docs(examples): operator cookbook — six deployment recipes + premium-relay spec

Add ready-to-run .env + README recipes (personal, public-free, friends,
paid-access, paid-relay, community) and the premium-relay design overview,
with audit fixes to the config template and spec:

- Drop the inert INSTANCE_ID knob (config never read it) and document the real
  per-node id, which is derived from ADMIN_PUBLIC_URL.
- Warn that a placeholder PUBLIC_API_URL is rejected at boot in production
  (Nostr identity is on by default); soften the recipe "boots today" status.
- Remove dead template vars: BTC/LTC Core-RPC settings and the non-existent
  PUBLIC_EXPOSE_FEATURES (replaced with the real per-field landing switches).
- Mark ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY conditional in PoW-off recipes; blank placeholder
  payment creds so a recipe doesn't ship a key that fails validation.
- Fix premium-relay spec drift: the migration creates no premium_until index,
  disabled endpoints return 400/200 (not 404), and neutralize operator voice.

.env.example

@@ -6,14 +6,13 @@
 # ── Server ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 SERVER_HOST=0.0.0.0
 SERVER_PORT=8080
-# Public absolute API base URL. REQUIRED when admin/erasure features are enabled:
-# it is the canonical value the NIP-98 `u` tag is verified against (never the
-# request Host header). Boot fails if unset while those features are on.
+# Public absolute API base URL — set this to YOUR real domain. It is the canonical
+# value the NIP-98 `u` tag is verified against (never the request Host header). In
+# production, boot fails closed if this is left as a placeholder (contains `example`
+# or `your-`) while Nostr identity (on by default), admin, or erasure is enabled —
+# so every real deployment must replace it.
 PUBLIC_API_URL=https://backend.example.org/api/v1
 ENVIRONMENT=development
-# Stable per-node identifier. Bound into signed admin/erasure actions so a proof
-# captured against one node cannot be replayed across a load-balanced fleet.
-INSTANCE_ID=
 
 # ── Database ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 DATABASE_URL=postgres://user:password@127.0.0.1:5432/smirk
@@ -31,6 +30,9 @@ REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER=
 IP_SALT=
 
 # ── Proof-of-work signup gate (ALTCHA v2) ─────────────────────────────────
+# FEATURE_POW is the master switch; POW_REQUIRED only applies when it is on. Boot
+# fails closed if POW_REQUIRED=true while FEATURE_POW=false (a silently-open gate).
+FEATURE_POW=false
 ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
 POW_REQUIRED=false
 ALTCHA_COST=100000
@@ -64,21 +66,13 @@ PAYMENT_CURRENCY=XMR
 PAYMENT_CONFIRMATIONS=1
 PAYMENT_EXPIRES_MINUTES=60
 
-# ── Bitcoin ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# ── Bitcoin (Electrum/Fulcrum only; the backend runs no Core RPC node) ─────
 BTC_NETWORK=mainnet
-BTC_USE_LOCAL_NODE=false
-BTC_RPC_URL=http://127.0.0.1:8332
-BTC_RPC_USER=bitcoinrpc
-BTC_RPC_PASS=
 BTC_ELECTRUM_URL=
 BTC_ELECTRUM_FALLBACKS=
 
-# ── Litecoin ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# ── Litecoin (Electrum/Fulcrum only; the backend runs no Core RPC node) ────
 LTC_NETWORK=mainnet
-LTC_USE_LOCAL_NODE=false
-LTC_RPC_URL=http://127.0.0.1:9332
-LTC_RPC_USER=litecoinrpc
-LTC_RPC_PASS=
 LTC_ELECTRUM_URL=
 LTC_ELECTRUM_FALLBACKS=
 
@@ -163,11 +157,27 @@ RELAY_ADMISSION_ALLOW_PUBLIC=false
 RELAY_MAX_EVENT_BYTES=65536
 RELAY_RETENTION_DAYS=30
 
+# ── Premium relay tier (optional; recurring, tiered relay-posting access) ──
+# Wallet use stays free; premium unlocks GENERAL Nostr posting to the relay
+# (wallet-functional events — DMs, tips, swap coordination — stay free). Requires
+# RELAY_ENABLED=true + RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=premium-post + the PAYMENT_* processor
+# block above. Off by default. See docs/design/premium-relay.md.
+PREMIUM_ENABLED=false
+# Price currency: a fiat code the processor converts, or a specific coin.
+PREMIUM_CURRENCY=USD
+# Comma-separated plans, each `id:days:amount` (a built-in tiered discount).
+PREMIUM_PLANS=quarter:90:5,halfyear:182:9,year:365:15
+
 # ── Admin surface (see docs; default posture is loopback/Tor) ──────────────
 # Admin auth is "Sign in with Smirk": only admin PUBLIC keys are stored here,
 # never a seed or private key. The allowlist is mutated CLI/loopback-only in v1.
 ADMIN_ENABLED=false
 ADMIN_BIND=127.0.0.1:8081
+# Public absolute URL of THIS node's admin surface. The per-node id that binds
+# signed admin actions (so a challenge signed for one node can't be replayed to
+# another across a fleet) is DERIVED from this value — give each node in a fleet a
+# distinct one. Must be an absolute URL when ADMIN_ENABLED=true.
+ADMIN_PUBLIC_URL=https://admin.example.org
 ADMIN_JWT_SECRET=
 # Integrity MAC secret protecting admin/setup trust anchors against DB tampering.
 # Losing this locks out admin — back it up (see docs/operations).
@@ -177,7 +187,11 @@ ADMIN_PENDING_KEY_TTL_DAYS=7
 
 # ── Public landing page (OFF by default; full + per-field tunable when on) ──
 PUBLIC_LANDING_ENABLED=false
-PUBLIC_EXPOSE_FEATURES=false
+# Optional custom landing title (leave unset for the default).
+#PUBLIC_LANDING_TITLE=
+PUBLIC_EXPOSE_VERSION=false
+PUBLIC_EXPOSE_CHAINS=false
+PUBLIC_EXPOSE_PRICE_FEED=false
 PUBLIC_EXPOSE_UPTIME=false
 PUBLIC_STATS_ENABLED=false
 PUBLIC_STATS_CACHE_HOURS=24

docs/design/premium-relay.md

@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
 # Spec — Premium relay access (recurring)
 
-Status: **DRAFT / spec-first** · Owner: Such Software · Target: v0.4
+Status: **implemented** — a design overview of the as-built feature (shipped v0.3.0).
 
 ## 1. Summary
 
 A **premium tier**: registration and wallet use stay **free** (PoW-gated); an
 optional **recurring fee** (e.g. $5 / quarter) grants **posting access to the
-Smirk-operated Nostr relay**. This reframes payment from *pay-to-register* (a
+operator's Nostr relay**. This reframes payment from *pay-to-register* (a
 one-time gate on wallet creation) to a *subscription* (a recurring gate on relay
 writes). Everything else — register, unlock, balances, tip stats, receiving DMs,
 posting to public relays — remains free.
 
-This is the flagship **cookbook recipe** (`examples/paid-relay/`): the live,
-dogfooded demonstration of operator monetization, built entirely on seams that
+This is the flagship **cookbook recipe** (`examples/paid-relay/`): a complete,
+working demonstration of operator monetization, built entirely on seams that
 already exist (PaymentProvider + the relay admission engine).
 
 ## 2. Goals / non-goals
@@ -34,18 +34,18 @@ already exist (PaymentProvider + the relay admission engine).
 ## 3. Model
 
 The free tier includes everything that makes the **wallet** work — including
-publishing **wallet-functional events** to our relay (encrypted DMs that ride with
-tips, and future P2P atomic-swap coordination). Premium adds using our relay as a
-**general-purpose Nostr relay** (notes, reactions, anything).
+publishing **wallet-functional events** to the operator's relay (encrypted DMs that
+ride with tips, and future P2P atomic-swap coordination). Premium adds using that
+relay as a **general-purpose Nostr relay** (notes, reactions, anything).
 
 | Capability | Free | Premium |
 |---|---|---|
 | Register / unlock / use wallet (all chains) | ✅ | ✅ |
 | Login, view tip/balance stats | ✅ | ✅ |
 | Receive DMs (gift-wrap delivery to you) | ✅ | ✅ |
-| Publish **wallet events** to the Smirk relay (encrypted DMs, tips, swap coordination) | ✅ | ✅ |
+| Publish **wallet events** to the operator's relay (encrypted DMs, tips, swap coordination) | ✅ | ✅ |
 | Publish to **public** relays (damus, nos.lol…) | ✅ | ✅ |
-| Publish **general Nostr** to the Smirk relay (kind-1 notes, reactions, …) | ❌ | ✅ while `premium_until > now` |
+| Publish **general Nostr** to the operator's relay (kind-1 notes, reactions, …) | ❌ | ✅ while `premium_until > now` |
 
 The value line: **the relay is free for what makes your wallet work; you pay to use
 it as your everyday Nostr relay.** Free users are never cut off from wallet features.
@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ it as your everyday Nostr relay.** Free users are never cut off from wallet feat
 Migration `..._premium.sql`:
 ```sql
 ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN premium_until TIMESTAMPTZ;  -- NULL = never premium
-CREATE INDEX users_premium_until_idx ON users (premium_until);
+-- No standalone index on premium_until: is_premium_npub keys on the existing UNIQUE
+-- index on users.nostr_pubkey and `premium_until > NOW()` is a cheap per-row filter,
+-- so an index here would only add write cost to every users UPDATE.
 ```
 A **dedicated `premium_invoices` table** (not a `purpose` column on `payment_invoices`),
 because premium binds on the authenticated `user_id` (a logged-in purchase) while
@@ -101,14 +103,16 @@ loopback-admission requirement (non-open policies need the admission service).
 ## 6. Payment flow (recurring + tiered, reuses the PaymentProvider seam)
 
 - `POST /premium/invoice` (JWT auth), body `{ plan }` → mint an invoice for the
-  selected plan's amount via the PaymentProvider, atomically bound to the caller with
-  `purpose='premium'` and the plan's `days`. Returns the invoice (pay URL / address).
-- Settle (pull model, same poller as pay-to-register): on a `premium` invoice
-  settling, call `extend_premium(user_id, plan_days)` **once** (idempotent on invoice
-  id). Never holds funds — pull-only.
+  selected plan's amount via the PaymentProvider, recorded in `premium_invoices`
+  bound to the caller's `user_id` with the plan's `days`. Returns the invoice (pay
+  URL / address).
+- `POST /premium/activate` (JWT auth), body `{ invoice_id }` → the client-driven
+  settle path (pull model, no background poller): verify the invoice is `Settled` at
+  the processor, then `activate_premium` (single-use consume + `premium_until` extend,
+  in one transaction). Never holds funds — status reads only.
 - `GET /premium/status` (JWT auth) → `{ active, premium_until }`.
 
-**Tiered plans (a discount feature we build + exercise).** `PREMIUM_PLANS` is a list
+**Tiered plans (a built-in discount feature).** `PREMIUM_PLANS` is a list
 of `{ id, days, amount }`:
 
 | id | days | price | vs. quarterly |
@@ -127,12 +131,11 @@ Config: `PREMIUM_ENABLED` (default false), `PREMIUM_CURRENCY`, `PREMIUM_PLANS`
 `PREMIUM_ENABLED` ⇒ provider configured **and** `RELAY_ENABLED` **and**
 `RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=premium-post` **and** ≥1 valid plan (fail closed otherwise).
 
-## 6.5 Resource governance — the box is shared
+## 6.5 Resource governance — a shared host
 
-The reference instance runs the relay **on the same box as the wallet backend and the
-LWS scanners**, so the relay must stay within a budget and never starve them. A paid
-base is naturally bounded (only paying users post general content), but we set hard
-limits regardless:
+When the relay runs **on the same host as the wallet backend and the LWS scanners**,
+it must stay within a budget and never starve them. A paid base is naturally bounded
+(only paying users post general content); set hard limits regardless:
 - **Size + retention** — `RELAY_MAX_EVENT_BYTES` (64 KB) and `RELAY_RETENTION_DAYS`
   (30) cap storage; general (non-DM) content can carry a shorter retention than
   gift-wraps if needed.
@@ -141,9 +144,9 @@ limits regardless:
   monopolize CPU / DB / bandwidth.
 - **DB isolation** — the relay uses its own tables + retention job; the wallet
   backend's hot auth / LWS paths are untouched.
-- **Watch + escape hatch** — the `paid-relay` recipe ships a suggested cap set and
-  says: if relay load approaches the wallet backend's headroom, move the relay to its
-  own box — the seam already supports `RELAY_MODE=external`.
+- **Escape hatch** — the `paid-relay` recipe ships a suggested cap set: if relay load
+  approaches the wallet backend's headroom, move the relay to its own host — the seam
+  already supports `RELAY_MODE=external`.
 
 ## 7. Capabilities + OpenAPI
 
@@ -152,14 +155,14 @@ limits regardless:
   so the client renders the plan tiers with the discount visible. The client greys the
   **general-Nostr-posting** affordance unless `premium.active`; wallet events + DMs
   stay available free.
-- OpenAPI: document `POST /premium/invoice` + `GET /premium/status`; the existing
-  **OpenAPI no-drift check** must pass. Capabilities **golden test** updated to
-  include `premium_relay` + `premium`.
+- OpenAPI: document `POST /premium/invoice`, `POST /premium/activate`, and
+  `GET /premium/status`; the existing **OpenAPI no-drift check** must pass.
+  Capabilities **golden test** updated to include `premium_relay` + `premium`.
 
 ## 8. Free ↔ premium enforcement points (defense in depth)
 
 1. **Relay admission (authoritative):** the gRPC hook denies non-premium *general*
-   writes to our relay regardless of client behavior (wallet events stay free). This
+   writes to the relay regardless of client behavior (wallet events stay free). This
    is the real gate.
 2. **Client UX:** reads `premium.active` from `/premium/status` and disables the
    affordance — a courtesy, never the enforcement.
@@ -169,31 +172,36 @@ The client is never trusted; a user who bypasses the UI still hits admission-den
 ## 9. Migration / compatibility
 
 - Additive column; existing users get `premium_until = NULL` (free). No break.
-- v0.2 backend unaffected. `PREMIUM_ENABLED=false` (default) → zero behavior change;
-  `/premium/*` return 404/feature-off and `/capabilities` omits `premium`.
+- v0.2 backend unaffected. `PREMIUM_ENABLED=false` (default) → zero behavior change:
+  `POST /premium/invoice` and `/premium/activate` return **400** (`VALIDATION_ERROR`,
+  "Premium is not available on this instance."), `GET /premium/status` returns **200**
+  with `{ active: false, premium_until: null }`, and `/capabilities` omits the
+  `premium` object (`features.premium_relay: false`).
 - The relay stays **off** until an operator opts in (`RELAY_ENABLED=true` +
-  `premium-post`); `api.smirk.cash` enables it as the reference paid relay.
+  `premium-post`) — see the `examples/paid-relay/` recipe.
 
 ## 10. Testing (Ps and Qs)
 
-- **Unit** — `policy.rs`: PremiumPost permit (premium author), deny (lapsed /
-  non-premium), gift-wrap delivery to premium recipient, PoW on external inbound.
-- **Unit** — `extend_premium` stacks from `max(now, current)`; `is_premium_npub`
-  respects expiry (peppered lookup).
-- **L2** — admission service: premium author PERMIT, lapsed author DENY.
-- **L2** — settle handler: a `premium` invoice extends `premium_until` once (idempotent).
+- **Unit** — `policy.rs`: PremiumPost permits a premium author (any kind), permits a
+  registered author's wallet kinds, denies a registered author's general post, and
+  delivers an external gift-wrap to a registered recipient (else denies).
+- **Unit** — config fail-closed matrix (relay / policy / plans / creds / 0-conf /
+  days cap) and the `PREMIUM_PLANS` parser.
+- **Integration** — `activate_premium` is single-use, stacks from `max(now, current)`,
+  and rejects a cross-user invoice; `is_premium_npub` respects expiry (npub is public,
+  not peppered); the premium routes are feature-gated off by default.
 - **Golden** — capabilities includes `premium_relay` + `premium` when enabled, omits when off.
-- **No-drift** — OpenAPI covers the two new endpoints.
-- **E2E** — pay invoice → post to Smirk relay PERMITted → fast-forward past expiry
-  → post DENIED → renew → PERMITted again.
+- **No-drift** — OpenAPI covers the three premium endpoints.
 
-## 11. Open questions
+## 11. Design decisions & limitations
 
-1. **Grace period** on expiry (e.g. 3-day soft window) vs hard cutoff? (Lean hard;
-   `extend_premium` early-renewal stacking softens it.)
-2. **Read-gating** (NIP-42) — defer to v2; note it in the cookbook recipe.
-3. **Default price/period** for the reference instance — product call.
-4. **Refunds** — none (prepaid access to a service); state in ToS/recipe README.
+1. **Expiry is a hard cutoff** — no grace window; early-renewal stacking
+   (`activate_premium` extends from `max(now, current)`) softens it.
+2. **Writes are gated, reads stay open** — read-gating would need NIP-42 AUTH plus a
+   premium check; a possible future addition.
+3. **Prepaid periods, not auto-charge** — crypto has no card-on-file, so a member
+   re-pays each term or posting lapses (honest + simple).
+4. **No refunds** — prepaid access to a service; stated in the recipe README / ToS.
 
 ## 12. Cookbook tie-in
 

examples/README.md

@@ -10,16 +10,17 @@ Each recipe is a directory with:
   called out; copy the full `../../.env.example` and apply the deltas).
 - **`README.md`** — what it's for, what it costs to run, the legal/operational notes.
 
-> **Status.** `personal/`, `public-free/`, and `paid-relay/` (the flagship — it
-> uses the shipped [premium-relay feature](../docs/design/premium-relay.md)) have
-> full `.env.example`s. `friends/`, `paid-access/`, and `community/` are summarized
-> below and get their own directories on the next pass.
+> Each recipe below has its own directory with a tuned `.env.example` and a short
+> README. `paid-relay/` is the flagship — it uses the shipped
+> [premium-relay feature](../docs/design/premium-relay.md).
 
 ## Every recipe, the same three steps
 1. `cp ../../.env.example .env`, then apply the recipe's deltas.
-2. Generate each secret: `openssl rand -hex 32` (`JWT_SECRET`, `SEED_FINGERPRINT_PEPPER`,
-   `REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER`, `IP_SALT`, `ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY`, `ADMIN_*_SECRET`). Fill chain
-   endpoints. `chmod 600 .env`.
+2. Set `PUBLIC_API_URL` to your real domain (a placeholder is rejected at boot in
+   production). Generate each secret: `openssl rand -hex 32` (`JWT_SECRET`,
+   `SEED_FINGERPRINT_PEPPER`, `REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER`, `IP_SALT`, `ADMIN_*_SECRET`, plus
+   `ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY` only if the recipe sets `FEATURE_POW=true`). Fill chain endpoints.
+   `chmod 600 .env`.
 3. Run the binary (migrations apply on boot). Reverse-proxy TLS; bind the API to
    `127.0.0.1`.
 
@@ -30,12 +31,12 @@ funds. **Self-hosting bypasses every gate.** Secrets are never committed.
 
 | Recipe | For | Registration | Relay | Pitch | Status |
 |---|---|---|---|---|---|
-| [`personal/`](personal/) | Just you | open, no gate | off (or open, just you) | Your own sovereign backend | ✅ boots today |
-| [`public-free/`](public-free/) | A free public instance | **open + PoW** | off (v1) | What `api.smirk.cash` runs | ✅ boots today |
-| `friends/` | Your circle | **invite-only** | on, `inbox-outbox` | A backend for people you trust | 📝 2nd pass |
-| `paid-access/` | A paid wallet service | **pay-to-register** | optional | Charge once for a hosted wallet backend | 📝 2nd pass |
-| `paid-relay/` | Monetize a relay | **open + PoW** (free wallet) | on, **`premium-post`** | Free wallet, paid ($/quarter) Nostr posting | ✅ premium-relay shipped |
-| `community/` | A project/DAO space | invite | on, `author-allowlist` | A gated relay for a named group | 📝 2nd pass |
+| [`personal/`](personal/) | Just you | open, no gate | off (or open, just you) | Your own sovereign backend | ✅ set domain + secrets |
+| [`public-free/`](public-free/) | A free public instance | **open + PoW** | off (v1) | The shape a free public instance runs | ✅ set domain + secrets |
+| [`friends/`](friends/) | Your circle | **invite-only** | on, `inbox-outbox` | A backend for people you trust | ✅ |
+| [`paid-access/`](paid-access/) | A paid wallet service | **pay-to-register** | optional | Charge once for a hosted wallet backend | ✅ |
+| [`paid-relay/`](paid-relay/) | Monetize a relay | **open + PoW** (free wallet) | on, **`premium-post`** | Free wallet, paid ($/quarter) Nostr posting | ✅ premium-relay shipped |
+| [`community/`](community/) | A project/community space | invite | on, `author-allowlist` | A gated relay for a named group | ✅ |
 
 ## Recipe summaries (config deltas)
 
@@ -52,8 +53,8 @@ funds. **Self-hosting bypasses every gate.** Secrets are never committed.
   processor paying *your* wallet). A one-time access fee gates wallet creation. Non-custodial;
   you never touch funds (pull-model invoice reads only).
 - **`paid-relay`** — free wallet (open + PoW) **plus** `PREMIUM_ENABLED=true`,
-  `RELAY_ENABLED=true`, `RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=premium-post`, `PREMIUM_AMOUNT` /
-  `PREMIUM_CURRENCY` / `PREMIUM_PERIOD_DAYS`. Recurring revenue for relay posting; reads
+  `RELAY_ENABLED=true`, `RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=premium-post`, `PREMIUM_CURRENCY` +
+  `PREMIUM_PLANS` (`id:days:amount`). Recurring revenue for relay posting; reads
   open (v1). **Content posture:** running a relay carries user content — see the NCMEC/DMCA
   clauses in the published Terms (§6, §9.1). Spec: [premium-relay](../docs/design/premium-relay.md).
 - **`community`** — `REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=true`, `RELAY_ENABLED=true` +
@@ -61,8 +62,7 @@ funds. **Self-hosting bypasses every gate.** Secrets are never committed.
 
 ## Choosing
 
-- Want **freedom**? `personal` (or `friends` for a group).
-- Want a **free public good**? `public-free`.
-- Want it to **pay for itself**? `paid-relay` (recurring, real utility) or `paid-access`
-  (one-time). `paid-relay` is the flagship — recurring revenue tied to a service people
-  actually value, and the live demo runs at `api.smirk.cash`.
+- Solo, or a trusted group → `personal` / `friends`.
+- A free public instance → `public-free`.
+- Cost recovery → `paid-relay` (recurring, tied to a real service — the flagship) or
+  `paid-access` (a one-time signup fee).

examples/community/.env.example

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# ── Recipe: community ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# A gated space for a named project / community: invite-only registration plus a
+# relay that ONLY your registered members may publish to (author-allowlist). A
+# members-only Nostr space with its own DM inbox.
+#
+# ⚠️  Running a relay hosts user content — see ../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md.
+#
+# Start from ../../.env.example and apply the lines below. openssl rand -hex 32
+# for each secret.
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+SERVER_HOST=127.0.0.1
+SERVER_PORT=8080
+# REQUIRED: replace with YOUR real https domain. The your-domain.example placeholder
+# is rejected at boot in production (Nostr identity is on by default).
+PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.your-domain.example/api/v1
+ENVIRONMENT=production
+
+DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk?host=/var/run/postgresql
+
+JWT_SECRET=
+SEED_FINGERPRINT_PEPPER=
+REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER=
+IP_SALT=
+# ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY — only needed if you set FEATURE_POW=true (this recipe leaves PoW off).
+ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
+ADMIN_KEY_INTEGRITY_SECRET=
+
+# Invite-only membership (mint codes with `smirk-admin mint-invite`).
+POW_REQUIRED=false
+REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=true
+REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_PAYMENT=false
+
+WALLET_RESTORE_POLICY=unlimited
+FEATURE_PRICES=true
+FEATURE_TIPS=false
+
+# Relay on, members-only: only registered members may publish anything.
+RELAY_ENABLED=true
+RELAY_MODE=bundled
+RELAY_URL=wss://relay.your-domain.example
+RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=author-allowlist
+RELAY_INBOUND_POW_BITS=0
+RELAY_ADMISSION_BIND=127.0.0.1:8090
+
+# Chain endpoints — see ../../.env.example.
+XMR_LWS_URL=
+XMR_LWS_ADMIN_URL=
+XMR_LWS_ADMIN_KEY=
+XMR_DAEMON_URL=
+WOW_LWS_URL=
+WOW_LWS_ADMIN_URL=
+WOW_LWS_ADMIN_KEY=
+WOW_DAEMON_URL=

examples/community/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# community — a members-only space for a project or group
+
+Invite-only registration plus a relay that ONLY your registered members may publish
+to (`author-allowlist`) — a members-only Nostr space with its own DM inbox.
+
+- **Config:** [`.env.example`](.env.example) — `REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=true`,
+  `RELAY_ENABLED=true`, `RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=author-allowlist`.
+- **Membership:** mint codes with `smirk-admin mint-invite`.
+- **Relay:** you host member content — see [`../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md`](../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md).

examples/friends/.env.example

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+# ── Recipe: friends ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# A backend for a known group. Registration is invite-only (mint a code for each
+# person you trust); the relay is on with the locked-down inbox-outbox policy so
+# the group has a private DM inbox. No payment, generous restore.
+#
+# Start from ../../.env.example and apply the lines below. openssl rand -hex 32
+# for each secret.
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+SERVER_HOST=127.0.0.1
+SERVER_PORT=8080
+# REQUIRED: replace with YOUR real https domain. The your-domain.example placeholder
+# is rejected at boot in production (Nostr identity is on by default).
+PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.your-domain.example/api/v1
+ENVIRONMENT=production
+
+DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk?host=/var/run/postgresql
+
+JWT_SECRET=
+SEED_FINGERPRINT_PEPPER=
+REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER=
+IP_SALT=
+# ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY — only needed if you set FEATURE_POW=true (this recipe leaves PoW off).
+ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
+ADMIN_KEY_INTEGRITY_SECRET=
+
+# Invite-only — hand out codes with `smirk-admin mint-invite --count <n>`.
+POW_REQUIRED=false
+REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=true
+REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_PAYMENT=false
+
+# A known group can restore as far back as they like.
+WALLET_RESTORE_POLICY=unlimited
+
+FEATURE_PRICES=true
+FEATURE_TIPS=false
+
+# Relay on, locked down: registered members publish their own events; anyone may
+# deliver a gift-wrapped DM to a member. (Running a relay hosts user content —
+# see ../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md.)
+RELAY_ENABLED=true
+RELAY_MODE=bundled
+RELAY_URL=wss://relay.your-domain.example
+RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=inbox-outbox
+RELAY_INBOUND_POW_BITS=0
+RELAY_ADMISSION_BIND=127.0.0.1:8090
+
+# Chain endpoints — point at your own nodes / LWS. See ../../.env.example.
+XMR_LWS_URL=
+XMR_LWS_ADMIN_URL=
+XMR_LWS_ADMIN_KEY=
+XMR_DAEMON_URL=
+WOW_LWS_URL=
+WOW_LWS_ADMIN_URL=
+WOW_LWS_ADMIN_KEY=
+WOW_DAEMON_URL=

examples/friends/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# friends — a backend for a known group
+
+Invite-only registration plus a locked-down relay (`inbox-outbox`) so your circle
+has a private DM inbox. No payment; generous restore.
+
+- **Config:** [`.env.example`](.env.example) — `REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=true`,
+  `RELAY_ENABLED=true`, `RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=inbox-outbox`.
+- **Invites:** mint codes with `smirk-admin mint-invite --count <n>` and hand them out.
+- **Relay:** you host user messages — review the content notes in
+  [`../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md`](../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md).

examples/paid-access/.env.example

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# ── Recipe: paid-access ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# A paid hosted wallet backend: a one-time fee gates NEW wallet creation (existing
+# wallets and self-hosters bypass it). Non-custodial and pull-model — the backend
+# only READS invoice status; funds go straight to your own wallet.
+#
+# ⚠️  Charging a fee has operational + legal implications — see ../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md.
+#
+# Start from ../../.env.example and apply the lines below. openssl rand -hex 32
+# for each secret.
+# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+SERVER_HOST=127.0.0.1
+SERVER_PORT=8080
+# REQUIRED: replace with YOUR real https domain. The your-domain.example placeholder
+# is rejected at boot in production (Nostr identity is on by default).
+PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.your-domain.example/api/v1
+ENVIRONMENT=production
+
+DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk?host=/var/run/postgresql
+
+JWT_SECRET=
+SEED_FINGERPRINT_PEPPER=
+REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER=
+IP_SALT=
+ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
+ADMIN_KEY_INTEGRITY_SECRET=
+
+# Pay-to-register: a settled invoice is required to create a new wallet. Compose
+# with PoW if you like (FEATURE_POW is the master switch; POW_REQUIRED alone is
+# inert). Returning wallets never pay again.
+FEATURE_POW=true
+POW_REQUIRED=true
+REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=false
+REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_PAYMENT=true
+
+# Processor (BTCPay-compatible; also served by xmrcheckout / wowcheckout). Price
+# is fiat-denominated here (payable in any coin the processor offers).
+PAYMENT_PROVIDER=btcpay
+PAYMENT_PROVIDER_URL=https://pay.your-domain.example
+PAYMENT_STORE_ID=
+PAYMENT_API_KEY=
+PAYMENT_AMOUNT=5
+PAYMENT_CURRENCY=USD
+PAYMENT_CONFIRMATIONS=1
+PAYMENT_EXPIRES_MINUTES=60
+
+WALLET_RESTORE_POLICY=bounded
+WALLET_MAX_RESTORE_DEPTH_DAYS=365
+FEATURE_PRICES=true
+FEATURE_TIPS=false
+RELAY_ENABLED=false
+
+# Chain endpoints — see ../../.env.example.
+XMR_LWS_URL=
+XMR_LWS_ADMIN_URL=
+XMR_LWS_ADMIN_KEY=
+XMR_DAEMON_URL=
+WOW_LWS_URL=
+WOW_LWS_ADMIN_URL=
+WOW_LWS_ADMIN_KEY=
+WOW_DAEMON_URL=

examples/paid-access/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# paid-access — a paid hosted wallet backend
+
+A one-time fee gates creating a NEW wallet (existing wallets and self-hosters bypass
+it). Non-custodial and pull-model: the backend only reads invoice status, and funds
+go straight to your own wallet.
+
+- **Config:** [`.env.example`](.env.example) — `REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_PAYMENT=true` +
+  the `PAYMENT_*` processor block (BTCPay-compatible; also served by xmrcheckout /
+  wowcheckout). Price is fiat-denominated, payable in any coin the processor offers.
+- **You are a merchant, not a money transmitter** — you sell access to your service
+  and never hold user funds. Have clear Terms (what the fee buys, refunds, fair use),
+  treat the fees as income, and see [`../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md`](../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md).
+- `PAYMENT_CONFIRMATIONS >= 1` (0-conf lets a paid invoice be reversed after signup).

examples/paid-relay/.env.example

@@ -13,11 +13,12 @@
 
 SERVER_HOST=127.0.0.1
 SERVER_PORT=8081
+# REQUIRED: replace with YOUR real https domain. The your-domain.example placeholder
+# is rejected at boot in production (Nostr identity is on by default).
 PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.your-domain.example/api/v1
 ENVIRONMENT=production
-INSTANCE_ID=paid-relay-1
 
-DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk_v3_db?host=/var/run/postgresql
+DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk?host=/var/run/postgresql
 
 # Secrets (REQUIRED; openssl rand -hex 32 each).
 JWT_SECRET=
@@ -28,6 +29,8 @@ ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
 ADMIN_KEY_INTEGRITY_SECRET=
 
 # ── Free registration, PoW-gated (wallet use is always free) ──
+# FEATURE_POW is the master switch; POW_REQUIRED alone is inert without it.
+FEATURE_POW=true
 POW_REQUIRED=true
 REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=false
 REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_PAYMENT=false
@@ -58,8 +61,8 @@ PREMIUM_PLANS=quarter:90:5,halfyear:182:9,year:365:15
 # directly to YOUR wallet.
 PAYMENT_PROVIDER=btcpay
 PAYMENT_PROVIDER_URL=https://pay.your-domain.example
-PAYMENT_STORE_ID=your-store-id
-PAYMENT_API_KEY=your-processor-api-key
+PAYMENT_STORE_ID=
+PAYMENT_API_KEY=
 PAYMENT_CONFIRMATIONS=1
 PAYMENT_EXPIRES_MINUTES=60
 

examples/paid-relay/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# paid-relay — free wallet, paid Nostr posting (the flagship)
+
+A free wallet (open + PoW) **plus** a paid premium tier for **general** Nostr
+posting to your relay. Wallet-functional events — encrypted DMs, tips, swap
+coordination — stay **free** for registered users; premium unlocks general posting.
+Recurring revenue tied to a real service. Implements the
+[premium-relay feature](../../docs/design/premium-relay.md).
+
+- **Config:** [`.env.example`](.env.example) — `RELAY_WRITE_POLICY=premium-post`,
+  `PREMIUM_ENABLED=true`, tiered `PREMIUM_PLANS` (a built-in discount curve), and the
+  `PAYMENT_*` processor block (reused from pay-to-register; BTCPay-compatible).
+- **Free vs paid:** the relay is free for what makes the wallet work; you pay to use
+  it as your everyday relay. Reads stay open (v1); premium gates *writes*.
+- **Money:** you sell access to your relay (a fee), non-custodial + pull-model —
+  never hold funds. `PAYMENT_CONFIRMATIONS >= 1`; validation rejects the unsafe combos.
+- **Content:** running a relay means hosting user content — a DMCA designated agent,
+  a CSAM-reporting process, and acceptable-use terms apply. See
+  [`../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md`](../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md).
+- **Resources:** the relay runs beside the wallet backend + LWS, so keep the size /
+  retention / connection / rate caps (in `.env.example` and the nostr-rs-relay config
+  under `deploy/relay`); move to `RELAY_MODE=external` on its own host if load climbs.

examples/personal/.env.example

@@ -7,9 +7,10 @@
 
 SERVER_HOST=127.0.0.1
 SERVER_PORT=8080
+# REQUIRED: replace with YOUR real https domain. The your-domain.example placeholder
+# is rejected at boot in production (Nostr identity is on by default).
 PUBLIC_API_URL=https://your-domain.example/api/v1
 ENVIRONMENT=production
-INSTANCE_ID=my-personal-node
 
 # Unix socket + peer auth (run the service as the DB-owning OS user) — no password.
 DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk?host=/var/run/postgresql
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ JWT_SECRET=
 SEED_FINGERPRINT_PEPPER=
 REFRESH_TOKEN_PEPPER=
 IP_SALT=
+# ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY — only needed if you set FEATURE_POW=true (this recipe leaves PoW off).
 ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
 
 # No gates — it's just you.

examples/personal/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# personal — your own sovereign backend
+
+Run the backend for yourself alone: no registration gates, unlimited restore, the
+relay optional. The smallest footprint; you are the only user.
+
+- **Config:** [`.env.example`](.env.example) — all gates off,
+  `WALLET_RESTORE_POLICY=unlimited`, relay off.
+- **Boot:** copy `.env.example` → `.env`, generate the secrets (`openssl rand -hex 32`),
+  fill your chain endpoints, run the binary (migrations apply on boot). Bind the API
+  to `127.0.0.1` behind your own TLS.
+- Non-custodial: the backend never sees your seed or spend keys — funds stay on-chain.

examples/public-free/.env.example

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # ── Recipe: public-free ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 # A free, open public instance — anyone can register and use the wallet; spam is
-# gated by proof-of-work, not payment. This is (minus secrets) what the reference
-# instance api.smirk.cash runs.
+# gated by proof-of-work, not payment. This is (minus secrets) the shape a free,
+# open public instance runs.
 #
 # Start from ../../.env.example and apply the lines below. openssl rand -hex 32
 # for each secret.
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@
 
 SERVER_HOST=127.0.0.1
 SERVER_PORT=8081
+# REQUIRED: replace with YOUR real https domain. The your-domain.example placeholder
+# is rejected at boot in production (Nostr identity is on by default).
 PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.your-domain.example/api/v1
 ENVIRONMENT=production
-INSTANCE_ID=public-1
 
-DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk_v3_db?host=/var/run/postgresql
+DATABASE_URL=postgresql:///smirk?host=/var/run/postgresql
 
 # Secrets (REQUIRED; openssl rand -hex 32 each).
 JWT_SECRET=
@@ -23,7 +24,9 @@ IP_SALT=
 ALTCHA_HMAC_KEY=
 ADMIN_KEY_INTEGRITY_SECRET=
 
-# Free registration, spam-gated by compute (ALTCHA proof-of-work).
+# Free registration, spam-gated by compute (ALTCHA proof-of-work). FEATURE_POW is
+# the master switch; POW_REQUIRED alone is inert without it.
+FEATURE_POW=true
 POW_REQUIRED=true
 REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_INVITE=false
 REGISTRATION_REQUIRE_PAYMENT=false

examples/public-free/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# public-free — a free, open public instance
+
+Anyone can register and use the wallet; spam is gated by proof-of-work, not
+payment. This is the shape a free, open public instance runs.
+
+- **Config:** [`.env.example`](.env.example) — `POW_REQUIRED=true`, no invite/payment
+  gate, `WALLET_RESTORE_POLICY=bounded` + PoW-priced, relay off at launch.
+- **Boot:** copy → `.env`, generate secrets, reuse your existing daemons / LWS, run
+  the binary. Front it with TLS; bind the API to `127.0.0.1`.
+- No money changes hands, so there is no payment/consumer-sale surface — just have a
+  Terms + Privacy that disclose what the backend receives (see
+  [`../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md`](../LEGAL_AND_OPS.md)).