Files

T

nrobi144 5b2f2ca42b feat(chats): per-message encryption badge — lock for NIP-17, lock-open for NIP-04

Show a small lock icon next to the timestamp on each DM message:
- NIP-17 (ChatMessageEvent, ChatMessageEncryptedFileHeaderEvent): filled
  lock in primary color — relay can't see sender/recipient
- NIP-04 (PrivateDmEvent): open lock in muted gray — legacy encryption,
  metadata visible to relays

Matches Android's IncognitoBadge pattern. Both NIP-04 and NIP-17 messages
in the same 1-on-1 conversation produce identical ChatroomKeys, so they
merge into one conversation — the badge is the only way to tell them apart.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

2026-03-19 09:23:06 +02:00

1.7 KiB

Raw Blame History

Brainstorm: Per-Message Encryption Badge in DMs

Date: 2026-03-19 Status: Ready for implementation

What We're Building

Per-message encryption indicator in DM chat bubbles — lock icon (NIP-17) or lock-open icon (NIP-04) next to the timestamp. Matches Android's approach with incognito badges.

Why This Approach

Users need to know which messages are truly private (NIP-17: relay can't see sender/recipient) vs legacy encrypted (NIP-04: relay sees metadata). Android already does this with incognito badges. Desktop uses lock/lock-open icons (already imported in ChatPane) for consistency with the existing NIP-17 toggle.

Key Decisions

Decision	Choice	Rationale
Indicator type	Lock icon per message	Matches existing lock icon pattern in desktop NIP-17 toggle
NIP-17 icon	Lock (filled) in primary color	Private, secure
NIP-04 icon	LockOpen in muted gray	Legacy, weaker privacy
Placement	Next to timestamp in detailRow	Matches Android's IncognitoBadge placement
Tooltip	None (match Android)	Keep it subtle, not alarming

Implementation

The badge goes in MessageWithReactions in ChatPane.kt, in the detailRow slot of ChatMessageCompose. Check note.event type:

is PrivateDmEvent → NIP-04 → lock-open gray
is ChatMessageEvent or is ChatMessageEncryptedFileHeaderEvent → NIP-17 → lock primary
else → no badge

Key Finding: NIP-04 + NIP-17 Messages Merge

For 1-on-1 chats, both protocols produce identical ChatroomKey({otherPubkey}). Messages from both protocols appear in the same conversation. The per-message badge is the only way to tell them apart.

1.7 KiB Raw Blame History