POST /encode` returns `job_id`, starts subprocess
-   - `GET /encode/progress/<job_id>` returns progress JSON
-   - `GET /encode/result/<job_id>` returns final result when done
-
-3. **Subprocess wrapper** - Pass progress file path to encode/decode functions
-
-### Frontend Changes
-
-1. **stegasoo.js** - After form submit:
-   - Show progress bar (Bootstrap progress component)
-   - Poll `/encode/progress/{job_id}` every 500ms
-   - Update bar width and percentage text
-   - Show phase (hashing, embedding, encoding, etc.)
-
-2. **Templates** - Add progress bar markup to encode.html and decode.html
-
-### Files to Modify
-- `src/stegasoo/dct_steganography.py`
-- `frontends/web/app.py`
-- `frontends/web/static/js/stegasoo.js`
-- `frontends/web/templates/encode.html`
-- `frontends/web/templates/decode.html`
-
----
-
-## 2. Granular Decode Error Messages
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** Decode failures show generic "Decryption failed" - users don't know if it's wrong photo, wrong passphrase, wrong PIN, corrupted image, or format mismatch.
-
-**Solution:** Bubble up specific error types from library to UI
-
-### Implementation
-- Added new exceptions: InvalidMagicBytesError, ReedSolomonError, NoDataFoundError, ModeMismatchError
-- DCT decode now raises InvalidMagicBytesError for wrong magic bytes
-- DCT decode now raises ReedSolomonError (renamed from reedsolo's) for corruption
-- app.py catches specific exceptions with user-friendly messages:
-  - Invalid magic → "Try a different mode (LSB/DCT)"
-  - RS error → "Image too corrupted, may have been re-saved"
-  - Invalid header → "Image may have been modified"
-  - Decryption error → "Wrong credentials"
-
-### Files Modified
-- `src/stegasoo/exceptions.py` (new exceptions)
-- `src/stegasoo/__init__.py` (exports)
-- `src/stegasoo/dct_steganography.py` (raise specific exceptions)
-- `frontends/web/app.py` (catch and display)
-
----
-
-## 3. Mobile-Responsive Polish
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** UI works on mobile but has rough edges - cramped buttons, hard-to-tap targets, awkward layouts on small screens.
-
-**Solution:** Targeted CSS/layout fixes for mobile breakpoints
-
-### Areas to Improve
-
-1. **Encode/Decode Forms:**
-   - Stack image drop zones vertically on mobile (currently side-by-side)
-   - Larger touch targets for file inputs
-   - Full-width buttons on small screens
-   - Passphrase input readable at smaller sizes
-
-2. **Navigation:**
-   - Hamburger menu for mobile navbar (if not already)
-   - Sticky header doesn't eat too much screen
-   - Easy thumb reach for main actions
-
-3. **Results/Output:**
-   - Download buttons full-width on mobile
-   - QR codes sized appropriately
-   - Click-to-copy message box works well with touch
-
-4. **Drop Zones:**
-   - Larger tap targets
-   - Visual feedback for touch (not just hover)
-   - Camera integration hint on mobile ("Tap to take photo or choose file")
-
-### Testing Targets
-- iPhone SE (small)
-- iPhone 14 (medium)
-- iPad (tablet)
-- Android Chrome
-
-### Files to Modify
-- `frontends/web/static/css/style.css` (or new mobile.css)
-- `frontends/web/templates/encode.html`
-- `frontends/web/templates/decode.html`
-- `frontends/web/templates/base.html` (navbar)
-
----
-
-## Testing Checklist
-
-- [ ] Progress bar works on localhost
-- [ ] Progress bar works on Pi (slower, more visible)
-- [ ] Cancellation handling (what if user navigates away?)
-- [ ] Error states display correctly
-- [ ] Smoke test passes
-
----
-
-## 4. Forced First-Login Setup
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** Users can navigate the app without creating an admin account first. Should force password setup before anything else.
-
-**Solution:** Middleware/decorator that redirects to setup page if no users exist.
-
-### Implementation
-- Added `@app.before_request` hook that redirects to /setup if no users exist
-- Skips redirect for static files and setup-related routes
-
-### Files Modified
-- `frontends/web/app.py` (added require_setup before_request hook)
-
----
-
-## 5. Dropzone UX Fixes
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** Dropzone has some interaction bugs:
-- Dropzone doesn't clear properly if first QR image fails
-- Can't click on image preview to replace file (have to click surrounding border)
-
-**Solution:** Fix JS event handling and state management
-
-### Implementation
-- Added click handler on preview images to trigger file input
-- Made entire drop zone clickable (not just label)
-- QR zone now resets after 2 seconds on error, allowing retry
-- Clear file input on QR error so same file can be re-selected
-
-### Files Modified
-- `frontends/web/static/js/stegasoo.js`
-
----
-
-## 6. Smoke Test Benchmarking
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** No way to measure encode/decode performance or track regressions.
-
-**Solution:** Add timing to smoke tests using `hyperfine` or `time`.
-
-### Implementation
-- Added `--benchmark` flag to run encode/decode benchmarks after tests
-- Added `--runs=N` flag to customize number of benchmark runs (default: 5)
-- Uses hyperfine if available for precise timing with warmup
-- Falls back to manual timing with bc if hyperfine not installed
-- Outputs min/max/avg stats for both encode and decode operations
-
-### Files Modified
-- `tests/smoke-test.sh`
-
----
-
-## 7. Docker Cleanup
-
-**Status:** Done (4.1.1)
-
-**Problem:** Docker build context is larger than needed (includes test images, rpi scripts, etc.)
-
-**Solution:** Added `.dockerignore` and fixed volume permissions in Dockerfile
-
-### Files Modified
-- `.dockerignore` (created)
-- `Dockerfile` (instance dir permissions)
-
----
-
-## 8. Release Validation Script
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** Manual release checklist is error-prone. Need automated validation.
-
-**Solution:** Script that runs through testable checklist items
-
-### Features
-- Run pytest
-- Build and test Docker image
-- SSH to Pi and run smoke test (optional, if PI_IP provided)
-- Report pass/fail summary
-
-### Files to Create
-- `scripts/validate-release.sh`
-
----
-
-## 9. Smoke Test Docker Support
-
-**Status:** Done
-
-**Problem:** Smoke test expects systemd service, doesn't auto-create admin for Docker.
-
-**Solution:** Make smoke test Docker-aware
-
-### Features
-- Skip systemd checks if not on Pi/Linux with systemd
-- Auto-detect fresh Docker (no users) and create admin via /setup
-- Add `--docker` flag to skip Pi-specific checks
-
-### Implementation
-- Added `--docker` flag that sets localhost and skips SSH/systemd checks
-- Docker health check verifies container responds with HTTP 200/302
-- Header shows "Docker Smoke Test" in Docker mode
-
-### Files Modified
-- `rpi/smoke-test.sh`
-
----
-
-## Notes
-
-- Keep 4.1.2 focused - 9 features (9 done)
-- Don't break DCT compatibility (4.1.1 RS format is stable)
-- Test on Pi before release

PLAN-4.1.3.md

@@ -1,42 +0,0 @@
-# Stegasoo 4.1.3 Plan
-
-## Release Theme
-Performance and admin features.
-
----
-
-## 1. DCT Performance Optimizations
-
-**Status:** Planned
-
-**Problem:** DCT encode/decode can be slow on Pi, especially for large images.
-
-**Ideas:**
-- Vectorize block processing with NumPy
-- Reduce Python loop overhead
-- Parallel block processing (multiprocessing?)
-- Profile and identify bottlenecks
-- Consider Cython for hot paths
-
----
-
-## 2. User Management UI
-
-**Status:** Planned
-
-**Problem:** No way for admin to manage users via UI. Currently need direct DB access.
-
-**Features:**
-- List all users
-- Create new user (admin only)
-- Delete user (admin only)
-- Reset user password
-- User activity/last login
-
----
-
-## Notes
-
-- These are heavier lifts than 4.1.2
-- Profile before optimizing
-- Consider security implications of user management

PLAN-4.1.6.md

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+# Stegasoo v4.1.6 Planning
+
+## UI Tweaks
+
+### 1. Revamp Tron Lines Animation (Carrier/Stego Image)
+**Current state:**
+- 6-8 snake paths, each with 3-5 segments (~24-40 total lines)
+- 2px thick lines
+- 30-60px length per segment
+- Starting points spread across 80% of image area
+- Colors: yellow, cyan, purple, blue with glow
+
+**Target improvements:**
+- [x] Thinner lines (1px instead of 2px)
+- [x] More numerous (20-40 paths via 5x4 grid, ~60-200 segments total)
+- [x] Better distribution across entire image (grid-based seeding)
+- [x] Shorter segments (12-30px) for denser "circuit board" look
+
+**Files:**
+- `frontends/web/static/style.css` (~881-979) - `.embed-trace` styling
+- `frontends/web/static/js/stegasoo.js` (~333-390) - `generateEmbedTraces()`
+
+---
+
+## Tools Page Expansion
+
+### Analysis Tools
+- [x] **JPEG Compression Tester** - Preview image at different quality levels (10-100%), show file size delta. Useful for understanding stego survivability.
+- [ ] **LSB Plane Viewer** - Visualize least significant bit plane(s) of RGB channels. Classic stego analysis tool.
+- [ ] **Histogram Viewer** - Color distribution graph per channel. Anomalies can indicate hidden data.
+- [ ] **Image Diff** - Compare two images side-by-side with pixel difference highlighting. Great for original vs stego comparison.
+- [ ] **Noise Analysis** - Chi-square or similar statistical analysis for detecting LSB embedding.
+
+### Transform Tools
+- [x] **Rotate/Flip** - 90°/180°/270° rotation, horizontal/vertical flip
+- [ ] **Resize** - Scale with aspect ratio lock, common presets (50%, 25%, etc.)
+- [ ] **Crop** - Basic rectangular crop with preview
+- [x] **Format Convert** - PNG ↔ JPEG ↔ WebP with quality slider
+
+### Existing Tools (already done)
+- [x] Capacity Calculator
+- [x] EXIF Viewer
+- [x] EXIF Strip
+- [x] Image Peek (header analysis)
+
+### Tools UI/UX Overhaul
+
+**Final Layout: Office-style Ribbon + Two-Panel**
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  📏  📋  👁️  📊  ┃  ✂️  🔄  📐  🔀      Image Tools         │ ← Icon toolbar
+├────────────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────┤
+│  [Format: PNG ▼] [Quality: 85]         │                    │
+├────────────────────────────────────────┤  Capacity          │
+│                                        │  Calculator        │
+│    ┌────────────────────────────┐     │  ──────────────    │
+│    │                            │     │                    │
+│    │      Drop image here       │     │  Dimensions:       │
+│    │         or click           │     │  1920 × 1080       │
+│    │                            │     │                    │
+│    └────────────────────────────┘     │  LSB Capacity:     │
+│                                        │  245 KB            │
+│           [image.jpg]                  │                    │
+│                                        │  ──────────────    │
+│                                        │  [Clear] [Export]  │
+└────────────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────┘
+      Options + dropzone/preview             Results sidebar
+```
+
+- Top ribbon: Icon buttons grouped by category (Analyze | Transform)
+- Left panel: Tool options + dropzone/preview (INPUT)
+- Right panel: Tool name + results/metadata + actions (OUTPUT)
+- Flow: Left → Right (input → output)
+
+**Implementation Tasks:**
+- [x] Move inline CSS to style.css
+- [x] Build icon toolbar ribbon
+- [x] Build two-panel layout structure
+- [x] Migrate existing tools (Capacity, EXIF, Strip)
+- [x] Add new tools (Rotate, Compress, Convert)
+- [ ] Loading spinner on all async operations
+- [ ] Toast notifications instead of alerts
+- [ ] Consistent color coding (green=analysis, amber=transform)
+- [ ] Mobile: stack panels vertically
+
+---
+
+## CLI Improvements
+
+### (Add items here)
+
+---
+
+## Other UI Tweaks
+
+### (Add items here)
+

RELEASE-4.1.1.md

@@ -1,93 +0,0 @@
-# Stegasoo 4.1.1 Release Notes
-
-**Release Date:** January 5, 2026
-
-## Highlights
-
-- **Reed-Solomon Error Correction** - DCT steganography now includes RS error correction, making encoded images more resilient to minor corruption and compression artifacts
-- **Completely Rewritten Pi Setup** - Fresh install tested and validated, works reliably from scratch
-- **SSH Login Banner** - See your Stegasoo URL immediately on SSH login
-
-## New Features
-
-### Reed-Solomon Error Correction
-DCT-encoded images now include Reed-Solomon error correction codes, allowing recovery from minor image corruption. This significantly improves reliability when images are shared through platforms that may slightly modify them.
-
-### SSH Login Banner (MOTD)
-When you SSH into your Stegasoo Pi, you'll now see:
-```
-  ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___
- / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\  / __|  / _ \  / _ \
- \__ \  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \ \__ \ | (_) || (_) |
- |___/  |_|  |___|  \___//_/ \_\|___/  \___/  \___/
-
- ● Stegasoo is running
-   https://192.168.0.4
-```
-
-### Elapsed Time Counter
-Encode/decode buttons now show elapsed time during operations.
-
-### Click-to-Copy Decoded Message
-Click the decoded message box to copy to clipboard (no button needed).
-
-### Overclock Wizard Option
-First-boot wizard now offers optional CPU overclocking for Pi 4/5 with active cooling.
-
-## Improvements
-
-### Setup Script (setup.sh)
-- Fixed pyenv Python path resolution (handles 3.12 → 3.12.12 mapping)
-- Changed default install location to `/opt/stegasoo`
-- Fixed jpegio build order (clone stegasoo first, then build jpegio into venv)
-- Added python3-dev to dependencies
-- Added btop for system monitoring
-- Shows `/setup` URL at completion for admin account creation
-
-### Sanitize Script
-- Now clears port 443 iptables redirect (clean slate for wizard)
-- Removes overclock settings before imaging
-
-### Documentation
-- Updated all docs to reference `/opt/stegasoo` path
-- Added pre-setup steps (chown /opt, install git)
-- Added Pi 4 performance baseline (~60s for 10MB JPEG)
-
-### About Page
-- Redesigned "Limits & Specs" section with key stats cards and accordion
-
-## Bug Fixes
-
-- Fixed DCT steganography for non-8-aligned images
-- Fixed MOTD port detection (was using iptables which requires root)
-- Fixed smoke test `--443` flag parsing
-
-## Performance
-
-On a Raspberry Pi 4 at 2GHz with USB 3.0 NVMe:
-- ~50 seconds to encode a 10MB JPEG
-- ~60 seconds to decode a 10MB JPEG
-- Full encryption: passphrase + PIN + reference photo
-
-## Upgrade Notes
-
-If upgrading from 4.1.0:
-```bash
-cd /opt/stegasoo  # or ~/stegasoo
-git pull origin 4.1
-```
-
-For fresh installs, see the [Pi README](rpi/README.md).
-
-## Pre-built Images
-
-- `stegasoo-rpi-4.1.1_20260105-2.img.zst` - Raspberry Pi 4/5 image
-
-Flash with:
-```bash
-zstdcat stegasoo-rpi-4.1.1_20260105-2.img.zst | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
-```
-
----
-
-Full changelog: [v4.1.0...v4.1.1](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/compare/v4.1.0...v4.1.1)

RELEASE_NOTES.md

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+## Stegasoo v4.1.5
+
+### Developer Experience
+- **Educational Code Comments**: Core modules now include detailed explanations
+  - DCT: zig-zag coefficient diagrams, QIM embedding math, Reed-Solomon "Voyager" reference
+  - LSB: visual bit manipulation examples, ChaCha20 pixel selection
+  - Crypto: multi-factor KDF flow diagrams, Argon2id memory-hardness reasoning
+  - CLI/Web: architectural patterns for future contributors
+
+### Raspberry Pi Improvements
+- **Streamlined Image Creation**: `pull-image.sh` now handles everything
+  - Auto-resizes rootfs to exactly 16GB (consistent images from any SD card)
+  - Disables Pi OS auto-expand
+  - Compresses with zstd
+  - Optional .zst.zip wrapper for GitHub releases
+- **16GB Minimum**: Pre-built images are now 16GB (was variable)
+- **Host Requirements**: `rpi/host-requirements.txt` documents all dependencies
+- **Test Automation**: `kickoff-pi-test.sh` for one-command flash+test cycles
+
+### MOTD Polish
+- Dynamic temperature emoji (ice/cool/fire based on CPU temp)
+- Rocket emoji for service status
+- Cleaner formatting
+
+### Raspberry Pi Image
+Download `stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst.zip` from Releases.
+
+```bash
+# Flash (auto-detects SD card)
+sudo ./rpi/flash-image.sh stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst.zip
+
+# Or manual
+zstdcat stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
+```
+
+Default login: `admin` / `stegasoo`
+
+First boot runs the setup wizard for WiFi, HTTPS, and channel key configuration.
+
+### Docker
+```bash
+docker-compose up -d web  # Web UI on :5000
+docker-compose up -d api  # REST API on :8000
+```
+
+### Full Changelog
+See [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for complete version history.

SECURITY.md

@@ -4,16 +4,16 @@
 
 | Version | Supported          | Notes |
 | ------- | ------------------ | ----- |
-| 4.x.x   | ✅ Active | Current release |
-| 3.x.x   | ⚠️ Security fixes only | Upgrade recommended |
-| 2.x.x   | ❌ End of life | |
-| 1.x.x   | ❌ End of life | |
+| 4.1.x   | Current Version | What you SHOULD be using. |
+| 4.x.x   | ⚠️ Security fixes only | Upgrade (EOL soon) |
+| <= 3.x.x   | ❌ End of life | |
+
 
 ## Reporting a Vulnerability
 
 **Please do not report security vulnerabilities through public GitHub issues.**
 
-Instead, please email: **security@example.com** (replace with your email)
+Instead, please email: **adlee-was-taken@proton.me**
 
 Include:
 - Description of the vulnerability

SECURITY_AUDIT_PLAN.md

@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+# Stegasoo Security Audit Plan
+
+> **Target Audience**: Developers, security reviewers, and deployment administrators
+> **Scope**: Web UI, REST API, CLI, and cryptographic core
+> **Deployment Model**: Air-gapped / private LAN (primary), Internet-facing (secondary)
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+Stegasoo is a steganography tool designed for **air-gapped deployments** on private networks. While the primary threat model assumes a trusted local network, this audit plan covers security best practices for both isolated and potentially exposed deployments.
+
+### Known Limitations (By Design)
+
+- **Self-signed certificates**: HTTPS uses self-signed certs; users must add exceptions or deploy their own CA
+- **No rate limiting**: Assumes trusted users on private network
+- **Single-node**: No distributed session store; sessions are per-instance
+- **Air-gap focus**: External security (firewalls, network isolation) is user's responsibility
+
+---
+
+## 1. Authentication & Authorization
+
+### 1.1 Password Security
+- [ ] Passwords hashed with Argon2id (preferred) or PBKDF2 fallback
+- [ ] Minimum password length enforced (8+ characters)
+- [ ] Password not logged or exposed in error messages
+- [ ] Password change requires current password verification
+- [ ] Admin re-authentication required for sensitive operations (channel key export)
+
+### 1.2 Session Management
+- [ ] Session tokens are cryptographically random
+- [ ] Session cookies have `HttpOnly` flag
+- [ ] Session cookies have `Secure` flag (when HTTPS enabled)
+- [ ] Session cookies have `SameSite` attribute
+- [ ] Sessions invalidated on logout
+- [ ] Sessions invalidated on password change
+- [ ] Session timeout configured appropriately
+
+### 1.3 Authorization
+- [ ] Admin-only routes protected by `@admin_required` decorator
+- [ ] User-only routes protected by `@login_required` decorator
+- [ ] Users cannot access other users' saved channel keys
+- [ ] Users cannot modify other users' accounts
+- [ ] Role escalation not possible through API manipulation
+
+---
+
+## 2. Cryptographic Implementation
+
+### 2.1 Key Derivation
+- [ ] KDF uses Argon2id with appropriate parameters (memory, iterations, parallelism)
+- [ ] PBKDF2 fallback uses sufficient iterations (600,000+)
+- [ ] Salt is cryptographically random and unique per operation
+- [ ] PIN/passphrase combined securely before KDF
+
+### 2.2 Encryption
+- [ ] AES-256-GCM used for payload encryption
+- [ ] Nonce/IV is unique per encryption operation
+- [ ] Authentication tag verified before decryption
+- [ ] No padding oracle vulnerabilities
+
+### 2.3 Channel Keys
+- [ ] Channel keys are 128-bit (32 hex chars)
+- [ ] Channel key derivation uses HKDF or similar
+- [ ] Channel isolation prevents cross-channel decryption
+- [ ] Fingerprint reveals no information about full key
+
+### 2.4 Random Number Generation
+- [ ] All random values use `secrets` module or OS CSPRNG
+- [ ] No use of `random` module for security-sensitive operations
+
+---
+
+## 3. Input Validation & Injection Prevention
+
+### 3.1 Web UI
+- [ ] All user input sanitized before rendering (XSS prevention)
+- [ ] Jinja2 auto-escaping enabled
+- [ ] No `| safe` filter on user-controlled content
+- [ ] Content-Security-Policy header configured
+- [ ] X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff
+
+### 3.2 File Uploads
+- [ ] File size limits enforced server-side
+- [ ] File type validation (magic bytes, not just extension)
+- [ ] Uploaded files not executed
+- [ ] Filenames sanitized (path traversal prevention)
+- [ ] Temporary files cleaned up after processing
+
+### 3.3 API Inputs
+- [ ] JSON schema validation on API endpoints
+- [ ] Integer overflow checks on size parameters
+- [ ] No SQL injection (parameterized queries only)
+- [ ] No command injection (no shell=True with user input)
+
+---
+
+## 4. Steganography-Specific Security
+
+### 4.1 Carrier Image Handling
+- [ ] Malformed images don't crash the server (PIL/jpegio hardening)
+- [ ] DCT mode subprocess isolation for crash protection
+- [ ] Memory limits on image processing
+- [ ] No arbitrary code execution from image metadata
+
+### 4.2 Payload Security
+- [ ] Payload size limits enforced
+- [ ] Encrypted payload indistinguishable from random noise
+- [ ] No metadata leakage in output images
+- [ ] Reference photo required (prevents dictionary attacks)
+
+### 4.3 Capacity Reporting
+- [ ] Capacity calculation doesn't leak information about encoding method
+- [ ] Failed decodes don't reveal why (wrong key vs no data vs corrupted)
+
+---
+
+## 5. Network & Transport Security
+
+### 5.1 HTTPS Configuration
+- [ ] TLS 1.2+ only (no SSLv3, TLS 1.0/1.1)
+- [ ] Strong cipher suites configured
+- [ ] Certificate generation uses 2048+ bit RSA or P-256 EC
+- [ ] Private key file permissions restricted (600)
+
+### 5.2 Headers
+- [ ] X-Frame-Options: DENY (clickjacking prevention)
+- [ ] X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff
+- [ ] Referrer-Policy: same-origin
+- [ ] Permissions-Policy configured
+
+### 5.3 CORS (if applicable)
+- [ ] CORS not enabled (or restricted to specific origins)
+- [ ] Credentials not allowed cross-origin
+
+---
+
+## 6. Error Handling & Logging
+
+### 6.1 Error Messages
+- [ ] Stack traces not exposed to users in production
+- [ ] Error messages don't reveal sensitive paths or config
+- [ ] Failed login doesn't reveal if username exists
+
+### 6.2 Logging
+- [ ] Passwords never logged
+- [ ] Channel keys never logged
+- [ ] Passphrases never logged
+- [ ] Log files have appropriate permissions
+- [ ] Sensitive operations logged for audit trail (optional)
+
+---
+
+## 7. Dependency Security
+
+### 7.1 Python Dependencies
+- [ ] All dependencies pinned to specific versions
+- [ ] No known vulnerabilities in dependencies (run `pip-audit` or `safety`)
+- [ ] Dependencies from trusted sources only (PyPI)
+
+### 7.2 Frontend Dependencies
+- [ ] All JS/CSS served locally (air-gap ready)
+- [ ] No CDN dependencies
+- [ ] Bootstrap and libraries are official releases
+- [ ] Subresource integrity considered for any external loads
+
+---
+
+## 8. Deployment Security
+
+### 8.1 File Permissions
+- [ ] Database file not world-readable (600 or 640)
+- [ ] SSL certificates/keys not world-readable
+- [ ] Config files with secrets protected
+- [ ] Instance directory not in web root
+
+### 8.2 Docker Deployment
+- [ ] Container runs as non-root user
+- [ ] No unnecessary capabilities
+- [ ] Resource limits configured
+- [ ] Health checks don't expose sensitive info
+
+### 8.3 Raspberry Pi Deployment
+- [ ] Default passwords changed
+- [ ] SSH key-only authentication (recommended)
+- [ ] Unnecessary services disabled
+- [ ] Firewall configured (UFW/iptables)
+
+---
+
+## 9. Air-Gap Specific Considerations
+
+### 9.1 Network Isolation
+- [ ] Document expected network topology
+- [ ] No phone-home or telemetry
+- [ ] No external API calls
+- [ ] Works fully offline after deployment
+
+### 9.2 Key Distribution
+- [ ] QR code export for channel keys (offline transfer)
+- [ ] Print sheet for physical key backup
+- [ ] No cloud sync or external key servers
+
+### 9.3 Updates
+- [ ] Document offline update procedure
+- [ ] Signed releases (future consideration)
+- [ ] Checksum verification for downloads
+
+---
+
+## 10. Penetration Testing Checklist
+
+### 10.1 Authentication Attacks
+- [ ] Brute force login (note: no rate limiting by design)
+- [ ] Session fixation
+- [ ] Session hijacking
+- [ ] Password reset flow abuse
+
+### 10.2 Injection Attacks
+- [ ] SQL injection on all inputs
+- [ ] XSS (stored, reflected, DOM-based)
+- [ ] Command injection
+- [ ] Path traversal
+- [ ] SSTI (Server-Side Template Injection)
+
+### 10.3 Business Logic
+- [ ] Access control bypass
+- [ ] IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)
+- [ ] Race conditions
+- [ ] Integer overflow in capacity calculations
+
+### 10.4 Cryptographic Attacks
+- [ ] Known-plaintext attacks on stego output
+- [ ] Timing attacks on password verification
+- [ ] Padding oracle attacks
+- [ ] Key reuse vulnerabilities
+
+---
+
+## Tools for Automated Testing
+
+```bash
+# Dependency vulnerability scan
+pip-audit
+safety check
+
+# Static analysis
+bandit -r stegasoo/ frontends/
+
+# Web security scan (if exposed)
+nikto -h https://localhost:5000
+OWASP ZAP (manual)
+
+# SSL/TLS configuration
+testssl.sh https://localhost:5000
+
+# Python code quality
+ruff check .
+mypy stegasoo/
+```
+
+---
+
+## Audit Schedule
+
+| Phase | Focus Area | Priority |
+|-------|-----------|----------|
+| Pre-release | Crypto implementation, auth flow | Critical |
+| Post-release | Dependency scan, static analysis | High |
+| Quarterly | Full penetration test | Medium |
+| Ongoing | CVE monitoring for dependencies | High |
+
+---
+
+## Notes
+
+- This plan assumes **trusted users on a private network** as the primary deployment model
+- Internet-facing deployments should add rate limiting, fail2ban, and reverse proxy hardening
+- For high-security deployments, consider external security audit by professionals
+
+---
+
+*Last updated: 2026-01-07*

UNDER_THE_HOOD.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 A detailed breakdown of how Stegasoo's LSB and DCT steganography modes work under the hood.
 
-**Version 4.0** - Updated for simplified authentication (no date dependency)
+**Version 4.1** - Updated for channel keys and deployment isolation
 
 ---
 
@@ -22,20 +22,20 @@ A detailed breakdown of how Stegasoo's LSB and DCT steganography modes work unde
 
 ```
 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                           STEGASOO ARCHITECTURE (v4.0)                       │
+│                           STEGASOO ARCHITECTURE (v4.1)                      │
 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │                                                                             │
 │   INPUTS                    PROCESSING                      OUTPUT          │
 │   ───────                   ──────────                      ──────          │
 │                                                                             │
 │   Reference Photo ─┐                                                        │
-│   Passphrase ──────┼──► Argon2id KDF ──► AES-256 Key                       │
-│   PIN/RSA Key ─────┘                           │                            │
-│                                                ▼                            │
-│   Message/File ────────────────────────► AES-256-GCM ──► Ciphertext        │
+│   Passphrase ──────┼──► Argon2id KDF ──► AES-256 Key                        │
+│   PIN/RSA Key ─────┤                           │                            │
+│   Channel Key ─────┘  (v4.1)                   ▼                            │
+│   Message/File ────────────────────────► AES-256-GCM ──► Ciphertext         │
 │                                          Encryption            │            │
 │                                                                ▼            │
-│   Carrier Image ───────────────────────────────────────► Embedding ──► Stego│
+│   Carrier Image ───────────────────────────────────────► Embedding ─► Stego │
 │                                                          (LSB/DCT)    Image │
 │                                                                             │
 └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
@@ -50,11 +50,24 @@ A detailed breakdown of how Stegasoo's LSB and DCT steganography modes work unde
 | Header size | 75 bytes | 65 bytes (no date field) |
 | Python support | 3.10+ | 3.10-3.12 only |
 
+### v4.1 Changes
+
+| Change | v4.0 | v4.1 |
+|--------|------|------|
+| Channel keys | None | 32-byte deployment isolation |
+| Key derivation | passphrase + ref + pin | passphrase + ref + pin + channel |
+| Web auth | Session-based | Session + admin/user roles |
+| Raspberry Pi | Manual setup | First-boot wizard with gum |
+| Docker | Basic | Production-ready compose |
+
+**Channel Keys** provide deployment isolation - messages encoded on one Stegasoo instance cannot be decoded by another instance with a different channel key, even with the same passphrase/PIN/reference photo.
+
 ### Module Responsibilities
 
 | Module | File | Purpose |
 |--------|------|---------|
 | **Crypto** | `crypto.py` | Key derivation (Argon2id), AES-256-GCM encryption/decryption |
+| **Channel** | `channel.py` | Channel key management, deployment isolation (v4.1) |
 | **Steganography** | `steganography.py` | LSB pixel manipulation, capacity calculation |
 | **DCT Steganography** | `dct_steganography.py` | Frequency-domain embedding, jpegio integration |
 | **Compression** | `compression.py` | Optional LZ4 compression of payload |
@@ -626,7 +639,7 @@ Factor 1: Reference Photo    ─┐
   • 80-256 bits entropy       │
   • "Something you have"      │
                               ├──► Combined entropy: 133-400+ bits
-Factor 2: Passphrase         │    (Beyond brute force)
+Factor 2: Passphrase          │    (Beyond brute force)
   • 43-132 bits entropy       │
   • "Something you know"      │
   • 4 words default (v4.0)    │
@@ -688,7 +701,7 @@ AUTHENTICATED ENCRYPTION (AES-256-GCM)
 
 ```
 ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                              ENCODE FLOW (v4.0)                               │
+│                              ENCODE FLOW (v4.0)                              │
 └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
 
 User Inputs                    Processing                           Output
@@ -714,14 +727,14 @@ Carrier Image ──────────────────────
                                                           │     │
                                               ┌───────────┴─────┴────────────┐
                                               │                              │
-                                       LSB Mode                       DCT Mode
+                                           LSB Mode                       DCT Mode
                                               │                              │
                                               ▼                              ▼
-                                     embed_lsb()                    embed_in_dct()
-                                     (pixel LSBs)                   (DCT coefficients)
+                                         embed_lsb()                    embed_in_dct()
+                                         (pixel LSBs)                 (DCT coefficients)
                                               │                              │
                                               ▼                              ▼
-                                         PNG Output                  PNG or JPEG
+                                          PNG Output                    PNG or JPEG
                                               │                              │
                                               └──────────┬───────────────────┘
                                                          │
@@ -793,8 +806,8 @@ Stego Image ──────────► detect_mode() ──────
 Both modes share the same cryptographic foundation (Argon2id + AES-256-GCM) and multi-factor authentication, ensuring security regardless of embedding method.
 
 The choice comes down to your use case:
-- **Private channel?** → LSB (maximum capacity)
 - **Public platform?** → DCT (maximum compatibility)
+- **Private channel?** → LSB (maximum capacity)
 
 ### v4.0 Simplifications
 

WISHLIST-4.2.md

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# Stegasoo v4.2 Wishlist
+
+Blue sky ideas for future development. No timeline - just capturing thoughts.
+
+---
+
+## Performance
+
+### GPU-Accelerated DCT Encoding/Decoding
+- **Idea**: Leverage GPU for JPEG DCT coefficient manipulation
+- **Potential Approaches**:
+  - OpenCL/CUDA for parallel DCT operations
+  - Raspberry Pi VideoCore IV/VI GPU compute
+  - WebGPU for browser-based acceleration
+- **Challenges**:
+  - jpegio library is CPU-bound (C extension)
+  - Would need custom DCT implementation
+  - Memory transfer overhead may negate gains for small images
+- **Research**:
+  - libjpeg-turbo uses SIMD but not GPU
+  - nvJPEG (NVIDIA) does GPU-accelerated JPEG
+  - Could potentially use GPU for the embedding math, not JPEG decode
+
+---
+
+## Features
+
+(Add ideas here)
+
+---
+
+## Infrastructure
+
+(Add ideas here)
+
+---
+
+## Notes
+
+- This is a living document - add ideas anytime
+- Not all ideas will be implemented
+- Feasibility research needed before committing to roadmap

frontends/web/app.py

@@ -2,23 +2,76 @@
 """
 Stegasoo Web Frontend (v4.0.0)
 
-Flask-based web UI for steganography operations.
-Supports both text messages and file embedding.
+A production Flask application demonstrating proper web architecture patterns.
+This isn't just a quick demo - it's built to run on a Raspberry Pi 24/7.
+
+ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW
+=====================
+
+    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+    │                         FLASK APPLICATION                            │
+    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
+    │                                                                      │
+    │   Routes (/encode, /decode, /api/*)                                  │
+    │       │                                                              │
+    │       ├── auth.py           # Session management, user accounts      │
+    │       ├── temp_storage.py   # File-based temp storage with expiry    │
+    │       ├── subprocess_stego.py  # Isolated encode/decode workers      │
+    │       └── ssl_utils.py      # Self-signed cert generation            │
+    │                                                                      │
+    │   Templates (Jinja2)                                                 │
+    │       └── base.html → encode.html, decode.html, etc.                │
+    │                                                                      │
+    │   Static assets (CSS, JS)                                           │
+    │       └── Vanilla JS, no framework (keeps it simple)                │
+    │                                                                      │
+    └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+
+KEY PATTERNS
+============
+
+1. SUBPROCESS ISOLATION
+   Stegasoo's DCT mode uses scipy/jpegio which can crash on malformed input.
+   We run encode/decode in subprocesses so crashes don't take down the server:
+
+       subprocess_stego = SubprocessStego(timeout=180)
+       result = subprocess_stego.encode(carrier, ref, message, ...)
+
+   If the subprocess crashes, we catch it and return an error gracefully.
+
+2. ASYNC JOBS WITH PROGRESS
+   Encoding large images can take 30+ seconds. We use ThreadPoolExecutor
+   to run jobs in background threads with progress reporting:
+
+       job_id = generate_job_id()
+       _executor.submit(_run_encode_job, job_id, params)
+       # Client polls /api/encode/progress/<job_id> for updates
+
+3. CONTEXT PROCESSORS
+   @app.context_processor injects variables into ALL templates:
+
+       return {"version": __version__, "has_dct": has_dct_support()}
+
+   Now every template can use {{ version }} without passing it explicitly.
+
+4. BEFORE_REQUEST HOOKS
+   @app.before_request runs before every request. We use it for:
+   - First-run setup redirect (no users → /setup)
+   - Session validation
+   - Cleanup of old temp files
+
+5. SECURE SECRET KEY
+   Flask sessions need a secret key. We persist it to a file so sessions
+   survive server restarts (otherwise everyone gets logged out).
 
 CHANGES in v4.0.0:
 - Added channel key support for deployment/group isolation
 - New /api/channel/status endpoint
 - Channel key selector on encode/decode pages
-- Messages encoded with channel key require same key to decode
 
 CHANGES in v3.2.0:
 - Removed date dependency from all operations
-- Renamed day_phrase → passphrase
-- No date selection or tracking needed
 - Simplified user experience for asynchronous communications
-
-NEW in v3.0: LSB and DCT embedding modes with advanced options.
-NEW in v3.0.1: DCT output format selection (PNG or JPEG) and color mode (grayscale or color).
 """
 
 import io
@@ -31,6 +84,7 @@ import time
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 from pathlib import Path
 
+import temp_storage
 from auth import (
     MAX_CHANNEL_KEYS,
     MAX_USERS,
@@ -83,7 +137,6 @@ from flask import (
 )
 from PIL import Image
 from ssl_utils import ensure_certs
-import temp_storage
 
 os.environ["NUMPY_MADVISE_HUGEPAGE"] = "0"
 os.environ["OMP_NUM_THREADS"] = "1"
@@ -157,8 +210,35 @@ except ImportError:
 # ============================================================================
 # SUBPROCESS ISOLATION FOR STEGASOO OPERATIONS
 # ============================================================================
-# Runs encode/decode/compare in subprocesses to prevent jpegio/scipy crashes
-# from taking down the Flask server.
+#
+# This is a critical reliability pattern. Here's the problem:
+#
+# scipy's DCT and jpegio can crash (segfault) on:
+# - Malformed JPEG files
+# - Very large images that exhaust memory
+# - Certain edge cases in coefficient manipulation
+#
+# If these crash in the main Flask process, your whole server dies.
+# Users get a connection reset, and the service goes down.
+#
+# The solution: Run stegasoo operations in separate Python processes.
+#
+#     Main Flask process                 Worker subprocess
+#     ┌─────────────────┐               ┌─────────────────┐
+#     │                 │   spawn       │                 │
+#     │  /api/encode    │──────────────>│  encode()       │
+#     │                 │               │                 │
+#     │  wait for       │<──────────────│  return result  │
+#     │  result         │    or crash   │  (or crash)     │
+#     │                 │               │                 │
+#     │  handle error   │               │  (process dies) │
+#     └─────────────────┘               └─────────────────┘
+#
+# If the subprocess crashes, we catch the error and return a friendly message.
+# The main server keeps running. Users can try again with different input.
+#
+# The subprocess_stego module handles all the pickling/unpickling of data.
+
 from subprocess_stego import (
     SubprocessStego,
     cleanup_progress_file,
@@ -169,6 +249,7 @@ from subprocess_stego import (
 
 from stegasoo.qr_utils import (
     can_fit_in_qr,
+    decompress_data,
     detect_and_crop_qr,
     extract_key_from_qr,
     generate_qr_code,
@@ -181,38 +262,89 @@ subprocess_stego = SubprocessStego(timeout=180)  # 3 minute timeout for large im
 # ============================================================================
 # FLASK APP CONFIGURATION
 # ============================================================================
+#
+# Flask configuration demonstrates several production patterns:
+#
+# 1. SECRET KEY PERSISTENCE
+#    Flask uses secret_key to sign session cookies. If it changes, all users
+#    get logged out. We save it to a file so it survives restarts.
+#
+# 2. CONTENT LENGTH LIMITS
+#    MAX_CONTENT_LENGTH prevents DoS via huge uploads. Flask will reject
+#    requests that exceed this before loading them into memory.
+#
+# 3. ENVIRONMENT-BASED CONFIG
+#    Settings come from environment variables, allowing:
+#    - Different settings per deployment (dev/staging/prod)
+#    - Docker/systemd to inject config without code changes
+#    - 12-factor app compliance
+#
+# 4. INSTANCE FOLDER
+#    Flask's instance_path is for per-deployment data (databases, keys).
+#    It's .gitignored by default - perfect for secrets.
 
 app = Flask(__name__)
 
 # Persist secret key so sessions survive restarts
+# Without this, every restart = everyone gets logged out
 _instance_path = Path(app.instance_path)
 _instance_path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 _secret_key_file = _instance_path / ".secret_key"
 if _secret_key_file.exists():
     app.secret_key = _secret_key_file.read_text().strip()
 else:
-    app.secret_key = secrets.token_hex(32)
+    # First run: generate a new key and save it
+    app.secret_key = secrets.token_hex(32)  # 256 bits of randomness
     _secret_key_file.write_text(app.secret_key)
-    _secret_key_file.chmod(0o600)
+    _secret_key_file.chmod(0o600)  # Only owner can read
 
+# Reject uploads larger than this (prevents memory exhaustion)
 app.config["MAX_CONTENT_LENGTH"] = MAX_FILE_SIZE
 
 # Auth configuration from environment
+# STEGASOO_AUTH_ENABLED=false disables login (for local/dev use)
 app.config["AUTH_ENABLED"] = os.environ.get("STEGASOO_AUTH_ENABLED", "true").lower() == "true"
 app.config["HTTPS_ENABLED"] = os.environ.get("STEGASOO_HTTPS_ENABLED", "false").lower() == "true"
 
-# Initialize auth module
+# Initialize auth module (sets up session handling, user DB)
 init_auth(app)
 
 # ============================================================================
 # ASYNC JOB MANAGEMENT (v4.1.2)
 # ============================================================================
-# Encode operations can run in background threads with progress reporting
+#
+# Problem: DCT encoding a large image can take 30-60 seconds.
+# Solution: Run it in a background thread, let the client poll for progress.
+#
+# The flow:
+#
+#     Client                          Server
+#     ──────                          ──────
+#     POST /api/encode/async ──────>  Start background job
+#                            <──────  Return job_id
+#
+#     GET /api/encode/progress/123 ─>  Check job status
+#                            <──────  {"progress": 45, "phase": "embedding"}
+#
+#     GET /api/encode/progress/123 ─>  Check again
+#                            <──────  {"status": "complete", "file_id": "abc"}
+#
+#     GET /api/download/abc ────────>  Download result
+#                            <──────  Encoded image
+#
+# Why ThreadPoolExecutor instead of Celery/Redis?
+# - This runs on a Raspberry Pi with 1GB RAM
+# - We don't need distributed workers
+# - Keep it simple - threads are fine for 2 concurrent jobs
+#
+# The thread pool is limited to 2 workers because:
+# - Each encode loads the full image into memory
+# - Too many concurrent jobs = OOM on the Pi
 
-# Thread pool for background encode/decode operations
 _executor = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=2)
 
-# Job storage: job_id -> {status, result, error, file_id, ...}
+# Job storage: job_id -> {status, result, error, file_id, created, ...}
+# We use a dict with a lock because threads access it concurrently
 _jobs = {}
 _jobs_lock = threading.Lock()
 
@@ -267,6 +399,27 @@ THUMBNAIL_FILES: dict[str, bytes] = {}  # Not used - see temp_storage.py
 # ============================================================================
 # TEMPLATE CONTEXT PROCESSOR
 # ============================================================================
+#
+# Context processors inject variables into EVERY template automatically.
+# Instead of passing the same data to every render_template() call:
+#
+#     # Bad: repetitive and error-prone
+#     return render_template("page.html", version=__version__, has_dct=...)
+#
+# We define it once here and it's available everywhere:
+#
+#     # In any template:
+#     <p>Version: {{ version }}</p>
+#     {% if has_dct %}DCT mode available{% endif %}
+#
+# This is great for:
+# - Version numbers (show in footer)
+# - Feature flags (has_dct, auth_enabled)
+# - User info (username, is_admin)
+# - Global config (max sizes, limits)
+#
+# The function runs on EVERY request, so keep it fast.
+# Don't do expensive database queries here.
 
 
 @app.context_processor
@@ -1049,12 +1202,19 @@ def encode_page():
             ref_data = ref_photo.read()
             carrier_data = carrier.read()
 
-            # Handle RSA key - can come from .pem file or QR code image
+            # Handle RSA key - can come from .pem file, QR code image, or webcam-scanned PEM (v4.1.5)
             rsa_key_data = None
+            rsa_key_pem = request.form.get("rsa_key_pem", "").strip()
             rsa_key_qr = request.files.get("rsa_key_qr")
             rsa_key_from_qr = False
 
-            if rsa_key_file and rsa_key_file.filename:
+            if rsa_key_pem:
+                # Webcam-scanned PEM key (v4.1.5) - may be compressed
+                if rsa_key_pem.startswith("STEGASOO-Z:"):
+                    rsa_key_pem = decompress_data(rsa_key_pem)
+                rsa_key_data = rsa_key_pem.encode("utf-8")
+                rsa_key_from_qr = True
+            elif rsa_key_file and rsa_key_file.filename:
                 rsa_key_data = rsa_key_file.read()
             elif rsa_key_qr and rsa_key_qr.filename and HAS_QRCODE_READ:
                 qr_image_data = rsa_key_qr.read()
@@ -1371,6 +1531,82 @@ def encode_cleanup(file_id):
 # ============================================================================
 
 
+def _run_decode_job(job_id: str, decode_params: dict) -> None:
+    """Background thread function for async decode."""
+    progress_file = get_progress_file_path(job_id)
+
+    try:
+        _store_job(job_id, {"status": "running", "created": time.time()})
+
+        # Run decode with progress file
+        decode_result = subprocess_stego.decode(
+            stego_data=decode_params["stego_data"],
+            reference_data=decode_params["ref_data"],
+            passphrase=decode_params["passphrase"],
+            pin=decode_params.get("pin"),
+            rsa_key_data=decode_params.get("rsa_key_data"),
+            rsa_password=decode_params.get("rsa_password"),
+            embed_mode=decode_params.get("embed_mode", "auto"),
+            channel_key=decode_params.get("channel_key"),
+            progress_file=progress_file,
+        )
+
+        if not decode_result.success:
+            _store_job(
+                job_id,
+                {
+                    "status": "error",
+                    "error": decode_result.error or "Decoding failed",
+                    "error_type": decode_result.error_type,
+                    "created": time.time(),
+                },
+            )
+            return
+
+        # Store result based on type
+        if decode_result.is_file:
+            file_id = secrets.token_urlsafe(16)
+            filename = decode_result.filename or "decoded_file"
+            temp_storage.save_temp_file(file_id, decode_result.file_data, {
+                "filename": filename,
+                "mime_type": decode_result.mime_type,
+            })
+            _store_job(
+                job_id,
+                {
+                    "status": "complete",
+                    "file_id": file_id,
+                    "is_file": True,
+                    "filename": filename,
+                    "file_size": len(decode_result.file_data),
+                    "mime_type": decode_result.mime_type,
+                    "created": time.time(),
+                },
+            )
+        else:
+            _store_job(
+                job_id,
+                {
+                    "status": "complete",
+                    "is_file": False,
+                    "message": decode_result.message,
+                    "created": time.time(),
+                },
+            )
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        _store_job(
+            job_id,
+            {
+                "status": "error",
+                "error": str(e),
+                "created": time.time(),
+            },
+        )
+    finally:
+        cleanup_progress_file(job_id)
+
+
 @app.route("/decode", methods=["GET", "POST"])
 @login_required
 def decode_page():
@@ -1414,12 +1650,19 @@ def decode_page():
             ref_data = ref_photo.read()
             stego_data = stego_image.read()
 
-            # Handle RSA key - can come from .pem file or QR code image
+            # Handle RSA key - can come from .pem file, QR code image, or webcam-scanned PEM (v4.1.5)
             rsa_key_data = None
+            rsa_key_pem = request.form.get("rsa_key_pem", "").strip()
             rsa_key_qr = request.files.get("rsa_key_qr")
             rsa_key_from_qr = False
 
-            if rsa_key_file and rsa_key_file.filename:
+            if rsa_key_pem:
+                # Webcam-scanned PEM key (v4.1.5) - may be compressed
+                if rsa_key_pem.startswith("STEGASOO-Z:"):
+                    rsa_key_pem = decompress_data(rsa_key_pem)
+                rsa_key_data = rsa_key_pem.encode("utf-8")
+                rsa_key_from_qr = True
+            elif rsa_key_file and rsa_key_file.filename:
                 rsa_key_data = rsa_key_file.read()
             elif rsa_key_qr and rsa_key_qr.filename and HAS_QRCODE_READ:
                 qr_image_data = rsa_key_qr.read()
@@ -1454,6 +1697,29 @@ def decode_page():
                     flash(result.error_message, "error")
                     return render_template("decode.html", has_qrcode_read=HAS_QRCODE_READ)
 
+            # Check for async mode (v4.1.5)
+            is_async = request.form.get("async") == "true" or request.headers.get("X-Async") == "true"
+
+            # Build decode params
+            decode_params = {
+                "stego_data": stego_data,
+                "ref_data": ref_data,
+                "passphrase": passphrase,
+                "pin": pin if pin else None,
+                "rsa_key_data": rsa_key_data,
+                "rsa_password": key_password,
+                "embed_mode": embed_mode,
+                "channel_key": channel_key,
+            }
+
+            # ASYNC MODE: Start background job and return JSON
+            if is_async:
+                job_id = generate_job_id()
+                _store_job(job_id, {"status": "pending", "created": time.time()})
+                _executor.submit(_run_decode_job, job_id, decode_params)
+                return jsonify({"job_id": job_id, "status": "pending"})
+
+            # SYNC MODE: Run inline (original behavior)
             # v4.0.0: Include channel_key parameter
             # Use subprocess-isolated decode to prevent crashes
             decode_result = subprocess_stego.decode(
@@ -1559,9 +1825,113 @@ def decode_download(file_id):
     )
 
 
+# ============================================================================
+# DECODE PROGRESS ENDPOINTS (v4.1.5)
+# ============================================================================
+
+
+@app.route("/decode/status/<job_id>")
+@login_required
+def decode_status(job_id):
+    """Get the status of an async decode job."""
+    job = _get_job(job_id)
+    if not job:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Job not found"}), 404
+
+    response = {"status": job.get("status", "unknown")}
+
+    if job["status"] == "complete":
+        response["is_file"] = job.get("is_file", False)
+        if job.get("is_file"):
+            response["file_id"] = job.get("file_id")
+            response["filename"] = job.get("filename")
+            response["file_size"] = job.get("file_size")
+            response["mime_type"] = job.get("mime_type")
+        else:
+            response["message"] = job.get("message")
+    elif job["status"] == "error":
+        response["error"] = job.get("error", "Unknown error")
+        response["error_type"] = job.get("error_type")
+
+    return jsonify(response)
+
+
+@app.route("/decode/progress/<job_id>")
+@login_required
+def decode_progress(job_id):
+    """Get the progress of an async decode job."""
+    progress = read_progress(job_id)
+    if progress:
+        return jsonify(progress)
+
+    # No progress file yet - check job status
+    job = _get_job(job_id)
+    if not job:
+        return jsonify({"error": "Job not found"}), 404
+
+    if job["status"] == "complete":
+        return jsonify({"percent": 100, "phase": "complete"})
+    elif job["status"] == "error":
+        return jsonify({"percent": 0, "phase": "error", "error": job.get("error")})
+    elif job["status"] == "pending":
+        return jsonify({"percent": 0, "phase": "starting"})
+
+    # Running but no progress file yet
+    return jsonify({"percent": 5, "phase": "reading"})
+
+
+@app.route("/decode/result/<job_id>")
+@login_required
+def decode_result(job_id):
+    """Get the result page for an async decode job."""
+    job = _get_job(job_id)
+    if not job:
+        flash("Job not found or expired.", "error")
+        return redirect(url_for("decode_page"))
+
+    if job["status"] != "complete":
+        flash("Decode not complete.", "error")
+        return redirect(url_for("decode_page"))
+
+    if job.get("is_file"):
+        return render_template(
+            "decode.html",
+            decoded_file=True,
+            file_id=job.get("file_id"),
+            filename=job.get("filename"),
+            file_size=format_size(job.get("file_size", 0)),
+            mime_type=job.get("mime_type"),
+            has_qrcode_read=HAS_QRCODE_READ,
+        )
+    else:
+        return render_template(
+            "decode.html",
+            decoded_message=job.get("message"),
+            has_qrcode_read=HAS_QRCODE_READ,
+        )
+
+
 @app.route("/about")
 def about():
-    return render_template("about.html", has_argon2=has_argon2(), has_qrcode_read=HAS_QRCODE_READ)
+    from stegasoo.channel import get_channel_status
+
+    channel_status = get_channel_status()
+
+    # Check if user is admin (for QR sharing)
+    current_user = get_current_user()
+    is_admin = current_user.is_admin if current_user else False
+
+    return render_template(
+        "about.html",
+        has_argon2=has_argon2(),
+        has_qrcode_read=HAS_QRCODE_READ,
+        # Channel info (bugfix - was not being passed)
+        channel_configured=channel_status["configured"],
+        channel_fingerprint=channel_status.get("fingerprint"),
+        channel_source=channel_status.get("source"),
+        # Admin check for QR sharing
+        is_admin=is_admin,
+    )
 
 
 # ============================================================================
@@ -1735,6 +2105,145 @@ def api_tools_exif_clear():
         return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 500
 
 
+@app.route("/api/tools/rotate", methods=["POST"])
+@login_required
+def api_tools_rotate():
+    """Rotate and/or flip an image."""
+    from PIL import Image
+
+    image_file = request.files.get("image")
+    if not image_file:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": "No image provided"}), 400
+
+    rotation = int(request.form.get("rotation", 0))
+    flip_h = request.form.get("flip_h", "false").lower() == "true"
+    flip_v = request.form.get("flip_v", "false").lower() == "true"
+
+    try:
+        img = Image.open(io.BytesIO(image_file.read()))
+
+        # Apply rotation (PIL rotates counter-clockwise, so negate)
+        if rotation:
+            img = img.rotate(-rotation, expand=True)
+
+        # Apply flips
+        if flip_h:
+            img = img.transpose(Image.FLIP_LEFT_RIGHT)
+        if flip_v:
+            img = img.transpose(Image.FLIP_TOP_BOTTOM)
+
+        # Output as PNG (lossless)
+        buffer = io.BytesIO()
+        img.save(buffer, format="PNG")
+        buffer.seek(0)
+
+        stem = (
+            image_file.filename.rsplit(".", 1)[0]
+            if "." in image_file.filename
+            else image_file.filename
+        )
+        return send_file(
+            buffer,
+            mimetype="image/png",
+            as_attachment=True,
+            download_name=f"{stem}_transformed.png",
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 500
+
+
+@app.route("/api/tools/compress", methods=["POST"])
+@login_required
+def api_tools_compress():
+    """Compress image to JPEG at specified quality."""
+    from PIL import Image
+
+    image_file = request.files.get("image")
+    if not image_file:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": "No image provided"}), 400
+
+    quality = int(request.form.get("quality", 85))
+    quality = max(10, min(100, quality))  # Clamp to valid range
+
+    try:
+        img = Image.open(io.BytesIO(image_file.read()))
+
+        # Convert to RGB if necessary (JPEG doesn't support alpha)
+        if img.mode in ("RGBA", "LA", "P"):
+            img = img.convert("RGB")
+
+        buffer = io.BytesIO()
+        img.save(buffer, format="JPEG", quality=quality)
+        buffer.seek(0)
+
+        stem = (
+            image_file.filename.rsplit(".", 1)[0]
+            if "." in image_file.filename
+            else image_file.filename
+        )
+        return send_file(
+            buffer,
+            mimetype="image/jpeg",
+            as_attachment=True,
+            download_name=f"{stem}_q{quality}.jpg",
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 500
+
+
+@app.route("/api/tools/convert", methods=["POST"])
+@login_required
+def api_tools_convert():
+    """Convert image to different format."""
+    from PIL import Image
+
+    image_file = request.files.get("image")
+    if not image_file:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": "No image provided"}), 400
+
+    output_format = request.form.get("format", "PNG").upper()
+    quality = int(request.form.get("quality", 90))
+    quality = max(10, min(100, quality))
+
+    # Validate format
+    format_map = {
+        "PNG": ("png", "image/png"),
+        "JPEG": ("jpg", "image/jpeg"),
+        "WEBP": ("webp", "image/webp"),
+    }
+    if output_format not in format_map:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": f"Unsupported format: {output_format}"}), 400
+
+    try:
+        img = Image.open(io.BytesIO(image_file.read()))
+
+        # Convert to RGB for JPEG (no alpha)
+        if output_format == "JPEG" and img.mode in ("RGBA", "LA", "P"):
+            img = img.convert("RGB")
+
+        buffer = io.BytesIO()
+        save_kwargs = {"format": output_format}
+        if output_format in ("JPEG", "WEBP"):
+            save_kwargs["quality"] = quality
+        img.save(buffer, **save_kwargs)
+        buffer.seek(0)
+
+        ext, mimetype = format_map[output_format]
+        stem = (
+            image_file.filename.rsplit(".", 1)[0]
+            if "." in image_file.filename
+            else image_file.filename
+        )
+        return send_file(
+            buffer,
+            mimetype=mimetype,
+            as_attachment=True,
+            download_name=f"{stem}.{ext}",
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": str(e)}), 500
+
+
 # Add these two test routes anywhere in app.py after the app = Flask(...) line:
 
 
@@ -2184,6 +2693,70 @@ def api_channel_key_use(key_id):
 # ============================================================================
 
 
+@app.route("/admin/settings")
+@admin_required
+def admin_settings():
+    """System settings page (admin only)."""
+    import platform
+    import sys
+
+    from stegasoo import __version__
+    from stegasoo.channel import get_channel_status
+
+    channel_status = get_channel_status()
+
+    return render_template(
+        "admin/settings.html",
+        # Channel info (key hidden until password verified)
+        channel_configured=channel_status["configured"],
+        channel_fingerprint=channel_status.get("fingerprint"),
+        channel_source=channel_status.get("source"),
+        # Server config
+        hostname=os.environ.get("STEGASOO_HOSTNAME") or socket.gethostname(),
+        port=os.environ.get("STEGASOO_PORT", "5000"),
+        https_enabled=app.config.get("HTTPS_ENABLED", False),
+        auth_enabled=app.config.get("AUTH_ENABLED", True),
+        max_payload_kb=MAX_FILE_PAYLOAD_SIZE // 1024,
+        max_upload_mb=MAX_FILE_SIZE // (1024 * 1024),
+        dct_available=has_dct_support(),
+        qr_available=HAS_QRCODE_READ,
+        # Environment
+        version=__version__,
+        python_version=f"{sys.version_info.major}.{sys.version_info.minor}.{sys.version_info.micro}",
+        platform=platform.system(),
+        kdf_type="Argon2id" if has_argon2() else "PBKDF2",
+    )
+
+
+@app.route("/admin/settings/unlock", methods=["POST"])
+@admin_required
+def admin_settings_unlock():
+    """Verify password and return channel key (AJAX)."""
+    from stegasoo.channel import get_channel_status
+
+    data = request.get_json() or {}
+    password = data.get("password", "")
+
+    if not password:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": "Password required"})
+
+    # Get current user and verify password
+    username = get_username()
+    user = verify_user_password(username, password)
+
+    if not user:
+        return jsonify({"success": False, "error": "Incorrect password"})
+
+    # Password verified - return channel key
+    channel_status = get_channel_status()
+    channel_key = channel_status.get("key") if channel_status["configured"] else ""
+
+    return jsonify({
+        "success": True,
+        "channel_key": channel_key
+    })
+
+
 @app.route("/admin/users")
 @admin_required
 def admin_users():
@@ -2314,7 +2887,8 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     # HTTPS configuration
     ssl_context = None
     if app.config.get("HTTPS_ENABLED", False):
-        hostname = os.environ.get("STEGASOO_HOSTNAME", "localhost")
+        import socket
+        hostname = os.environ.get("STEGASOO_HOSTNAME") or socket.gethostname()
         try:
             cert_path, key_path = ensure_certs(base_dir, hostname)
             if cert_path.exists() and key_path.exists():

frontends/web/dev_run.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Stegasoo Web Frontend - Development Runner
+# Press 'r' to restart, 'q' to quit (single keypress, no Enter needed)
+
+cd "$(dirname "$0")"
+
+PID=""
+
+cleanup() {
+    echo -e "\n\033[33mShutting down...\033[0m"
+    [[ -n "$PID" ]] && kill "$PID" 2>/dev/null
+    stty sane 2>/dev/null
+    exit 0
+}
+
+trap cleanup SIGINT SIGTERM EXIT
+
+start_server() {
+    clear
+    echo -e "\033[36m┌──────────────────────────────────────┐\033[0m"
+    echo -e "\033[36m│  Stegasoo Dev Server                 │\033[0m"
+    echo -e "\033[36m│  \033[0m[r] restart  [q] quit\033[36m              │\033[0m"
+    echo -e "\033[36m└──────────────────────────────────────┘\033[0m"
+
+    pkill -f "python app.py" 2>/dev/null
+    sleep 0.3
+
+    python app.py 2>&1 &
+    PID=$!
+    echo -e "\033[32m✓ Running on http://localhost:5000 (PID: $PID)\033[0m\n"
+}
+
+start_server
+
+# Single keypress mode
+stty -echo -icanon time 0 min 0
+
+while true; do
+    key=$(dd bs=1 count=1 2>/dev/null)
+    case "$key" in
+        r|R) start_server ;;
+        q|Q) cleanup ;;
+    esac
+
+    # Check if crashed
+    if [[ -n "$PID" ]] && ! kill -0 "$PID" 2>/dev/null; then
+        echo -e "\033[31m✗ Crashed! Press 'r' to restart\033[0m"
+        PID=""
+    fi
+
+    sleep 0.1
+done

frontends/web/ssl_utils.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ Uses cryptography library (already a dependency).
 
 import datetime
 import ipaddress
+import socket
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from cryptography import x509
@@ -15,6 +16,33 @@ from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import rsa
 from cryptography.x509.oid import NameOID
 
 
+def _get_local_ips() -> list[str]:
+    """Get local IP addresses for this machine."""
+    ips = []
+    try:
+        # Get hostname and resolve to IP
+        hostname = socket.gethostname()
+        for addr_info in socket.getaddrinfo(hostname, None, socket.AF_INET):
+            ip = addr_info[4][0]
+            if ip not in ips and not ip.startswith("127."):
+                ips.append(ip)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    # Also try connecting to external to get primary interface IP
+    try:
+        s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
+        s.connect(("8.8.8.8", 80))
+        ip = s.getsockname()[0]
+        if ip not in ips:
+            ips.append(ip)
+        s.close()
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    return ips
+
+
 def get_cert_paths(base_dir: Path) -> tuple[Path, Path]:
     """Get paths for cert and key files."""
     cert_dir = base_dir / "certs"
@@ -64,12 +92,26 @@ def generate_self_signed_cert(
         x509.DNSName("localhost"),
         x509.IPAddress(ipaddress.IPv4Address("127.0.0.1")),
     ]
+
+    # Add hostname.local for mDNS access
+    if not hostname.endswith(".local"):
+        san_list.append(x509.DNSName(f"{hostname}.local"))
+
     # Add the hostname as IP if it looks like one
     try:
         san_list.append(x509.IPAddress(ipaddress.IPv4Address(hostname)))
     except ipaddress.AddressValueError:
         pass
 
+    # Add local network IPs
+    for local_ip in _get_local_ips():
+        try:
+            ip_addr = ipaddress.IPv4Address(local_ip)
+            if x509.IPAddress(ip_addr) not in san_list:
+                san_list.append(x509.IPAddress(ip_addr))
+        except (ipaddress.AddressValueError, ValueError):
+            pass
+
     now = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc)
     cert = (
         x509.CertificateBuilder()

frontends/web/static/js/generate.js

@@ -231,20 +231,14 @@ const StegasooGenerate = {
         printWindow.document.write(`<!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
 <head>
-    <title>Stegasoo RSA Key QR Code</title>
+    <title>QR Code</title>
     <style>
-        body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; min-height: 100vh; margin: 0; font-family: sans-serif; }
+        body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; min-height: 100vh; margin: 0; }
         img { max-width: 400px; }
-        .warning { margin-top: 20px; padding: 10px; border: 2px solid #ff9800; background: #fff3e0; max-width: 400px; text-align: center; font-size: 12px; }
     </style>
 </head>
 <body>
-    <h2>Stegasoo RSA Private Key</h2>
-    <img src="${qrImg.src}" alt="RSA Key QR Code">
-    <div class="warning">
-        <strong>Warning:</strong> This QR code contains your unencrypted RSA private key.
-        Store securely and destroy after use.
-    </div>
+    <img src="${qrImg.src}" alt="QR Code">
     <script>window.onload = function() { window.print(); }<\/script>
 </body>
 </html>`);

frontends/web/static/js/stegasoo.js

@@ -333,56 +333,68 @@ const Stegasoo = {
     generateEmbedTraces(container, width, height) {
         // Color classes for variety
         const colors = ['color-yellow', 'color-cyan', 'color-purple', 'color-blue'];
-        
-        // Generate 6-8 snake paths spread across the whole image
-        const numPaths = 6 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 3);
-        
-        for (let p = 0; p < numPaths; p++) {
-            // Each path gets a random color
-            const pathColor = colors[Math.floor(Math.random() * colors.length)];
-            
-            // Distribute starting points across the image
-            let x = (width * 0.1) + (Math.random() * width * 0.8);
-            let y = (height * 0.1) + (Math.random() * height * 0.8);
-            let delay = p * 40;
-            
-            // Each path has 3-5 segments for more coverage
-            const numSegments = 3 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 3);
-            let horizontal = Math.random() > 0.5;
-            
-            for (let s = 0; s < numSegments; s++) {
-                const trace = document.createElement('div');
-                trace.className = 'embed-trace ' + (horizontal ? 'h' : 'v') + ' ' + pathColor;
-                
-                const length = 30 + Math.random() * 60;
-                trace.style.left = x + 'px';
-                trace.style.top = y + 'px';
-                trace.style.animationDelay = delay + 'ms';
-                
-                if (horizontal) {
-                    trace.style.width = length + 'px';
-                } else {
-                    trace.style.height = length + 'px';
+
+        // Grid-based distribution: divide image into cells for even coverage
+        const gridCols = 5;
+        const gridRows = 4;
+        const cellWidth = width / gridCols;
+        const cellHeight = height / gridRows;
+
+        let pathIndex = 0;
+
+        // Spawn 1-2 paths from each grid cell for even distribution
+        for (let row = 0; row < gridRows; row++) {
+            for (let col = 0; col < gridCols; col++) {
+                // 1-2 paths per cell
+                const pathsInCell = 1 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 2);
+
+                for (let p = 0; p < pathsInCell; p++) {
+                    const pathColor = colors[Math.floor(Math.random() * colors.length)];
+
+                    // Start within this grid cell (with padding)
+                    let x = (col * cellWidth) + (cellWidth * 0.15) + (Math.random() * cellWidth * 0.7);
+                    let y = (row * cellHeight) + (cellHeight * 0.15) + (Math.random() * cellHeight * 0.7);
+                    let delay = pathIndex * 15;
+
+                    // Each path has 3-5 short segments
+                    const numSegments = 3 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 3);
+                    let horizontal = Math.random() > 0.5;
+
+                    for (let s = 0; s < numSegments; s++) {
+                        const trace = document.createElement('div');
+                        trace.className = 'embed-trace ' + (horizontal ? 'h' : 'v') + ' ' + pathColor;
+
+                        // Shorter segments: 12-30px for denser circuit look
+                        const length = 12 + Math.random() * 18;
+                        trace.style.left = Math.max(0, Math.min(x, width - length)) + 'px';
+                        trace.style.top = Math.max(0, Math.min(y, height - length)) + 'px';
+                        trace.style.animationDelay = delay + 'ms';
+
+                        if (horizontal) {
+                            trace.style.width = length + 'px';
+                        } else {
+                            trace.style.height = length + 'px';
+                        }
+
+                        container.appendChild(trace);
+
+                        // Move position for next segment
+                        if (horizontal) {
+                            x += length * (Math.random() > 0.5 ? 1 : -1);
+                        } else {
+                            y += length * (Math.random() > 0.5 ? 1 : -1);
+                        }
+
+                        // Keep within bounds
+                        x = Math.max(5, Math.min(x, width - 20));
+                        y = Math.max(5, Math.min(y, height - 20));
+
+                        // Alternate direction (90 degree turn)
+                        horizontal = !horizontal;
+                        delay += 20;
+                    }
+                    pathIndex++;
                 }
-                
-                container.appendChild(trace);
-                
-                // Move position for next segment
-                if (horizontal) {
-                    x += length;
-                } else {
-                    y += length;
-                }
-                
-                // Wrap around if out of bounds to keep traces in view
-                if (x > width - 20) x = 10 + Math.random() * 40;
-                if (y > height - 20) y = 10 + Math.random() * 40;
-                if (x < 10) x = width - 60 + Math.random() * 40;
-                if (y < 10) y = height - 60 + Math.random() * 40;
-                
-                // Alternate direction (90 degree turn)
-                horizontal = !horizontal;
-                delay += 30;
             }
         }
     },
@@ -1090,6 +1102,400 @@ const Stegasoo = {
         if (phaseText) phaseText.textContent = phase;
     },
 
+    // ========================================================================
+    // ASYNC DECODE WITH PROGRESS (v4.1.5)
+    // ========================================================================
+
+    /**
+     * Submit decode form asynchronously with progress tracking
+     * @param {HTMLFormElement} form - The decode form
+     * @param {HTMLElement} btn - The submit button
+     */
+    async submitDecodeAsync(form, btn) {
+        const formData = new FormData(form);
+        formData.append('async', 'true');
+
+        // Show progress modal
+        this.showProgressModal('Decoding');
+
+        try {
+            // Start decode job
+            const response = await fetch('/decode', {
+                method: 'POST',
+                body: formData,
+            });
+
+            if (!response.ok) {
+                throw new Error('Failed to start decode');
+            }
+
+            const result = await response.json();
+
+            if (result.error) {
+                throw new Error(result.error);
+            }
+
+            const jobId = result.job_id;
+
+            // Poll for progress
+            await this.pollDecodeProgress(jobId);
+
+        } catch (error) {
+            this.hideProgressModal();
+            alert('Decode failed: ' + error.message);
+            btn.disabled = false;
+            btn.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-unlock-fill me-2"></i>Decode';
+        }
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Poll decode progress until complete
+     * @param {string} jobId - The job ID
+     */
+    async pollDecodeProgress(jobId) {
+        const poll = async () => {
+            try {
+                // Check status first
+                const statusResponse = await fetch(`/decode/status/${jobId}`);
+                const statusData = await statusResponse.json();
+
+                if (statusData.status === 'complete') {
+                    // Done - redirect to result page
+                    this.updateProgress(100, 'Complete!');
+                    setTimeout(() => {
+                        window.location.href = `/decode/result/${jobId}`;
+                    }, 500);
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                if (statusData.status === 'error') {
+                    // Handle specific error types
+                    const errorType = statusData.error_type;
+                    let errorMsg = statusData.error || 'Decode failed';
+
+                    if (errorType === 'DecryptionError' || errorMsg.toLowerCase().includes('decrypt')) {
+                        errorMsg = 'Wrong credentials. Double-check your reference photo, passphrase, PIN, and channel key.';
+                    }
+
+                    throw new Error(errorMsg);
+                }
+
+                // Get progress
+                const progressResponse = await fetch(`/decode/progress/${jobId}`);
+                const progressData = await progressResponse.json();
+
+                const percent = progressData.percent || 0;
+                const phase = progressData.phase || 'processing';
+
+                this.updateProgress(percent, this.formatDecodePhase(phase));
+
+                // Continue polling
+                setTimeout(poll, 500);
+
+            } catch (error) {
+                this.hideProgressModal();
+                alert(error.message);
+            }
+        };
+
+        await poll();
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Format decode phase name for display
+     */
+    formatDecodePhase(phase) {
+        const phases = {
+            'starting': 'Starting...',
+            'reading': 'Reading image...',
+            'extracting': 'Extracting data...',
+            'decrypting': 'Decrypting...',
+            'verifying': 'Verifying...',
+            'finalizing': 'Finalizing...',
+            'complete': 'Complete!',
+        };
+        return phases[phase] || phase;
+    },
+
+    // ========================================================================
+    // WEBCAM QR SCANNING (v4.1.5)
+    // ========================================================================
+
+    /**
+     * Active scanner instance
+     */
+    _qrScanner: null,
+    _qrScannerModal: null,
+    _qrScannerCallback: null,
+
+    /**
+     * Show webcam QR scanner modal
+     * @param {Function} onSuccess - Callback with decoded QR text
+     * @param {string} title - Modal title
+     */
+    showQrScanner(onSuccess, title = 'Scan QR Code') {
+        this._qrScannerCallback = onSuccess;
+
+        // Create modal if doesn't exist
+        let modal = document.getElementById('qrScannerModal');
+        if (!modal) {
+            modal = document.createElement('div');
+            modal.id = 'qrScannerModal';
+            modal.className = 'modal fade';
+            modal.innerHTML = `
+                <div class="modal-dialog modal-dialog-centered">
+                    <div class="modal-content bg-dark text-light">
+                        <div class="modal-header border-secondary">
+                            <h5 class="modal-title">
+                                <i class="bi bi-camera-video me-2"></i>
+                                <span id="qrScannerTitle">${title}</span>
+                            </h5>
+                            <button type="button" class="btn-close btn-close-white" data-bs-dismiss="modal"></button>
+                        </div>
+                        <div class="modal-body p-0">
+                            <div id="qrScannerReader" style="width: 100%;"></div>
+                            <div id="qrScannerStatus" class="text-center py-3 text-muted">
+                                <i class="bi bi-qr-code-scan me-2"></i>
+                                Point camera at QR code
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+                        <div class="modal-footer border-secondary">
+                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary" id="qrCaptureBtn">
+                                <i class="bi bi-camera me-1"></i>Capture
+                            </button>
+                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary" data-bs-dismiss="modal">Cancel</button>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            `;
+            document.body.appendChild(modal);
+
+            // Clean up scanner when modal hides
+            modal.addEventListener('hidden.bs.modal', () => {
+                this.stopQrScanner();
+            });
+
+            // Manual capture button
+            modal.querySelector('#qrCaptureBtn')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+                this.captureQrFrame();
+            });
+        }
+
+        // Update title
+        const titleEl = modal.querySelector('#qrScannerTitle');
+        if (titleEl) titleEl.textContent = title;
+
+        // Reset status
+        const statusEl = modal.querySelector('#qrScannerStatus');
+        if (statusEl) {
+            statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-qr-code-scan me-2"></i>Point camera at QR code';
+            statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-muted';
+        }
+
+        // Show modal
+        this._qrScannerModal = new bootstrap.Modal(modal);
+        this._qrScannerModal.show();
+
+        // Start scanner after modal is shown
+        modal.addEventListener('shown.bs.modal', () => {
+            this.startQrScanner();
+        }, { once: true });
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Start the QR scanner
+     */
+    startQrScanner() {
+        const readerEl = document.getElementById('qrScannerReader');
+        if (!readerEl) return;
+
+        // Check if Html5Qrcode is available
+        if (typeof Html5Qrcode === 'undefined') {
+            console.error('Html5Qrcode library not loaded');
+            const statusEl = document.getElementById('qrScannerStatus');
+            if (statusEl) {
+                statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-exclamation-triangle text-warning me-2"></i>QR scanner not available';
+            }
+            return;
+        }
+
+        this._qrScanner = new Html5Qrcode('qrScannerReader');
+
+        const config = {
+            fps: 10,
+            qrbox: { width: 250, height: 250 },
+            aspectRatio: 1.0,
+        };
+
+        this._qrScanner.start(
+            { facingMode: 'environment' }, // Prefer back camera
+            config,
+            (decodedText, decodedResult) => {
+                // QR code detected
+                this.onQrCodeDetected(decodedText);
+            },
+            (errorMessage) => {
+                // Scan error (ignore, keep scanning)
+            }
+        ).catch((err) => {
+            console.error('Failed to start scanner:', err);
+            const statusEl = document.getElementById('qrScannerStatus');
+            if (statusEl) {
+                if (err.toString().includes('Permission')) {
+                    statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-camera-video-off text-danger me-2"></i>Camera permission denied';
+                } else {
+                    statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-exclamation-triangle text-warning me-2"></i>Could not access camera';
+                }
+                statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3';
+            }
+        });
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Capture a frame with countdown and try to decode
+     */
+    captureQrFrame() {
+        const statusEl = document.getElementById('qrScannerStatus');
+        const captureBtn = document.getElementById('qrCaptureBtn');
+        if (!statusEl || !this._qrScanner) return;
+
+        // Disable button during countdown
+        if (captureBtn) captureBtn.disabled = true;
+
+        let count = 3;
+        const countdown = () => {
+            if (count > 0) {
+                statusEl.innerHTML = `<i class="bi bi-camera me-2"></i><span style="font-size: 1.5rem; font-weight: bold;">${count}</span>`;
+                statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-warning';
+                count--;
+                setTimeout(countdown, 1000);
+            } else {
+                // Capture!
+                statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-hourglass-split me-2"></i>Analyzing...';
+                statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-info';
+
+                // Get video element and capture frame
+                const video = document.querySelector('#qrScannerReader video');
+                if (video) {
+                    const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
+                    canvas.width = video.videoWidth;
+                    canvas.height = video.videoHeight;
+                    const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+                    ctx.drawImage(video, 0, 0);
+
+                    // Stop the scanner before file scan (prevents conflicts)
+                    const scanner = this._qrScanner;
+                    scanner.stop().then(() => {
+                        canvas.toBlob((blob) => {
+                            const file = new File([blob], 'capture.png', { type: 'image/png' });
+                            scanner.scanFile(file, true)
+                                .then((decodedText) => {
+                                    this.onQrCodeDetected(decodedText);
+                                })
+                                .catch((err) => {
+                                    statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-x-circle text-danger me-2"></i>No QR code found. Try again.';
+                                    statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-danger';
+                                    if (captureBtn) captureBtn.disabled = false;
+                                    // Restart the scanner
+                                    this.startQrScanner();
+                                });
+                        }, 'image/png');
+                    }).catch(() => {
+                        statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-x-circle text-danger me-2"></i>Scanner error';
+                        statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-danger';
+                        if (captureBtn) captureBtn.disabled = false;
+                    });
+                } else {
+                    statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-x-circle text-danger me-2"></i>Camera not ready';
+                    statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-danger';
+                    if (captureBtn) captureBtn.disabled = false;
+                }
+            }
+        };
+        countdown();
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Stop the QR scanner
+     */
+    stopQrScanner() {
+        if (this._qrScanner) {
+            this._qrScanner.stop().then(() => {
+                this._qrScanner.clear();
+                this._qrScanner = null;
+            }).catch((err) => {
+                console.log('Scanner stop error:', err);
+            });
+        }
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Handle detected QR code
+     * @param {string} text - Decoded QR text
+     */
+    onQrCodeDetected(text) {
+        // Update status
+        const statusEl = document.getElementById('qrScannerStatus');
+        if (statusEl) {
+            statusEl.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check-circle text-success me-2"></i>QR code detected!';
+            statusEl.className = 'text-center py-3 text-success';
+        }
+
+        // Close modal after brief delay
+        setTimeout(() => {
+            this._qrScannerModal?.hide();
+
+            // Call callback
+            if (this._qrScannerCallback) {
+                this._qrScannerCallback(text);
+            }
+        }, 500);
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Add camera scan button to an input field
+     * @param {string} inputId - ID of the input field
+     * @param {string} title - Modal title
+     * @param {Function} validator - Optional validation function for scanned text
+     */
+    addCameraScanButton(inputId, title = 'Scan QR Code', validator = null) {
+        const input = document.getElementById(inputId);
+        if (!input) return;
+
+        // Create button
+        const btn = document.createElement('button');
+        btn.type = 'button';
+        btn.className = 'btn btn-outline-secondary';
+        btn.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-camera"></i>';
+        btn.title = 'Scan QR code with camera';
+
+        btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            this.showQrScanner((text) => {
+                // Validate if validator provided
+                if (validator && !validator(text)) {
+                    alert('Invalid QR code format');
+                    return;
+                }
+                // Set input value
+                input.value = text;
+                // Trigger input event for formatting
+                input.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
+            }, title);
+        });
+
+        // Wrap input in input-group if not already
+        const parent = input.parentElement;
+        if (!parent.classList.contains('input-group')) {
+            const wrapper = document.createElement('div');
+            wrapper.className = 'input-group';
+            parent.insertBefore(wrapper, input);
+            wrapper.appendChild(input);
+            wrapper.appendChild(btn);
+        } else {
+            parent.appendChild(btn);
+        }
+    },
+
     // ========================================================================
     // INITIALIZATION HELPERS
     // ========================================================================
@@ -1111,6 +1517,39 @@ const Stegasoo = {
             generateBtnId: 'channelKeyGenerate'
         });
 
+        // Webcam QR scanning for channel key (v4.1.5)
+        document.getElementById('channelKeyScan')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            this.showQrScanner((text) => {
+                const input = document.getElementById('channelKeyInput');
+                if (input) {
+                    const clean = text.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9]/g, '').toUpperCase();
+                    input.value = clean.length === 32 ? clean.match(/.{4}/g).join('-') : text.toUpperCase();
+                    input.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
+                }
+            }, 'Scan Channel Key');
+        });
+
+        // Webcam QR scanning for RSA key (v4.1.5)
+        document.getElementById('rsaQrWebcam')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            this.showQrScanner((text) => {
+                // Check for raw PEM or compressed format (STEGASOO-Z: prefix)
+                const isRawPem = text.includes('-----BEGIN') && text.includes('KEY-----');
+                const isCompressed = text.startsWith('STEGASOO-Z:');
+                if (isRawPem || isCompressed) {
+                    // Valid RSA key data scanned
+                    document.getElementById('rsaKeyPem').value = text;
+                    // Show success in drop zone
+                    const dropZone = document.getElementById('qrDropZone');
+                    const label = dropZone?.querySelector('.drop-zone-label');
+                    if (label) {
+                        label.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check-circle text-success fs-4 d-block mb-1"></i><span class="text-success small">RSA Key scanned successfully</span>';
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    alert('QR code does not contain a valid RSA key');
+                }
+            }, 'Scan RSA Key QR');
+        });
+
         // Form submission with async progress tracking (v4.1.2)
         const form = document.getElementById('encodeForm');
         const btn = document.getElementById('encodeBtn');
@@ -1136,7 +1575,7 @@ const Stegasoo = {
         this.initRsaMethodToggle();
         this.initDropZones();
         this.initClipboardPaste(['input[name="stego_image"]', 'input[name="reference_photo"]']);
-        this.initQrCropAnimation('rsaKeyQrInput');
+        this.initQrCropAnimation('rsaQrInput');
         this.initCollapseChevrons();
         this.initPassphraseFontResize();
         
@@ -1148,28 +1587,56 @@ const Stegasoo = {
             serverInfoId: 'channelServerInfoDec'
         });
 
-        // Form submission with channel key validation and mode display
+        // Webcam QR scanning for channel key (v4.1.5)
+        document.getElementById('channelKeyScanDec')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            this.showQrScanner((text) => {
+                const input = document.getElementById('channelKeyInputDec');
+                if (input) {
+                    const clean = text.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9]/g, '').toUpperCase();
+                    input.value = clean.length === 32 ? clean.match(/.{4}/g).join('-') : text.toUpperCase();
+                    input.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
+                }
+            }, 'Scan Channel Key');
+        });
+
+        // Webcam QR scanning for RSA key (v4.1.5)
+        document.getElementById('rsaQrWebcam')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            this.showQrScanner((text) => {
+                // Check for raw PEM or compressed format (STEGASOO-Z: prefix)
+                const isRawPem = text.includes('-----BEGIN') && text.includes('KEY-----');
+                const isCompressed = text.startsWith('STEGASOO-Z:');
+                if (isRawPem || isCompressed) {
+                    // Valid RSA key data scanned
+                    document.getElementById('rsaKeyPem').value = text;
+                    // Show success in drop zone
+                    const dropZone = document.getElementById('qrDropZone');
+                    const label = dropZone?.querySelector('.drop-zone-label');
+                    if (label) {
+                        label.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check-circle text-success fs-4 d-block mb-1"></i><span class="text-success small">RSA Key scanned successfully</span>';
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    alert('QR code does not contain a valid RSA key');
+                }
+            }, 'Scan RSA Key QR');
+        });
+
+        // Form submission with async progress tracking (v4.1.5)
         const form = document.getElementById('decodeForm');
         const btn = document.getElementById('decodeBtn');
         form?.addEventListener('submit', (e) => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+
             if (!this.validateChannelKeyOnSubmit(form, 'channelSelectDec', 'channelKeyInputDec')) {
-                e.preventDefault();
                 return false;
             }
-            const selectedMode = document.querySelector('input[name="embed_mode"]:checked')?.value || 'auto';
+
             if (btn) {
                 btn.disabled = true;
-                const startTime = Date.now();
-                const updateTimer = () => {
-                    const elapsed = Math.floor((Date.now() - startTime) / 1000);
-                    const mins = Math.floor(elapsed / 60);
-                    const secs = elapsed % 60;
-                    const timeStr = mins > 0 ? `${mins}:${secs.toString().padStart(2, '0')}` : `${secs}s`;
-                    btn.innerHTML = `<span class="spinner-border spinner-border-sm me-2"></span>Decoding (${selectedMode.toUpperCase()})... ${timeStr}`;
-                };
-                updateTimer();
-                setInterval(updateTimer, 1000);
+                btn.innerHTML = '<span class="spinner-border spinner-border-sm me-2"></span>Starting...';
             }
+
+            // Use async submission with progress tracking
+            this.submitDecodeAsync(form, btn);
         });
     },
     

frontends/web/static/style.css

@@ -91,6 +91,31 @@
     min-width: 0;
 }
 
+/* Compact inline mode buttons */
+.mode-btn.mode-btn-sm {
+    padding: 0.35rem 0.6rem;
+    padding-left: 1.75rem;
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    border-radius: 0.375rem;
+    border-width: 1px;
+}
+
+.mode-btn.mode-btn-sm .form-check-input {
+    left: 8px;
+    width: 14px;
+    height: 14px;
+}
+
+.mode-btn.mode-btn-sm i {
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+}
+
+/* Disabled button labels for btn-check groups */
+.btn-check:disabled + .btn {
+    opacity: 0.4;
+    pointer-events: none;
+}
+
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Security Factor Boxes - Matches drop-zone dashed border style
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@@ -125,6 +150,115 @@ body {
 .navbar {
     background: var(--overlay-dark) !important;
     backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
+    z-index: 1030;  /* Above page content for dropdowns */
+}
+
+/* Ensure navbar dropdown appears above all page content */
+.navbar .dropdown-menu {
+    z-index: 1031;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Nav Icons - Floating Label on Hover (label floats below, no layout shift)
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.nav-icons {
+    gap: 0.25rem;
+}
+
+.nav-icons .nav-item {
+    position: relative;
+}
+
+.nav-expand {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem !important;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
+    background: transparent;
+    position: relative;
+}
+
+.nav-expand i {
+    font-size: 1.15rem;
+    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+/* Floating label - absolutely positioned below */
+.nav-expand span {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 100%;
+    left: 50%;
+    transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(-4px);
+    font-size: 0.7rem;
+    font-weight: 700;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    letter-spacing: 0.5px;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    opacity: 0;
+    pointer-events: none;
+    color: var(--header-gold);
+    text-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(74, 40, 96, 0.95) 0%, rgba(85, 112, 212, 0.9) 100%);
+    padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
+    border-radius: 0.25rem;
+    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
+    transition: opacity 0.2s ease,
+                transform 0.2s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
+    z-index: 1040;
+}
+
+.nav-expand:hover {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(74, 40, 96, 0.5) 0%, rgba(85, 112, 212, 0.4) 100%);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.25),
+                inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+}
+
+.nav-expand:hover i {
+    color: var(--header-gold);
+    filter: drop-shadow(0 0 4px rgba(254, 232, 98, 0.4));
+}
+
+.nav-expand:hover span {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(2px);
+}
+
+/* Active state for current page */
+.nav-expand.active,
+.nav-item.active .nav-expand {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(74, 40, 96, 0.6) 0%, rgba(85, 112, 212, 0.5) 100%);
+}
+
+.nav-expand.active i,
+.nav-item.active .nav-expand i {
+    color: var(--header-gold);
+}
+
+/* Mobile: Always show labels inline in collapsed menu */
+@media (max-width: 991.98px) {
+    .nav-expand span {
+        position: static;
+        transform: none;
+        opacity: 1;
+        background: none;
+        box-shadow: none;
+        padding: 0;
+        margin-left: 0.5rem;
+        font-size: 0.9rem;
+        text-transform: none;
+        letter-spacing: normal;
+        pointer-events: auto;
+    }
+
+    .nav-expand:hover span {
+        transform: none;
+    }
+
+    .nav-expand:hover {
+        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+    }
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -893,36 +1027,36 @@ footer {
     opacity: 0;
 }
 
-/* Color variants - 60% opacity */
+/* Color variants - 70% opacity with tighter glow for thin lines */
 .embed-trace.color-yellow {
-    background: rgba(212, 225, 87, 0.6);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(212, 225, 87, 0.5), 0 0 12px rgba(212, 225, 87, 0.3);
+    background: rgba(212, 225, 87, 0.7);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(212, 225, 87, 0.6), 0 0 6px rgba(212, 225, 87, 0.3);
 }
 
 .embed-trace.color-cyan {
-    background: rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.6);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.5), 0 0 12px rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.3);
+    background: rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.7);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.6), 0 0 6px rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.3);
 }
 
 .embed-trace.color-purple {
-    background: rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.6);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.5), 0 0 12px rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.3);
+    background: rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.7);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.6), 0 0 6px rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.3);
 }
 
 .embed-trace.color-blue {
-    background: rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.6);
-    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.5), 0 0 12px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.3);
+    background: rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.7);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.6), 0 0 6px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.3);
 }
 
 /* Vertical segments shrink from top */
 .embed-trace.v {
-    width: 2px;
+    width: 1px;
     transform-origin: top center;
 }
 
 /* Horizontal segments shrink from left */
 .embed-trace.h {
-    height: 2px;
+    height: 1px;
     transform-origin: left center;
 }
 
@@ -1699,3 +1833,456 @@ footer {
         font-size: 3rem;
     }
 }
+
+/* ============================================================================
+   TOOLS PAGE - Office-style Ribbon + Two-Panel Layout
+   ============================================================================ */
+
+/* Icon Toolbar Ribbon - Purple/Blue Gradient Theme */
+.tools-ribbon {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: flex-start;
+    gap: 0.5rem;
+    padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.15) 0%, rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.15) 100%);
+    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.2);
+    border-radius: 0.5rem 0.5rem 0 0;
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+.tools-ribbon-group {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.25rem;
+}
+
+.tools-ribbon-divider {
+    width: 2px;
+    height: 32px;
+    background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.4) 0%, rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.4) 100%);
+    margin: 0 0.75rem;
+    border-radius: 1px;
+}
+
+/* Tool Icon Buttons */
+.tool-icon-btn {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    width: 52px;
+    height: 48px;
+    padding: 0.25rem;
+    border: 1px solid transparent;
+    border-radius: 0.375rem;
+    background: transparent;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+}
+
+.tool-icon-btn i {
+    font-size: 1.25rem;
+    margin-bottom: 2px;
+}
+
+.tool-icon-btn span {
+    font-size: 0.6rem;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    letter-spacing: 0.3px;
+}
+
+.tool-icon-btn:hover {
+    background: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.15);
+    border-color: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.3);
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95);
+}
+
+.tool-icon-btn.active {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.25) 0%, rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.25) 100%);
+    border-color: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.5);
+    color: #c4b5fd;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.2);
+}
+
+/* Two-Panel Layout */
+.tools-panels {
+    display: flex;
+    min-height: 400px;
+    border-radius: 0 0 0.5rem 0.5rem;
+}
+
+/* Left Panel - Input/Dropzone */
+.tools-panel-input {
+    flex: 1;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
+    border-right: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+}
+
+/* Tool Mode Banner - bottom of input panel */
+.tool-mode-banner {
+    margin-top: auto; /* Push to bottom */
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.75rem;
+    padding: 0.6rem 1.25rem;
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.2) 0%, rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.2) 100%);
+    border-top: 1px solid rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.2);
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+}
+
+.tool-mode-type {
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    letter-spacing: 1px;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
+    border-radius: 3px;
+    background: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.3);
+    color: #c4b5fd;
+}
+
+.tool-mode-banner.mode-analyze .tool-mode-type {
+    background: rgba(72, 187, 120, 0.3);
+    color: #9ae6b4;
+}
+
+.tool-mode-banner.mode-transform .tool-mode-type {
+    background: rgba(237, 181, 71, 0.3);
+    color: #fbd38d;
+}
+
+.tool-mode-name {
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
+    font-weight: 500;
+}
+
+/* Right Panel - Results */
+.tools-panel-results {
+    width: 280px;
+    min-width: 280px;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    padding: 1.25rem;
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
+}
+
+/* Tool Options Row */
+.tool-options {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 1rem;
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+    padding-bottom: 1rem;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+.tool-options:empty {
+    display: none;
+}
+
+.tool-options label {
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
+    margin-bottom: 0;
+}
+
+.tool-options .form-select,
+.tool-options .form-control {
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
+    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+    padding: 0.4rem 0.75rem;
+}
+
+/* Tool Drop Zone */
+.tool-dropzone {
+    flex: 1;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    min-height: 200px;
+    border: 2px dashed rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
+    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    position: relative;
+    overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone input[type="file"] {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    opacity: 0;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    z-index: 10;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-label {
+    text-align: center;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-label i {
+    font-size: 2.5rem;
+    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
+    display: block;
+    opacity: 0.5;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone.drag-over {
+    border-color: #63b3ed;
+    background: rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.1);
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone.drag-over .tool-dropzone-label i {
+    color: #63b3ed;
+    opacity: 1;
+}
+
+/* Dropzone with preview */
+.tool-dropzone.has-file .tool-dropzone-label {
+    display: none;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-preview {
+    display: none;
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 100%;
+    padding: 1rem;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone.has-file .tool-dropzone-preview {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-preview img {
+    max-width: 100%;
+    max-height: 180px;
+    object-fit: contain;
+    border-radius: 0.375rem;
+    border: 2px solid rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.3);
+}
+
+/* Rotate preview - smooth transitions for size and transform */
+#rotateThumb {
+    transition: transform 0.1s ease-out, width 0.1s ease-out, height 0.1s ease-out;
+}
+
+/* Rotate image container - fixed height to contain rotated images */
+.rotate-img-container {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    min-height: 180px;
+}
+
+/* Rotate file info - separate row below dropzone */
+.rotate-file-info {
+    text-align: center;
+    padding: 0.5rem 0;
+    margin-top: 0.25rem;
+}
+.rotate-file-info .file-name {
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+    color: #63b3ed;
+    font-weight: 500;
+}
+.rotate-file-info .file-meta {
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-preview .file-name {
+    margin-top: 0.75rem;
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+    color: #63b3ed;
+    font-weight: 500;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-preview .file-meta {
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-clear {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 0.5rem;
+    right: 0.5rem;
+    z-index: 20;
+    opacity: 0.6;
+}
+
+.tool-dropzone-clear:hover {
+    opacity: 1;
+}
+
+/* Results Panel Content */
+.tool-results-header {
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+    padding-bottom: 0.75rem;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+}
+
+.tool-results-header h6 {
+    margin: 0;
+    font-size: 1rem;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    color: #fff;
+}
+
+.tool-results-header small {
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+}
+
+.tool-results-body {
+    flex: 1;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+}
+
+.tool-results-empty {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    height: 100%;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+.tool-results-empty i {
+    font-size: 2rem;
+    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+/* Result Items */
+.tool-result-item {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    align-items: baseline;
+    padding: 0.5rem 0;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+}
+
+.tool-result-item:last-child {
+    border-bottom: none;
+}
+
+.tool-result-label {
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+}
+
+.tool-result-value {
+    font-size: 0.9rem;
+    font-weight: 500;
+    color: #fff;
+    font-family: 'SF Mono', 'Consolas', monospace;
+}
+
+.tool-result-value.text-primary { color: #63b3ed !important; }
+.tool-result-value.text-success { color: #48bb78 !important; }
+.tool-result-value.text-warning { color: #edb547 !important; }
+
+/* Results Actions */
+.tool-results-actions {
+    margin-top: auto;
+    padding-top: 1rem;
+    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+    display: flex;
+    gap: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+.tool-results-actions .btn {
+    flex: 1;
+    font-size: 0.85rem;
+}
+
+/* Tool Section Visibility */
+.tool-section {
+    display: none;
+    width: 100%;
+    flex: 1;
+    padding: 1.25rem;
+}
+
+.tool-section.active {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+}
+
+/* EXIF Table in Results */
+.tool-exif-table {
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    max-height: 250px;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+}
+
+.tool-exif-table table {
+    width: 100%;
+}
+
+.tool-exif-table th,
+.tool-exif-table td {
+    padding: 0.35rem 0.5rem;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+}
+
+.tool-exif-table th {
+    font-weight: 500;
+    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+    text-align: left;
+    width: 40%;
+}
+
+.tool-exif-table td {
+    font-family: 'SF Mono', 'Consolas', monospace;
+    word-break: break-all;
+}
+
+/* Loading State */
+.tool-loading {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
+    z-index: 30;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+/* Mobile Responsive */
+@media (max-width: 768px) {
+    .tools-panels {
+        flex-direction: column;
+    }
+
+    .tools-panel-results {
+        width: 100%;
+        min-width: 100%;
+        border-right: none;
+        border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    }
+
+    .tools-ribbon {
+        justify-content: center;
+    }
+
+    .tool-icon-btn {
+        width: 48px;
+        height: 44px;
+    }
+
+    .tool-icon-btn span {
+        display: none;
+    }
+}

frontends/web/stego_worker.py

@@ -136,14 +136,33 @@ def encode_operation(params: dict) -> dict:
     }
 
 
+def _write_decode_progress(progress_file: str | None, percent: int, phase: str) -> None:
+    """Write decode progress to file."""
+    if not progress_file:
+        return
+    try:
+        import json
+        with open(progress_file, "w") as f:
+            json.dump({"percent": percent, "phase": phase}, f)
+    except Exception:
+        pass  # Best effort
+
+
 def decode_operation(params: dict) -> dict:
     """Handle decode operation."""
     from stegasoo import decode
 
+    progress_file = params.get("progress_file")
+
+    # Progress: starting
+    _write_decode_progress(progress_file, 5, "reading")
+
     # Decode base64 inputs
     stego_data = base64.b64decode(params["stego_b64"])
     reference_data = base64.b64decode(params["reference_b64"])
 
+    _write_decode_progress(progress_file, 15, "reading")
+
     # Optional RSA key
     rsa_key_data = None
     if params.get("rsa_key_b64"):
@@ -152,6 +171,8 @@ def decode_operation(params: dict) -> dict:
     # Resolve channel key (v4.0.0)
     resolved_channel_key = _resolve_channel_key(params.get("channel_key", "auto"))
 
+    _write_decode_progress(progress_file, 25, "extracting")
+
     # Call decode with correct parameter names
     result = decode(
         stego_image=stego_data,
@@ -164,6 +185,8 @@ def decode_operation(params: dict) -> dict:
         channel_key=resolved_channel_key,  # v4.0.0
     )
 
+    _write_decode_progress(progress_file, 90, "finalizing")
+
     if result.is_file:
         return {
             "success": True,

frontends/web/subprocess_stego.py

@@ -314,6 +314,8 @@ class SubprocessStego:
         # Channel key (v4.0.0)
         channel_key: str | None = "auto",
         timeout: int | None = None,
+        # Progress tracking (v4.1.5)
+        progress_file: str | None = None,
     ) -> DecodeResult:
         """
         Decode a message or file from a stego image.
@@ -328,6 +330,7 @@ class SubprocessStego:
             embed_mode: 'auto', 'lsb', or 'dct'
             channel_key: 'auto' (server config), 'none' (public), or explicit key (v4.0.0)
             timeout: Operation timeout in seconds
+            progress_file: Path to write progress updates (v4.1.5)
 
         Returns:
             DecodeResult with message or file_data on success
@@ -340,6 +343,7 @@ class SubprocessStego:
             "pin": pin,
             "embed_mode": embed_mode,
             "channel_key": channel_key,  # v4.0.0
+            "progress_file": progress_file,  # v4.1.5
         }
 
         if rsa_key_data:

frontends/web/temp_storage.py

@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ It does NOT touch instance/ (auth database) or any other directories.
 """
 
 import json
-import os
-import shutil
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 from threading import Lock

frontends/web/templates/about.html

@@ -317,55 +317,19 @@
                 </div>
                 
                 {% if channel_configured %}
-                <div class="alert alert-success mt-3 mb-3">
+                <div class="alert alert-success mt-3 mb-0">
                     <i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-2"></i>
                     <strong>This server has a channel key configured:</strong>
                     <code class="ms-2">{{ channel_fingerprint }}</code>
                     <span class="text-muted ms-2">({{ channel_source }})</span>
                 </div>
                 {% else %}
-                <div class="alert alert-info mt-3 mb-3">
+                <div class="alert alert-info mt-3 mb-0">
                     <i class="bi bi-info-circle me-2"></i>
                     This server is running in <strong>public mode</strong>.
                     Set <code>STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY</code> to enable server-wide channel isolation.
                 </div>
                 {% endif %}
-
-                <!-- Channel Key QR Generator -->
-                <div class="card bg-dark border-secondary">
-                    <div class="card-header">
-                        <i class="bi bi-qr-code me-2"></i>Share Channel Key via QR
-                    </div>
-                    <div class="card-body">
-                        <p class="small text-muted mb-3">Generate a QR code to share a channel key with others.</p>
-                        <div class="row g-2 align-items-end">
-                            <div class="col-md-8">
-                                <label class="form-label small">Channel Key</label>
-                                <div class="input-group">
-                                    <input type="text" class="form-control font-monospace" id="channelKeyQrInput"
-                                           placeholder="Enter or generate a key">
-                                    <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary" type="button" id="channelKeyQrGenerate"
-                                            title="Generate random key">
-                                        <i class="bi bi-shuffle"></i>
-                                    </button>
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-                            <div class="col-md-4">
-                                <button class="btn btn-primary w-100" type="button" id="channelKeyQrShow">
-                                    <i class="bi bi-qr-code me-1"></i>Show QR
-                                </button>
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                        <div class="text-center mt-3 d-none" id="channelKeyQrContainer">
-                            <canvas id="channelKeyQrCanvas" class="bg-white p-2 rounded"></canvas>
-                            <div class="mt-2">
-                                <button class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary" type="button" id="channelKeyQrDownload">
-                                    <i class="bi bi-download me-1"></i>Download PNG
-                                </button>
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                    </div>
-                </div>
             </div>
         </div>
         
@@ -632,62 +596,3 @@
 </div>
 {% endblock %}
 
-{% block scripts %}
-<!-- QR Code library for channel key sharing -->
-<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/qrcode@1.5.3/build/qrcode.min.js"></script>
-<script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/stegasoo.js') }}"></script>
-<script>
-document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
-    const input = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrInput');
-    const generateBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrGenerate');
-    const showBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrShow');
-    const container = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrContainer');
-    const canvas = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrCanvas');
-    const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrDownload');
-
-    // Generate random key
-    generateBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
-        if (input && typeof Stegasoo !== 'undefined') {
-            input.value = Stegasoo.generateChannelKey();
-        }
-    });
-
-    // Show QR code
-    showBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
-        const key = input?.value?.trim().replace(/-/g, '');
-        if (!key || key.length !== 32) {
-            alert('Please enter a valid 32-character channel key');
-            return;
-        }
-
-        // Format key with dashes for QR
-        const formatted = key.match(/.{4}/g)?.join('-') || key;
-
-        // Generate QR code
-        if (typeof QRCode !== 'undefined' && canvas) {
-            QRCode.toCanvas(canvas, formatted, {
-                width: 200,
-                margin: 2,
-                color: { dark: '#000', light: '#fff' }
-            }, function(error) {
-                if (error) {
-                    console.error('QR generation error:', error);
-                    return;
-                }
-                container?.classList.remove('d-none');
-            });
-        }
-    });
-
-    // Download QR as PNG
-    downloadBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
-        if (canvas) {
-            const link = document.createElement('a');
-            link.download = 'stegasoo-channel-key.png';
-            link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
-            link.click();
-        }
-    });
-});
-</script>
-{% endblock %}

frontends/web/templates/account.html

@@ -140,6 +140,13 @@
                             {% endif %}
                         </div>
                         <div class="btn-group btn-group-sm">
+                            {% if is_admin %}
+                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-info"
+                                    onclick="showKeyQr('{{ key.channel_key }}', '{{ key.name }}')"
+                                    title="Show QR Code">
+                                <i class="bi bi-qr-code"></i>
+                            </button>
+                            {% endif %}
                             <button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary"
                                     onclick="renameKey({{ key.id }}, '{{ key.name }}')"
                                     title="Rename">
@@ -170,9 +177,16 @@
                                    placeholder="Key name" required maxlength="50">
                         </div>
                         <div class="col-7">
-                            <input type="text" name="channel_key" class="form-control form-control-sm font-monospace"
-                                   placeholder="Channel key (32 hex chars)" required
-                                   pattern="[0-9a-fA-F\-]{32,39}" title="32 hex characters">
+                            <div class="input-group input-group-sm">
+                                <input type="text" name="channel_key" id="channelKeyInput"
+                                       class="form-control font-monospace"
+                                       placeholder="XXXX-XXXX-..." required
+                                       pattern="[A-Za-z0-9]{4}(-[A-Za-z0-9]{4}){7}">
+                                <button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary" id="scanChannelKeyBtn"
+                                        title="Scan QR code with camera">
+                                    <i class="bi bi-camera"></i>
+                                </button>
+                            </div>
                         </div>
                     </div>
                     <button type="submit" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-primary">
@@ -218,17 +232,209 @@
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
+
+{% if is_admin %}
+<!-- QR Code Modal (Admin only) -->
+<div class="modal fade" id="qrModal" tabindex="-1">
+    <div class="modal-dialog modal-sm">
+        <div class="modal-content">
+            <div class="modal-header">
+                <h6 class="modal-title"><i class="bi bi-qr-code me-2"></i><span id="qrKeyName">Channel Key</span></h6>
+                <button type="button" class="btn-close" data-bs-dismiss="modal"></button>
+            </div>
+            <div class="modal-body text-center">
+                <canvas id="qrCanvas" class="bg-white p-2 rounded"></canvas>
+                <div class="mt-2">
+                    <code class="small" id="qrKeyDisplay"></code>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="modal-footer justify-content-center">
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary" id="qrDownload">
+                    <i class="bi bi-download me-1"></i>Download
+                </button>
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary" id="qrPrint">
+                    <i class="bi bi-printer me-1"></i>Print Sheet
+                </button>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+{% endif %}
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block scripts %}
 <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/auth.js') }}"></script>
+<script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/stegasoo.js') }}"></script>
+{% if is_admin %}
+<script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/qrcode.min.js') }}"></script>
+{% endif %}
 <script>
 StegasooAuth.initPasswordConfirmation('accountForm', 'newPasswordInput', 'newPasswordConfirmInput');
 
+// Webcam QR scanning for channel key input (v4.1.5)
+document.getElementById('scanChannelKeyBtn')?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+    Stegasoo.showQrScanner((text) => {
+        const input = document.getElementById('channelKeyInput');
+        if (input) {
+            // Clean and format the key
+            const clean = text.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9]/g, '').toUpperCase();
+            if (clean.length === 32) {
+                input.value = clean.match(/.{4}/g).join('-');
+            } else {
+                input.value = text.toUpperCase();
+            }
+        }
+    }, 'Scan Channel Key');
+});
+
+// Format channel key input as user types
+document.getElementById('channelKeyInput')?.addEventListener('input', function() {
+    Stegasoo.formatChannelKeyInput(this);
+});
+
 function renameKey(keyId, currentName) {
     document.getElementById('renameInput').value = currentName;
     document.getElementById('renameForm').action = '/account/keys/' + keyId + '/rename';
     new bootstrap.Modal(document.getElementById('renameModal')).show();
 }
+
+{% if is_admin %}
+function showKeyQr(channelKey, keyName) {
+    // Format key with dashes if not already
+    const clean = channelKey.replace(/-/g, '').toUpperCase();
+    const formatted = clean.match(/.{4}/g)?.join('-') || clean;
+
+    // Update modal content
+    document.getElementById('qrKeyName').textContent = keyName;
+    document.getElementById('qrKeyDisplay').textContent = formatted;
+
+    // Generate QR code using QRious
+    const canvas = document.getElementById('qrCanvas');
+    if (typeof QRious !== 'undefined' && canvas) {
+        try {
+            new QRious({
+                element: canvas,
+                value: formatted,
+                size: 200,
+                level: 'M'
+            });
+            new bootstrap.Modal(document.getElementById('qrModal')).show();
+        } catch (error) {
+            console.error('QR generation error:', error);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+// Download QR as PNG
+document.getElementById('qrDownload')?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+    const canvas = document.getElementById('qrCanvas');
+    const keyName = document.getElementById('qrKeyName').textContent;
+    if (canvas) {
+        const link = document.createElement('a');
+        link.download = 'stegasoo-channel-key-' + keyName.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, '-') + '.png';
+        link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
+        link.click();
+    }
+});
+
+// Print tiled QR sheet (US Letter)
+document.getElementById('qrPrint')?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+    const canvas = document.getElementById('qrCanvas');
+    const keyText = document.getElementById('qrKeyDisplay').textContent;
+    const keyName = document.getElementById('qrKeyName').textContent;
+    if (canvas && keyText) {
+        printQrSheet(canvas, keyText, keyName);
+    }
+});
+
+// Print QR codes tiled on US Letter paper (8.5" x 11")
+function printQrSheet(canvas, keyText, title) {
+    const qrDataUrl = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
+    const printWindow = window.open('', '_blank');
+    if (!printWindow) {
+        alert('Please allow popups to print');
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // US Letter: 8.5" x 11" - create 4x5 grid of QR codes
+    const cols = 4;
+    const rows = 5;
+
+    // Split key into two lines (4 groups each)
+    const keyParts = keyText.split('-');
+    const keyLine1 = keyParts.slice(0, 4).join('-');
+    const keyLine2 = keyParts.slice(4).join('-');
+
+    let qrGrid = '';
+    for (let i = 0; i < rows * cols; i++) {
+        qrGrid += `
+            <div class="qr-tile">
+                <div class="key-text">${keyLine1}</div>
+                <img src="${qrDataUrl}" alt="QR">
+                <div class="key-text">${keyLine2}</div>
+            </div>
+        `;
+    }
+
+    printWindow.document.write(`
+        <!DOCTYPE html>
+        <html>
+        <head>
+            <title></title>
+            <style>
+                @page {
+                    size: letter;
+                    margin: 0.2in;
+                    margin-top: 0.1in;
+                    margin-bottom: 0.1in;
+                }
+                @media print {
+                    @page { margin: 0.15in; }
+                    html, body { margin: 0; padding: 0; }
+                }
+                * { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }
+                body {
+                    font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+                    background: white;
+                }
+                .grid {
+                    display: grid;
+                    grid-template-columns: repeat(${cols}, 1fr);
+                    gap: 0;
+                    margin-top: 0.09in;
+                }
+                .qr-tile {
+                    border: 1px dashed #ccc;
+                    padding: 0.04in;
+                    text-align: center;
+                    page-break-inside: avoid;
+                }
+                .qr-tile img {
+                    width: 1.6in;
+                    height: 1.6in;
+                }
+                .key-text {
+                    font-size: 10pt;
+                    font-weight: bold;
+                    color: #333;
+                    line-height: 1.2;
+                }
+                .footer {
+                    display: none;
+                }
+            </style>
+        </head>
+        <body>
+            <div class="grid">${qrGrid}</div>
+            <div class="footer">Cut along dashed lines</div>
+            <script>
+                window.onload = function() { window.print(); };
+            <\/script>
+        </body>
+        </html>
+    `);
+    printWindow.document.close();
+}
+{% endif %}
 </script>
 {% endblock %}

frontends/web/templates/admin/settings.html

@@ -0,0 +1,506 @@
+{% extends "base.html" %}
+
+{% block title %}System Settings - Stegasoo{% endblock %}
+
+{% block content %}
+<div class="row justify-content-center">
+    <div class="col-lg-10">
+        <!-- Channel Key Configuration -->
+        <div class="card mb-4">
+            <div class="card-header">
+                <h5 class="mb-0"><i class="bi bi-broadcast me-2"></i>Channel Key Configuration</h5>
+            </div>
+            <div class="card-body">
+                {% if channel_configured %}
+                <div class="alert alert-success mb-4">
+                    <i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-2"></i>
+                    <strong>Server channel key active:</strong>
+                    <code class="ms-2">{{ channel_fingerprint }}</code>
+                    <span class="text-muted ms-2">({{ channel_source }})</span>
+                </div>
+                {% else %}
+                <div class="alert alert-info mb-4">
+                    <i class="bi bi-info-circle me-2"></i>
+                    Server running in <strong>public mode</strong>.
+                    Set <code>STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY</code> environment variable to enable server-wide channel isolation.
+                </div>
+                {% endif %}
+
+                <!-- QR Code Generator -->
+                <div class="card bg-dark border-secondary">
+                    <div class="card-header">
+                        <i class="bi bi-qr-code me-2"></i>Share Channel Key via QR
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="card-body">
+                        <p class="small text-muted mb-3">Generate a QR code to share a channel key with others.</p>
+
+                        <!-- Locked state - requires password -->
+                        <div id="channelKeyLocked">
+                            <div class="row g-2 align-items-end">
+                                <div class="col-md-8">
+                                    <label class="form-label small">Channel Key</label>
+                                    <div class="input-group">
+                                        <input type="password" class="form-control font-monospace"
+                                               value="********************************" disabled>
+                                        <span class="input-group-text"><i class="bi bi-lock"></i></span>
+                                    </div>
+                                </div>
+                                <div class="col-md-4">
+                                    <button class="btn btn-warning w-100" type="button" id="channelKeyUnlock">
+                                        <i class="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i>Unlock
+                                    </button>
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <small class="text-muted mt-2 d-block">
+                                <i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-1"></i>Re-enter your password to view or export the channel key.
+                            </small>
+                        </div>
+
+                        <!-- Unlocked state - shows key and QR options -->
+                        <div id="channelKeyUnlocked" style="display: none;">
+                            <div class="row g-2 align-items-end">
+                                <div class="col-md-8">
+                                    <label class="form-label small">Channel Key</label>
+                                    <div class="input-group">
+                                        <input type="text" class="form-control font-monospace" id="channelKeyQrInput"
+                                               placeholder="Enter or generate a key">
+                                        <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary" type="button" id="channelKeyQrGenerate"
+                                                title="Generate random key">
+                                            <i class="bi bi-shuffle"></i>
+                                        </button>
+                                    </div>
+                                </div>
+                                <div class="col-md-4">
+                                    <button class="btn btn-primary w-100" type="button" id="channelKeyQrShow">
+                                        <i class="bi bi-qr-code me-1"></i>Show QR
+                                    </button>
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                            <small class="text-success mt-2 d-block">
+                                <i class="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i>Unlocked for this session.
+                            </small>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Server Configuration -->
+        <div class="card mb-4">
+            <div class="card-header">
+                <h5 class="mb-0"><i class="bi bi-gear me-2"></i>Server Configuration</h5>
+            </div>
+            <div class="card-body">
+                <div class="row">
+                    <div class="col-md-6">
+                        <table class="table table-dark table-sm">
+                            <tbody>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-hdd-network me-2"></i>Hostname</td>
+                                    <td><code>{{ hostname }}</code></td>
+                                </tr>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-ethernet me-2"></i>Port</td>
+                                    <td><code>{{ port }}</code></td>
+                                </tr>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-2"></i>HTTPS</td>
+                                    <td>
+                                        {% if https_enabled %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-success"><i class="bi bi-lock me-1"></i>Enabled</span>
+                                        {% else %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-warning text-dark"><i class="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i>Disabled</span>
+                                        {% endif %}
+                                    </td>
+                                </tr>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-person-lock me-2"></i>Authentication</td>
+                                    <td>
+                                        {% if auth_enabled %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-success"><i class="bi bi-check me-1"></i>Enabled</span>
+                                        {% else %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-danger"><i class="bi bi-x me-1"></i>Disabled</span>
+                                        {% endif %}
+                                    </td>
+                                </tr>
+                            </tbody>
+                        </table>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="col-md-6">
+                        <table class="table table-dark table-sm">
+                            <tbody>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-file-earmark me-2"></i>Max Payload</td>
+                                    <td><code>{{ max_payload_kb }} KB</code></td>
+                                </tr>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-upload me-2"></i>Max Upload</td>
+                                    <td><code>{{ max_upload_mb }} MB</code></td>
+                                </tr>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-soundwave me-2"></i>DCT Mode</td>
+                                    <td>
+                                        {% if dct_available %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-success"><i class="bi bi-check me-1"></i>Available</span>
+                                        {% else %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-secondary">Not Available</span>
+                                        {% endif %}
+                                    </td>
+                                </tr>
+                                <tr>
+                                    <td><i class="bi bi-qr-code me-2"></i>QR Support</td>
+                                    <td>
+                                        {% if qr_available %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-success"><i class="bi bi-check me-1"></i>Available</span>
+                                        {% else %}
+                                        <span class="badge bg-secondary">Not Available</span>
+                                        {% endif %}
+                                    </td>
+                                </tr>
+                            </tbody>
+                        </table>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+
+                <div class="alert alert-secondary small mt-3 mb-0">
+                    <i class="bi bi-info-circle me-2"></i>
+                    To change server settings, edit environment variables or config file and restart the service.
+                    <br>See <code>STEGASOO_HTTPS_ENABLED</code>, <code>STEGASOO_PORT</code>, <code>STEGASOO_CHANNEL_KEY</code>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Environment Info -->
+        <div class="card mb-4">
+            <div class="card-header">
+                <h5 class="mb-0"><i class="bi bi-info-circle me-2"></i>Environment</h5>
+            </div>
+            <div class="card-body">
+                <div class="row text-center">
+                    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 mb-3">
+                        <div class="p-3 bg-dark rounded h-100">
+                            <i class="bi bi-box text-primary fs-3 d-block mb-2"></i>
+                            <div class="small text-muted">Version</div>
+                            <strong>{{ version }}</strong>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 mb-3">
+                        <div class="p-3 bg-dark rounded h-100">
+                            <i class="bi bi-terminal text-info fs-3 d-block mb-2"></i>
+                            <div class="small text-muted">Python</div>
+                            <strong>{{ python_version }}</strong>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 mb-3">
+                        <div class="p-3 bg-dark rounded h-100">
+                            <i class="bi bi-cpu text-warning fs-3 d-block mb-2"></i>
+                            <div class="small text-muted">Platform</div>
+                            <strong>{{ platform }}</strong>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="col-6 col-md-3 mb-3">
+                        <div class="p-3 bg-dark rounded h-100">
+                            <i class="bi bi-shield-check text-success fs-3 d-block mb-2"></i>
+                            <div class="small text-muted">KDF</div>
+                            <strong>{{ kdf_type }}</strong>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
+<!-- Password Verification Modal -->
+<div class="modal fade" id="passwordModal" tabindex="-1">
+    <div class="modal-dialog modal-sm modal-dialog-centered">
+        <div class="modal-content">
+            <div class="modal-header">
+                <h6 class="modal-title"><i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-2"></i>Verify Password</h6>
+                <button type="button" class="btn-close" data-bs-dismiss="modal"></button>
+            </div>
+            <div class="modal-body">
+                <p class="small text-muted mb-3">Re-enter your password to access sensitive data.</p>
+                <div class="mb-3">
+                    <label class="form-label small">Password</label>
+                    <input type="password" class="form-control" id="verifyPassword" autocomplete="current-password">
+                    <div class="invalid-feedback" id="passwordError">Incorrect password</div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="modal-footer">
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" data-bs-dismiss="modal">Cancel</button>
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-warning btn-sm" id="verifyPasswordBtn">
+                    <i class="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i>Unlock
+                </button>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
+<!-- QR Code Modal -->
+<div class="modal fade" id="channelKeyQrModal" tabindex="-1">
+    <div class="modal-dialog modal-sm modal-dialog-centered">
+        <div class="modal-content">
+            <div class="modal-header">
+                <h6 class="modal-title"><i class="bi bi-qr-code me-2"></i>Channel Key</h6>
+                <button type="button" class="btn-close" data-bs-dismiss="modal"></button>
+            </div>
+            <div class="modal-body text-center">
+                <canvas id="channelKeyQrCanvas" class="bg-white p-2 rounded"></canvas>
+                <div class="mt-2">
+                    <code class="small" id="channelKeyQrDisplay"></code>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="modal-footer justify-content-center">
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary" id="channelKeyQrDownload">
+                    <i class="bi bi-download me-1"></i>Download
+                </button>
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary" id="channelKeyQrPrint">
+                    <i class="bi bi-printer me-1"></i>Print Sheet
+                </button>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+{% endblock %}
+
+{% block scripts %}
+<script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/qrcode.min.js') }}"></script>
+<script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/stegasoo.js') }}"></script>
+<script>
+document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
+    const input = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrInput');
+    const generateBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrGenerate');
+    const showBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrShow');
+    const canvas = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrCanvas');
+    const displayEl = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrDisplay');
+    const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrDownload');
+    const modalEl = document.getElementById('channelKeyQrModal');
+    const modal = modalEl ? new bootstrap.Modal(modalEl) : null;
+
+    // Password verification elements
+    const lockedDiv = document.getElementById('channelKeyLocked');
+    const unlockedDiv = document.getElementById('channelKeyUnlocked');
+    const unlockBtn = document.getElementById('channelKeyUnlock');
+    const passwordModalEl = document.getElementById('passwordModal');
+    const passwordModal = passwordModalEl ? new bootstrap.Modal(passwordModalEl) : null;
+    const verifyPasswordInput = document.getElementById('verifyPassword');
+    const verifyPasswordBtn = document.getElementById('verifyPasswordBtn');
+    const passwordError = document.getElementById('passwordError');
+
+    // Unlock button shows password modal
+    unlockBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+        verifyPasswordInput.value = '';
+        verifyPasswordInput.classList.remove('is-invalid');
+        passwordModal?.show();
+        setTimeout(() => verifyPasswordInput.focus(), 300);
+    });
+
+    // Handle Enter key in password field
+    verifyPasswordInput?.addEventListener('keypress', function(e) {
+        if (e.key === 'Enter') {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            verifyPasswordBtn?.click();
+        }
+    });
+
+    // Verify password and unlock
+    verifyPasswordBtn?.addEventListener('click', async function() {
+        const password = verifyPasswordInput.value;
+        if (!password) {
+            verifyPasswordInput.classList.add('is-invalid');
+            return;
+        }
+
+        verifyPasswordBtn.disabled = true;
+        verifyPasswordBtn.innerHTML = '<span class="spinner-border spinner-border-sm me-1"></span>Verifying...';
+
+        try {
+            const response = await fetch('/admin/settings/unlock', {
+                method: 'POST',
+                headers: {
+                    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+                    'X-Requested-With': 'XMLHttpRequest'
+                },
+                body: JSON.stringify({ password })
+            });
+
+            const data = await response.json();
+
+            if (data.success) {
+                // Unlock successful
+                passwordModal?.hide();
+                lockedDiv.style.display = 'none';
+                unlockedDiv.style.display = 'block';
+                if (data.channel_key && input) {
+                    input.value = data.channel_key;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // Password incorrect
+                verifyPasswordInput.classList.add('is-invalid');
+                passwordError.textContent = data.error || 'Incorrect password';
+            }
+        } catch (error) {
+            verifyPasswordInput.classList.add('is-invalid');
+            passwordError.textContent = 'Verification failed';
+        } finally {
+            verifyPasswordBtn.disabled = false;
+            verifyPasswordBtn.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i>Unlock';
+        }
+    });
+
+    // Generate random key
+    generateBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+        if (!input) return;
+        if (typeof Stegasoo !== 'undefined' && Stegasoo.generateChannelKey) {
+            input.value = Stegasoo.generateChannelKey();
+        } else {
+            const chars = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789';
+            let key = '';
+            for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
+                if (i > 0) key += '-';
+                for (let j = 0; j < 4; j++) {
+                    key += chars.charAt(Math.floor(Math.random() * chars.length));
+                }
+            }
+            input.value = key;
+        }
+    });
+
+    // Show QR code in modal
+    showBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+        const key = input?.value?.trim().replace(/-/g, '');
+        if (!key || key.length !== 32) {
+            alert('Please enter a valid 32-character channel key');
+            return;
+        }
+
+        const formatted = key.match(/.{4}/g)?.join('-') || key;
+
+        if (typeof QRious === 'undefined') {
+            alert('QR Code library failed to load.');
+            return;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            new QRious({
+                element: canvas,
+                value: formatted,
+                size: 200,
+                level: 'M'
+            });
+            if (displayEl) displayEl.textContent = formatted;
+            modal?.show();
+        } catch (error) {
+            alert('Failed to generate QR code: ' + error.message);
+        }
+    });
+
+    // Download QR as PNG
+    downloadBtn?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+        if (canvas) {
+            const link = document.createElement('a');
+            link.download = 'stegasoo-channel-key.png';
+            link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
+            link.click();
+        }
+    });
+
+    // Print tiled QR sheet (US Letter)
+    document.getElementById('channelKeyQrPrint')?.addEventListener('click', function() {
+        if (canvas && displayEl) {
+            printQrSheet(canvas, displayEl.textContent, 'Channel Key');
+        }
+    });
+});
+
+// Print QR codes tiled on US Letter paper (8.5" x 11")
+function printQrSheet(canvas, keyText, title) {
+    const qrDataUrl = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
+    const printWindow = window.open('', '_blank');
+    if (!printWindow) {
+        alert('Please allow popups to print');
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // US Letter: 8.5" x 11" - create 4x5 grid of QR codes
+    const cols = 4;
+    const rows = 5;
+
+    // Split key into two lines (4 groups each)
+    const keyParts = keyText.split('-');
+    const keyLine1 = keyParts.slice(0, 4).join('-');
+    const keyLine2 = keyParts.slice(4).join('-');
+
+    let qrGrid = '';
+    for (let i = 0; i < rows * cols; i++) {
+        qrGrid += `
+            <div class="qr-tile">
+                <div class="key-text">${keyLine1}</div>
+                <img src="${qrDataUrl}" alt="QR">
+                <div class="key-text">${keyLine2}</div>
+            </div>
+        `;
+    }
+
+    printWindow.document.write(`
+        <!DOCTYPE html>
+        <html>
+        <head>
+            <title></title>
+            <style>
+                @page {
+                    size: letter;
+                    margin: 0.2in;
+                    margin-top: 0.1in;
+                    margin-bottom: 0.1in;
+                }
+                @media print {
+                    @page { margin: 0.15in; }
+                    html, body { margin: 0; padding: 0; }
+                }
+                * { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }
+                body {
+                    font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+                    background: white;
+                }
+                .grid {
+                    display: grid;
+                    grid-template-columns: repeat(${cols}, 1fr);
+                    gap: 0;
+                    margin-top: 0.09in;
+                }
+                .qr-tile {
+                    border: 1px dashed #ccc;
+                    padding: 0.04in;
+                    text-align: center;
+                    page-break-inside: avoid;
+                }
+                .qr-tile img {
+                    width: 1.6in;
+                    height: 1.6in;
+                }
+                .key-text {
+                    font-size: 10pt;
+                    font-weight: bold;
+                    color: #333;
+                    line-height: 1.2;
+                }
+                .footer {
+                    display: none;
+                }
+            </style>
+        </head>
+        <body>
+            <div class="grid">${qrGrid}</div>
+            <div class="footer">Cut along dashed lines</div>
+            <script>
+                window.onload = function() { window.print(); };
+            <\/script>
+        </body>
+        </html>
+    `);
+    printWindow.document.close();
+}
+</script>
+{% endblock %}

frontends/web/templates/base.html

@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@
     <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
     <title>{% block title %}Stegasoo{% endblock %}</title>
     <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="{{ url_for('static', filename='favicon.svg') }}">
-    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.2/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
-    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap-icons@1.11.1/font/bootstrap-icons.css" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link href="{{ url_for('static', filename='vendor/css/bootstrap.min.css') }}" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link href="{{ url_for('static', filename='vendor/css/bootstrap-icons.min.css') }}" rel="stylesheet">
     <link href="{{ url_for('static', filename='style.css') }}" rel="stylesheet">
 </head>
 <body>
@@ -23,26 +23,23 @@
                 <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span>
             </button>
             <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbarNav">
-                <ul class="navbar-nav ms-auto">
+                <ul class="navbar-nav ms-auto nav-icons">
                     <li class="nav-item">
-                        <a class="nav-link" href="/"><i class="bi bi-house me-1"></i> Home</a>
+                        <a class="nav-link nav-expand" href="/"><i class="bi bi-house"></i><span>Home</span></a>
                     </li>
                     {% if not auth_enabled or is_authenticated %}
                     <li class="nav-item">
-                        <a class="nav-link" href="/encode"><i class="bi bi-lock me-1"></i> Encode</a>
+                        <a class="nav-link nav-expand" href="/encode"><i class="bi bi-lock"></i><span>Encode</span></a>
                     </li>
                     <li class="nav-item">
-                        <a class="nav-link" href="/decode"><i class="bi bi-unlock me-1"></i> Decode</a>
+                        <a class="nav-link nav-expand" href="/decode"><i class="bi bi-unlock"></i><span>Decode</span></a>
                     </li>
                     <li class="nav-item">
-                        <a class="nav-link" href="/generate"><i class="bi bi-key me-1"></i> Generate</a>
+                        <a class="nav-link nav-expand" href="/generate"><i class="bi bi-key"></i><span>Generate</span></a>
                     </li>
                     {% endif %}
                     <li class="nav-item">
-                        <a class="nav-link" href="/about"><i class="bi bi-info-circle me-1"></i> About</a>
-                    </li>
-                    <li class="nav-item">
-                        <a class="nav-link" href="/tools"><i class="bi bi-tools me-1"></i> Tools</a>
+                        <a class="nav-link nav-expand" href="/tools"><i class="bi bi-tools"></i><span>Tools</span></a>
                     </li>
                     {% if auth_enabled %}
                         {% if is_authenticated %}
@@ -54,6 +51,7 @@
                                 <li><a class="dropdown-item" href="/account"><i class="bi bi-gear me-2"></i>Account</a></li>
                                 {% if is_admin %}
                                 <li><a class="dropdown-item" href="/admin/users"><i class="bi bi-people me-2"></i>Users</a></li>
+                                <li><a class="dropdown-item" href="/admin/settings"><i class="bi bi-sliders me-2"></i>System Settings</a></li>
                                 {% endif %}
                                 <li><hr class="dropdown-divider"></li>
                                 <li><a class="dropdown-item" href="/logout"><i class="bi bi-box-arrow-left me-2"></i>Logout</a></li>
@@ -96,11 +94,15 @@
             <small>
                 <img src="{{ url_for('static', filename='favicon.svg') }}" alt="" height="16" class="me-1" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;">
                 Stegasoo v{{ version }} — Steganography with Reference Photo + Passphrase + PIN/Key
+                <span class="mx-2">|</span>
+                <a href="/about" class="text-muted text-decoration-none"><i class="bi bi-info-circle me-1"></i>About</a>
             </small>
         </div>
     </footer>
 
-    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.2/dist/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js"></script>
+    <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='vendor/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js') }}"></script>
+    <!-- QR Code scanning library (local) -->
+    <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='vendor/js/html5-qrcode.min.js') }}"></script>
     <script>
     // Initialize toasts (auto-hide after delay)
     document.querySelectorAll('.toast').forEach(el => new bootstrap.Toast(el));

frontends/web/templates/decode.html

@@ -4,6 +4,74 @@
 
 {% block content %}
 <style>
+/* Accordion styling */
+.step-accordion .accordion-button {
+    background: rgba(30, 40, 50, 0.6);
+    color: #fff;
+    padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
+    border-left: 3px solid transparent;
+    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+}
+.step-accordion .accordion-button:not(.collapsed) {
+    background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.15) 0%, rgba(40, 50, 60, 0.8) 40%, rgba(40, 50, 60, 0.8) 100%);
+    color: #fff;
+    box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.1);
+    border-left: 3px solid rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.6);
+}
+.step-accordion .accordion-button::after {
+    filter: invert(1);
+}
+.step-accordion .accordion-body {
+    background: rgba(30, 40, 50, 0.4);
+    padding: 1rem;
+}
+.step-accordion .accordion-item {
+    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.1);
+    background: transparent;
+}
+.step-accordion .accordion-item:first-child .accordion-button {
+    border-radius: 0;
+}
+.step-accordion .accordion-item:last-child .accordion-button.collapsed {
+    border-radius: 0;
+}
+.step-summary {
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
+    margin-left: auto;
+    padding-right: 1rem;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
+    max-width: 50%;
+}
+.step-summary.has-content {
+    color: rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.8);
+}
+.step-title {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.5rem;
+}
+.step-number {
+    background: rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.2);
+    color: #f6ad55;
+    width: 1.5rem;
+    height: 1.5rem;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    font-weight: bold;
+    border: 1px solid rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.3);
+}
+.step-number.complete {
+    background: rgba(72, 187, 120, 0.2);
+    color: #48bb78;
+    border-color: rgba(72, 187, 120, 0.3);
+}
+
 /* Glowing passphrase input */
 .passphrase-input {
     background: rgba(30, 40, 50, 0.8) !important;
@@ -13,20 +81,17 @@
     font-size: 1.1rem;
     letter-spacing: 0.5px;
     padding: 12px 16px;
-    transition: border-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease, background 0.3s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
 }
-
 .passphrase-input:focus {
     border-color: rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.8) !important;
-    box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.4), 0 0 40px rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.2) !important;
-    background: rgba(30, 40, 50, 0.95) !important;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.4) !important;
 }
-
 .passphrase-input::placeholder {
     color: rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.4);
 }
 
-/* Glowing PIN input */
+/* PIN input */
 .pin-input-container .form-control {
     background: rgba(30, 40, 50, 0.8) !important;
     border: 2px solid rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.3) !important;
@@ -35,18 +100,10 @@
     font-size: 1.2rem;
     letter-spacing: 3px;
     text-align: center;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
 }
-
 .pin-input-container .form-control:focus {
     border-color: rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.8) !important;
-    box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.4), 0 0 40px rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.2) !important;
-    background: rgba(30, 40, 50, 0.95) !important;
-}
-
-.pin-input-container .form-control::placeholder {
-    color: rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.4);
-    letter-spacing: 1px;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(246, 173, 85, 0.4) !important;
 }
 
 /* QR Crop Animation */
@@ -55,8 +112,12 @@
     overflow: hidden;
     border-radius: 8px;
     background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
+    width: 100%;
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+    align-items: center;
+    min-height: 120px;
 }
-
 .qr-crop-container img {
     display: block;
     max-height: 180px;
@@ -65,15 +126,10 @@
     margin: 0 auto;
     transition: all 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
 }
-
-.qr-crop-container .qr-original {
-    opacity: 1;
-}
-
+.qr-crop-container .qr-original { opacity: 1; }
 .qr-crop-container .qr-cropped {
     position: absolute;
-    top: 50%;
-    left: 50%;
+    top: 50%; left: 50%;
     transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0.3);
     opacity: 0;
     max-height: 160px;
@@ -81,30 +137,15 @@
     min-height: 140px;
     object-fit: contain;
 }
-
 .qr-crop-container.scan-complete .qr-original {
     opacity: 0;
     transform: scale(1.1);
     filter: blur(4px);
 }
-
 .qr-crop-container.scan-complete .qr-cropped {
     opacity: 1;
     transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1);
 }
-
-.qr-crop-container .crop-badge {
-    position: absolute;
-    bottom: 4px;
-    right: 4px;
-    font-size: 0.65rem;
-    opacity: 0;
-    transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0.4s;
-}
-
-.qr-crop-container.scan-complete .crop-badge {
-    opacity: 1;
-}
 </style>
 
 <div class="row justify-content-center">
@@ -113,13 +154,13 @@
             <div class="card-header">
                 <h5 class="mb-0"><i class="bi bi-unlock-fill me-2"></i>Decode Secret Message or File</h5>
             </div>
-            <div class="card-body">
+            <div class="card-body {% if not decoded_message and not decoded_file %}p-0{% endif %}">
                 {% if decoded_message %}
                 <!-- Text Message Result -->
                 <div class="alert alert-success">
                     <h6><i class="bi bi-check-circle me-2"></i>Message Decrypted Successfully!</h6>
                 </div>
-               
+
                 <label class="form-label text-muted">Decoded Message: <small class="text-secondary">(click to copy)</small></label>
                 <div class="alert-message p-3 rounded bg-dark border border-secondary mb-3" id="decodedContent" style="white-space: pre-wrap; cursor: pointer; transition: border-color 0.2s;"
                      onclick="navigator.clipboard.writeText(this.innerText).then(() => { this.style.borderColor = '#198754'; this.dataset.origText = this.innerHTML; this.innerHTML = '<i class=\'bi bi-check-circle text-success\'></i> Copied to clipboard!'; setTimeout(() => { this.innerHTML = this.dataset.origText; this.style.borderColor = ''; }, 1500); }).catch(() => alert('Failed to copy'))"
@@ -129,13 +170,13 @@
                 <a href="/decode" class="btn btn-outline-light w-100">
                     <i class="bi bi-arrow-repeat me-2"></i>Decode Another
                 </a>
-                
+
                 {% elif decoded_file %}
                 <!-- File Result -->
                 <div class="alert alert-success">
                     <h6><i class="bi bi-check-circle me-2"></i>File Decrypted Successfully!</h6>
                 </div>
-                
+
                 <div class="text-center mb-4">
                     <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-check text-success" style="font-size: 4rem;"></i>
                     <h5 class="mt-3">{{ filename }}</h5>
@@ -144,345 +185,266 @@
                     <small class="text-muted">Type: {{ mime_type }}</small>
                     {% endif %}
                 </div>
-                
+
                 <a href="{{ url_for('decode_download', file_id=file_id) }}" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg w-100 mb-3">
                     <i class="bi bi-download me-2"></i>Download File
                 </a>
-                
+
                 <div class="alert alert-warning small">
                     <i class="bi bi-clock me-1"></i>
                     <strong>File expires in 5 minutes.</strong> Download now.
                 </div>
-                
+
                 <a href="/decode" class="btn btn-outline-light w-100">
                     <i class="bi bi-arrow-repeat me-2"></i>Decode Another
                 </a>
-                
+
                 {% else %}
                 <!-- Decode Form -->
                 <form method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data" id="decodeForm">
-                    <div class="row">
-                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
-                            <label class="form-label">
-                                <i class="bi bi-image me-1"></i> Reference Photo
-                            </label>
-                            <div class="drop-zone scan-container" id="refDropZone">
-                                <input type="file" name="reference_photo" accept="image/*" required>
-                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
-                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
-                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click to browse</span>
-                                </div>
-                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none" id="refPreview">
-                                <!-- Scan overlay elements -->
-                                <div class="scan-overlay">
-                                    <div class="scan-grid"></div>
-                                    <div class="scan-line"></div>
-                                </div>
-                                <!-- Corner brackets (shown after scan) -->
-                                <div class="scan-corners">
-                                    <div class="scan-corner tl"></div>
-                                    <div class="scan-corner tr"></div>
-                                    <div class="scan-corner bl"></div>
-                                    <div class="scan-corner br"></div>
-                                </div>
-                                <!-- Data panel (shown after scan) -->
-                                <div class="scan-data-panel">
-                                    <div class="scan-data-filename">
-                                        <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill"></i>
-                                        <span id="refFileName">image.jpg</span>
-                                    </div>
-                                    <div class="scan-data-row">
-                                        <span class="scan-status-badge">Hash Acquired</span>
-                                        <span class="scan-data-value" id="refFileSize">--</span>
-                                    </div>
-                                    <div class="scan-hash-preview" id="refHashPreview">SHA256: ················</div>
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-                            <div class="form-text">
-                                The same reference photo used for encoding
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                        
-                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
-                            <label class="form-label">
-                                <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-image me-1"></i> Stego Image
-                            </label>
-                            <div class="drop-zone pixel-container" id="stegoDropZone">
-                                <input type="file" name="stego_image" accept="image/*" required>
-                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
-                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
-                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click to browse</span>
-                                </div>
-                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none" id="stegoPreview">
-                                <!-- Pixel blocks overlay - populated by JS -->
-                                <div class="pixel-blocks"></div>
-                                <!-- Pixel scan line -->
-                                <div class="pixel-scan-line"></div>
-                                <!-- Corner brackets -->
-                                <div class="pixel-corners">
-                                    <div class="pixel-corner tl"></div>
-                                    <div class="pixel-corner tr"></div>
-                                    <div class="pixel-corner bl"></div>
-                                    <div class="pixel-corner br"></div>
-                                </div>
-                                <!-- Data panel -->
-                                <div class="pixel-data-panel">
-                                    <div class="pixel-data-filename">
-                                        <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill"></i>
-                                        <span id="stegoFileName">image.png</span>
-                                    </div>
-                                    <div class="pixel-data-row">
-                                        <span class="pixel-status-badge">Stego Loaded</span>
-                                        <span class="pixel-data-value" id="stegoFileSize">--</span>
-                                    </div>
-                                    <div class="pixel-dimensions" id="stegoDims">-- × -- px</div>
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-                            <div class="form-text">
-                                The image containing the hidden message/file
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                    </div>
-                    
-                    <div class="mb-3">
-                        <label class="form-label">
-                            <i class="bi bi-chat-quote me-1"></i> Passphrase
-                        </label>
-                        <input type="text" name="passphrase" id="passphraseInput" class="form-control passphrase-input" 
-                               placeholder="e.g., correct horse battery staple" required>
-                        <div class="form-text">
-                            The passphrase used during encoding (typically 4 words)
-                        </div>
-                    </div>
-                    
-                    <hr class="my-4">
-                    
-                    <h6 class="text-muted mb-3">
-                        SECURITY FACTORS 
-                        <span class="text-warning small">(provide same factors used during encoding)</span>
-                    </h6>
-                    
-                    <div class="mb-3">
-                      <div class="security-box">
-                        <label class="form-label">
-                            <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-lock me-1"></i> RSA Key
-                        </label>
 
-                        <!-- RSA Input Method Toggle -->
-                        <div class="btn-group w-100 mb-2" role="group">
-                            <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="rsa_input_method" id="rsaMethodFile" value="file" checked>
-                            <label class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm" for="rsaMethodFile">
-                                <i class="bi bi-file-earmark me-1"></i>.pem File
-                            </label>
+                    <div class="accordion step-accordion" id="decodeAccordion">
 
-                            <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="rsa_input_method" id="rsaMethodQr" value="qr">
-                            <label class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm" for="rsaMethodQr">
-                                <i class="bi bi-qr-code me-1"></i>QR Code
-                            </label>
-                        </div>
-
-                        <!-- .pem File Input -->
-                        <div id="rsaFileSection">
-                            <input type="file" name="rsa_key" class="form-control form-control-sm" id="rsaKeyInput" accept=".pem,.key,application/x-pem-file">
-                        </div>
-
-                        <!-- QR Code Input -->
-                        <div id="rsaQrSection" class="d-none">
-                            <div class="drop-zone p-3" id="qrDropZone">
-                                <input type="file" name="rsa_key_qr" accept="image/*" id="rsaKeyQrInput">
-                                <div class="drop-zone-label text-center">
-                                    <i class="bi bi-qr-code-scan fs-4 d-block text-muted mb-1"></i>
-                                    <span class="text-muted small">Drop QR image or click to browse</span>
-                                </div>
-                                <!-- Crop animation container -->
-                                <div class="qr-scan-container qr-crop-container d-none" id="qrCropContainer">
-                                    <img class="qr-original" id="qrOriginal" alt="Original">
-                                    <img class="qr-cropped" id="qrCropped" alt="Cropped QR">
-                                    <!-- Data panel -->
-                                    <div class="qr-data-panel">
-                                        <div class="qr-data-filename">
-                                            <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill"></i>
-                                            <span>RSA Key loaded</span>
-                                        </div>
-                                        <div class="qr-data-row">
-                                            <span class="qr-status-badge">RSA Key</span>
-                                            <span class="qr-data-value">--</span>
-                                        </div>
-                                    </div>
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-
-                        <!-- Key Password (always visible) -->
-                        <div class="input-group input-group-sm mt-2">
-                            <input type="password" name="rsa_password" class="form-control" id="rsaPasswordInput" placeholder="Key password (if encrypted)">
-                            <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary" type="button" data-toggle-password="rsaPasswordInput">
-                                <i class="bi bi-eye"></i>
-                            </button>
-                        </div>
-                      </div>
-                    </div>
-
-                    <!-- PIN + Channel Row -->
-                    <div class="row">
-                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
-                          <div class="security-box h-100">
-                            <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-123 me-1"></i> PIN</label>
-                            <div class="input-group pin-input-container">
-                                <input type="password" name="pin" class="form-control" id="pinInput" placeholder="••••••" maxlength="9">
-                                <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary" type="button" data-toggle-password="pinInput">
-                                    <i class="bi bi-eye"></i>
+                        <!-- ================================================================
+                             STEP 1: IMAGES & MODE
+                             ================================================================ -->
+                        <div class="accordion-item">
+                            <h2 class="accordion-header">
+                                <button class="accordion-button" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#stepImages">
+                                    <span class="step-title">
+                                        <span class="step-number" id="stepImagesNumber">1</span>
+                                        <i class="bi bi-images me-1"></i> Images & Mode
+                                    </span>
+                                    <span class="step-summary" id="stepImagesSummary">Select reference & stego</span>
                                 </button>
-                            </div>
-                            <div class="form-text">If PIN was used during encoding</div>
-                          </div>
-                        </div>
+                            </h2>
+                            <div id="stepImages" class="accordion-collapse collapse show" data-bs-parent="#decodeAccordion">
+                                <div class="accordion-body">
 
-                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
-                          <div class="security-box h-100">
-                            <label class="form-label">
-                                <i class="bi bi-broadcast me-1"></i> Channel
-                                <span class="badge bg-info ms-1">v4.1</span>
-                                <a href="/about#channel-keys" class="text-muted ms-1" title="Learn about channels"><i class="bi bi-info-circle"></i></a>
-                            </label>
+                                    <div class="row">
+                                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
+                                            <label class="form-label">
+                                                <i class="bi bi-image me-1"></i> Reference Photo
+                                            </label>
+                                            <div class="drop-zone scan-container" id="refDropZone">
+                                                <input type="file" name="reference_photo" accept="image/*" required id="refPhotoInput">
+                                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
+                                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
+                                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click</span>
+                                                </div>
+                                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none" id="refPreview">
+                                                <div class="scan-overlay"><div class="scan-grid"></div><div class="scan-line"></div></div>
+                                                <div class="scan-corners">
+                                                    <div class="scan-corner tl"></div><div class="scan-corner tr"></div>
+                                                    <div class="scan-corner bl"></div><div class="scan-corner br"></div>
+                                                </div>
+                                                <div class="scan-data-panel">
+                                                    <div class="scan-data-filename"><i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill"></i><span id="refFileName">image.jpg</span></div>
+                                                    <div class="scan-data-row"><span class="scan-status-badge">Hash Acquired</span><span class="scan-data-value" id="refFileSize">--</span></div>
+                                                </div>
+                                            </div>
+                                            <div class="form-text">Same reference photo used for encoding</div>
+                                        </div>
 
-                            <select class="form-select" name="channel_key" id="channelSelectDec">
-                                <option value="auto" selected>Auto{% if channel_configured %} (Server Key){% endif %}</option>
-                                <option value="none">Public</option>
-                                {% if saved_channel_keys %}
-                                <optgroup label="Saved Keys">
-                                    {% for key in saved_channel_keys %}
-                                    <option value="{{ key.channel_key }}" data-key-id="{{ key.id }}">{{ key.name }} ({{ key.channel_key[:4] }}...)</option>
-                                    {% endfor %}
-                                </optgroup>
-                                {% endif %}
-                                <option value="custom">Custom...</option>
-                            </select>
+                                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
+                                            <label class="form-label">
+                                                <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-image me-1"></i> Stego Image
+                                            </label>
+                                            <div class="drop-zone pixel-container" id="stegoDropZone">
+                                                <input type="file" name="stego_image" accept="image/*" required id="stegoInput">
+                                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
+                                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
+                                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click</span>
+                                                </div>
+                                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none" id="stegoPreview">
+                                                <div class="pixel-blocks"></div>
+                                                <div class="pixel-scan-line"></div>
+                                                <div class="pixel-corners">
+                                                    <div class="pixel-corner tl"></div><div class="pixel-corner tr"></div>
+                                                    <div class="pixel-corner bl"></div><div class="pixel-corner br"></div>
+                                                </div>
+                                                <div class="pixel-data-panel">
+                                                    <div class="pixel-data-filename"><i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill"></i><span id="stegoFileName">image.png</span></div>
+                                                    <div class="pixel-data-row"><span class="pixel-status-badge">Stego Loaded</span><span class="pixel-data-value" id="stegoFileSize">--</span></div>
+                                                    <div class="pixel-dimensions" id="stegoDims">-- x -- px</div>
+                                                </div>
+                                            </div>
+                                            <div class="form-text">Image containing the hidden message</div>
+                                        </div>
+                                    </div>
 
-                            <!-- Server channel indicator (compact) -->
-                            <div class="small text-success mt-2 {% if not channel_configured %}d-none{% endif %}" id="channelServerInfoDec" data-fingerprint="{{ (channel_fingerprint[:4] if channel_fingerprint else '') }}-••••-···-••••-{{ channel_fingerprint[-4:] if channel_fingerprint else '' }}">
-                                {% if channel_configured and channel_fingerprint %}
-                                <i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-1"></i>
-                                Server: <code>{{ channel_fingerprint[:4] }}-••••-···-••••-{{ channel_fingerprint[-4:] }}</code>
-                                {% endif %}
-                            </div>
-                          </div>
-                        </div>
-                    </div>
-
-                    <!-- Custom Channel Key Input (shown when Custom selected) -->
-                    <div class="mb-4 d-none" id="channelCustomInputDec">
-                        <div class="security-box">
-                            <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-key me-1"></i> Custom Channel Key</label>
-                            <div class="input-group">
-                                <input type="text" name="channel_key_custom" class="form-control font-monospace"
-                                       placeholder="XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX"
-                                       pattern="[A-Za-z0-9]{4}(-[A-Za-z0-9]{4}){7}"
-                                       id="channelKeyInputDec">
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                    </div>
-                    
-                    <!-- ================================================================
-                         ADVANCED OPTIONS (v3.0) - Extraction Mode
-                         ================================================================ -->
-                    <div class="mb-4">
-                        <a class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary w-100" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#advancedOptionsDec" role="button" aria-expanded="false">
-                            <i class="bi bi-gear me-1"></i> Advanced Options
-                            <i class="bi bi-chevron-down ms-1" id="advancedChevronDec"></i>
-                        </a>
-                        
-                        <div class="collapse" id="advancedOptionsDec">
-                            <div class="card card-body mt-2 bg-dark border-secondary">
-                                
-                                <!-- Extraction Mode Selection -->
-                                <div class="mb-0">
-                                    <label class="form-label">
-                                        <i class="bi bi-cpu me-1"></i> Extraction Mode
-                                        <span class="badge bg-info ms-1">v3.0</span>
-                                    </label>
-                                    
-                                    <div class="d-flex gap-2">
-                                        <!-- Auto Mode -->
-                                        <label class="mode-btn flex-fill active" id="autoModeCard" for="modeAuto">
+                                    <!-- Extraction Mode (compact inline) -->
+                                    <div class="d-flex gap-2 align-items-center flex-wrap mb-2">
+                                        <label class="mode-btn mode-btn-sm active" id="autoModeCard" for="modeAuto">
                                             <input class="form-check-input" type="radio" name="embed_mode" id="modeAuto" value="auto" checked>
-                                            <i class="bi bi-magic text-success"></i>
-                                            <span class="ms-2"><strong>Auto</strong> <span class="text-muted d-none d-sm-inline">· Try both</span></span>
+                                            <i class="bi bi-magic text-success"></i> Auto
                                         </label>
-                                        
-                                        <!-- LSB Mode -->
-                                        <label class="mode-btn flex-fill" id="lsbModeCardDec" for="modeLsbDec">
-                                            <input class="form-check-input" type="radio" name="embed_mode" id="modeLsbDec" value="lsb">
-                                            <i class="bi bi-grid-3x3-gap text-primary"></i>
-                                            <span class="ms-2"><strong>LSB</strong> <span class="text-muted d-none d-sm-inline">· Spatial</span></span>
+                                        <label class="mode-btn mode-btn-sm" id="lsbModeCard" for="modeLsb">
+                                            <input class="form-check-input" type="radio" name="embed_mode" id="modeLsb" value="lsb">
+                                            <i class="bi bi-grid-3x3-gap text-primary"></i> LSB
                                         </label>
-                                        
-                                        <!-- DCT Mode -->
-                                        <label class="mode-btn flex-fill {% if not has_dct %}opacity-50{% endif %}" id="dctModeCardDec" for="modeDctDec">
-                                            <input class="form-check-input" type="radio" name="embed_mode" id="modeDctDec" value="dct" {% if not has_dct %}disabled{% endif %}>
-                                            <i class="bi bi-soundwave text-warning"></i>
-                                            <span class="ms-2"><strong>DCT</strong> <span class="text-muted d-none d-sm-inline">· Frequency</span></span>
+                                        <label class="mode-btn mode-btn-sm {% if not has_dct %}opacity-50{% endif %}" id="dctModeCard" for="modeDct">
+                                            <input class="form-check-input" type="radio" name="embed_mode" id="modeDct" value="dct" {% if not has_dct %}disabled{% endif %}>
+                                            <i class="bi bi-soundwave text-warning"></i> DCT
                                         </label>
                                     </div>
-                                    
-                                    <div class="form-text mt-2">
-                                        <i class="bi bi-lightbulb me-1"></i>
-                                        <strong>Auto</strong> tries LSB first, then DCT.
-                                        {% if not has_dct %}
-                                        <span class="text-warning ms-2"><i class="bi bi-exclamation-triangle me-1"></i>DCT requires scipy</span>
-                                        {% endif %}
+                                    <div class="form-text" id="modeHint">
+                                        <i class="bi bi-lightning me-1"></i>Tries LSB first, then DCT
                                     </div>
+
                                 </div>
-                                
                             </div>
                         </div>
+
+                        <!-- ================================================================
+                             STEP 2: SECURITY
+                             ================================================================ -->
+                        <div class="accordion-item">
+                            <h2 class="accordion-header">
+                                <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#stepSecurity">
+                                    <span class="step-title">
+                                        <span class="step-number" id="stepSecurityNumber">2</span>
+                                        <i class="bi bi-shield-lock me-1"></i> Security
+                                    </span>
+                                    <span class="step-summary" id="stepSecuritySummary">Passphrase & keys</span>
+                                </button>
+                            </h2>
+                            <div id="stepSecurity" class="accordion-collapse collapse" data-bs-parent="#decodeAccordion">
+                                <div class="accordion-body">
+
+                                    <!-- Passphrase -->
+                                    <div class="mb-3">
+                                        <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-chat-quote me-1"></i> Passphrase</label>
+                                        <input type="text" name="passphrase" class="form-control passphrase-input"
+                                               placeholder="e.g., apple forest thunder mountain" required id="passphraseInput">
+                                        <div class="form-text">The passphrase used during encoding</div>
+                                    </div>
+
+                                    <hr class="my-3 opacity-25">
+                                    <div class="small text-muted mb-2">Provide same factors used during encoding</div>
+
+                                    <div class="row">
+                                        <!-- PIN -->
+                                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-2">
+                                            <div class="security-box h-100">
+                                                <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-123 me-1"></i> PIN</label>
+                                                <div class="input-group pin-input-container">
+                                                    <input type="password" name="pin" class="form-control" id="pinInput" placeholder="••••••" maxlength="9">
+                                                    <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary" type="button" data-toggle-password="pinInput">
+                                                        <i class="bi bi-eye"></i>
+                                                    </button>
+                                                </div>
+                                                </div>
+                                        </div>
+
+                                        <!-- Channel -->
+                                        <div class="col-md-6 mb-2">
+                                            <div class="security-box h-100">
+                                                <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-broadcast me-1"></i> Channel</label>
+                                                <select class="form-select form-select-sm" name="channel_key" id="channelSelectDec">
+                                                    <option value="auto" selected>Auto{% if channel_configured %} (Server){% endif %}</option>
+                                                    <option value="none">Public</option>
+                                                    {% if saved_channel_keys %}
+                                                    <optgroup label="Saved Keys">
+                                                        {% for key in saved_channel_keys %}
+                                                        <option value="{{ key.channel_key }}">{{ key.name }}</option>
+                                                        {% endfor %}
+                                                    </optgroup>
+                                                    {% endif %}
+                                                    <option value="custom">Custom...</option>
+                                                </select>
+                                            </div>
+                                        </div>
+                                    </div>
+
+                                    <!-- Custom Channel Key -->
+                                    <div class="mb-3 d-none" id="channelCustomInputDec">
+                                        <div class="security-box">
+                                            <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-key me-1"></i> Custom Channel Key</label>
+                                            <div class="input-group">
+                                                <input type="text" name="channel_key_custom" class="form-control form-control-sm font-monospace"
+                                                       placeholder="XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX" id="channelKeyInputDec">
+                                                <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm" type="button" id="channelKeyScanDec" title="Scan QR"><i class="bi bi-camera"></i></button>
+                                            </div>
+                                        </div>
+                                    </div>
+
+                                    <!-- RSA Key -->
+                                    <div class="mb-3">
+                                        <div class="security-box">
+                                            <label class="form-label"><i class="bi bi-file-earmark-lock me-1"></i> RSA Key <span class="text-muted">(if used)</span></label>
+                                            <div class="btn-group w-100 mb-2" role="group">
+                                                <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="rsa_input_method" id="rsaMethodFile" value="file" checked>
+                                                <label class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm" for="rsaMethodFile"><i class="bi bi-file-earmark me-1"></i>.pem</label>
+                                                <input type="radio" class="btn-check" name="rsa_input_method" id="rsaMethodQr" value="qr">
+                                                <label class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm" for="rsaMethodQr"><i class="bi bi-qr-code me-1"></i>QR</label>
+                                            </div>
+                                            <div id="rsaFileSection">
+                                                <input type="file" name="rsa_key" class="form-control form-control-sm" accept=".pem">
+                                            </div>
+                                            <div id="rsaQrSection" class="d-none d-flex flex-column">
+                                                <input type="hidden" name="rsa_key_pem" id="rsaKeyPem">
+                                                <div class="drop-zone p-2 w-100" id="qrDropZone">
+                                                    <input type="file" name="rsa_key_qr" accept="image/*" id="rsaQrInput">
+                                                    <div class="drop-zone-label text-center">
+                                                        <i class="bi bi-qr-code-scan fs-5 d-block text-muted mb-1"></i>
+                                                        <span class="text-muted small">Drop QR image</span>
+                                                    </div>
+                                                    <div class="qr-scan-container qr-crop-container d-none" id="qrCropContainer">
+                                                        <img class="qr-original" id="qrOriginal" alt="Original">
+                                                        <img class="qr-cropped" id="qrCropped" alt="Cropped">
+                                                    </div>
+                                                </div>
+                                                <button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm w-100 mt-2" id="rsaQrWebcam">
+                                                    <i class="bi bi-camera me-1"></i>Scan with Camera
+                                                </button>
+                                            </div>
+                                            <div class="input-group input-group-sm mt-2">
+                                                <input type="password" name="rsa_password" class="form-control" id="rsaPasswordInput" placeholder="Key password (if encrypted)">
+                                                <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary" type="button" data-toggle-password="rsaPasswordInput"><i class="bi bi-eye"></i></button>
+                                            </div>
+                                        </div>
+                                    </div>
+
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+                        </div>
+
                     </div>
-                    
-                    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg w-100" id="decodeBtn">
-                        <i class="bi bi-unlock me-2"></i>Decode
-                    </button>
+
+                    <!-- Submit Button -->
+                    <div class="p-3">
+                        <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg w-100" id="decodeBtn">
+                            <i class="bi bi-unlock me-2"></i>Decode
+                        </button>
+                    </div>
+
                 </form>
-                
                 {% endif %}
             </div>
         </div>
-        
+
         {% if not decoded_message and not decoded_file %}
+        <!-- Troubleshooting Card -->
         <div class="card mt-4">
             <div class="card-body">
                 <h6 class="text-muted mb-3"><i class="bi bi-question-circle me-2"></i>Troubleshooting</h6>
                 <ul class="list-unstyled text-muted small mb-0">
                     <li class="mb-2">
                         <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill text-success me-1"></i>
-                        Use the <strong>exact same reference photo</strong> file (byte-for-byte identical)
+                        Use the <strong>exact same reference photo</strong> (byte-for-byte identical)
                     </li>
                     <li class="mb-2">
                         <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill text-success me-1"></i>
-                        Enter the <strong>exact passphrase</strong> used during encoding (case-sensitive, spacing matters)
-                    </li>
-                    <li class="mb-2">
-                        <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill text-success me-1"></i>
-                        Provide the <strong>same security factors</strong> (PIN and/or RSA key) used during encoding
+                        Enter the <strong>exact passphrase</strong> used during encoding
                     </li>
                     <li class="mb-2">
                         <i class="bi bi-exclamation-triangle-fill text-warning me-1"></i>
-                        Ensure the stego image hasn't been <strong>resized, cropped, or recompressed</strong>
-                    </li>
-                    <li class="mb-2">
-                        <i class="bi bi-exclamation-triangle-fill text-warning me-1"></i>
-                        <strong>Format compatibility:</strong> v4.0 cannot decode messages from v3.1 or earlier (different format)
-                    </li>
-                    <li class="mb-2">
-                        <i class="bi bi-broadcast text-info me-1"></i>
-                        <strong>Channel key:</strong> Use the same channel (Auto/Public/Custom) that was used during encoding
-                    </li>
-                    <li class="mb-2">
-                        <i class="bi bi-info-circle-fill text-info me-1"></i>
-                        If using an RSA key, verify the <strong>password is correct</strong> (if key is encrypted)
+                        Ensure the stego image hasn't been <strong>resized or recompressed</strong>
                     </li>
                     <li class="mb-0">
                         <i class="bi bi-info-circle-fill text-info me-1"></i>
-                        If auto-detection fails, try specifying <strong>LSB or DCT mode</strong> in Advanced Options
+                        If auto-detection fails, try specifying <strong>LSB or DCT mode</strong>
                     </li>
                 </ul>
             </div>
@@ -495,31 +457,111 @@
 {% block scripts %}
 <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='js/stegasoo.js') }}"></script>
 <script>
-// Extraction mode button active state toggle
-const extractModeRadios = document.querySelectorAll('input[name="embed_mode"]');
-const extractModeBtns = { 
-    'auto': document.getElementById('autoModeCard'), 
-    'lsb': document.getElementById('lsbModeCardDec'), 
-    'dct': document.getElementById('dctModeCardDec') 
+// ============================================================================
+// MODE HINT - Dynamic text based on selected extraction mode
+// ============================================================================
+const modeHints = {
+    auto: { icon: 'lightning', text: 'Tries LSB first, then DCT' },
+    lsb: { icon: 'hdd', text: 'For email and direct transfers' },
+    dct: { icon: 'phone', text: 'For social media images' }
 };
 
-extractModeRadios.forEach(radio => {
-    radio.addEventListener('change', () => {
-        Object.values(extractModeBtns).forEach(btn => btn?.classList.remove('active'));
-        extractModeBtns[radio.value]?.classList.add('active');
+document.querySelectorAll('input[name="embed_mode"]').forEach(radio => {
+    radio.addEventListener('change', function() {
+        const hint = document.getElementById('modeHint');
+        const data = modeHints[this.value];
+        if (hint && data) {
+            hint.innerHTML = `<i class="bi bi-${data.icon} me-1"></i>${data.text}`;
+        }
     });
 });
 
-// Advanced options chevron
-const advancedOptionsDec = document.getElementById('advancedOptionsDec');
-advancedOptionsDec?.addEventListener('show.bs.collapse', () => {
-    document.getElementById('advancedChevronDec')?.classList.replace('bi-chevron-down', 'bi-chevron-up');
-});
-advancedOptionsDec?.addEventListener('hide.bs.collapse', () => {
-    document.getElementById('advancedChevronDec')?.classList.replace('bi-chevron-up', 'bi-chevron-down');
+// ============================================================================
+// ACCORDION SUMMARY UPDATES
+// ============================================================================
+
+function updateImagesSummary() {
+    const ref = document.getElementById('refPhotoInput')?.files[0];
+    const stego = document.getElementById('stegoInput')?.files[0];
+    const mode = document.querySelector('input[name="embed_mode"]:checked')?.value?.toUpperCase() || 'AUTO';
+    const summary = document.getElementById('stepImagesSummary');
+    const stepNum = document.getElementById('stepImagesNumber');
+
+    if (ref && stego) {
+        const refName = ref.name.length > 12 ? ref.name.slice(0, 10) + '..' : ref.name;
+        const stegoName = stego.name.length > 12 ? stego.name.slice(0, 10) + '..' : stego.name;
+        summary.textContent = `${refName} + ${stegoName}, ${mode}`;
+        summary.classList.add('has-content');
+        stepNum.classList.add('complete');
+        stepNum.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check"></i>';
+    } else if (ref || stego) {
+        summary.textContent = ref ? ref.name.slice(0, 15) : stego.name.slice(0, 15);
+        summary.classList.remove('has-content');
+        stepNum.classList.remove('complete');
+        stepNum.textContent = '1';
+    } else {
+        summary.textContent = 'Select reference & stego';
+        summary.classList.remove('has-content');
+        stepNum.classList.remove('complete');
+        stepNum.textContent = '1';
+    }
+}
+
+function updateSecuritySummary() {
+    const passphrase = document.getElementById('passphraseInput')?.value || '';
+    const pin = document.getElementById('pinInput')?.value || '';
+    const rsaFile = document.querySelector('input[name="rsa_key"]')?.files[0];
+    const rsaPem = document.getElementById('rsaKeyPem')?.value || '';
+    const summary = document.getElementById('stepSecuritySummary');
+    const stepNum = document.getElementById('stepSecurityNumber');
+
+    const parts = [];
+    if (passphrase.trim()) parts.push('passphrase');
+    if (pin) parts.push('PIN');
+    if (rsaFile || rsaPem) parts.push('RSA');
+
+    if (parts.length > 0) {
+        summary.textContent = parts.join(' + ');
+        summary.classList.add('has-content');
+        if (passphrase.trim()) {
+            stepNum.classList.add('complete');
+            stepNum.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check"></i>';
+        }
+    } else {
+        summary.textContent = 'Passphrase & keys';
+        summary.classList.remove('has-content');
+        stepNum.classList.remove('complete');
+        stepNum.textContent = '2';
+    }
+}
+
+// Attach listeners
+document.getElementById('refPhotoInput')?.addEventListener('change', updateImagesSummary);
+document.getElementById('stegoInput')?.addEventListener('change', updateImagesSummary);
+document.querySelectorAll('input[name="embed_mode"]').forEach(r => r.addEventListener('change', updateImagesSummary));
+
+document.getElementById('passphraseInput')?.addEventListener('input', updateSecuritySummary);
+document.getElementById('pinInput')?.addEventListener('input', updateSecuritySummary);
+document.querySelector('input[name="rsa_key"]')?.addEventListener('change', updateSecuritySummary);
+
+// ============================================================================
+// MODE SWITCHING
+// ============================================================================
+
+const modeRadios = document.querySelectorAll('input[name="embed_mode"]');
+const modeBtns = { 'auto': document.getElementById('autoModeCard'), 'lsb': document.getElementById('lsbModeCard'), 'dct': document.getElementById('dctModeCard') };
+
+modeRadios.forEach(radio => {
+    radio.addEventListener('change', () => {
+        Object.values(modeBtns).forEach(btn => btn?.classList.remove('active'));
+        modeBtns[radio.value]?.classList.add('active');
+    });
 });
 
-// Loading state for decode button
+// ============================================================================
+// LOADING STATE
+// ============================================================================
+
 Stegasoo.initFormLoading('decodeForm', 'decodeBtn', 'Decoding...');
 </script>
 {% endblock %}

instance/.secret_key

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-6a7378172fc0ec37143720f09a4ca34e83ec2409893aa8cd79ace5b78a64276c

pyproject.toml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "stegasoo"
-version = "4.1.2"
+version = "4.1.5"
 description = "Secure steganography with hybrid photo + passphrase + PIN authentication"
 readme = "README.md"
 license = "MIT"

rpi/BUILD_IMAGE.md

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 # Stegasoo Pi Image Build Workflow
 
+> **Note:** This guide is for developers building custom Pi images.
+> **End users:** Just download the pre-built `.img.zst` from [Releases](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/releases), flash it, and boot. No build process needed.
+
 Quick reference for building a distributable SD card image.
 
 ## Step 1: Flash Fresh Raspbian
@@ -26,26 +29,48 @@ ssh admin@stegasoo.local
 # Take ownership of /opt (for pyenv, jpegio builds)
 sudo chown admin:admin /opt
 
-# Install git (not included in Lite image)
-sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y git
+# Install git and zstd (not included in Lite image)
+sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y git zstd jq
 ```
 
-## Step 4: Clone & Run Setup
+## Step 4: Clone Repo
 
 ```bash
 cd /opt
 git clone -b 4.1 https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo.git stegasoo
-cd stegasoo
-./rpi/setup.sh
 ```
 
-This takes ~15-20 minutes and installs:
-- Python 3.12 via pyenv
-- jpegio (patched for ARM)
-- Stegasoo with web UI
-- Systemd service
+## Step 5: Copy Pre-built Tarball (from host)
 
-## Step 5: Test It Works
+> **Dev-only asset:** This tarball is for building Pi images, not for end users.
+> It's available on [Releases](https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/releases) for image builders.
+
+```bash
+# On your host machine:
+scp rpi/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst admin@stegasoo.local:/opt/stegasoo/rpi/
+```
+
+This tarball contains:
+- pyenv with Python 3.12 (pre-compiled for ARM64)
+- venv with all dependencies (jpegio, scipy, etc.)
+
+Install time: **~2 minutes** (vs 20+ min from source)
+
+## Step 6: Run Setup
+
+```bash
+cd /opt/stegasoo
+./rpi/setup.sh  # Detects local tarball, skips download
+```
+
+### From-Source Build (optional)
+
+To build without the pre-built tarball:
+```bash
+./rpi/setup.sh --no-prebuilt  # Takes 15-20 minutes
+```
+
+## Step 7: Test It Works
 
 ```bash
 sudo systemctl start stegasoo
@@ -53,7 +78,7 @@ curl -k https://localhost:5000
 # Should return HTML
 ```
 
-## Step 6: Sanitize for Distribution
+## Step 8: Sanitize for Distribution
 
 ```bash
 # Full sanitize (for final image - removes WiFi, shuts down)
@@ -73,7 +98,7 @@ This removes:
 
 The script validates all cleanup steps before finishing.
 
-## Step 7: Copy the Image
+## Step 9: Pull the Image
 
 Remove SD card, insert into your Linux machine:
 
@@ -81,23 +106,13 @@ Remove SD card, insert into your Linux machine:
 # Find the SD card device (CAREFUL!)
 lsblk
 
-# Copy (replace sdX with actual device, e.g., sda)
-sudo dd if=/dev/sdX of=stegasoo-rpi-$(date +%Y%m%d).img bs=4M status=progress
+# Pull image (auto-resizes to 16GB, compresses with zstd)
+sudo ./rpi/pull-image.sh /dev/sdX stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst
 ```
 
-## Step 8: Shrink & Compress
+The script automatically resizes rootfs to 16GB, disables auto-expand, and compresses.
 
-```bash
-# Optional: Shrink image (saves space)
-wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Drewsif/PiShrink/master/pishrink.sh
-chmod +x pishrink.sh
-sudo ./pishrink.sh stegasoo-rpi-*.img
-
-# Compress (zstd is faster than xz with similar ratio)
-zstd -19 -T0 stegasoo-rpi-*.img
-```
-
-## Step 9: Distribute
+## Step 10: Distribute
 
 Upload `.img.zst` to GitHub Releases.
 
@@ -115,19 +130,57 @@ zstdcat stegasoo-rpi-*.img.zst | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
 
 ---
 
+## Creating the Pre-built Tarball
+
+After a successful from-source build, create the pre-built tarball for future installs:
+
+```bash
+# On the Pi after successful setup:
+cd ~
+
+# Strip caches and tests from venv (295MB → 208MB)
+find /opt/stegasoo/venv/ -type d -name '__pycache__' -exec rm -rf {} + 2>/dev/null
+find /opt/stegasoo/venv/ -type d -name 'tests' -exec rm -rf {} + 2>/dev/null
+find /opt/stegasoo/venv/ -type d -name 'test' -exec rm -rf {} + 2>/dev/null
+
+# Create venv tarball
+cd /opt/stegasoo
+tar -cf - venv/ | zstd -19 -T0 > ~/stegasoo-venv.tar.zst
+
+# Create combined tarball (pyenv + venv pointer)
+cd ~
+tar -cf - .pyenv stegasoo-venv.tar.zst | zstd -19 -T0 > /tmp/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst
+
+# Check size (should be ~50-60MB)
+ls -lh /tmp/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst
+```
+
+Pull to host and upload to GitHub releases:
+```bash
+# On host:
+scp admin@stegasoo.local:/tmp/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst ./
+# Upload to GitHub releases as stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst
+```
+
+---
+
 ## Quick Command Summary
 
 ```bash
 # On Pi (after SSH):
 sudo chown admin:admin /opt
-sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y git
+sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y git zstd jq
 cd /opt && git clone -b 4.1 https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo.git stegasoo
-cd stegasoo && ./rpi/setup.sh
+
+# On host (copy tarball):
+scp rpi/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst admin@stegasoo.local:/opt/stegasoo/rpi/
+
+# On Pi (run setup):
+cd /opt/stegasoo && ./rpi/setup.sh
 sudo systemctl start stegasoo
 curl -k https://localhost:5000
 sudo /opt/stegasoo/rpi/sanitize-for-image.sh
 
-# On your machine:
-sudo dd if=/dev/sdX of=stegasoo-rpi-$(date +%Y%m%d).img bs=4M status=progress
-zstd -19 -T0 stegasoo-rpi-*.img
+# On host (pull image - auto-resizes to 16GB):
+sudo ./rpi/pull-image.sh /dev/sdX stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst
 ```

rpi/README.md

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ cd stegasoo
 - Raspberry Pi 4 or 5
 - Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit) - Bookworm or later
 - 4GB+ RAM recommended (2GB minimum)
-- ~2GB free disk space
+- 16GB+ SD card (pre-built images are 16GB)
 - Internet connection
 
 ### Performance
@@ -49,6 +49,25 @@ If using a pre-built image from GitHub Releases:
 
 > **Security note**: Change the default password after setup with `passwd`
 
+## Updating an Existing Installation
+
+To update to the latest version:
+
+```bash
+cd /opt/stegasoo
+git pull origin main
+sudo systemctl restart stegasoo
+```
+
+That's it - the editable install means Python uses the source directly.
+
+**If dependencies changed** (check release notes), also run:
+```bash
+source venv/bin/activate
+pip install -e ".[web]"
+sudo systemctl restart stegasoo
+```
+
 ## After Installation
 
 ### Start the Service
@@ -180,18 +199,15 @@ After Pi shuts down, remove SD card and on another Linux machine:
 # Find SD card device (BE CAREFUL - wrong device = data loss!)
 lsblk
 
-# Copy (replace sdX with your SD card)
-sudo dd if=/dev/sdX of=stegasoo-rpi-$(date +%Y%m%d).img bs=4M status=progress
-
-# Shrink the image (optional but recommended)
-wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Drewsif/PiShrink/master/pishrink.sh
-chmod +x pishrink.sh
-sudo ./pishrink.sh stegasoo-rpi-*.img
-
-# Compress (zstd is faster than xz with similar compression)
-zstd -19 -T0 stegasoo-rpi-*.img
+# Pull image (auto-resizes to 16GB, compresses with zstd)
+sudo ./rpi/pull-image.sh /dev/sdX stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst
 ```
 
+The `pull-image.sh` script automatically:
+- Resizes rootfs to exactly 16GB (consistent image size)
+- Disables Pi OS auto-expand
+- Compresses with zstd for fast decompression
+
 ### 6. Distribute
 
 Upload the `.img.zst` file to GitHub Releases.

rpi/banner.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Stegasoo Banner/Header Template
+# Source this file to use the banner functions
+#
+# Usage:
+#   source "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/banner.sh"
+#   print_banner "Raspberry Pi Setup"
+#   print_gradient_line
+
+# Colors
+STEGASOO_GOLD='\033[38;5;220m'
+STEGASOO_GRAY='\033[0;90m'
+STEGASOO_WHITE='\033[1;37m'
+STEGASOO_GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+STEGASOO_NC='\033[0m'
+
+# Gradient line (purple -> blue)
+print_gradient_line() {
+    echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
+}
+
+# Starfield decoration line
+print_starfield() {
+    echo -e "${STEGASOO_GRAY} · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·${STEGASOO_NC}"
+}
+
+# ASCII logo (gold)
+print_logo() {
+    echo -e "${STEGASOO_GOLD}    ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___${STEGASOO_NC}"
+    echo -e "${STEGASOO_GOLD}   / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\\  / __|  / _ \\  / _ \\\\${STEGASOO_NC}"
+    echo -e "${STEGASOO_GOLD}   \\__ \\  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \\ \\__ \\ | (_) || (_) |${STEGASOO_NC}"
+    echo -e "${STEGASOO_GOLD}   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___//_/ \\_\\|___/  \\___/  \\___/${STEGASOO_NC}"
+}
+
+# Full banner with optional subtitle
+# Usage: print_banner "Subtitle Text"
+print_banner() {
+    local subtitle="$1"
+    echo ""
+    print_gradient_line
+    print_starfield
+    print_logo
+    print_starfield
+    print_gradient_line
+    if [ -n "$subtitle" ]; then
+        echo -e "${STEGASOO_WHITE}                    ${subtitle}${STEGASOO_NC}"
+        print_gradient_line
+    fi
+}
+
+# Completion banner (green title)
+# Usage: print_complete_banner "Setup Complete!"
+print_complete_banner() {
+    local title="$1"
+    echo ""
+    print_gradient_line
+    print_starfield
+    print_logo
+    print_starfield
+    print_gradient_line
+    echo -e "\033[1;32m                      ${title}\033[0m"
+    print_gradient_line
+}

rpi/config.json.example

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "hostname": "stegasoo",
+  "username": "admin",
+  "password": "stegasoo",
+  "wifiSSID": "YourNetworkName",
+  "wifiPassword": "YourWiFiPassword",
+  "wifiCountry": "US",
+  "locale": "en_US.UTF-8",
+  "keyboardLayout": "us",
+  "timezone": "America/New_York",
+  "enableSSH": true
+}

rpi/first-boot-wizard.sh

@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@
 INSTALL_DIR="/opt/stegasoo"
 FLAG_FILE="/etc/stegasoo-first-boot"
 PROFILE_HOOK="/etc/profile.d/stegasoo-wizard.sh"
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+
+# Source banner functions
+source "$SCRIPT_DIR/banner.sh"
 
 # Check if this is first boot
 if [ ! -f "$FLAG_FILE" ]; then
@@ -39,21 +43,12 @@ clear
 # Welcome
 # =============================================================================
 
+print_banner "First Boot Wizard"
 echo ""
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m    ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\\  / __|  / _ \\  / _ \\\\\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   \\__ \\  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \\ \\__ \\ | (_) || (_) |\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___//_/ \\_\\|___/  \\___/  \\___/\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[1;37m                    First Boot Wizard\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-
+gum style --foreground 245 "This wizard will help you configure your Stegasoo server"
 echo ""
-gum style --foreground 245 "This wizard will help you configure your Stegasoo server."
-gum style --foreground 245 "You can reconfigure later by editing /etc/systemd/system/stegasoo.service"
+gum style --foreground 245 "You can reconfigure later by editing:"
+gum style --foreground 214 "  /etc/systemd/system/stegasoo.service"
 echo ""
 
 gum confirm "Ready to begin setup?" || exit 0
@@ -407,22 +402,11 @@ else
 fi
 
 echo ""
-echo ""
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m    ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\\  / __|  / _ \\  / _ \\\\\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   \\__ \\  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \\ \\__ \\ | (_) || (_) |\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___//_/ \\_\\|___/  \\___/  \\___/\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[1;32m                      Setup Complete!\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-
+print_complete_banner "Setup Complete!"
 echo ""
 gum style --foreground 82 --bold "Create your admin account:"
-gum style --foreground 226 "  $ACCESS_URL"
-gum style --foreground 245 "  $ACCESS_URL_LOCAL (if mDNS works)"
+gum style --foreground 226 "  $ACCESS_URL_LOCAL"
+gum style --foreground 245 "  $ACCESS_URL (fallback IP)"
 
 if [ -n "$CHANNEL_KEY" ]; then
   echo ""

rpi/flash-image.sh

@@ -8,9 +8,14 @@
 # Supports: .img, .img.zst, .img.xz, .img.gz, .img.zst.zip (GitHub release format)
 # If device is specified, skips auto-detection (useful for NVMe/large drives)
 #
+# Optional: Place config.json in same directory for headless WiFi setup
+#
 
 set -e
 
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+CONFIG_FILE="$SCRIPT_DIR/config.json"
+
 RED='\033[0;31m'
 GREEN='\033[0;32m'
 YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
@@ -18,6 +23,28 @@ BLUE='\033[0;34m'
 BOLD='\033[1m'
 NC='\033[0m'
 
+# Load config if present (optional - for headless WiFi setup)
+HAS_CONFIG=false
+if [ -f "$CONFIG_FILE" ] && command -v jq &> /dev/null; then
+    WIFI_SSID=$(jq -r '.wifiSSID // empty' "$CONFIG_FILE")
+    WIFI_PASS=$(jq -r '.wifiPassword // empty' "$CONFIG_FILE")
+    WIFI_COUNTRY=$(jq -r '.wifiCountry // "US"' "$CONFIG_FILE")
+    PI_HOSTNAME=$(jq -r '.hostname // empty' "$CONFIG_FILE")
+    if [ -n "$WIFI_SSID" ] && [ -n "$WIFI_PASS" ]; then
+        HAS_CONFIG=true
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Found config.json - will configure WiFi after flash${NC}"
+        echo -e "  WiFi: ${YELLOW}$WIFI_SSID${NC}"
+        if [ -n "$PI_HOSTNAME" ]; then
+            echo -e "  Hostname: ${YELLOW}$PI_HOSTNAME${NC}"
+        fi
+        echo ""
+    fi
+elif [ -f "$CONFIG_FILE" ]; then
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Note: config.json found but jq not installed (apt install jq)${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}      WiFi will need to be configured manually after boot${NC}"
+    echo ""
+fi
+
 # Check for required tools
 for cmd in dd lsblk; do
     if ! command -v $cmd &> /dev/null; then
@@ -222,6 +249,17 @@ if [ -n "$MOUNTED" ]; then
     done
 fi
 
+# Ask about wiping
+echo
+read -p "Wipe partition table first? (recommended if having issues) [y/N] " wipe_confirm
+if [[ "$wipe_confirm" =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    echo "Wiping partition table..."
+    sudo wipefs -a "$SELECTED"
+    sudo dd if=/dev/zero of="$SELECTED" bs=1M count=10 status=none
+    sync
+    echo "  Wiped clean"
+fi
+
 # Final confirmation
 echo -e "${RED}╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${NC}"
 echo -e "${RED}║  WARNING: ALL DATA ON THIS DEVICE WILL BE DESTROYED!          ║${NC}"
@@ -284,6 +322,109 @@ echo ""
 echo -e "${GREEN}Syncing...${NC}"
 sync
 
+# Inject WiFi config if config.json was loaded
+if [ "$HAS_CONFIG" = true ]; then
+    echo ""
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Configuring WiFi from config.json...${NC}"
+
+    # Wait for partitions to appear
+    sleep 2
+    partprobe "$SELECTED" 2>/dev/null || true
+    sleep 1
+
+    # Determine boot partition
+    if [[ "$SELECTED" == *"nvme"* ]] || [[ "$SELECTED" == *"mmcblk"* ]]; then
+        BOOT_PART="${SELECTED}p1"
+    else
+        BOOT_PART="${SELECTED}1"
+    fi
+
+    if [ -b "$BOOT_PART" ]; then
+        MOUNT_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
+        if mount "$BOOT_PART" "$MOUNT_DIR" 2>/dev/null; then
+            # Create firstrun.sh for WiFi setup
+            cat > "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh" << 'EOFSCRIPT'
+#!/bin/bash
+set +e
+
+# Set hostname if provided
+if [ -n "PLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME" ] && [ "PLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME" != "" ]; then
+    CURRENT_HOSTNAME=$(cat /etc/hostname | tr -d " \t\n\r")
+    if [ -f /usr/lib/raspberrypi-sys-mods/imager_custom ]; then
+        /usr/lib/raspberrypi-sys-mods/imager_custom set_hostname PLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME
+    else
+        echo PLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME >/etc/hostname
+        sed -i "s/127.0.1.1.*$CURRENT_HOSTNAME/127.0.1.1\tPLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME/g" /etc/hosts
+    fi
+fi
+
+# Configure WiFi
+if [ -f /usr/lib/raspberrypi-sys-mods/imager_custom ]; then
+    /usr/lib/raspberrypi-sys-mods/imager_custom set_wlan 'PLACEHOLDER_SSID' 'PLACEHOLDER_WIFIPASS' 'PLACEHOLDER_COUNTRY'
+else
+    # NetworkManager method (Trixie)
+    cat >/etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/preconfigured.nmconnection <<'NMEOF'
+[connection]
+id=preconfigured
+type=wifi
+autoconnect=true
+
+[wifi]
+mode=infrastructure
+ssid=PLACEHOLDER_SSID
+
+[wifi-security]
+auth-alg=open
+key-mgmt=wpa-psk
+psk=PLACEHOLDER_WIFIPASS
+
+[ipv4]
+method=auto
+
+[ipv6]
+method=auto
+NMEOF
+    chmod 600 /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/preconfigured.nmconnection
+    rfkill unblock wifi
+fi
+
+# Cleanup
+rm -f /boot/firstrun.sh
+rm -f /boot/firmware/firstrun.sh
+sed -i 's| systemd.run.*||g' /boot/cmdline.txt 2>/dev/null
+sed -i 's| systemd.run.*||g' /boot/firmware/cmdline.txt 2>/dev/null
+exit 0
+EOFSCRIPT
+
+            # Replace placeholders
+            sed -i "s/PLACEHOLDER_SSID/$WIFI_SSID/g" "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
+            sed -i "s/PLACEHOLDER_WIFIPASS/$WIFI_PASS/g" "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
+            sed -i "s/PLACEHOLDER_COUNTRY/$WIFI_COUNTRY/g" "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
+            if [ -n "$PI_HOSTNAME" ]; then
+                sed -i "s/PLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME/$PI_HOSTNAME/g" "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
+            else
+                sed -i "s/PLACEHOLDER_HOSTNAME//g" "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
+            fi
+            chmod +x "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
+
+            # Update cmdline.txt to run firstrun.sh
+            CMDLINE="$MOUNT_DIR/cmdline.txt"
+            if [ -f "$CMDLINE" ]; then
+                CURRENT=$(cat "$CMDLINE" | tr -d '\n' | sed 's| systemd.run.*||g')
+                echo "$CURRENT systemd.run=/boot/firmware/firstrun.sh systemd.run_success_action=reboot systemd.unit=kernel-command-line.target" > "$CMDLINE"
+            fi
+
+            umount "$MOUNT_DIR"
+            echo -e "  ${GREEN}✓${NC} WiFi configured for: $WIFI_SSID"
+        else
+            echo -e "  ${YELLOW}⚠${NC} Could not mount boot partition"
+        fi
+        rmdir "$MOUNT_DIR" 2>/dev/null || true
+    else
+        echo -e "  ${YELLOW}⚠${NC} Boot partition not found"
+    fi
+fi
+
 echo ""
 echo -e "${GREEN}╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${NC}"
 echo -e "${GREEN}║                    Flash Complete!                            ║${NC}"
@@ -291,5 +432,11 @@ echo -e "${GREEN}╚════════════════════
 echo ""
 echo -e "You can now remove the SD card and boot your Raspberry Pi."
 echo ""
-echo -e "${YELLOW}Tip:${NC} On first boot, SSH in and the setup wizard will run automatically."
+if [ "$HAS_CONFIG" = true ]; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}WiFi pre-configured${NC} - Pi will connect to $WIFI_SSID on boot"
+    echo -e "SSH: ${YELLOW}ssh admin@${PI_HOSTNAME:-stegasoo}.local${NC} (password: stegasoo)"
+else
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Tip:${NC} On first boot, the setup wizard will help configure WiFi."
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Tip:${NC} Or place config.json in rpi/ for headless setup next time."
+fi
 echo ""

rpi/flash-stock-img.sh

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 # Flash Raspberry Pi image with headless config (Trixie/Bookworm compatible)
-# Usage: ./flash-pi.sh <image.img.xz> <device>
+# Usage: ./flash-stock-img.sh <image.img.xz> <device>
 # Reads settings from config.json in same directory
 #
 # Uses the same firstrun.sh approach as rpi-imager for compatibility
@@ -103,13 +103,100 @@ sleep 1
 # ============================================================================
 if [ -b "${DEVICE}1" ]; then
     BOOT_PART="${DEVICE}1"
+    ROOT_PART="${DEVICE}2"
 elif [ -b "${DEVICE}p1" ]; then
     BOOT_PART="${DEVICE}p1"
+    ROOT_PART="${DEVICE}p2"
 else
     echo "Error: Could not find boot partition"
     exit 1
 fi
 
+# ============================================================================
+# Resize rootfs to 16GB (faster imaging)
+# ============================================================================
+echo
+read -p "Resize rootfs to 16GB for faster imaging? [Y/n] " resize_confirm
+if [[ ! "$resize_confirm" =~ ^[Nn]$ ]]; then
+    echo "Resizing rootfs partition to 16GB..."
+
+    # Get current partition size in bytes
+    CURRENT_SIZE=$(sudo blockdev --getsize64 "$ROOT_PART")
+    TARGET_BYTES=$((16 * 1024 * 1024 * 1024))  # 16GB in bytes
+
+    # Get boot partition end in sectors
+    BOOT_END=$(sudo parted -s "$DEVICE" unit s print | grep "^ 1" | awk '{print $3}' | tr -d 's')
+
+    # Calculate 16GB in sectors (512 byte sectors)
+    ROOT_SIZE_SECTORS=33554432
+    ROOT_END=$((BOOT_END + ROOT_SIZE_SECTORS))
+
+    if [ "$CURRENT_SIZE" -lt "$TARGET_BYTES" ]; then
+        # EXPANDING: partition first, then filesystem
+        echo "Current partition is smaller than 16GB - expanding..."
+
+        # Delete and recreate partition 2 with 16GB size
+        echo "Expanding partition to 16GB..."
+        sudo parted -s "$DEVICE" rm 2
+        sudo parted -s "$DEVICE" mkpart primary ext4 $((BOOT_END + 1))s ${ROOT_END}s
+
+        # Refresh partition table
+        sudo partprobe "$DEVICE"
+        sleep 2
+
+        # Expand filesystem to fill the new partition
+        echo "Expanding filesystem to fill partition..."
+        sudo e2fsck -f -y "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+        sudo resize2fs "$ROOT_PART"
+    else
+        # SHRINKING: filesystem first, then partition
+        echo "Current partition is larger than 16GB - shrinking..."
+
+        # Check and shrink filesystem first
+        echo "Checking filesystem..."
+        sudo e2fsck -f -y "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+        # Shrink filesystem to 15.5GB (leave room for partition overhead)
+        echo "Shrinking filesystem to 15500M..."
+        sudo resize2fs "$ROOT_PART" 15500M
+
+        # Delete and recreate partition 2 with 16GB size
+        echo "Shrinking partition to 16GB..."
+        sudo parted -s "$DEVICE" rm 2
+        sudo parted -s "$DEVICE" mkpart primary ext4 $((BOOT_END + 1))s ${ROOT_END}s
+
+        # Refresh partition table
+        sudo partprobe "$DEVICE"
+        sleep 2
+
+        # Expand filesystem to fill the partition exactly
+        echo "Expanding filesystem to fill partition..."
+        sudo e2fsck -f -y "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+        sudo resize2fs "$ROOT_PART"
+    fi
+
+    # Verify and show result
+    echo "Verifying partition size..."
+    sudo parted -s "$DEVICE" unit GB print | grep "^ 2"
+
+    # Disable Pi OS auto-expand on first boot
+    echo "Disabling auto-expand..."
+    TEMP_ROOT=$(mktemp -d)
+    sudo mount "$ROOT_PART" "$TEMP_ROOT"
+
+    # Remove resize2fs_once service if it exists
+    sudo rm -f "$TEMP_ROOT/etc/init.d/resize2fs_once"
+    sudo rm -f "$TEMP_ROOT/etc/rc3.d/S01resize2fs_once"
+
+    # Disable the systemd resize service
+    sudo rm -f "$TEMP_ROOT/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/rpi-resizerootfs.service"
+
+    sudo umount "$TEMP_ROOT"
+    rmdir "$TEMP_ROOT"
+
+    echo "  Rootfs set to 16GB (auto-expand disabled)"
+fi
+
 MOUNT_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
 
 # ============================================================================
@@ -213,8 +300,8 @@ sudo chmod +x "$MOUNT_DIR/firstrun.sh"
 echo "Updating cmdline.txt..."
 CMDLINE="$MOUNT_DIR/cmdline.txt"
 if [ -f "$CMDLINE" ]; then
-    # Read current cmdline, strip any existing systemd.run, append new one
-    CURRENT=$(cat "$CMDLINE" | tr -d '\n' | sed 's| systemd.run.*||g')
+    # Read current cmdline, strip existing systemd.run and init= (auto-expand)
+    CURRENT=$(cat "$CMDLINE" | tr -d '\n' | sed 's| systemd.run.*||g' | sed 's| init=[^ ]*||g')
     echo "$CURRENT systemd.run=/boot/firmware/firstrun.sh systemd.run_success_action=reboot systemd.unit=kernel-command-line.target" | sudo tee "$CMDLINE" > /dev/null
     echo "  cmdline.txt updated"
 fi
@@ -229,4 +316,17 @@ echo "  User: $PI_USER"
 echo "  SSH: enabled"
 echo "  WiFi: $WIFI_SSID"
 echo
-echo "Insert into Pi and boot. Find it with: ping $PI_HOSTNAME.local"
+echo "Insert into Pi and boot. Access via:"
+echo "  mDNS:  http://$PI_HOSTNAME.local"
+echo "  Find IP: ping $PI_HOSTNAME.local"
+echo
+echo "Once booted, SSH with: ssh $PI_USER@$PI_HOSTNAME.local"
+
+# If we resized, remind about pull-image.sh
+if [[ ! "$resize_confirm" =~ ^[Nn]$ ]]; then
+    echo
+    echo "=== After setup, use pull-image.sh to create distributable image ==="
+    echo "  ./pull-image.sh $DEVICE stegasoo-rpi-VERSION.img.zst"
+    echo
+    echo "This will only pull the 16GB partition, not the entire SD card."
+fi

rpi/host-requirements.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# Host Machine Dependencies for Stegasoo Pi Scripts
+# =================================================
+#
+# Quick install (Debian/Ubuntu):
+#   sudo apt install parted e2fsprogs zstd zip bc pv jq unzip sshpass
+#
+# Or install with this file:
+#   sudo apt install $(grep -v '^#' rpi/host-requirements.txt | grep -v '^$' | xargs)
+
+# pull-image.sh - Create distributable images
+parted              # Partition table reading/writing
+e2fsprogs           # e2fsck, resize2fs for ext4
+zstd                # Compression (zstd -T0 -3)
+zip                 # Optional .zst.zip wrapper for GitHub
+bc                  # Floating point math for size display
+pv                  # Progress bar (optional, falls back to dd status)
+
+# flash-image.sh - Flash images to SD cards
+unzip               # Extract .zst.zip wrappers
+zstd                # Decompress .zst images
+pv                  # Progress bar (optional)
+jq                  # Parse config.json for headless WiFi (optional)
+
+# kickoff-pi-test.sh - Automated flash+test
+sshpass             # Non-interactive SSH with password
+avahi-utils         # avahi-resolve for .local hostname lookup
+
+# Optional tools
+rpi-imager          # Faster flashing (flash-image.sh falls back to dd)

rpi/kickoff-pi-test.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+#
+# Stegasoo Pi Test Kickoff Script
+# Automates: flash -> wait for boot -> setup -> test
+#
+# Usage: ./kickoff-pi-test.sh <image.img.zst> </dev/sdX>
+#
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+
+# Pi connection settings
+PI_HOST="stegasoo.local"
+PI_USER="admin"
+PI_PASS="stegasoo"
+
+# Colors
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+CYAN='\033[0;36m'
+NC='\033[0m'
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helper functions
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Wait for Pi to be reachable
+wait_for_pi() {
+    local attempt=1
+    ssh-keygen -R "$PI_HOST" 2>/dev/null
+
+    echo "Waiting for $PI_USER@$PI_HOST..."
+    while ! sshpass -p "$PI_PASS" ssh -o ConnectTimeout=2 -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o BatchMode=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null "$PI_USER@$PI_HOST" "exit" 2>/dev/null; do
+        printf "\rAttempt %d..." "$attempt"
+        ((attempt++))
+        sleep 2
+    done
+
+    printf "\r${GREEN}✓ Ready after %d attempts${NC}\n" "$attempt"
+    printf '\a'  # Terminal bell
+}
+
+# Run command on Pi (non-interactive)
+run_on_pi() {
+    sshpass -p "$PI_PASS" ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null "$PI_USER@$PI_HOST" "$@"
+}
+
+# Run command on Pi (interactive/PTY)
+run_on_pi_interactive() {
+    sshpass -p "$PI_PASS" ssh -t -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null "$PI_USER@$PI_HOST" "$@"
+}
+
+# Copy file to Pi
+scp_to_pi() {
+    local src="$1"
+    local dst="$2"
+    sshpass -p "$PI_PASS" scp -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null "$src" "$PI_USER@$PI_HOST:$dst"
+}
+
+# Interactive SSH session
+ssh_pi() {
+    ssh-keygen -R "$PI_HOST" 2>/dev/null
+    sshpass -p "$PI_PASS" ssh -t -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null "$PI_USER@$PI_HOST" "$@"
+}
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Main
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+if [[ $# -lt 2 ]]; then
+    echo "Usage: $0 <image.img.zst> </dev/sdX>"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Example: $0 stegasoo-v4.1.img.zst /dev/sda"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+IMAGE="$1"
+DEVICE="$2"
+
+if [[ ! -f "$IMAGE" ]]; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Image file not found: $IMAGE${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [[ ! -b "$DEVICE" ]]; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Device not found: $DEVICE${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo -e "${CYAN}╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${NC}"
+echo -e "${CYAN}║              Stegasoo Pi Test Kickoff                         ║${NC}"
+echo -e "${CYAN}╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "Image:  ${YELLOW}$IMAGE${NC}"
+echo -e "Device: ${YELLOW}$DEVICE${NC}"
+echo ""
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 1: Flash the image
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "${GREEN}[1/8]${NC} Flashing image..."
+echo ""
+
+# Auto-answer: "yes" for confirm, "y" for wipe, "y" for resize
+printf 'yes\ny\ny\n' | "$SCRIPT_DIR/flash-stock-img.sh" "$IMAGE" "$DEVICE"
+
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}[2/8]${NC} Flash complete! Waiting for SD card insertion..."
+echo ""
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 2: Wait for user to insert SD card
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "${YELLOW}════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+echo -e "${YELLOW}  Insert SD card into Pi and power on${NC}"
+echo -e "${YELLOW}════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+echo ""
+read -p "Press ENTER when Pi is booting..."
+
+echo ""
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 3: Wait for Pi to be ready
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "${GREEN}[3/8]${NC} Waiting for Pi to boot..."
+echo ""
+
+wait_for_pi
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 4: Pre-setup (install dependencies)
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}[4/8]${NC} Installing dependencies on Pi..."
+echo ""
+
+run_on_pi "sudo chown admin:admin /opt && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y git zstd jq"
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 5: Clone repo
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}[5/8]${NC} Cloning Stegasoo repo..."
+echo ""
+
+run_on_pi "cd /opt && git clone -b 4.1 https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo.git stegasoo"
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 6: Copy pre-built tarball
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}[6/8]${NC} Copying pre-built tarball to Pi..."
+echo ""
+
+TARBALL="$SCRIPT_DIR/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst"
+if [[ -f "$TARBALL" ]]; then
+    scp_to_pi "$TARBALL" "/opt/stegasoo/rpi/"
+    echo -e "  ${GREEN}✓${NC} Tarball copied"
+else
+    echo -e "  ${YELLOW}⚠${NC} Tarball not found at $TARBALL"
+    echo -e "  ${YELLOW}⚠${NC} Setup will build from source (takes longer)"
+fi
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 7: Run setup
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}[7/8]${NC} Running setup.sh on Pi..."
+echo ""
+
+run_on_pi_interactive "cd /opt/stegasoo && ./rpi/setup.sh"
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Step 8: Test it works
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}[8/8]${NC} Testing Stegasoo..."
+echo ""
+
+run_on_pi "sudo systemctl start stegasoo && sleep 2 && curl -sk https://localhost:5000 | head -5"
+
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+echo -e "${GREEN}  Build complete! Pi is ready for testing.${NC}"
+echo -e "${GREEN}════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "Access: ${YELLOW}https://stegasoo.local:5000${NC}"
+echo ""
+read -p "Press ENTER to SSH into Pi for manual testing..."
+
+ssh_pi

rpi/pull-image.sh

@@ -1,31 +1,26 @@
 #!/bin/bash
+# Pull Raspberry Pi image from SD card (after setup)
+# Resizes rootfs to 16GB for consistent image size, then pulls
 #
-# Pull Stegasoo image from SD card
-# Auto-detects SD card, copies with progress, shrinks, and compresses
-#
-# Usage: ./pull-image.sh [output-name] [device]
-#        Output will be: stegasoo-rpi-YYYYMMDD.img.zst (or custom name)
-#        Use .img extension to skip compression: ./pull-image.sh foo.img
-#
-# If device is specified, skips auto-detection (useful for large drives)
-#
+# Usage: ./pull-image.sh <device> <output.img.zst>
+# Example: ./pull-image.sh /dev/sdb stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst
 
 set -e
 
 RED='\033[0;31m'
 GREEN='\033[0;32m'
 YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
-BLUE='\033[0;34m'
 BOLD='\033[1m'
 NC='\033[0m'
 
-# Check for required tools
-for cmd in dd pv zstd lsblk; do
-    if ! command -v $cmd &> /dev/null; then
-        echo -e "${RED}Error: $cmd is required but not installed.${NC}"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-done
+if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
+    echo "Usage: $0 <device> <output.img.zst>"
+    echo "Example: $0 /dev/sdb stegasoo-rpi-4.1.5.img.zst"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+DEVICE="$1"
+OUTPUT="$2"
 
 # Check for root
 if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]; then
@@ -33,175 +28,185 @@ if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]; then
     exit 1
 fi
 
-# Output filename and optional device
-if [ -n "$1" ]; then
-    OUTPUT="$1"
-else
-    OUTPUT="stegasoo-rpi-$(date +%Y%m%d).img.zst"
-fi
-MANUAL_DEVICE="$2"
-
-# Check if output ends in .img (skip compression) or .zst (compress)
-SKIP_COMPRESS=false
-if [[ "$OUTPUT" == *.img ]]; then
-    IMG_FILE="$OUTPUT"
-    SKIP_COMPRESS=true
-elif [[ "$OUTPUT" == *.zst ]]; then
-    IMG_FILE="${OUTPUT%.zst}"
-else
-    # No recognized extension, add .img.zst
-    IMG_FILE="${OUTPUT}.img"
-    OUTPUT="${OUTPUT}.img.zst"
+if [ ! -b "$DEVICE" ]; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Device not found: $DEVICE${NC}"
+    exit 1
 fi
 
-echo -e "${BLUE}"
-echo "╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗"
-echo "║              Stegasoo SD Card Image Puller                    ║"
-echo "╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝"
-echo -e "${NC}"
-
-# Use manual device or auto-detect
-if [ -n "$MANUAL_DEVICE" ]; then
-    # Manual device specified
-    if [ ! -b "$MANUAL_DEVICE" ]; then
-        echo -e "${RED}Error: $MANUAL_DEVICE is not a block device${NC}"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-    SELECTED="$MANUAL_DEVICE"
-    echo -e "Using specified device: ${YELLOW}$SELECTED${NC}"
-    echo ""
-    lsblk "$SELECTED" -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MODEL
-    echo ""
-else
-    # Auto-detect SD card candidates
-    # Looking for: USB/removable, 8-128GB, not mounted as root filesystem
-    echo -e "${BOLD}Scanning for SD cards...${NC}"
-    echo ""
-
-    declare -a CANDIDATES
-    declare -a CANDIDATE_INFO
-
-    while IFS= read -r line; do
-        DEV=$(echo "$line" | awk '{print $1}')
-        SIZE=$(echo "$line" | awk '{print $2}')
-        TYPE=$(echo "$line" | awk '{print $3}')
-        TRAN=$(echo "$line" | awk '{print $4}')
-        MODEL=$(echo "$line" | awk '{print $5" "$6" "$7}' | xargs)
-
-        # Skip if it's the root filesystem
-        if mount | grep -q "^/dev/${DEV}[0-9]* on / "; then
-            continue
-        fi
-
-        # Skip if any partition is mounted as root
-        ROOT_DEV=$(mount | grep " on / " | awk '{print $1}' | sed 's/[0-9]*$//')
-        if [[ "/dev/$DEV" == "$ROOT_DEV" ]]; then
-            continue
-        fi
-
-        # Get size in bytes for reliable comparison
-        SIZE_BYTES=$(lsblk -b -d -o SIZE -n "/dev/$DEV" 2>/dev/null | tr -d ' ')
-        SIZE_GB_INT=$((SIZE_BYTES / 1073741824))  # 1024^3
-
-        # Check if size is in SD card range (8GB - 128GB)
-        if [ "$SIZE_GB_INT" -ge 8 ] && [ "$SIZE_GB_INT" -le 128 ]; then
-            CANDIDATES+=("/dev/$DEV")
-            CANDIDATE_INFO+=("$SIZE $TYPE ${TRAN:-???} $MODEL")
-        fi
-    done < <(lsblk -d -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,TRAN,MODEL -n | grep "disk")
-
-    if [ ${#CANDIDATES[@]} -eq 0 ]; then
-        echo -e "${RED}No SD card candidates found.${NC}"
-        echo "Looking for USB/removable disks between 8GB and 128GB."
-        echo ""
-        echo "Available disks:"
-        lsblk -d -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,TRAN,MODEL
-        echo ""
-        echo -e "${YELLOW}Tip: Specify device manually: $0 output.img.zst /dev/sdX${NC}"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-
-    echo -e "${GREEN}Found ${#CANDIDATES[@]} candidate(s):${NC}"
-    echo ""
-
-    for i in "${!CANDIDATES[@]}"; do
-        echo -e "  ${BOLD}[$((i+1))]${NC} ${CANDIDATES[$i]} - ${CANDIDATE_INFO[$i]}"
-    done
-
-    echo ""
-
-    if [ ${#CANDIDATES[@]} -eq 1 ]; then
-        SELECTED="${CANDIDATES[0]}"
-        echo -e "Auto-selected: ${YELLOW}$SELECTED${NC}"
-    else
-        read -p "Select device [1-${#CANDIDATES[@]}]: " -r
-        if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || [ "$REPLY" -lt 1 ] || [ "$REPLY" -gt ${#CANDIDATES[@]} ]; then
-            echo -e "${RED}Invalid selection.${NC}"
-            exit 1
-        fi
-        SELECTED="${CANDIDATES[$((REPLY-1))]}"
-    fi
-fi
-
-# Show partitions
-echo ""
-echo -e "${BOLD}Partitions on $SELECTED:${NC}"
-lsblk "$SELECTED" -o NAME,SIZE,FSTYPE,LABEL,MOUNTPOINT
-echo ""
-
-# Final confirmation
-echo -e "${RED}╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${NC}"
-echo -e "${RED}║  WARNING: This will read the ENTIRE device:                   ║${NC}"
-echo -e "${RED}║  $SELECTED                                                  ║${NC}"
-echo -e "${RED}╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝${NC}"
-echo ""
-echo -e "Output: ${YELLOW}$OUTPUT${NC}"
-echo ""
-read -p "Continue? [y/N] " -n 1 -r
+echo -e "${BOLD}Device info:${NC}"
+lsblk "$DEVICE"
 echo
-if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+
+# Find partitions
+if [ -b "${DEVICE}1" ]; then
+    BOOT_PART="${DEVICE}1"
+    ROOT_PART="${DEVICE}2"
+elif [ -b "${DEVICE}p1" ]; then
+    BOOT_PART="${DEVICE}p1"
+    ROOT_PART="${DEVICE}p2"
+else
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Could not find partitions${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Unmount any mounted partitions
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Unmounting partitions...${NC}"
+umount "$BOOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+umount "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+# ============================================================================
+# Resize rootfs to 16GB
+# ============================================================================
+echo
+echo -e "${BOLD}Checking partition size...${NC}"
+
+# Get current partition size in bytes
+CURRENT_SIZE=$(blockdev --getsize64 "$ROOT_PART")
+TARGET_BYTES=$((16 * 1024 * 1024 * 1024))  # 16GB in bytes
+CURRENT_GB=$(echo "scale=2; $CURRENT_SIZE / 1073741824" | bc)
+
+echo "  Current rootfs size: ${CURRENT_GB}GB"
+
+if [ "$CURRENT_SIZE" -gt "$TARGET_BYTES" ]; then
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Resizing rootfs to 16GB...${NC}"
+
+    # Get boot partition end in sectors
+    BOOT_END=$(parted -s "$DEVICE" unit s print | grep "^ 1" | awk '{print $3}' | tr -d 's')
+
+    # Calculate 16GB in sectors (512 byte sectors)
+    ROOT_SIZE_SECTORS=33554432
+    ROOT_END=$((BOOT_END + ROOT_SIZE_SECTORS))
+
+    # SHRINKING: filesystem first, then partition
+    echo "  Checking filesystem..."
+    e2fsck -f -y "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+    # Shrink filesystem to 15.5GB (leave room for partition overhead)
+    echo "  Shrinking filesystem to 15500M..."
+    resize2fs "$ROOT_PART" 15500M
+
+    # Delete and recreate partition 2 with 16GB size
+    echo "  Shrinking partition to 16GB..."
+    parted -s "$DEVICE" rm 2
+    parted -s "$DEVICE" mkpart primary ext4 $((BOOT_END + 1))s ${ROOT_END}s
+
+    # Refresh partition table
+    partprobe "$DEVICE"
+    sleep 2
+
+    # Expand filesystem to fill the partition exactly
+    echo "  Expanding filesystem to fill partition..."
+    e2fsck -f -y "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+    resize2fs "$ROOT_PART"
+
+    echo -e "${GREEN}  Rootfs resized to 16GB${NC}"
+elif [ "$CURRENT_SIZE" -lt "$TARGET_BYTES" ]; then
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}  Rootfs is smaller than 16GB - expanding...${NC}"
+
+    # Get boot partition end in sectors
+    BOOT_END=$(parted -s "$DEVICE" unit s print | grep "^ 1" | awk '{print $3}' | tr -d 's')
+    ROOT_SIZE_SECTORS=33554432
+    ROOT_END=$((BOOT_END + ROOT_SIZE_SECTORS))
+
+    # EXPANDING: partition first, then filesystem
+    parted -s "$DEVICE" rm 2
+    parted -s "$DEVICE" mkpart primary ext4 $((BOOT_END + 1))s ${ROOT_END}s
+
+    partprobe "$DEVICE"
+    sleep 2
+
+    e2fsck -f -y "$ROOT_PART" 2>/dev/null || true
+    resize2fs "$ROOT_PART"
+
+    echo -e "${GREEN}  Rootfs expanded to 16GB${NC}"
+else
+    echo -e "${GREEN}  Rootfs already ~16GB${NC}"
+fi
+
+# ============================================================================
+# Disable auto-expand on first boot
+# ============================================================================
+echo
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Disabling auto-expand...${NC}"
+TEMP_ROOT=$(mktemp -d)
+mount "$ROOT_PART" "$TEMP_ROOT"
+
+# Remove resize2fs_once service if it exists
+rm -f "$TEMP_ROOT/etc/init.d/resize2fs_once"
+rm -f "$TEMP_ROOT/etc/rc3.d/S01resize2fs_once"
+
+# Disable the systemd resize service
+rm -f "$TEMP_ROOT/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/rpi-resizerootfs.service"
+
+umount "$TEMP_ROOT"
+rmdir "$TEMP_ROOT"
+echo -e "${GREEN}  Auto-expand disabled${NC}"
+
+# ============================================================================
+# Pull image
+# ============================================================================
+echo
+echo -e "${BOLD}Partition table:${NC}"
+parted -s "$DEVICE" unit s print
+echo
+
+# Get the end of the last partition (partition 2 = rootfs)
+END_SECTOR=$(parted -s "$DEVICE" unit s print | grep "^ 2" | awk '{print $3}' | tr -d 's')
+
+if [ -z "$END_SECTOR" ]; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Could not determine partition 2 end sector${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Add a small buffer (1MB = 2048 sectors) for safety
+TOTAL_SECTORS=$((END_SECTOR + 2048))
+TOTAL_BYTES=$((TOTAL_SECTORS * 512))
+TOTAL_GB=$(echo "scale=2; $TOTAL_BYTES / 1073741824" | bc)
+
+echo -e "Image size: ${YELLOW}~${TOTAL_GB}GB${NC} (${TOTAL_SECTORS} sectors)"
+echo -e "Output: ${YELLOW}$OUTPUT${NC}"
+echo
+
+read -p "Proceed with image pull? [Y/n] " confirm
+if [[ "$confirm" =~ ^[Nn]$ ]]; then
     echo "Aborted."
     exit 1
 fi
 
-# Get device size for pv
-DEV_SIZE=$(blockdev --getsize64 "$SELECTED")
+echo
+echo -e "${GREEN}Pulling image...${NC}"
+echo
 
-echo ""
-echo -e "${GREEN}[1/3]${NC} Copying image from $SELECTED..."
-dd if="$SELECTED" bs=4M status=none | pv -s "$DEV_SIZE" > "$IMG_FILE"
-sync
-
-echo ""
-echo -e "${GREEN}[2/3]${NC} Shrinking image..."
-if command -v pishrink.sh &> /dev/null; then
-    pishrink.sh "$IMG_FILE"
-elif [ -f "./pishrink.sh" ]; then
-    bash ./pishrink.sh "$IMG_FILE"
-elif [ -f "../pishrink.sh" ]; then
-    bash ../pishrink.sh "$IMG_FILE"
+# Use pv if available for progress, otherwise fallback to dd status
+if command -v pv &> /dev/null; then
+    dd if="$DEVICE" bs=512 count=$TOTAL_SECTORS 2>/dev/null | \
+        pv -s $TOTAL_BYTES | \
+        zstd -T0 -3 > "$OUTPUT"
 else
-    echo -e "${YELLOW}pishrink.sh not found, skipping shrink step.${NC}"
-    echo "Download from: https://github.com/Drewsif/PiShrink"
+    dd if="$DEVICE" bs=512 count=$TOTAL_SECTORS status=progress | \
+        zstd -T0 -3 > "$OUTPUT"
 fi
 
-echo ""
-if [ "$SKIP_COMPRESS" = true ]; then
-    echo -e "${GREEN}[3/3]${NC} Skipping compression (.img output)"
-    FINAL_SIZE=$(du -h "$IMG_FILE" | awk '{print $1}')
-    OUTPUT="$IMG_FILE"
-else
-    echo -e "${GREEN}[3/3]${NC} Compressing with zstd..."
-    pv "$IMG_FILE" | zstd -19 -T0 -q > "$OUTPUT"
-    rm -f "$IMG_FILE"
-    FINAL_SIZE=$(du -h "$OUTPUT" | awk '{print $1}')
-fi
+echo
+echo -e "${GREEN}Done!${NC} Image saved to: $OUTPUT"
+ls -lh "$OUTPUT"
 
-echo ""
-echo -e "${GREEN}╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${NC}"
-echo -e "${GREEN}║                    Image Complete!                            ║${NC}"
-echo -e "${GREEN}╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝${NC}"
-echo ""
-echo -e "Output: ${YELLOW}$OUTPUT${NC}"
-echo -e "Size:   ${YELLOW}$FINAL_SIZE${NC}"
-echo ""
+# ============================================================================
+# Optional: Zip-wrap for GitHub releases
+# ============================================================================
+echo
+read -p "Create .zst.zip wrapper for GitHub? [y/N] " zip_confirm
+if [[ "$zip_confirm" =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    ZIP_OUTPUT="${OUTPUT}.zip"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Creating zip wrapper (store mode, no compression)...${NC}"
+    zip -0 "$ZIP_OUTPUT" "$OUTPUT"
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Done!${NC} Upload this to GitHub Releases:"
+    ls -lh "$ZIP_OUTPUT"
+    echo
+    echo "Users can flash with:"
+    echo "  sudo ./rpi/flash-image.sh $ZIP_OUTPUT"
+else
+    echo
+    echo "To verify:"
+    echo "  zstdcat $OUTPUT | fdisk -l /dev/stdin"
+fi

rpi/sanitize-for-image.sh

@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ GRAY='\033[0;90m'
 BOLD='\033[1m'
 NC='\033[0m'
 
+# Source banner functions
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+source "$SCRIPT_DIR/banner.sh"
+
 # Show help
 show_help() {
     echo "Stegasoo Sanitize Script - Prepare Pi for SD Card Imaging"
@@ -70,21 +74,11 @@ if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]; then
 fi
 
 clear
-echo ""
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "${GRAY} · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·${NC}"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m    ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\\\\  / __|  / _ \\\\  / _ \\\\\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   \\\\__ \\\\  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \\\\ \\\\__ \\\\ | (_) || (_) |\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___|/_/ \\_\\\\|___/  \\\\___/  \\\\___/\033[0m"
-echo -e "${GRAY} · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·${NC}"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
 if [ "$SOFT_RESET" = true ]; then
-    echo -e "\033[1;37m                  Soft Reset (Factory)\033[0m"
+    print_banner "Soft Reset (Factory)"
 else
-    echo -e "\033[1;37m                  Sanitize for Imaging\033[0m"
+    print_banner "Sanitize for Imaging"
 fi
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
 echo ""
 
 if [ "$SOFT_RESET" = true ]; then

rpi/setup.sh

@@ -29,6 +29,33 @@ GRAY='\033[0;90m'
 BOLD='\033[1m'
 NC='\033[0m' # No Color
 
+# Source banner.sh if available (for local runs), otherwise define inline
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" 2>/dev/null && pwd)"
+if [ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/banner.sh" ]; then
+    source "$SCRIPT_DIR/banner.sh"
+else
+    # Inline banner functions for curl-pipe execution
+    print_gradient_line() {
+        echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
+    }
+    print_banner() {
+        local subtitle="$1"
+        echo ""
+        print_gradient_line
+        echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
+        echo -e "\033[38;5;220m    ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___\033[0m"
+        echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\\  / __|  / _ \\  / _ \\\\\033[0m"
+        echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   \\__ \\  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \\ \\__ \\ | (_) || (_) |\033[0m"
+        echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___//_/ \\_\\|___/  \\___/  \\___/\033[0m"
+        echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
+        print_gradient_line
+        if [ -n "$subtitle" ]; then
+            echo -e "\033[1;37m                    ${subtitle}\033[0m"
+            print_gradient_line
+        fi
+    }
+fi
+
 # Show help
 show_help() {
     echo "Stegasoo Raspberry Pi Setup Script"
@@ -36,7 +63,9 @@ show_help() {
     echo "Usage: $0 [options]"
     echo ""
     echo "Options:"
-    echo "  -h, --help    Show this help message"
+    echo "  -h, --help      Show this help message"
+    echo "  --no-prebuilt   Build from source instead of using pre-built venv"
+    echo "  --from-source   Same as --no-prebuilt"
     echo ""
     echo "Configuration:"
     echo "  Config files are loaded in order (later overrides earlier):"
@@ -80,20 +109,10 @@ for config_file in "/etc/stegasoo.conf" "$HOME/.config/stegasoo/stegasoo.conf";
 done
 
 clear
-echo ""
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "${GRAY} · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·${NC}"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m    ___  _____  ___    ___    _    ___    ___    ___\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   / __||_   _|| __|  / __|  /_\\\\  / __|  / _ \\\\  / _ \\\\\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   \\\\__ \\\\  | |  | _|  | (_ | / _ \\\\ \\\\__ \\\\ | (_) || (_) |\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___|/_/ \\_\\\\|___/  \\\\___/  \\\\___/\033[0m"
-echo -e "${GRAY} · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·${NC}"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[1;37m                   Raspberry Pi Setup\033[0m"
-echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
+print_banner "Raspberry Pi Setup"
 echo ""
 echo "  This will install Stegasoo with full DCT support"
-echo "  Estimated time: 15-20 minutes on Pi 5"
+echo "  Estimated time: ~2 minutes (pre-built) or 15-20 min (from source)"
 echo ""
 
 # Check if running on ARM
@@ -135,6 +154,7 @@ sudo apt-get install -y \
     build-essential \
     git \
     curl \
+    zstd \
     libssl-dev \
     zlib1g-dev \
     libbz2-dev \
@@ -164,49 +184,9 @@ else
     echo "  gum already installed"
 fi
 
-echo -e "${GREEN}[4/12]${NC} Installing pyenv and Python $PYTHON_VERSION..."
+echo -e "${GREEN}[4/12]${NC} Cloning Stegasoo..."
 
-# Install pyenv if not present
-if [ ! -d "$HOME/.pyenv" ]; then
-    curl https://pyenv.run | bash
-
-    # Add pyenv to current shell
-    export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
-    export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
-    eval "$(pyenv init -)"
-
-    # Add to .bashrc if not already there
-    if ! grep -q 'PYENV_ROOT' ~/.bashrc; then
-        echo '' >> ~/.bashrc
-        echo '# pyenv' >> ~/.bashrc
-        echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.bashrc
-        echo '[[ -d $PYENV_ROOT/bin ]] && export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
-        echo 'eval "$(pyenv init - bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc
-    fi
-else
-    echo "pyenv already installed, skipping..."
-    export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
-    export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
-    eval "$(pyenv init -)"
-fi
-
-# Install Python 3.12 if not present
-if ! pyenv versions | grep -q "$PYTHON_VERSION"; then
-    echo "Building Python $PYTHON_VERSION (this takes ~10 minutes)..."
-    pyenv install $PYTHON_VERSION
-fi
-pyenv global $PYTHON_VERSION
-
-# Verify Python version
-INSTALLED_PY=$(python --version 2>&1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1,2)
-if [ "$INSTALLED_PY" != "$PYTHON_VERSION" ]; then
-    echo -e "${RED}Error: Python $PYTHON_VERSION not active. Got: $INSTALLED_PY${NC}"
-    exit 1
-fi
-
-echo -e "${GREEN}[5/12]${NC} Cloning Stegasoo..."
-
-# Clone Stegasoo first (needed for jpegio patch script)
+# Clone Stegasoo first (needed to check for pre-built tarball)
 if [ -d "$INSTALL_DIR/.git" ]; then
     echo "  Stegasoo directory exists, updating..."
     cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
@@ -218,49 +198,166 @@ else
     cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
 fi
 
-echo -e "${GREEN}[6/12]${NC} Creating Python virtual environment..."
+# Pre-built environment tarball (skips 20+ min compile time)
+# Includes both pyenv Python 3.12 AND venv with all dependencies
+PREBUILT_TARBALL="$INSTALL_DIR/rpi/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst"
+PREBUILT_URL="${PREBUILT_URL:-https://github.com/adlee-was-taken/stegasoo/releases/download/v4.1.5/stegasoo-rpi-runtime-env-arm64.tar.zst}"
+USE_PREBUILT=true
 
-# Create venv with pyenv Python (not system Python)
-# Use pyenv which to get actual path (handles 3.12 -> 3.12.12 mapping)
-PYENV_PYTHON=$(pyenv which python)
-echo "  Using Python: $PYENV_PYTHON"
-if [ ! -d "venv" ]; then
-    "$PYENV_PYTHON" -m venv venv
-fi
-source venv/bin/activate
-
-# Verify we're using the right Python
-VENV_PY=$(python --version 2>&1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1,2)
-echo "  venv Python: $VENV_PY"
-
-echo -e "${GREEN}[7/12]${NC} Building jpegio for ARM..."
-
-# Clone jpegio
-JPEGIO_DIR="/tmp/jpegio-build"
-rm -rf "$JPEGIO_DIR"
-git clone "$JPEGIO_REPO" "$JPEGIO_DIR"
-
-# Apply ARM64 patch
-if [ -f "$INSTALL_DIR/rpi/patches/jpegio/apply-patch.sh" ]; then
-    bash "$INSTALL_DIR/rpi/patches/jpegio/apply-patch.sh" "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+# Use local tarball if present, otherwise will download
+if [ -f "$PREBUILT_TARBALL" ]; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Found local pre-built environment - fast install mode${NC}"
 else
-    echo "  Applying inline ARM64 patch..."
-    sed -i "s/cargs.append('-m64')/pass  # ARM64 fix/g" "$JPEGIO_DIR/setup.py"
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Will download pre-built environment - fast install mode${NC}"
 fi
 
-cd "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+# Allow --no-prebuilt flag to force from-source build
+if [[ " $* " =~ " --no-prebuilt " ]] || [[ " $* " =~ " --from-source " ]]; then
+    USE_PREBUILT=false
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Building from source (--no-prebuilt specified)${NC}"
+fi
 
-# Build jpegio into venv
-pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel cython numpy
-pip install .
+# Fast path: use pre-built environment if available
+if [ "$USE_PREBUILT" = true ]; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[5/8]${NC} Installing pre-built Python environment..."
 
-cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
-rm -rf "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+    # Download if local file doesn't exist
+    if [ ! -f "$PREBUILT_TARBALL" ]; then
+        echo "  Downloading pre-built environment (~50MB)..."
+        curl -L -o "$PREBUILT_TARBALL" "$PREBUILT_URL"
+    fi
 
-echo -e "${GREEN}[8/12]${NC} Installing Stegasoo..."
+    # Extract pre-built environment (includes pyenv Python + venv)
+    echo "  Extracting pre-built environment..."
+    zstd -d "$PREBUILT_TARBALL" --stdout | tar -xf - -C "$HOME"
 
-# Install dependencies (jpegio already in venv, won't re-download)
-pip install -e ".[web]"
+    # Setup pyenv in current shell
+    export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
+    export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
+    eval "$(pyenv init -)"
+    pyenv global $PYTHON_VERSION
+
+    # Add to .bashrc if not already there
+    if ! grep -q 'PYENV_ROOT' ~/.bashrc; then
+        echo '' >> ~/.bashrc
+        echo '# pyenv' >> ~/.bashrc
+        echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.bashrc
+        echo '[[ -d $PYENV_ROOT/bin ]] && export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
+        echo 'eval "$(pyenv init - bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc
+    fi
+
+    # Verify Python
+    INSTALLED_PY=$(python --version 2>&1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1,2)
+    echo -e "  ${GREEN}✓${NC} Python: $INSTALLED_PY"
+
+    # Extract venv to install dir
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[6/8]${NC} Setting up virtual environment..."
+    if [ -f "$HOME/stegasoo-venv.tar.zst" ]; then
+        zstd -d "$HOME/stegasoo-venv.tar.zst" --stdout | tar -xf - -C "$INSTALL_DIR"
+        rm "$HOME/stegasoo-venv.tar.zst"
+    fi
+
+    # Activate and verify
+    source "$INSTALL_DIR/venv/bin/activate"
+    VENV_PY=$(python --version 2>&1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1,2)
+    echo -e "  ${GREEN}✓${NC} venv Python: $VENV_PY"
+
+    # Install stegasoo package in editable mode (quick, no compile)
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[7/8]${NC} Installing Stegasoo package..."
+    pip install -e "." --quiet
+
+    # Adjust step numbers for rest of script
+    STEP_OFFSET=-4
+else
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[5/12]${NC} Installing pyenv and Python $PYTHON_VERSION..."
+
+    # Install pyenv if not present
+    if [ ! -d "$HOME/.pyenv" ]; then
+        curl https://pyenv.run | bash
+
+        # Add pyenv to current shell
+        export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
+        export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
+        eval "$(pyenv init -)"
+
+        # Add to .bashrc if not already there
+        if ! grep -q 'PYENV_ROOT' ~/.bashrc; then
+            echo '' >> ~/.bashrc
+            echo '# pyenv' >> ~/.bashrc
+            echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.bashrc
+            echo '[[ -d $PYENV_ROOT/bin ]] && export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
+            echo 'eval "$(pyenv init - bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc
+        fi
+    else
+        echo "  pyenv already installed"
+        export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
+        export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
+        eval "$(pyenv init -)"
+    fi
+
+    # Install Python 3.12 if not present
+    if ! pyenv versions | grep -q "$PYTHON_VERSION"; then
+        echo "  Building Python $PYTHON_VERSION (this takes ~10 minutes)..."
+        pyenv install $PYTHON_VERSION
+    else
+        echo "  Python $PYTHON_VERSION already installed"
+    fi
+    pyenv global $PYTHON_VERSION
+
+    # Verify Python version
+    INSTALLED_PY=$(python --version 2>&1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1,2)
+    if [ "$INSTALLED_PY" != "$PYTHON_VERSION" ]; then
+        echo -e "${RED}Error: Python $PYTHON_VERSION not active. Got: $INSTALLED_PY${NC}"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[6/12]${NC} Creating Python virtual environment..."
+    echo -e "  ${YELLOW}Note: No pre-built venv found. Building from source (20+ min)${NC}"
+    echo -e "  ${YELLOW}To speed up future installs, add stegasoo-venv-pi-arm64.tar.gz to rpi/${NC}"
+
+    # Create venv with pyenv Python (not system Python)
+    # Use pyenv which to get actual path (handles 3.12 -> 3.12.12 mapping)
+    PYENV_PYTHON=$(pyenv which python)
+    echo "  Using Python: $PYENV_PYTHON"
+    if [ ! -d "venv" ]; then
+        "$PYENV_PYTHON" -m venv venv
+    fi
+    source venv/bin/activate
+
+    # Verify we're using the right Python
+    VENV_PY=$(python --version 2>&1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1,2)
+    echo "  venv Python: $VENV_PY"
+
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[7/12]${NC} Building jpegio for ARM..."
+
+    # Clone jpegio
+    JPEGIO_DIR="/tmp/jpegio-build"
+    rm -rf "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+    git clone "$JPEGIO_REPO" "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+
+    # Apply ARM64 patch
+    if [ -f "$INSTALL_DIR/rpi/patches/jpegio/apply-patch.sh" ]; then
+        bash "$INSTALL_DIR/rpi/patches/jpegio/apply-patch.sh" "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+    else
+        echo "  Applying inline ARM64 patch..."
+        sed -i "s/cargs.append('-m64')/pass  # ARM64 fix/g" "$JPEGIO_DIR/setup.py"
+    fi
+
+    cd "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+
+    # Build jpegio into venv
+    pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel cython numpy
+    pip install .
+
+    cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
+    rm -rf "$JPEGIO_DIR"
+
+    echo -e "${GREEN}[8/12]${NC} Installing Stegasoo..."
+
+    # Install dependencies (jpegio already in venv, won't re-download)
+    pip install -e ".[web]"
+
+    STEP_OFFSET=0
+fi
 
 echo -e "${GREEN}[9/12]${NC} Creating systemd service..."
 
@@ -344,18 +441,35 @@ if systemctl is-active --quiet stegasoo 2>/dev/null; then
     echo -e "\033[38;5;220m   |___/  |_|  |___|  \\___//_/ \\_\\|___/  \\___/  \\___/\033[0m"
     echo -e "\033[0;90m · .  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  *  · .  ·\033[0m"
     echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
-    echo -e " \033[0;32m●\033[0m Stegasoo is running"
-    echo -e "   \033[0;33m$STEGASOO_URL\033[0m"
-    # Show CPU stats if overclocked
-    if grep -qE "^(arm_freq|over_voltage)" /boot/firmware/config.txt 2>/dev/null || \
-       grep -qE "^(arm_freq|over_voltage)" /boot/config.txt 2>/dev/null; then
-        CPU_FREQ=$(vcgencmd measure_clock arm 2>/dev/null | cut -d= -f2)
+    # Show CPU stats if overclocked (read configured freq, not current idle freq)
+    CONFIG_FILE=""
+    if [ -f /boot/firmware/config.txt ]; then CONFIG_FILE="/boot/firmware/config.txt"
+    elif [ -f /boot/config.txt ]; then CONFIG_FILE="/boot/config.txt"; fi
+    CPU_MHZ=""
+    CPU_TEMP=""
+    if [ -n "$CONFIG_FILE" ] && grep -qE "^arm_freq=" "$CONFIG_FILE" 2>/dev/null; then
+        CPU_MHZ=$(grep "^arm_freq=" "$CONFIG_FILE" | cut -d= -f2)
         CPU_TEMP=$(vcgencmd measure_temp 2>/dev/null | cut -d= -f2)
-        if [ -n "$CPU_FREQ" ] && [ -n "$CPU_TEMP" ]; then
-            CPU_MHZ=$((CPU_FREQ / 1000000))
-            echo -e "   \033[0;35m⚡\033[0m ${CPU_MHZ} MHz  \033[0;35m🌡\033[0m ${CPU_TEMP}"
-        fi
     fi
+    # Compact two-column layout
+    echo -e " 🚀 Stegasoo running     🌐 \033[0;33m$STEGASOO_URL\033[0m"
+    if [ -n "$CPU_MHZ" ] && [ -n "$CPU_TEMP" ]; then
+        # Temp emoji: ice<50, cool 50-70, fire>70
+        TEMP_NUM=$(echo "$CPU_TEMP" | grep -oE "[0-9]+" | head -1)
+        if [ -n "$TEMP_NUM" ]; then
+            if [ "$TEMP_NUM" -ge 70 ]; then
+                TEMP_EMOJI="🔥"
+            elif [ "$TEMP_NUM" -ge 50 ]; then
+                TEMP_EMOJI="😎"
+            else
+                TEMP_EMOJI="🧊"
+            fi
+        else
+            TEMP_EMOJI="🌡"
+        fi
+        echo -e " \033[0;35m⚡\033[0m ${CPU_MHZ} MHz             ${TEMP_EMOJI} ${CPU_TEMP}"
+    fi
+    echo -e "\033[38;5;93m══════════════\033[38;5;99m══════════════\033[38;5;105m══════════════\033[38;5;117m══════════════\033[0m"
     echo ""
 else
     echo ""
@@ -367,6 +481,10 @@ MOTDEOF
 sudo chmod 644 /etc/profile.d/stegasoo-motd.sh
 echo "  Created login banner"
 
+# Shorten the default Debian MOTD boilerplate
+echo "Debian GNU/Linux · License: /usr/share/doc/*/copyright" | sudo tee /etc/motd > /dev/null
+echo "  Shortened system MOTD"
+
 echo ""
 echo -e "${BOLD}Installation Complete!${NC}"
 echo -e "${BLUE}-------------------------------------------------------${NC}"
@@ -532,15 +650,19 @@ echo -e "${BLUE}-------------------------------------------------------${NC}"
 echo ""
 
 PI_IP=$(hostname -I | awk '{print $1}')
+PI_HOST=$(hostname)
 
 echo -e "${GREEN}Create your admin account:${NC}"
 if [ "$ENABLE_HTTPS" = "true" ]; then
     if [ "$USE_PORT_443" = "true" ]; then
+        echo -e "  ${YELLOW}https://$PI_HOST.local/setup${NC}"
         echo -e "  ${YELLOW}https://$PI_IP/setup${NC}"
     else
+        echo -e "  ${YELLOW}https://$PI_HOST.local:5000/setup${NC}"
         echo -e "  ${YELLOW}https://$PI_IP:5000/setup${NC}"
     fi
 else
+    echo -e "  ${YELLOW}http://$PI_HOST.local:5000/setup${NC}"
     echo -e "  ${YELLOW}http://$PI_IP:5000/setup${NC}"
 fi
 
@@ -568,12 +690,12 @@ if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Nn]$ ]]; then
         echo -e "${GREEN}✓ Stegasoo is running!${NC}"
         if [ "$ENABLE_HTTPS" = "true" ]; then
             if [ "$USE_PORT_443" = "true" ]; then
-                echo -e "  Create admin: ${YELLOW}https://$PI_IP/setup${NC}"
+                echo -e "  Create admin: ${YELLOW}https://$PI_HOST.local/setup${NC} or ${YELLOW}https://$PI_IP/setup${NC}"
             else
-                echo -e "  Create admin: ${YELLOW}https://$PI_IP:5000/setup${NC}"
+                echo -e "  Create admin: ${YELLOW}https://$PI_HOST.local:5000/setup${NC} or ${YELLOW}https://$PI_IP:5000/setup${NC}"
             fi
         else
-            echo -e "  Create admin: ${YELLOW}http://$PI_IP:5000/setup${NC}"
+            echo -e "  Create admin: ${YELLOW}http://$PI_HOST.local:5000/setup${NC} or ${YELLOW}http://$PI_IP:5000/setup${NC}"
         fi
     else
         echo -e "${RED}✗ Failed to start. Check logs:${NC} journalctl -u stegasoo -f"

scripts/validate-release.sh

@@ -120,7 +120,34 @@ else
 fi
 
 # =============================================================================
-# 2. Unit Tests (if they exist)
+# 2. Security Audit
+# =============================================================================
+section "Security Audit"
+
+# pip-audit for known vulnerabilities
+if command -v ./venv/bin/pip-audit &> /dev/null; then
+    echo -n "Running pip-audit... "
+    if ./venv/bin/pip-audit --quiet 2>/dev/null; then
+        pass "No known vulnerabilities"
+    else
+        fail "pip-audit found vulnerabilities (run: ./venv/bin/pip-audit)"
+    fi
+else
+    echo -n "Installing pip-audit... "
+    if ./venv/bin/pip install pip-audit --quiet 2>/dev/null; then
+        echo -n "Running pip-audit... "
+        if ./venv/bin/pip-audit --quiet 2>/dev/null; then
+            pass "No known vulnerabilities"
+        else
+            fail "pip-audit found vulnerabilities (run: ./venv/bin/pip-audit)"
+        fi
+    else
+        skip "Could not install pip-audit"
+    fi
+fi
+
+# =============================================================================
+# 3. Unit Tests (if they exist)
 # =============================================================================
 section "Unit Tests"
 
@@ -136,7 +163,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 # =============================================================================
-# 3. Import Tests
+# 4. Import Tests
 # =============================================================================
 section "Import Tests"
 
@@ -165,7 +192,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 # =============================================================================
-# 4. Encode/Decode Sanity Test
+# 5. Encode/Decode Sanity Test
 # =============================================================================
 section "Encode/Decode Test"
 
@@ -205,7 +232,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 # =============================================================================
-# 5. Docker Build & Test (optional)
+# 6. Docker Build & Test (optional)
 # =============================================================================
 if $INCLUDE_DOCKER; then
     section "Docker"
@@ -248,7 +275,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 # =============================================================================
-# 6. Pi Smoke Test (optional)
+# 7. Pi Smoke Test (optional)
 # =============================================================================
 if $INCLUDE_PI; then
     section "Pi Smoke Test"

src/stegasoo/cli.py

@@ -1,7 +1,69 @@
 """
 Stegasoo CLI Module (v3.2.0)
 
-Command-line interface with batch processing and compression support.
+A proper CLI architecture using Click. This module demonstrates several
+important patterns for building production-quality command-line tools:
+
+PATTERN: COMMAND GROUPS
+=======================
+Click's @group decorator creates a hierarchy of commands:
+
+    stegasoo                     <- Main entry point
+    ├── encode                   <- Simple commands at root level
+    ├── decode
+    ├── generate
+    ├── info
+    ├── batch/                   <- Group for related commands
+    │   ├── encode
+    │   ├── decode
+    │   └── check
+    ├── channel/                 <- Another group
+    │   ├── generate
+    │   ├── show
+    │   ├── status
+    │   ├── qr
+    │   └── clear
+    ├── tools/                   <- Utility group
+    │   ├── capacity
+    │   ├── strip
+    │   ├── peek
+    │   └── exif
+    └── admin/                   <- Administration group
+        ├── recover
+        └── generate-key
+
+PATTERN: JSON OUTPUT MODE
+=========================
+Every command supports --json for machine-readable output. The pattern:
+
+    @click.pass_context
+    def my_command(ctx, ...):
+        if ctx.obj.get("json"):
+            click.echo(json.dumps(result, indent=2))
+        else:
+            # Human-readable output with colors/formatting
+            click.echo(f"✓ Success: {result}")
+
+This makes the CLI scriptable - you can pipe to jq, use in shell scripts, etc.
+
+PATTERN: SENSITIVE INPUT
+========================
+Passwords/secrets use Click's secure prompts:
+
+    @click.option("--passphrase", prompt=True, hide_input=True,
+                  confirmation_prompt=True, help="Passphrase")
+
+- prompt=True: Asks if not provided
+- hide_input=True: No echo (like sudo)
+- confirmation_prompt=True: "Repeat for confirmation"
+
+PATTERN: DRY-RUN MODE
+=====================
+For destructive or slow operations, --dry-run shows what WOULD happen:
+
+    if dry_run:
+        click.echo(f"Would encode to {output}")
+        return
 
 Changes in v3.2.0:
 - Updated to use DEFAULT_PASSPHRASE_WORDS (consistency with v3.2.0 naming)
@@ -32,10 +94,23 @@ from .constants import (
     __version__,
 )
 
-# Click context settings
+# Click context settings - these apply to all commands
+# help_option_names lets users use either -h or --help
 CONTEXT_SETTINGS = dict(help_option_names=["-h", "--help"])
 
 
+# =============================================================================
+# ROOT GROUP - The main entry point
+# =============================================================================
+#
+# @click.group() creates a command group. The function becomes both:
+# 1. A callable that sets up shared state (ctx.obj)
+# 2. A container for subcommands via @cli.command() decorators
+#
+# The context object (ctx.obj) is passed down to all subcommands.
+# We use it to share the --json flag across the entire CLI.
+
+
 @click.group(context_settings=CONTEXT_SETTINGS)
 @click.version_option(__version__, "-v", "--version")
 @click.option("--json", "json_output", is_flag=True, help="Output results as JSON")
@@ -46,6 +121,8 @@ def cli(ctx, json_output):
 
     Hide messages in images using PIN + passphrase security.
     """
+    # ensure_object(dict) creates ctx.obj if it doesn't exist
+    # This prevents "NoneType has no attribute" errors
     ctx.ensure_object(dict)
     ctx.obj["json"] = json_output
 
@@ -53,6 +130,31 @@ def cli(ctx, json_output):
 # =============================================================================
 # ENCODE COMMANDS
 # =============================================================================
+#
+# The encode command demonstrates several Click patterns:
+#
+# 1. ARGUMENT vs OPTION
+#    - Arguments are positional: `stegasoo encode photo.png`
+#    - Options have flags: `stegasoo encode -m "message" --pin 1234`
+#    Rule of thumb: required inputs → arguments, optional/secret → options
+#
+# 2. MUTUAL EXCLUSIVITY
+#    We need either --message OR --file, not both. Click doesn't have built-in
+#    mutual exclusivity, so we check manually:
+#
+#        if not message and not file_payload:
+#            raise click.UsageError("Either --message or --file is required")
+#
+# 3. TYPE VALIDATION
+#    Click validates types automatically:
+#    - type=click.Path(exists=True) → file must exist
+#    - type=click.Choice(["a", "b"]) → must be one of these values
+#    - type=int → must be an integer
+#
+# 4. DEFAULT VALUES
+#    Options can have smart defaults:
+#    - default="zlib" → use this if not specified
+#    - default=True with is_flag=True → boolean flag defaults to on
 
 
 @cli.command()
@@ -320,6 +422,32 @@ def decode(ctx, image, reference, passphrase, pin, output):
 # =============================================================================
 # BATCH COMMANDS
 # =============================================================================
+#
+# Batch processing demonstrates:
+#
+# 1. SUBGROUPS
+#    @cli.group() creates a nested command group:
+#        stegasoo batch encode *.png
+#        stegasoo batch decode *.png
+#        stegasoo batch check *.png
+#
+# 2. VARIADIC ARGUMENTS
+#    nargs=-1 accepts multiple arguments:
+#        @click.argument("images", nargs=-1, required=True)
+#    This lets users do: `stegasoo batch encode img1.png img2.png img3.png`
+#    Or with shell expansion: `stegasoo batch encode *.png`
+#
+# 3. PROGRESS CALLBACKS
+#    We pass a callback to the BatchProcessor for real-time updates:
+#
+#        def progress(current, total, item):
+#            click.echo(f"[{current}/{total}] {item.input_path.name}")
+#
+#        processor.batch_encode(..., progress_callback=progress)
+#
+# 4. PARALLEL PROCESSING
+#    --jobs/-j controls worker count. Default is 4 for good balance between
+#    speed and memory usage. Each worker loads images into memory.
 
 
 @cli.group()
@@ -586,11 +714,113 @@ def generate(ctx, words, pin_length, channel_key):
 
 
 @cli.command()
+@click.option("--full", is_flag=True, help="Show full system information (Pi stats)")
 @click.pass_context
-def info(ctx):
-    """Show version and feature information."""
+def info(ctx, full):
+    """Show version, features, and system information."""
+    import os
+    import subprocess
+
+    # Check for DCT support
+    try:
+        from .dct_steganography import HAS_JPEGIO, HAS_SCIPY
+        has_dct = HAS_SCIPY and HAS_JPEGIO
+    except ImportError:
+        has_dct = False
+
+    # Check service status
+    service_status = "unknown"
+    service_url = None
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["systemctl", "is-active", "stegasoo"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=2,
+        )
+        service_status = result.stdout.strip()
+        if service_status == "active":
+            # Try to get URL from service environment
+            env_result = subprocess.run(
+                ["systemctl", "show", "stegasoo", "--property=Environment"],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                timeout=2,
+            )
+            https_enabled = "HTTPS_ENABLED=true" in env_result.stdout
+            protocol = "https" if https_enabled else "http"
+            # Get IP
+            ip_result = subprocess.run(
+                ["hostname", "-I"],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                timeout=2,
+            )
+            ip = ip_result.stdout.strip().split()[0] if ip_result.stdout.strip() else "localhost"
+            service_url = f"{protocol}://{ip}"
+    except (subprocess.TimeoutExpired, FileNotFoundError, IndexError):
+        pass
+
+    # Check channel key
+    channel_fingerprint = None
+    channel_source = None
+    try:
+        from .channel import get_channel_fingerprint, get_channel_key, get_channel_status
+        key = get_channel_key()
+        if key:
+            channel_fingerprint = get_channel_fingerprint(key)
+            status = get_channel_status()
+            channel_source = status.get("source")
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+
+    # System info (Pi-specific)
+    cpu_freq = None
+    cpu_temp = None
+    disk_free = None
+    uptime = None
+
+    if full:
+        try:
+            # CPU frequency
+            with open("/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_cur_freq") as f:
+                cpu_freq = int(f.read().strip()) // 1000  # MHz
+        except (FileNotFoundError, ValueError):
+            pass
+
+        try:
+            # CPU temp
+            with open("/sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp") as f:
+                cpu_temp = int(f.read().strip()) / 1000  # Celsius
+        except (FileNotFoundError, ValueError):
+            pass
+
+        try:
+            # Disk free
+            st = os.statvfs("/")
+            disk_free = (st.f_bavail * st.f_frsize) / (1024 ** 3)  # GB
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+        try:
+            # Uptime
+            with open("/proc/uptime") as f:
+                uptime_secs = float(f.read().split()[0])
+                days = int(uptime_secs // 86400)
+                hours = int((uptime_secs % 86400) // 3600)
+                uptime = f"{days}d {hours}h" if days else f"{hours}h"
+        except (FileNotFoundError, ValueError):
+            pass
+
     info_data = {
         "version": __version__,
+        "service": service_status,
+        "url": service_url,
+        "dct_support": has_dct,
+        "channel": {
+            "fingerprint": channel_fingerprint,
+            "source": channel_source,
+        } if channel_fingerprint else None,
         "compression": {
             "available": [algorithm_name(a) for a in get_available_algorithms()],
             "lz4_installed": HAS_LZ4,
@@ -599,20 +829,54 @@ def info(ctx):
             "max_message_bytes": MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE,
             "max_file_payload_bytes": MAX_FILE_PAYLOAD_SIZE,
         },
+        "system": {
+            "cpu_mhz": cpu_freq,
+            "temp_c": cpu_temp,
+            "disk_free_gb": round(disk_free, 1) if disk_free else None,
+            "uptime": uptime,
+        } if full else None,
     }
 
     if ctx.obj.get("json"):
         click.echo(json.dumps(info_data, indent=2))
     else:
-        click.echo(f"Stegasoo v{__version__}")
-        click.echo("\nCompression algorithms:")
-        for algo in get_available_algorithms():
-            click.echo(f"  • {algorithm_name(algo)}")
-        if not HAS_LZ4:
-            click.echo("    (install 'lz4' for LZ4 support)")
-        click.echo("\nLimits:")
-        click.echo(f"  • Max message: {MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE:,} bytes")
-        click.echo(f"  • Max file payload: {MAX_FILE_PAYLOAD_SIZE:,} bytes")
+        # Fastfetch-style output
+        click.echo(f"\033[1mSTEGASOO\033[0m v{__version__}")
+        click.echo("─" * 36)
+
+        # Service status
+        if service_status == "active":
+            click.echo("  Service:     \033[32m● running\033[0m")
+            if service_url:
+                click.echo(f"  URL:         {service_url}")
+        elif service_status == "inactive":
+            click.echo("  Service:     \033[31m○ stopped\033[0m")
+        else:
+            click.echo(f"  Service:     \033[33m? {service_status}\033[0m")
+
+        # Channel
+        if channel_fingerprint:
+            masked = f"{channel_fingerprint[:4]}••••••••{channel_fingerprint[-4:]}"
+            click.echo(f"  Channel:     {masked}")
+        else:
+            click.echo("  Channel:     \033[33mpublic\033[0m")
+
+        # DCT
+        dct_status = "\033[32m✓ enabled\033[0m" if has_dct else "\033[31m✗ disabled\033[0m"
+        click.echo(f"  DCT:         {dct_status}")
+
+        # System info (if --full)
+        if full and any([cpu_freq, cpu_temp, disk_free, uptime]):
+            click.echo("─" * 36)
+            if cpu_freq:
+                click.echo(f"  CPU:         {cpu_freq} MHz")
+            if cpu_temp:
+                temp_color = "\033[32m" if cpu_temp < 60 else "\033[33m" if cpu_temp < 75 else "\033[31m"
+                click.echo(f"  Temp:        {temp_color}{cpu_temp:.1f}°C\033[0m")
+            if uptime:
+                click.echo(f"  Uptime:      {uptime}")
+            if disk_free:
+                click.echo(f"  Disk:        {disk_free:.1f} GB free")
 
 
 # =============================================================================

src/stegasoo/constants.py

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 # VERSION
 # ============================================================================
 
-__version__ = "4.1.3"
+__version__ = "4.1.5"
 
 # ============================================================================
 # FILE FORMAT

src/stegasoo/crypto.py

@@ -1,18 +1,26 @@
 """
 Stegasoo Cryptographic Functions (v4.0.0 - Channel Key Support)
 
-Key derivation, encryption, and decryption using AES-256-GCM.
-Supports both text messages and binary file payloads.
+This is the crypto layer - where we turn plaintext into indecipherable noise.
 
-BREAKING CHANGES in v4.0.0:
-- Added channel key support for deployment/group isolation
-- Messages encoded with a channel key require the same key to decode
-- Channel key can be configured via environment, config file, or explicit parameter
-- FORMAT_VERSION bumped to 5
+The security model is multi-factor:
+┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  SOMETHING YOU HAVE          SOMETHING YOU KNOW                    │
+│  ├─ Reference photo          ├─ Passphrase (4+ BIP-39 words)      │
+│  └─ RSA private key (opt)    └─ PIN (6-9 digits)                  │
+│                                                                    │
+│  DEPLOYMENT BINDING                                                │
+│  └─ Channel key (ties messages to a specific server/group)        │
+└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
 
-BREAKING CHANGES in v3.2.0:
-- Removed date dependency from key derivation
-- Renamed day_phrase → passphrase (no daily rotation needed)
+All factors get mixed together through Argon2id (memory-hard KDF) to derive
+the actual encryption key. Miss any factor = wrong key = garbage output.
+
+Encryption: AES-256-GCM (authenticated encryption - tamper = detection)
+KDF: Argon2id (256MB RAM, 4 iterations) or PBKDF2 fallback (600K iterations)
+
+v4.0.0: Added channel key for server/group isolation
+v3.2.0: Removed date dependency (was cute but annoying in practice)
 """
 
 import hashlib
@@ -98,25 +106,38 @@ def _resolve_channel_key(channel_key: str | bool | None) -> bytes | None:
 # =============================================================================
 # CORE CRYPTO FUNCTIONS
 # =============================================================================
+#
+# The "reference photo as a key" concept is one of Stegasoo's unique features.
+# Most steganography tools just use a password. We add the photo as a
+# "something you have" factor - like a hardware token, but it's a cat picture.
 
 
 def hash_photo(image_data: bytes) -> bytes:
     """
     Compute deterministic hash of photo pixel content.
 
-    This normalizes the image to RGB and hashes the raw pixel data,
-    making it resistant to metadata changes.
+    This is the magic sauce that turns your cat photo into a cryptographic key.
+
+    Why pixels and not the file hash?
+    - File metadata changes (EXIF stripped, resaved) = different file hash
+    - But pixel content stays the same
+    - We hash the RGB values directly, so format conversions don't matter
+
+    The double-hash with prefix is belt-and-suspenders mixing. Probably
+    overkill, but hey, it's crypto - paranoia is a feature.
 
     Args:
-        image_data: Raw image file bytes
+        image_data: Raw image file bytes (any format PIL can read)
 
     Returns:
-        32-byte SHA-256 hash
+        32-byte SHA-256 hash of pixel content
     """
+    # Convert to RGB to normalize (RGBA, grayscale, etc. all become RGB)
     img: Image.Image = Image.open(io.BytesIO(image_data)).convert("RGB")
     pixels = img.tobytes()
 
-    # Double-hash with prefix for additional mixing
+    # Double-hash: SHA256(SHA256(pixels) + first 1KB of pixels)
+    # The prefix adds image-specific data to prevent length-extension shenanigans
     h = hashlib.sha256(pixels).digest()
     h = hashlib.sha256(h + pixels[:1024]).digest()
     return h
@@ -133,20 +154,38 @@ def derive_hybrid_key(
     """
     Derive encryption key from multiple factors.
 
-    Combines:
-    - Photo hash (something you have)
-    - Passphrase (something you know)
-    - PIN (something you know, static)
-    - RSA key (something you have)
-    - Channel key (deployment/group binding)
-    - Salt (random per message)
+    This is the heart of Stegasoo's security model. We take all the things
+    you need to prove you're authorized (photo, passphrase, PIN, etc.) and
+    blend them together into one 32-byte key.
 
-    Uses Argon2id if available, falls back to PBKDF2.
+    The flow:
+    ┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐
+    │ Photo hash  │ + │ passphrase  │ + │ PIN + RSA   │ + salt
+    └─────────────┘   └─────────────┘   └─────────────┘
+           │                 │                 │
+           └────────────────┴────────────────┘
+                             │
+                             ▼
+                    ┌─────────────────┐
+                    │    Argon2id     │  <- Memory-hard KDF
+                    │   256MB / 4 iter │  <- Makes brute force expensive
+                    └─────────────────┘
+                             │
+                             ▼
+                      32-byte AES key
+
+    Why Argon2id?
+    - Memory-hard: attackers can't just throw GPUs at it
+    - 256MB RAM per attempt = expensive at scale
+    - Winner of the Password Hashing Competition (2015)
+    - "id" variant resists both side-channel and GPU attacks
+
+    Fallback: PBKDF2-SHA512 with 600K iterations (for systems without argon2)
 
     Args:
         photo_data: Reference photo bytes
-        passphrase: Shared passphrase (recommend 4+ words)
-        salt: Random salt for this message
+        passphrase: Shared passphrase (recommend 4+ words from BIP-39)
+        salt: Random salt for this message (32 bytes)
         pin: Optional static PIN
         rsa_key_data: Optional RSA key bytes
         channel_key: Channel key parameter:
@@ -155,7 +194,7 @@ def derive_hybrid_key(
             - "" or False: No channel key (public mode)
 
     Returns:
-        32-byte derived key
+        32-byte derived key (ready for AES-256)
 
     Raises:
         KeyDerivationError: If key derivation fails
@@ -163,31 +202,36 @@ def derive_hybrid_key(
     try:
         photo_hash = hash_photo(photo_data)
 
-        # Resolve channel key
+        # Resolve channel key (server-specific binding)
         channel_hash = _resolve_channel_key(channel_key)
 
-        # Build key material
+        # Build key material by concatenating all factors
+        # Passphrase is lowercased to be forgiving of case differences
         key_material = photo_hash + passphrase.lower().encode() + pin.encode() + salt
 
-        # Add RSA key hash if provided
+        # Add RSA key hash if provided (another "something you have")
         if rsa_key_data:
             key_material += hashlib.sha256(rsa_key_data).digest()
 
-        # Add channel key hash if configured (v4.0.0)
+        # Add channel key hash if configured (v4.0.0 - deployment binding)
         if channel_hash:
             key_material += channel_hash
 
+        # Run it all through the KDF
         if HAS_ARGON2:
+            # Argon2id: the good stuff
             key = hash_secret_raw(
                 secret=key_material,
                 salt=salt[:32],
-                time_cost=ARGON2_TIME_COST,
-                memory_cost=ARGON2_MEMORY_COST,
-                parallelism=ARGON2_PARALLELISM,
+                time_cost=ARGON2_TIME_COST,      # 4 iterations
+                memory_cost=ARGON2_MEMORY_COST,  # 256 MB RAM
+                parallelism=ARGON2_PARALLELISM,  # 4 threads
                 hash_len=32,
-                type=Type.ID,
+                type=Type.ID,  # Hybrid mode: resists side-channel AND GPU attacks
             )
         else:
+            # PBKDF2 fallback for systems without argon2-cffi
+            # 600K iterations is slow but not memory-hard
             kdf = PBKDF2HMAC(
                 algorithm=hashes.SHA512(),
                 length=32,
@@ -347,9 +391,12 @@ def _unpack_payload(data: bytes) -> DecodeResult:
 # =============================================================================
 # HEADER FLAGS (v4.0.0)
 # =============================================================================
+#
+# The flags byte tells us about the message without decrypting it.
+# Currently just one flag, but the byte gives us room for 8.
 
-# Header flag bits
-FLAG_CHANNEL_KEY = 0x01  # Set if encoded with a channel key
+FLAG_CHANNEL_KEY = 0x01  # Bit 0: Message was encoded with a channel key
+# Future flags could include: compression, file attachment, etc.
 
 
 def encrypt_message(
@@ -361,33 +408,40 @@ def encrypt_message(
     channel_key: str | bool | None = None,
 ) -> bytes:
     """
-    Encrypt message or file using AES-256-GCM with hybrid key derivation.
+    Encrypt message or file using AES-256-GCM.
 
-    Message format (v4.0.0 - with channel key support):
-    - Magic header (4 bytes)
-    - Version (1 byte) = 5
-    - Flags (1 byte) - indicates if channel key was used
-    - Salt (32 bytes)
-    - IV (12 bytes)
-    - Auth tag (16 bytes)
-    - Ciphertext (variable, padded)
+    This is where plaintext becomes ciphertext. We use AES-256-GCM which is:
+    - AES: The standard, used by everyone from banks to governments
+    - 256-bit key: Enough entropy to survive until the heat death of the universe
+    - GCM mode: Authenticated encryption - if anyone tampers, decryption fails
+
+    The output format (v4.0.0):
+    ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+    │ \x89ST3 │ 05 │ flags │  salt (32B)  │  iv (12B)  │  tag (16B)  │ ··· │
+    │  magic  │ver │       │              │            │             │cipher│
+    └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+
+    Why the random padding at the end?
+    - Message length can reveal information (traffic analysis)
+    - We add 64-319 random bytes and round to 256-byte boundary
+    - All messages look roughly the same size
 
     Args:
         message: Message string, raw bytes, or FilePayload to encrypt
-        photo_data: Reference photo bytes
-        passphrase: Shared passphrase (recommend 4+ words for good entropy)
-        pin: Optional static PIN
-        rsa_key_data: Optional RSA key bytes
+        photo_data: Reference photo bytes (your "key photo")
+        passphrase: Shared passphrase (recommend 4+ words from BIP-39)
+        pin: Optional static PIN for additional security
+        rsa_key_data: Optional RSA key bytes (another "something you have")
         channel_key: Channel key parameter:
-            - None or "auto": Use configured key
+            - None or "auto": Use server's configured key
             - str: Use this specific key
             - "" or False: No channel key (public mode)
 
     Returns:
-        Encrypted message bytes
+        Encrypted message bytes ready for embedding
 
     Raises:
-        EncryptionError: If encryption fails
+        EncryptionError: If encryption fails (shouldn't happen with valid inputs)
     """
     try:
         salt = secrets.token_bytes(SALT_SIZE)

src/stegasoo/dct_steganography.py

@@ -1,22 +1,30 @@
 """
 DCT Domain Steganography Module (v4.1.0)
 
-Embeds data in DCT coefficients with two approaches:
-1. PNG output: Scipy-based DCT transform (grayscale or color)
-2. JPEG output: jpegio-based coefficient manipulation (if available)
+The fancy pants mode. Instead of hiding bits in pixel values (LSB mode),
+we hide them in the *frequency domain* - specifically in the Discrete Cosine
+Transform coefficients that JPEG compression uses internally.
 
-v4.1.0 Changes:
-- Reed-Solomon error correction protects against bit errors in problematic blocks
-- Majority voting on length headers (3 copies) for additional robustness
-- RS can correct up to 16 byte errors per 223-byte chunk
+Why is this cool?
+- Survives some image processing that would destroy LSB data
+- Works with JPEG without the usual "save destroys everything" problem
+- Uses the same math that JPEG itself uses - we're hiding in plain sight
 
-v3.2.0-patch2 Changes:
-- Chunked processing for large images to avoid heap corruption
-- Process image in vertical strips to limit memory per operation
-- Isolated DCT operations with fresh array allocations
-- Workaround for scipy.fftpack memory issues
+Two approaches depending on what you want:
+1. PNG output: We do our own DCT math via scipy (works on any image)
+2. JPEG output: We use jpegio to directly tweak the coefficients (chef's kiss)
 
-Requires: scipy (for PNG mode), optionally jpegio (for JPEG mode), reedsolo (for error correction)
+v4.1.0 - The "please stop corrupting my data" release:
+- Reed-Solomon error correction (can fix up to 16 byte errors per chunk)
+- Majority voting on headers (store 3 copies, take the winner)
+- Because some image regions are just... problematic
+
+v3.2.0-patch2 - The "scipy why are you like this" release:
+- Chunked processing because scipy's FFT was corrupting memory on big images
+- Process blocks one at a time with fresh arrays
+- Yes, it's slower. No, I don't care. Correctness > speed.
+
+Requires: scipy (PNG mode), optionally jpegio (JPEG mode), reedsolo (error correction)
 """
 
 import gc
@@ -87,11 +95,31 @@ def _write_progress(progress_file: str | None, current: int, total: int, phase:
 # CONSTANTS
 # ============================================================================
 
+# JPEG uses 8x8 blocks for DCT - this is baked into the standard
 BLOCK_SIZE = 8
+
+# The zig-zag order of DCT coefficients. JPEG stores them this way because
+# the human eye is more sensitive to low frequencies (top-left corner)
+# than high frequencies (bottom-right). After quantization, most high-freq
+# coefficients become zero, so zig-zag gives great compression.
+#
+# Visual of an 8x8 DCT block with zig-zag numbering:
+#
+#   DC  1   5   6  14  15  27  28     <- Low frequency (smooth gradients)
+#    2  4   7  13  16  26  29  42
+#    3  8  12  17  25  30  41  43
+#    9 11  18  24  31  40  44  53
+#   10 19  23  32  39  45  52  54
+#   20 22  33  38  46  51  55  60
+#   21 34  37  47  50  56  59  61
+#   35 36  48  49  57  58  62  63     <- High frequency (fine detail/noise)
+#
+# Position (0,0) is the DC coefficient - the average brightness of the block.
+# We NEVER touch DC because changing it causes visible brightness shifts.
 EMBED_POSITIONS = [
-    (0, 1),
-    (1, 0),
-    (2, 0),
+    (0, 1),   # 1st AC coefficient
+    (1, 0),   # 2nd AC coefficient
+    (2, 0),   # ... and so on in zig-zag order
     (1, 1),
     (0, 2),
     (0, 3),
@@ -124,32 +152,59 @@ EMBED_POSITIONS = [
     (6, 1),
     (7, 0),
 ]
+
+# We use positions 4-20 (mid-frequency range). Here's the reasoning:
+# - Positions 0-3: Too low frequency, changes are visible as color shifts
+# - Positions 4-20: Sweet spot - carries enough energy to survive, not visible
+# - Positions 21+: High frequency, often quantized to zero, unreliable
 DEFAULT_EMBED_POSITIONS = EMBED_POSITIONS[4:20]
+
+# Quantization step for QIM (Quantization Index Modulation).
+# This is how we actually embed bits: we round the coefficient to a grid
+# and then nudge it based on whether we want a 0 or 1.
+# Bigger step = more robust to noise, but more visible. 25 is a good balance.
 QUANT_STEP = 25
-DCT_MAGIC = b"DCTS"
-HEADER_SIZE = 10
+
+# Magic bytes so we can identify our own images
+DCT_MAGIC = b"DCTS"      # scipy DCT mode marker
+JPEGIO_MAGIC = b"JPGS"   # jpegio native JPEG mode marker
+HEADER_SIZE = 10         # Magic (4) + version (1) + flags (1) + length (4)
+
 OUTPUT_FORMAT_PNG = "png"
 OUTPUT_FORMAT_JPEG = "jpeg"
-JPEG_OUTPUT_QUALITY = 95
-JPEGIO_MAGIC = b"JPGS"
+JPEG_OUTPUT_QUALITY = 95  # High quality but not 100 (100 causes issues, see below)
+
+# For jpegio mode: we only embed in coefficients with magnitude >= 2
+# Coefficients of 0 or 1 are usually quantized noise - unreliable
 JPEGIO_MIN_COEF_MAGNITUDE = 2
+
+# We embed in the Y (luminance) channel only - it has the most capacity
+# Cb/Cr are often subsampled 4:2:0 anyway
 JPEGIO_EMBED_CHANNEL = 0
-FLAG_COLOR_MODE = 0x01
-FLAG_RS_PROTECTED = 0x02  # Reed-Solomon error correction enabled
 
-# Reed-Solomon settings - 32 symbols can correct up to 16 byte errors per 223-byte chunk
+# Header flags
+FLAG_COLOR_MODE = 0x01      # Set if we preserved color (YCbCr mode)
+FLAG_RS_PROTECTED = 0x02    # Set if Reed-Solomon protected (v4.1.0+)
+
+# Reed-Solomon settings - the "please don't lose my data" system
+# 32 parity symbols per chunk means we can correct up to 16 byte errors
+# Math: RS(255, 223) where 255-223=32 parity bytes, corrects floor(32/2)=16
 RS_NSYM = 32
-RS_LENGTH_HEADER_SIZE = 8  # 8 bytes: 4 for raw_payload_length + 4 for rs_payload_length
-RS_LENGTH_COPIES = 3  # Store length header 3 times for majority voting
-RS_LENGTH_PREFIX_SIZE = RS_LENGTH_HEADER_SIZE * RS_LENGTH_COPIES  # Total: 24 bytes
 
-# Chunking settings for large images
-MAX_CHUNK_HEIGHT = 512  # Process in 512-pixel tall strips
+# We store the payload length 3 times and take majority vote
+# Because if the length is wrong, everything is wrong
+RS_LENGTH_HEADER_SIZE = 8   # 4 bytes raw length + 4 bytes RS-encoded length
+RS_LENGTH_COPIES = 3        # Store 3 copies, need 2 to agree
+RS_LENGTH_PREFIX_SIZE = RS_LENGTH_HEADER_SIZE * RS_LENGTH_COPIES  # 24 bytes total
 
-# JPEG normalization settings
-# JPEGs with quality=100 have all quantization values = 1, which crashes jpegio
-JPEGIO_NORMALIZE_QUALITY = 95  # Re-save quality for problematic JPEGs
-JPEGIO_MAX_QUANT_VALUE_THRESHOLD = 1  # If all quant values <= this, normalize
+# Chunking for large images - scipy's FFT gets memory-corrupty on huge arrays
+MAX_CHUNK_HEIGHT = 512  # Process in strips to keep memory sane
+
+# Fun bug: JPEGs saved with quality=100 have quantization tables full of 1s
+# This makes the DCT coefficients HUGE and jpegio crashes spectacularly
+# Solution: detect and re-save at quality 95 first
+JPEGIO_NORMALIZE_QUALITY = 95
+JPEGIO_MAX_QUANT_VALUE_THRESHOLD = 1  # All 1s in quant table = bad news
 
 
 # ============================================================================
@@ -209,13 +264,26 @@ def has_jpegio_support() -> bool:
 
 # ============================================================================
 # REED-SOLOMON ERROR CORRECTION
-# Protects against bit errors in problematic image blocks
 # ============================================================================
+#
+# Why do we need this? DCT embedding isn't perfect. Some image regions are
+# problematic - flat areas, high compression, edge cases. Bits can flip.
+#
+# Reed-Solomon is the same error correction used in CDs, DVDs, QR codes, and
+# deep space communications. If it's good enough for Voyager, it's good enough
+# for hiding cat pictures in other cat pictures.
+#
+# How it works (simplified):
+# 1. Take your data bytes
+# 2. Add extra "parity" bytes calculated from the data
+# 3. If some bytes get corrupted, the math lets you reconstruct them
+# 4. RS(255, 223) means: 255 byte blocks, 223 data + 32 parity
+# 5. Can correct up to 16 corrupted bytes per block (floor(32/2))
+#
+# The tradeoff: ~14% overhead (32/223). Worth it for reliability.
 
-# Check for reedsolo availability
 try:
     from reedsolo import ReedSolomonError, RSCodec
-
     HAS_REEDSOLO = True
 except ImportError:
     HAS_REEDSOLO = False
@@ -224,48 +292,78 @@ except ImportError:
 
 
 def _rs_encode(data: bytes) -> bytes:
-    """Add Reed-Solomon error correction symbols to data."""
+    """
+    Wrap data in Reed-Solomon error correction.
+
+    Takes your precious payload and adds parity bytes so we can
+    recover from the inevitable bit-rot of DCT embedding.
+    """
     if not HAS_REEDSOLO:
-        return data  # No protection if reedsolo not available
+        return data  # YOLO mode - no protection, good luck
     rs = RSCodec(RS_NSYM)
     return bytes(rs.encode(data))
 
 
 def _rs_decode(data: bytes) -> bytes:
-    """Decode Reed-Solomon protected data, correcting errors if possible."""
+    """
+    Decode Reed-Solomon protected data, fixing errors along the way.
+
+    This is where the magic happens. If bits got flipped during
+    extraction, RS will quietly fix them. If too many flipped...
+    well, we tried.
+    """
     if not HAS_REEDSOLO:
-        return data  # No decoding if reedsolo not available
+        return data
     rs = RSCodec(RS_NSYM)
     try:
         decoded, _, errata_pos = rs.decode(data)
         if errata_pos:
-            pass  # Errors were corrected
+            # Errors were found and corrected - RS earned its keep today
+            pass
         return bytes(decoded)
     except ReedSolomonError as e:
+        # Too many errors - the image got mangled beyond repair
         raise StegasooRSError(f"Image corrupted beyond repair: {e}") from e
 
 
 # ============================================================================
 # SAFE DCT FUNCTIONS
-# These create fresh arrays to avoid scipy memory corruption issues
 # ============================================================================
+#
+# Story time: scipy's fftpack (the old DCT implementation) has memory issues
+# when you process large images. We'd get random garbage in our output, or
+# worse, segfaults. Turns out it was reusing internal buffers in unsafe ways.
+#
+# The fix? Be paranoid. Every single array operation creates a fresh copy.
+# Is it slower? Yes. Does it work? Also yes. I'll take correct over fast.
+#
+# The newer scipy.fft module is better, but we still play it safe because
+# not everyone has the latest scipy and I don't want debugging nightmares.
 
 
 def _safe_dct2(block: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
     """
-    Apply 2D DCT with memory isolation.
-    Creates a completely fresh array to avoid heap corruption.
+    Apply 2D DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) to an 8x8 block.
+
+    The DCT converts spatial data (pixel values) into frequency data
+    (how much of each frequency component is present). It's the heart
+    of JPEG compression.
+
+    We do it row-by-row and column-by-column with fresh arrays each time
+    because scipy's built-in dct2 can corrupt memory on large batches.
+    Paranoid? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.
     """
-    # Create a brand new array (not a view)
+    # Create a brand new array (not a view) - paranoia level: maximum
     safe_block = np.array(block, dtype=np.float64, copy=True, order="C")
 
-    # First DCT on columns (transpose -> DCT rows -> transpose back)
+    # 2D DCT = 1D DCT on rows, then 1D DCT on columns (separable transform)
+    # First pass: DCT each column
     temp = np.zeros_like(safe_block, dtype=np.float64, order="C")
     for i in range(BLOCK_SIZE):
         col = np.array(safe_block[:, i], dtype=np.float64, copy=True)
-        temp[:, i] = dct(col, norm="ortho")
+        temp[:, i] = dct(col, norm="ortho")  # ortho normalization for symmetry
 
-    # Second DCT on rows
+    # Second pass: DCT each row of the result
     result = np.zeros_like(temp, dtype=np.float64, order="C")
     for i in range(BLOCK_SIZE):
         row = np.array(temp[i, :], dtype=np.float64, copy=True)
@@ -276,19 +374,22 @@ def _safe_dct2(block: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
 
 def _safe_idct2(block: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
     """
-    Apply 2D inverse DCT with memory isolation.
-    Creates a completely fresh array to avoid heap corruption.
+    Apply 2D inverse DCT - convert frequency data back to pixels.
+
+    After we've embedded our secret bits in the DCT coefficients,
+    we need to convert back to pixel values. This is the reverse
+    of _safe_dct2.
+
+    Same paranoid memory handling because same paranoid developer.
     """
-    # Create a brand new array (not a view)
     safe_block = np.array(block, dtype=np.float64, copy=True, order="C")
 
-    # First IDCT on rows
+    # Inverse is the same idea: IDCT rows, then IDCT columns
     temp = np.zeros_like(safe_block, dtype=np.float64, order="C")
     for i in range(BLOCK_SIZE):
         row = np.array(safe_block[i, :], dtype=np.float64, copy=True)
         temp[i, :] = idct(row, norm="ortho")
 
-    # Second IDCT on columns
     result = np.zeros_like(temp, dtype=np.float64, order="C")
     for i in range(BLOCK_SIZE):
         col = np.array(temp[:, i], dtype=np.float64, copy=True)
@@ -348,8 +449,25 @@ def _unpad_image(image: np.ndarray, original_size: tuple[int, int]) -> np.ndarra
 
 
 def _embed_bit_in_coeff(coef: float, bit: int, quant_step: int = QUANT_STEP) -> float:
+    """
+    Embed a single bit into a DCT coefficient using QIM.
+
+    QIM (Quantization Index Modulation) is smarter than simple LSB flipping.
+    Instead of just changing the last bit, we round to a quantization grid
+    and use odd/even to encode 0/1.
+
+    Why is this better?
+    - More robust to noise (small changes don't flip the bit)
+    - Works naturally with JPEG's own quantization
+    - The change is spread across the coefficient's magnitude
+
+    Visual example (quant_step=25):
+    - Coef = 73, want bit=0 -> round to 75 (75/25=3, 3%2=1) -> nudge to 50 (50/25=2, 2%2=0)
+    - Coef = 73, want bit=1 -> round to 75 (75/25=3, 3%2=1) -> already odd, keep at 75
+    """
     quantized = round(coef / quant_step)
     if (quantized % 2) != bit:
+        # Need to flip even<->odd. Nudge in the direction that's closest.
         if quantized % 2 == 0 and bit == 1:
             quantized += 1 if coef >= quantized * quant_step else -1
         elif quantized % 2 == 1 and bit == 0:
@@ -358,13 +476,35 @@ def _embed_bit_in_coeff(coef: float, bit: int, quant_step: int = QUANT_STEP) ->
 
 
 def _extract_bit_from_coeff(coef: float, quant_step: int = QUANT_STEP) -> int:
+    """
+    Extract a bit from a DCT coefficient.
+
+    The inverse of _embed_bit_in_coeff. We round to the quantization grid
+    and check if it's odd (1) or even (0).
+
+    This is why QIM is robust: small noise in the coefficient usually
+    doesn't change which grid point we round to.
+    """
     quantized = round(coef / quant_step)
     return int(quantized % 2)
 
 
 def _generate_block_order(num_blocks: int, seed: bytes) -> list:
+    """
+    Generate a pseudo-random order for processing blocks.
+
+    This is crucial for security - if we just went left-to-right, top-to-bottom,
+    anyone could find the message by checking blocks in order. Instead, we
+    use a keyed shuffle so only someone with the same seed can find the data.
+
+    The seed comes from the crypto layer (derived from passphrase + photo + pin),
+    so the block order is effectively part of the encryption.
+    """
+    # Use SHA-256 to expand the seed into randomness
     hash_bytes = hashlib.sha256(seed).digest()
+    # Seed numpy's RNG (we use RandomState for reproducibility across versions)
     rng = np.random.RandomState(int.from_bytes(hash_bytes[:4], "big"))
+    # Fisher-Yates shuffle
     order = list(range(num_blocks))
     rng.shuffle(order)
     return order
@@ -393,14 +533,28 @@ def _save_color_image(rgb_array: np.ndarray, output_format: str = OUTPUT_FORMAT_
 
 
 def _rgb_to_ycbcr(rgb: np.ndarray) -> tuple[np.ndarray, np.ndarray, np.ndarray]:
+    """
+    Convert RGB to YCbCr color space.
+
+    YCbCr separates brightness (Y) from color (Cb=blue-ish, Cr=red-ish).
+    This is what JPEG uses internally, and it's great for us because:
+    - Human eyes are WAY more sensitive to brightness than color
+    - We can hide data in Y without it being as visible
+    - Cb/Cr are often subsampled (4:2:0) so Y has more capacity anyway
+
+    The coefficients here are from ITU-R BT.601 - the standard for video.
+    """
     R = rgb[:, :, 0].astype(np.float64)
     G = rgb[:, :, 1].astype(np.float64)
     B = rgb[:, :, 2].astype(np.float64)
 
+    # Y = luminance (brightness). Green contributes most because eyes are most sensitive to it.
     Y = np.array(0.299 * R + 0.587 * G + 0.114 * B, dtype=np.float64, copy=True, order="C")
+    # Cb = blue-difference chroma (centered at 128)
     Cb = np.array(
         128 - 0.168736 * R - 0.331264 * G + 0.5 * B, dtype=np.float64, copy=True, order="C"
     )
+    # Cr = red-difference chroma (centered at 128)
     Cr = np.array(
         128 + 0.5 * R - 0.418688 * G - 0.081312 * B, dtype=np.float64, copy=True, order="C"
     )
@@ -409,6 +563,12 @@ def _rgb_to_ycbcr(rgb: np.ndarray) -> tuple[np.ndarray, np.ndarray, np.ndarray]:
 
 
 def _ycbcr_to_rgb(Y: np.ndarray, Cb: np.ndarray, Cr: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Convert YCbCr back to RGB.
+
+    After embedding in the Y channel, we need to reconstruct RGB for display.
+    The Cb/Cr channels are unchanged - we only touched luminance.
+    """
     R = Y + 1.402 * (Cr - 128)
     G = Y - 0.344136 * (Cb - 128) - 0.714136 * (Cr - 128)
     B = Y + 1.772 * (Cb - 128)

src/stegasoo/steganography.py

@@ -1,21 +1,27 @@
 """
 Stegasoo Steganography Functions (v3.2.0)
 
-LSB and DCT embedding modes with pseudo-random pixel/coefficient selection.
+This is the core embedding/extraction module. Two modes available:
 
-Changes in v3.0:
-- DCT domain embedding mode (requires scipy)
-- embed_mode parameter for encode/decode
-- Auto-detection of embedding mode
-- Comparison utilities
+LSB (Least Significant Bit) Mode:
+- Classic steganography technique - hide bits in the least significant bit of pixel values
+- Works on any image, outputs lossless PNG/BMP
+- Higher capacity than DCT, but destroyed by JPEG compression
+- Great for: high-capacity needs, lossless workflows
 
-Changes in v3.0.1:
-- dct_output_format parameter for DCT mode ('png' or 'jpeg')
-- dct_color_mode parameter for DCT mode ('grayscale' or 'color')
+DCT Mode (see dct_steganography.py):
+- Hides data in frequency-domain coefficients
+- Survives some image processing, works with JPEG
+- Lower capacity but more robust
+- Great for: JPEG images, robustness needs
 
-Changes in v3.2.0:
-- Fixed HEADER_OVERHEAD constant (65 bytes, not 104 - date field removed)
-- Updated ENCRYPTION_OVERHEAD calculation
+Both modes use pseudo-random pixel/coefficient selection based on a key.
+Without the key, you don't know where to look - security through obscurity
+PLUS actual encryption of the payload.
+
+v3.0: Added DCT mode with scipy
+v3.0.1: DCT output format options (PNG/JPEG, grayscale/color)
+v3.2.0: Fixed overhead calculations after removing date field
 """
 
 import io
@@ -83,24 +89,31 @@ EXT_TO_FORMAT = {
 }
 
 # =============================================================================
-# OVERHEAD CONSTANTS (v4.0.0 - Updated for channel key support)
+# OVERHEAD CONSTANTS
 # =============================================================================
-# v4.0.0 Header format (with flags byte for channel key indicator):
-#   Magic:   4 bytes  (\x89ST3)
-#   Version: 1 byte   (5 for v4.0.0)
-#   Flags:   1 byte   (bit 0 = has channel key)
-#   Salt:    32 bytes
-#   IV:      12 bytes
-#   Tag:     16 bytes
-#   -----------------
-#   Total:   66 bytes
 #
-# v3.2.0 had 65 bytes (no flags byte)
-# v3.1.0 had date field (10 bytes + 1 byte length) = 76 bytes header
+# Every stego image has some overhead before the actual payload:
+#
+# The encrypted message format (v4.0.0):
+# ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+# │ \x89ST3 │ v5 │ flags │  salt (32)  │  iv (12)  │  tag (16)  │ ... │
+# │ magic  │ ver│       │             │           │            │ data│
+# └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+#   4 bytes  1    1         32            12           16         var
+#
+# Plus LSB embedding adds a 4-byte length prefix so we know where to stop.
+#
+# History of overhead sizes (in case you're debugging old images):
+# - v3.1.0: 76 bytes (had date field - 10+1 bytes)
+# - v3.2.0: 65 bytes (removed date, simpler)
+# - v4.0.0: 66 bytes (added flags byte for channel key)
 
-HEADER_OVERHEAD = 66  # v4.0.0: Magic + version + flags + salt + iv + tag
-LENGTH_PREFIX = 4  # 4 bytes for payload length in LSB embedding
-ENCRYPTION_OVERHEAD = HEADER_OVERHEAD + LENGTH_PREFIX  # 70 bytes total
+HEADER_OVERHEAD = 66  # What the crypto layer adds to any message
+LENGTH_PREFIX = 4     # We prepend the payload length for LSB extraction
+ENCRYPTION_OVERHEAD = HEADER_OVERHEAD + LENGTH_PREFIX  # Total: 70 bytes
+
+# That 70 bytes is your minimum image capacity requirement.
+# A tiny 100x100 image gives you ~3750 bytes capacity, minus 70 = ~3680 usable.
 
 # DCT output format options (v3.0.1)
 DCT_OUTPUT_PNG = "png"
@@ -456,6 +469,20 @@ def compare_modes(image_data: bytes) -> dict:
 # =============================================================================
 # PIXEL INDEX GENERATION
 # =============================================================================
+#
+# The key insight: we don't hide data in sequential pixels (that's easy to find).
+# Instead, we scatter the data across pseudo-random pixel locations.
+#
+# The pixel selection key (derived from passphrase + photo + pin) determines
+# WHICH pixels get modified. Without the key, an attacker would have to:
+# 1. Know we're using LSB steganography
+# 2. Try every possible subset of pixels
+# 3. Decrypt the result (which they also can't do without the key)
+#
+# We use ChaCha20 as a CSPRNG (Cryptographically Secure PRNG). It's:
+# - Fast (faster than AES-CTR on most CPUs)
+# - Deterministic (same key = same sequence, needed for extraction)
+# - Secure (can't predict the sequence without the key)
 
 
 @debug.time
@@ -463,8 +490,13 @@ def generate_pixel_indices(key: bytes, num_pixels: int, num_needed: int) -> list
     """
     Generate pseudo-random pixel indices for embedding.
 
-    Uses ChaCha20 as a CSPRNG seeded by the key to deterministically
-    select which pixels will hold hidden data.
+    This is the "where do we hide the bits?" function. We use ChaCha20
+    to generate a deterministic sequence of pixel indices that only
+    someone with the same key can reproduce.
+
+    Two strategies based on how much of the image we're using:
+    - >= 50% capacity: Full Fisher-Yates shuffle (sample without replacement)
+    - < 50% capacity: Direct random sampling (faster, same result)
     """
     debug.validate(len(key) == 32, f"Pixel key must be 32 bytes, got {len(key)}")
     debug.validate(num_pixels > 0, f"Number of pixels must be positive, got {num_pixels}")
@@ -475,6 +507,8 @@ def generate_pixel_indices(key: bytes, num_pixels: int, num_needed: int) -> list
 
     debug.print(f"Generating {num_needed} pixel indices from {num_pixels} total pixels")
 
+    # Strategy 1: Full shuffle when we need a lot of pixels
+    # Fisher-Yates shuffle is O(n) and gives us perfect random sampling
     if num_needed >= num_pixels // 2:
         debug.print(f"Using full shuffle (needed {num_needed}/{num_pixels} pixels)")
         nonce = b"\x00" * 16
@@ -482,8 +516,10 @@ def generate_pixel_indices(key: bytes, num_pixels: int, num_needed: int) -> list
         encryptor = cipher.encryptor()
 
         indices = list(range(num_pixels))
+        # Get enough random bytes to do the shuffle
         random_bytes = encryptor.update(b"\x00" * (num_pixels * 4))
 
+        # Fisher-Yates shuffle - swap each element with a random earlier element
         for i in range(num_pixels - 1, 0, -1):
             j_bytes = random_bytes[(num_pixels - 1 - i) * 4 : (num_pixels - i) * 4]
             j = int.from_bytes(j_bytes, "big") % (i + 1)
@@ -493,14 +529,17 @@ def generate_pixel_indices(key: bytes, num_pixels: int, num_needed: int) -> list
         debug.print(f"Generated {len(selected)} indices via shuffle")
         return selected
 
+    # Strategy 2: Direct sampling when we need fewer pixels
+    # Generate random indices until we have enough unique ones
     debug.print(f"Using optimized selection (needed {num_needed}/{num_pixels} pixels)")
     selected = []
-    used = set()
+    used = set()  # Track which pixels we've already picked
 
     nonce = b"\x00" * 16
     cipher = Cipher(algorithms.ChaCha20(key, nonce), mode=None, backend=default_backend())
     encryptor = cipher.encryptor()
 
+    # Pre-generate 2x the bytes we think we'll need (for collision handling)
     bytes_needed = (num_needed * 2) * 4
     random_bytes = encryptor.update(b"\x00" * bytes_needed)
 
@@ -514,8 +553,9 @@ def generate_pixel_indices(key: bytes, num_pixels: int, num_needed: int) -> list
             used.add(idx)
             selected.append(idx)
         else:
-            collisions += 1
+            collisions += 1  # Birthday paradox in action
 
+    # Edge case: ran out of pre-generated bytes (very high collision rate)
     if len(selected) < num_needed:
         debug.print(f"Need {num_needed - len(selected)} more indices, generating...")
         extra_needed = num_needed - len(selected)
@@ -539,6 +579,23 @@ def generate_pixel_indices(key: bytes, num_pixels: int, num_needed: int) -> list
 # =============================================================================
 # EMBEDDING FUNCTIONS
 # =============================================================================
+#
+# The actual bit-hiding magic happens here. LSB embedding is conceptually simple:
+#
+# Original pixel RGB: (142, 87, 201)
+# In binary:          (10001110, 01010111, 11001001)
+#                                      ^       ^       ^
+#                      These are the LSBs (least significant bits)
+#
+# To hide the bits [1, 0, 1]:
+# Modified pixel RGB: (10001111, 01010110, 11001001) = (143, 86, 201)
+#                                      ^       ^       ^
+#                      Changed!     Changed!  Already 1, no change needed
+#
+# The human eye can't see the difference between 142 and 143.
+# But we've hidden 3 bits of secret data in one pixel.
+#
+# With a 1000x1000 image: 1 million pixels * 3 channels = 3 million bits = 375 KB!
 
 
 @debug.time

tests/test_stegasoo.py

@@ -5,27 +5,24 @@ Tests core functionality: encode/decode, LSB/DCT modes, channel keys, validation
 """
 
 import io
-import pytest
 from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
 from PIL import Image
 
 import stegasoo
 from stegasoo import (
-    encode,
     decode,
     decode_text,
+    encode,
+    generate_channel_key,
     generate_passphrase,
     generate_pin,
-    generate_channel_key,
-    validate_passphrase,
-    validate_pin,
+    has_dct_support,
     validate_image,
     validate_message,
-    has_dct_support,
-    EncodeResult,
-    DecodeResult,
-    ValidationError,
-    CapacityError,
+    validate_passphrase,
+    validate_pin,
 )
 
 # Test data paths