diff --git a/hh/Cargo.lock b/hh/Cargo.lock
index 8e4d940..793889d 100644
--- a/hh/Cargo.lock
+++ b/hh/Cargo.lock
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "futures-core",
  "mio",
  "parking_lot",
- "rustix",
+ "rustix 0.38.44",
  "signal-hook",
  "signal-hook-mio",
  "winapi",
@@ -426,6 +426,16 @@ dependencies = [
  "winapi",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "filetime"
+version = "0.2.29"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "5c287a33c7f0a620c38e641e7f60827713987b3c0f26e8ddc9462cc69cf75759"
+dependencies = [
+ "cfg-if",
+ "libc",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "find-msvc-tools"
 version = "0.1.9"
@@ -588,6 +598,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "sha2",
+ "tar",
  "tokio",
  "tokio-tungstenite",
  "toml",
@@ -958,6 +969,12 @@ version = "0.4.15"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "d26c52dbd32dccf2d10cac7725f8eae5296885fb5703b261f7d0a0739ec807ab"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "linux-raw-sys"
+version = "0.12.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "32a66949e030da00e8c7d4434b251670a91556f4144941d37452769c25d58a53"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "litemap"
 version = "0.8.2"
@@ -1442,10 +1459,23 @@ dependencies = [
  "bitflags 2.11.1",
  "errno",
  "libc",
- "linux-raw-sys",
+ "linux-raw-sys 0.4.15",
  "windows-sys 0.52.0",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "rustix"
+version = "1.1.4"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "b6fe4565b9518b83ef4f91bb47ce29620ca828bd32cb7e408f0062e9930ba190"
+dependencies = [
+ "bitflags 2.11.1",
+ "errno",
+ "libc",
+ "linux-raw-sys 0.12.1",
+ "windows-sys 0.61.2",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "rustls"
 version = "0.23.40"
@@ -1782,6 +1812,17 @@ dependencies = [
  "syn",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "tar"
+version = "0.4.46"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "3f6221d9a6003c78398e3b239969f352578258df48c8eb051caadae0015bc840"
+dependencies = [
+ "filetime",
+ "libc",
+ "xattr",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "termios"
 version = "0.2.2"
@@ -2493,6 +2534,16 @@ version = "0.6.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "1ffae5123b2d3fc086436f8834ae3ab053a283cfac8fe0a0b8eaae044768a4c4"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "xattr"
+version = "1.6.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "32e45ad4206f6d2479085147f02bc2ef834ac85886624a23575ae137c8aa8156"
+dependencies = [
+ "libc",
+ "rustix 1.1.4",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "yoke"
 version = "0.8.2"
diff --git a/hh/Cargo.toml b/hh/Cargo.toml
index 2bddab2..0ff169a 100644
--- a/hh/Cargo.toml
+++ b/hh/Cargo.toml
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ url = "2"
 portable-pty = "0.8"
 vt100 = "0.15"
 
+# file/dir transfer (P5)
+tar = "0.4"
+
 # async + tui
 tokio = { version = "1", features = ["rt-multi-thread", "macros", "net", "io-util", "sync", "time"] }
 tokio-tungstenite = { version = "0.24", features = ["rustls-tls-webpki-roots"] }
diff --git a/hh/downloads/hh-payload.txt b/hh/downloads/hh-payload.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35cffdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hh/downloads/hh-payload.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+secret offering to the coven — marker XYZ123
diff --git a/hh/downloads/hh-proj/a.txt b/hh/downloads/hh-proj/a.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43d5a8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hh/downloads/hh-proj/a.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+AAA
diff --git a/hh/downloads/hh-proj/sub/b.txt b/hh/downloads/hh-proj/sub/b.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba62923
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hh/downloads/hh-proj/sub/b.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+BBB
diff --git a/hh/src/app.rs b/hh/src/app.rs
index a20681d..b1ed4bb 100644
--- a/hh/src/app.rs
+++ b/hh/src/app.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 //! TUI application state, network event model, and the async run loop.
 
+use crate::ft;
 use crate::net::{self, Session};
 use crate::sbx;
 use crate::theme::Theme;
@@ -16,13 +17,15 @@ use futures_util::{SinkExt, StreamExt};
 use ratatui::backend::CrosstermBackend;
 use ratatui::Terminal;
 use serde_json::json;
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::Duration;
 use tokio::sync::mpsc::{unbounded_channel, UnboundedReceiver, UnboundedSender};
 use tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Message as WsMsg;
 
 const SBX_NAME: &str = "hack-house";
 
-/// One rendered chat row.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct ChatLine {
     pub ts: String,
@@ -37,6 +40,20 @@ pub struct User {
     pub username: String,
 }
 
+/// An in-progress incoming transfer we accepted.
+struct Transfer {
+    meta: ft::Offer,
+    buf: Vec<u8>,
+    accepted: bool,
+}
+
+/// An outgoing transfer awaiting / serving an accept.
+struct ActiveSend {
+    id: String,
+    payload: Arc<Vec<u8>>,
+    sending: bool,
+}
+
 /// Decoded events arriving from the websocket reader task.
 pub enum Net {
     Init { lines: Vec<ChatLine>, users: Vec<User> },
@@ -49,23 +66,11 @@ pub enum Net {
     SbxData(Vec<u8>),
     SbxInput { from: String, bytes: Vec<u8> },
     Perm { owner: String, drivers: Vec<String> },
+    Ft(ft::Ft),
     Sys(String),
     Closed,
 }
 
-/// Sandbox handoff from the async launch task to the run loop.
-enum BrokerMsg {
-    Ready {
-        sb: sbx::Sandbox,
-        backend: sbx::Backend,
-        name: String,
-        rows: u16,
-        cols: u16,
-    },
-    Failed,
-}
-
-/// Local view of the shared sandbox terminal (everyone renders from `data`).
 pub struct SbxView {
     pub parser: vt100::Parser,
     pub backend: String,
@@ -80,10 +85,10 @@ pub struct App {
     pub connected: bool,
     pub sandbox: Option<SbxView>,
     pub driving: bool,
-    /// Sandbox owner (the initiator / superuser). Empty until a sandbox launches.
     pub owner: Option<String>,
-    /// Members allowed to drive the shared shell (always includes the owner).
     pub drivers: std::collections::HashSet<String>,
+    pub pending_offer: Option<ft::Offer>,
+    transfers: HashMap<String, Transfer>,
 }
 
 impl App {
@@ -99,13 +104,14 @@ impl App {
             driving: false,
             owner: None,
             drivers: std::collections::HashSet::new(),
+            pending_offer: None,
+            transfers: HashMap::new(),
         }
     }
 
     pub fn is_owner(&self) -> bool {
         self.owner.as_deref() == Some(self.me.as_str())
     }
-
     pub fn can_drive(&self) -> bool {
         self.drivers.contains(&self.me)
     }
@@ -126,7 +132,7 @@ impl App {
                 self.users = users;
                 self.connected = true;
                 self.sys(format!("joined as {} ⛧", self.me));
-                self.sys("/sbx launch [local|docker|multipass] · /sbx stop · F2 to drive");
+                self.sys("/send <file> · /sendd <dir> · /sbx launch · F2 drive · ctrl-q quit");
             }
             Net::Message(l) => self.lines.push(l),
             Net::Roster { users, capacity } => {
@@ -155,21 +161,6 @@ impl App {
                     self.sys("⛧ sandbox dismissed");
                 }
             }
-            Net::Perm { owner, drivers } => {
-                let new: std::collections::HashSet<String> = drivers.into_iter().collect();
-                // Surface changes that affect me.
-                if !owner.is_empty() && self.owner.as_deref() != Some(owner.as_str()) {
-                    self.sys(format!("⛧ {owner} is the superuser (sandbox owner)"));
-                }
-                if new.contains(&self.me) && !self.drivers.contains(&self.me) && self.owner.is_some() {
-                    self.sys("⛧ you were granted drive (you can drive — F2)");
-                } else if !new.contains(&self.me) && self.drivers.contains(&self.me) {
-                    self.driving = false;
-                    self.sys("⛧ your drive permission was revoked");
-                }
-                self.owner = Some(owner).filter(|o| !o.is_empty());
-                self.drivers = new;
-            }
             Net::SbxResize { rows, cols } => {
                 if let Some(v) = &mut self.sandbox {
                     v.parser.set_size(rows.max(1), cols.max(1));
@@ -180,7 +171,22 @@ impl App {
                     v.parser.process(&bytes);
                 }
             }
-            Net::SbxInput { .. } => {} // broker enforces + writes to PTY in the run loop
+            Net::SbxInput { .. } => {} // broker enforces + writes in the run loop
+            Net::Perm { owner, drivers } => {
+                let new: std::collections::HashSet<String> = drivers.into_iter().collect();
+                if !owner.is_empty() && self.owner.as_deref() != Some(owner.as_str()) {
+                    self.sys(format!("⛧ {owner} is the superuser (sandbox owner)"));
+                }
+                if new.contains(&self.me) && !self.drivers.contains(&self.me) && self.owner.is_some() {
+                    self.sys("⛧ you were granted drive (F2 to take the shell)");
+                } else if !new.contains(&self.me) && self.drivers.contains(&self.me) {
+                    self.driving = false;
+                    self.sys("⛧ your drive permission was revoked");
+                }
+                self.owner = Some(owner).filter(|o| !o.is_empty());
+                self.drivers = new;
+            }
+            Net::Ft(_) => {} // handled in the run loop (needs out channel + disk)
             Net::Sys(t) => self.sys(t),
             Net::Closed => {
                 self.connected = false;
@@ -190,15 +196,12 @@ impl App {
     }
 }
 
-/// Approximate inner dimensions of the sandbox pane for a terminal of this size
-/// (mirrors ui.rs layout: top bar 1, input 3, sandbox = 55% of the body).
 fn sbx_dims(term_w: u16, term_h: u16) -> (u16, u16) {
     let body_h = term_h.saturating_sub(4);
     let sbx_h = (body_h as u32 * 55 / 100) as u16;
     (sbx_h.saturating_sub(2).max(1), term_w.saturating_sub(2).max(1))
 }
 
-/// Translate a key event into the bytes a PTY expects (drive mode).
 fn key_to_pty(code: KeyCode, mods: KeyModifiers) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
     match code {
         KeyCode::Char(c) => {
@@ -220,26 +223,91 @@ fn key_to_pty(code: KeyCode, mods: KeyModifiers) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
     }
 }
 
-async fn send_frame<S>(write: &mut S, room: &fernet::Fernet, value: serde_json::Value)
-where
-    S: SinkExt<WsMsg> + Unpin,
-{
-    let ct = room.encrypt(value.to_string().as_bytes());
-    let _ = write.send(WsMsg::Text(ct)).await;
+/// Queue an encrypted JSON frame for transmission (drained by the run loop).
+fn send_frame(out: &UnboundedSender<WsMsg>, room: &fernet::Fernet, value: serde_json::Value) {
+    let _ = out.send(WsMsg::Text(room.encrypt(value.to_string().as_bytes())));
 }
 
-/// Broadcast the current access-control list (owner + permitted drivers).
-async fn broadcast_acl<S>(write: &mut S, room: &fernet::Fernet, app: &App)
-where
-    S: SinkExt<WsMsg> + Unpin,
-{
+fn broadcast_acl(out: &UnboundedSender<WsMsg>, room: &fernet::Fernet, app: &App) {
     let drivers: Vec<&String> = app.drivers.iter().collect();
-    send_frame(
-        write,
-        room,
-        json!({"_perm":"acl","owner": app.owner, "drivers": drivers}),
-    )
-    .await;
+    send_frame(out, room, json!({"_perm":"acl","owner": app.owner, "drivers": drivers}));
+}
+
+/// Stream a payload to the coven as `_ft` chunks (background, paced).
+fn spawn_send(id: String, payload: Arc<Vec<u8>>, out: UnboundedSender<WsMsg>, room: Arc<fernet::Fernet>) {
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        for (seq, chunk) in payload.chunks(ft::CHUNK).enumerate() {
+            let frame = json!({"_ft":"chunk","id": id,"seq": seq,"data": STANDARD.encode(chunk)});
+            if out.send(WsMsg::Text(room.encrypt(frame.to_string().as_bytes()))).is_err() {
+                return;
+            }
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(2)).await;
+        }
+        send_frame(&out, &room, json!({"_ft":"done","id": id}));
+    });
+}
+
+fn handle_ft(
+    f: ft::Ft,
+    app: &mut App,
+    active: &mut Option<ActiveSend>,
+    out: &UnboundedSender<WsMsg>,
+    room: &Arc<fernet::Fernet>,
+    downloads: &std::path::Path,
+) {
+    match f {
+        ft::Ft::Offer(o) => {
+            if o.from == app.me {
+                return; // our own offer echo
+            }
+            app.sys(format!(
+                "⛧ {} offers {} ({}{}) — /accept or /reject",
+                o.from, o.name, ft::human(o.size as usize),
+                if o.dir { ", directory" } else { "" }
+            ));
+            app.transfers.insert(o.id.clone(), Transfer { meta: o.clone(), buf: Vec::new(), accepted: false });
+            app.pending_offer = Some(o);
+        }
+        ft::Ft::Accept(id) => {
+            if let Some(a) = active.as_mut() {
+                if a.id == id && !a.sending {
+                    a.sending = true;
+                    spawn_send(id, a.payload.clone(), out.clone(), room.clone());
+                    app.sys("transfer accepted — sending…");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        ft::Ft::Reject(id) => {
+            if active.as_ref().map(|a| a.id == id).unwrap_or(false) {
+                app.sys("transfer rejected");
+                *active = None;
+            }
+        }
+        ft::Ft::Chunk { id, data } => {
+            if let Some(t) = app.transfers.get_mut(&id) {
+                if t.accepted {
+                    t.buf.extend_from_slice(&data);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        ft::Ft::Done(id) => {
+            if let Some(t) = app.transfers.remove(&id) {
+                if t.accepted {
+                    if ft::sha256_hex(&t.buf) != t.meta.sha256 {
+                        app.sys(format!("✖ {} — SHA-256 mismatch, discarded", t.meta.name));
+                    } else {
+                        match ft::save(downloads, &t.meta, &t.buf) {
+                            Ok(p) => app.sys(format!("⛧ saved {} ({}) — verified ✓", p.display(), ft::human(t.buf.len()))),
+                            Err(e) => app.sys(format!("save failed: {e}")),
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            if app.pending_offer.as_ref().map(|o| o.id == id).unwrap_or(false) {
+                app.pending_offer = None;
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
@@ -249,14 +317,18 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
     let app_tx = tx.clone();
     tokio::spawn(net::reader(read, session.room.clone(), tx));
 
-    // Broker-owned sandbox PTY output, and async-launch handoff.
-    let (pty_tx, mut pty_rx): (UnboundedSender<Vec<u8>>, UnboundedReceiver<Vec<u8>>) =
-        unbounded_channel();
+    // All outgoing frames funnel through here so background tasks (file chunks,
+    // PTY relay) can transmit without owning the socket.
+    let (out_tx, mut out_rx) = unbounded_channel::<WsMsg>();
+    let (pty_tx, mut pty_rx): (UnboundedSender<Vec<u8>>, UnboundedReceiver<Vec<u8>>) = unbounded_channel();
     let (broker_tx, mut broker_rx) = unbounded_channel::<BrokerMsg>();
     let mut broker: Option<sbx::Sandbox> = None;
     let mut broker_meta: Option<(sbx::Backend, String)> = None;
     let mut launching = false;
     let mut announced_dims: Option<(u16, u16)> = None;
+    let mut active_send: Option<ActiveSend> = None;
+    let mut send_seq: u64 = 0;
+    let downloads = PathBuf::from("./downloads");
 
     enable_raw_mode()?;
     let mut stdout = std::io::stdout();
@@ -272,7 +344,6 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
             break Err(e.into());
         }
 
-        // Broker: keep the PTY sized to our pane; broadcast size changes.
         if broker.is_some() {
             if let Ok(sz) = term.size() {
                 let dims = sbx_dims(sz.width, sz.height);
@@ -281,8 +352,7 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
                     if let Some(sb) = &broker {
                         let _ = sb.resize(dims.0, dims.1);
                     }
-                    send_frame(&mut write, &session.room,
-                        json!({"_sbx":"resize","rows":dims.0,"cols":dims.1})).await;
+                    send_frame(&out_tx, &session.room, json!({"_sbx":"resize","rows":dims.0,"cols":dims.1}));
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -291,13 +361,11 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
             maybe = events.next() => {
                 match maybe {
                     Some(Ok(Event::Key(k))) if k.kind == KeyEventKind::Press => {
-                        if k.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::CONTROL)
-                            && matches!(k.code, KeyCode::Char('q')) {
+                        if k.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::CONTROL) && matches!(k.code, KeyCode::Char('q')) {
                             break Ok(());
                         }
                         if k.code == KeyCode::F(2) {
                             if app.sandbox.is_none() {
-                                // nothing to drive
                             } else if app.can_drive() {
                                 app.driving = !app.driving;
                             } else {
@@ -307,8 +375,7 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
                             if k.code == KeyCode::Esc {
                                 app.driving = false;
                             } else if let Some(bytes) = key_to_pty(k.code, k.modifiers) {
-                                send_frame(&mut write, &session.room,
-                                    json!({"_sbx":"input","b64": STANDARD.encode(&bytes)})).await;
+                                send_frame(&out_tx, &session.room, json!({"_sbx":"input","b64": STANDARD.encode(&bytes)}));
                             }
                         } else {
                             match k.code {
@@ -316,74 +383,9 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
                                 KeyCode::Enter => {
                                     let line = app.input.trim().to_string();
                                     app.input.clear();
-                                    if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/sbx") {
-                                        let mut p = rest.split_whitespace();
-                                        match p.next() {
-                                            Some("launch") => {
-                                                if app.sandbox.is_some() || broker.is_some() || launching {
-                                                    app.sys("a sandbox is already running");
-                                                } else {
-                                                    let backend = p.next()
-                                                        .and_then(sbx::Backend::parse)
-                                                        .unwrap_or(sbx::Backend::Local);
-                                                    let image = p.next()
-                                                        .map(str::to_string)
-                                                        .unwrap_or_else(|| backend.default_image().to_string());
-                                                    let sz = term.size().map(|s| (s.width, s.height)).unwrap_or((80, 24));
-                                                    let (rows, cols) = sbx_dims(sz.0, sz.1);
-                                                    launching = true;
-                                                    app.sys(format!(
-                                                        "summoning {} sandbox… (multipass boot can take ~30s)",
-                                                        backend.label()));
-                                                    spawn_launch(backend, image, rows, cols,
-                                                        pty_tx.clone(), broker_tx.clone(), app_tx.clone());
-                                                }
-                                            }
-                                            Some("stop") => {
-                                                if let Some(mut sb) = broker.take() {
-                                                    sb.stop();
-                                                    if let Some((be, name)) = broker_meta.take() {
-                                                        tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || sbx::teardown(be, &name));
-                                                    }
-                                                    announced_dims = None;
-                                                    send_frame(&mut write, &session.room,
-                                                        json!({"_sbx":"status","state":"stopped"})).await;
-                                                } else {
-                                                    app.sys("you are not hosting a sandbox");
-                                                }
-                                            }
-                                            _ => app.sys("usage: /sbx launch [local|docker|multipass] [image] | /sbx stop"),
-                                        }
-                                    } else if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/grant") {
-                                        let target = rest.trim();
-                                        if !app.is_owner() {
-                                            app.sys("only the sandbox owner can /grant");
-                                        } else if target.is_empty() {
-                                            app.sys("usage: /grant <user>");
-                                        } else {
-                                            app.drivers.insert(target.to_string());
-                                            broadcast_acl(&mut write, &session.room, &app).await;
-                                            app.sys(format!("granted drive to {target}"));
-                                        }
-                                    } else if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/revoke") {
-                                        let target = rest.trim();
-                                        if !app.is_owner() {
-                                            app.sys("only the sandbox owner can /revoke");
-                                        } else if target == app.me {
-                                            app.sys("the owner cannot revoke themselves");
-                                        } else if target.is_empty() {
-                                            app.sys("usage: /revoke <user>");
-                                        } else {
-                                            app.drivers.remove(target);
-                                            broadcast_acl(&mut write, &session.room, &app).await;
-                                            app.sys(format!("revoked drive from {target}"));
-                                        }
-                                    } else if !line.is_empty() && app.connected {
-                                        let ct = session.room.encrypt(line.as_bytes());
-                                        if write.send(WsMsg::Text(ct)).await.is_err() {
-                                            app.connected = false;
-                                        }
-                                    }
+                                    handle_command(&line, &mut app, &mut active_send, &mut send_seq,
+                                        &mut broker, &mut broker_meta, &mut launching, &mut announced_dims,
+                                        &out_tx, &pty_tx, &broker_tx, &app_tx, &session, &term);
                                 }
                                 KeyCode::Backspace => { app.input.pop(); }
                                 KeyCode::Char(c) => app.input.push(c),
@@ -398,14 +400,13 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
             net = rx.recv() => {
                 match net {
                     Some(Net::SbxInput { from, bytes }) => {
-                        // Broker authority: only honor input from a permitted driver
-                        // (sender is server-authenticated via the message username).
                         if let Some(sb) = &mut broker {
                             if app.drivers.contains(&from) {
                                 let _ = sb.write_input(&bytes);
                             }
                         }
                     }
+                    Some(Net::Ft(f)) => handle_ft(f, &mut app, &mut active_send, &out_tx, &session.room, &downloads),
                     Some(n) => app.apply(n),
                     None => break Ok(()),
                 }
@@ -417,15 +418,13 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
                         broker_meta = Some((backend, name));
                         announced_dims = Some((rows, cols));
                         launching = false;
-                        // The launcher is the owner / superuser and the first driver.
                         app.owner = Some(app.me.clone());
                         app.drivers.clear();
                         app.drivers.insert(app.me.clone());
-                        send_frame(&mut write, &session.room, json!({
-                            "_sbx":"status","state":"ready",
-                            "backend": backend.label(), "rows": rows, "cols": cols
-                        })).await;
-                        broadcast_acl(&mut write, &session.room, &app).await;
+                        send_frame(&out_tx, &session.room, json!({
+                            "_sbx":"status","state":"ready","backend": backend.label(), "rows": rows, "cols": cols
+                        }));
+                        broadcast_acl(&out_tx, &session.room, &app);
                     }
                     Some(BrokerMsg::Failed) => { launching = false; }
                     None => {}
@@ -433,8 +432,26 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
             }
             pty = pty_rx.recv() => {
                 if let Some(bytes) = pty {
-                    send_frame(&mut write, &session.room,
-                        json!({"_sbx":"data","b64": STANDARD.encode(&bytes)})).await;
+                    send_frame(&out_tx, &session.room, json!({"_sbx":"data","b64": STANDARD.encode(&bytes)}));
+                }
+            }
+            outgoing = out_rx.recv() => {
+                match outgoing {
+                    Some(first) => {
+                        // Flush a batch to keep file-chunk bursts from redrawing per frame.
+                        let mut batch = vec![first];
+                        while let Ok(m) = out_rx.try_recv() {
+                            batch.push(m);
+                            if batch.len() >= 64 { break; }
+                        }
+                        for m in batch {
+                            if write.send(m).await.is_err() {
+                                app.connected = false;
+                                break;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    None => {}
                 }
             }
             _ = tick.tick() => {}
@@ -453,7 +470,121 @@ pub async fn run(session: Session, theme: Theme) -> Result<()> {
     result
 }
 
-/// Boot a sandbox off the UI thread (prepare → spawn PTY → hand back the handle).
+enum BrokerMsg {
+    Ready { sb: sbx::Sandbox, backend: sbx::Backend, name: String, rows: u16, cols: u16 },
+    Failed,
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn handle_command(
+    line: &str,
+    app: &mut App,
+    active_send: &mut Option<ActiveSend>,
+    send_seq: &mut u64,
+    broker: &mut Option<sbx::Sandbox>,
+    broker_meta: &mut Option<(sbx::Backend, String)>,
+    launching: &mut bool,
+    announced_dims: &mut Option<(u16, u16)>,
+    out_tx: &UnboundedSender<WsMsg>,
+    pty_tx: &UnboundedSender<Vec<u8>>,
+    broker_tx: &UnboundedSender<BrokerMsg>,
+    app_tx: &UnboundedSender<Net>,
+    session: &Session,
+    term: &Terminal<CrosstermBackend<std::io::Stdout>>,
+) {
+    let room = &session.room;
+    if let Some(path) = line.strip_prefix("/sendd ").or_else(|| line.strip_prefix("/send ")) {
+        let path = path.trim();
+        match ft::read_payload(path) {
+            Ok((name, bytes, dir)) => {
+                *send_seq += 1;
+                let id = format!("{}-{}", app.me, send_seq);
+                let (size, sha) = (bytes.len(), ft::sha256_hex(&bytes));
+                *active_send = Some(ActiveSend { id: id.clone(), payload: Arc::new(bytes), sending: false });
+                send_frame(out_tx, room, json!({
+                    "_ft":"offer","id": id,"name": name,"size": size,"sha256": sha,"dir": dir
+                }));
+                app.sys(format!("offered {} ({}) — waiting for an /accept", name, ft::human(size)));
+            }
+            Err(e) => app.sys(format!("send failed: {e}")),
+        }
+    } else if line == "/accept" {
+        if let Some(o) = app.pending_offer.take() {
+            send_frame(out_tx, room, json!({"_ft":"accept","id": o.id}));
+            if let Some(t) = app.transfers.get_mut(&o.id) {
+                t.accepted = true;
+            }
+            app.sys(format!("accepting {}…", o.name));
+        } else {
+            app.sys("no pending offer");
+        }
+    } else if line == "/reject" {
+        if let Some(o) = app.pending_offer.take() {
+            send_frame(out_tx, room, json!({"_ft":"reject","id": o.id}));
+            app.transfers.remove(&o.id);
+            app.sys("rejected the offer");
+        } else {
+            app.sys("no pending offer");
+        }
+    } else if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/sbx") {
+        let mut p = rest.split_whitespace();
+        match p.next() {
+            Some("launch") => {
+                if app.sandbox.is_some() || broker.is_some() || *launching {
+                    app.sys("a sandbox is already running");
+                } else {
+                    let backend = p.next().and_then(sbx::Backend::parse).unwrap_or(sbx::Backend::Local);
+                    let image = p.next().map(str::to_string).unwrap_or_else(|| backend.default_image().to_string());
+                    let sz = term.size().map(|s| (s.width, s.height)).unwrap_or((80, 24));
+                    let (rows, cols) = sbx_dims(sz.0, sz.1);
+                    *launching = true;
+                    app.sys(format!("summoning {} sandbox… (multipass boot can take ~30s)", backend.label()));
+                    spawn_launch(backend, image, rows, cols, pty_tx.clone(), broker_tx.clone(), app_tx.clone());
+                }
+            }
+            Some("stop") => {
+                if let Some(mut sb) = broker.take() {
+                    sb.stop();
+                    if let Some((be, name)) = broker_meta.take() {
+                        tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || sbx::teardown(be, &name));
+                    }
+                    *announced_dims = None;
+                    send_frame(out_tx, room, json!({"_sbx":"status","state":"stopped"}));
+                } else {
+                    app.sys("you are not hosting a sandbox");
+                }
+            }
+            _ => app.sys("usage: /sbx launch [local|docker|multipass] [image] | /sbx stop"),
+        }
+    } else if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/grant") {
+        let target = rest.trim();
+        if !app.is_owner() {
+            app.sys("only the sandbox owner can /grant");
+        } else if target.is_empty() {
+            app.sys("usage: /grant <user>");
+        } else {
+            app.drivers.insert(target.to_string());
+            broadcast_acl(out_tx, room, app);
+            app.sys(format!("granted drive to {target}"));
+        }
+    } else if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/revoke") {
+        let target = rest.trim();
+        if !app.is_owner() {
+            app.sys("only the sandbox owner can /revoke");
+        } else if target == app.me {
+            app.sys("the owner cannot revoke themselves");
+        } else if target.is_empty() {
+            app.sys("usage: /revoke <user>");
+        } else {
+            app.drivers.remove(target);
+            broadcast_acl(out_tx, room, app);
+            app.sys(format!("revoked drive from {target}"));
+        }
+    } else if !line.is_empty() && app.connected {
+        let _ = out_tx.send(WsMsg::Text(room.encrypt(line.as_bytes())));
+    }
+}
+
 fn spawn_launch(
     backend: sbx::Backend,
     image: String,
diff --git a/hh/src/ft.rs b/hh/src/ft.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d04315
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hh/src/ft.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+//! File & directory transfer over the encrypted channel — wire-compatible with
+//! the Python client's `_ft` protocol (offer/accept/reject/chunk/done, 64 KB
+//! chunks, SHA-256 verified). Directories are streamed as a tar with `dir:true`
+//! and extracted on receipt (with a path-traversal guard); a Python receiver
+//! just saves the `.tar`.
+
+use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+use base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD;
+use base64::Engine;
+use serde_json::Value;
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+use std::path::{Component, Path, PathBuf};
+
+pub const MAX_SIZE: usize = 50 * 1024 * 1024;
+pub const CHUNK: usize = 64 * 1024;
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct Offer {
+    pub id: String,
+    pub name: String,
+    pub size: u64,
+    pub sha256: String,
+    pub dir: bool,
+    pub from: String,
+}
+
+pub enum Ft {
+    Offer(Offer),
+    Accept(String),
+    Reject(String),
+    Chunk { id: String, data: Vec<u8> },
+    Done(String),
+}
+
+pub fn sha256_hex(data: &[u8]) -> String {
+    let mut h = Sha256::new();
+    h.update(data);
+    hex::encode(h.finalize())
+}
+
+pub fn human(size: usize) -> String {
+    let (mut s, units) = (size as f64, ["B", "KB", "MB", "GB"]);
+    for u in units {
+        if s < 1024.0 {
+            return format!("{s:.1} {u}");
+        }
+        s /= 1024.0;
+    }
+    format!("{s:.1} TB")
+}
+
+/// Read the payload to offer for a path → (name, bytes, is_dir).
+pub fn read_payload(path: &str) -> Result<(String, Vec<u8>, bool)> {
+    let p = Path::new(path);
+    let meta = std::fs::metadata(p).with_context(|| format!("not found: {path}"))?;
+    if meta.is_dir() {
+        let bytes = tar_dir(p)?;
+        anyhow::ensure!(bytes.len() <= MAX_SIZE, "directory too large ({})", human(bytes.len()));
+        let base = p.file_name().and_then(|s| s.to_str()).unwrap_or("dir");
+        Ok((format!("{base}.tar"), bytes, true))
+    } else {
+        anyhow::ensure!(meta.len() as usize <= MAX_SIZE, "file too large (max 50 MB)");
+        let bytes = std::fs::read(p)?;
+        let name = p.file_name().and_then(|s| s.to_str()).unwrap_or("file").to_string();
+        Ok((name, bytes, false))
+    }
+}
+
+fn tar_dir(dir: &Path) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+    let mut buf = Vec::new();
+    {
+        let mut tb = tar::Builder::new(&mut buf);
+        let base = dir.file_name().unwrap_or_default();
+        tb.append_dir_all(base, dir).context("tar directory")?;
+        tb.finish()?;
+    }
+    Ok(buf)
+}
+
+/// Persist received bytes under `downloads`. Directories (tar) are extracted
+/// with a guard rejecting absolute paths and `..` escapes (zip-slip).
+pub fn save(downloads: &Path, offer: &Offer, data: &[u8]) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(downloads)?;
+    if offer.dir {
+        // Extract the tar's own top-level dir directly under downloads/.
+        let mut ar = tar::Archive::new(data);
+        let mut top: Option<std::ffi::OsString> = None;
+        for entry in ar.entries()? {
+            let mut e = entry?;
+            let path = e.path()?.into_owned();
+            // Explicit zip-slip guard (belt-and-suspenders; unpack_in also refuses).
+            anyhow::ensure!(safe_entry(&path), "unsafe tar entry rejected: {}", path.display());
+            if top.is_none() {
+                top = path.components().next().map(|c| c.as_os_str().to_owned());
+            }
+            e.unpack_in(downloads)
+                .with_context(|| format!("extract {}", path.display()))?;
+        }
+        Ok(top.map(|t| downloads.join(t)).unwrap_or_else(|| downloads.to_path_buf()))
+    } else {
+        let stem = Path::new(&offer.name).file_stem().and_then(|s| s.to_str()).unwrap_or("file");
+        let ext = Path::new(&offer.name).extension().and_then(|s| s.to_str()).unwrap_or("");
+        let dest = unique(downloads, stem, ext);
+        std::fs::write(&dest, data)?;
+        Ok(dest)
+    }
+}
+
+/// A tar entry path is safe to extract iff it's relative and has no `..` escape.
+fn safe_entry(path: &Path) -> bool {
+    !path.is_absolute() && !path.components().any(|c| matches!(c, Component::ParentDir))
+}
+
+fn unique(dir: &Path, stem: &str, ext: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    let mk = |n: usize| {
+        let base = if n == 0 { stem.to_string() } else { format!("{stem}_{n}") };
+        if ext.is_empty() { dir.join(base) } else { dir.join(format!("{base}.{ext}")) }
+    };
+    (0..).map(mk).find(|p| !p.exists()).unwrap()
+}
+
+/// Parse a decrypted `{"_ft":...}` frame. `sender` is the server-authenticated
+/// username of the offerer (so receivers can show who's sending).
+pub fn parse(text: &str, sender: &str) -> Option<Ft> {
+    let v: Value = serde_json::from_str(text).ok()?;
+    match v["_ft"].as_str()? {
+        "offer" => Some(Ft::Offer(Offer {
+            id: v["id"].as_str()?.to_string(),
+            name: v["name"].as_str().unwrap_or("file").to_string(),
+            size: v["size"].as_u64().unwrap_or(0),
+            sha256: v["sha256"].as_str().unwrap_or("").to_string(),
+            dir: v["dir"].as_bool().unwrap_or(false),
+            from: sender.to_string(),
+        })),
+        "accept" => Some(Ft::Accept(v["id"].as_str()?.to_string())),
+        "reject" => Some(Ft::Reject(v["id"].as_str()?.to_string())),
+        "chunk" => Some(Ft::Chunk {
+            id: v["id"].as_str()?.to_string(),
+            data: STANDARD.decode(v["data"].as_str()?).ok()?,
+        }),
+        "done" => Some(Ft::Done(v["id"].as_str()?.to_string())),
+        _ => None,
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn file_payload_roundtrip() {
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("hh-ft-{}", std::process::id()));
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+        let src = dir.join("note.txt");
+        std::fs::write(&src, b"offering to the coven").unwrap();
+
+        let (name, bytes, is_dir) = read_payload(src.to_str().unwrap()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(name, "note.txt");
+        assert!(!is_dir);
+        let offer = Offer { id: "1".into(), name, size: bytes.len() as u64,
+            sha256: sha256_hex(&bytes), dir: false, from: "x".into() };
+        let dl = dir.join("dl");
+        let out = save(&dl, &offer, &bytes).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&out).unwrap(), b"offering to the coven");
+        std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir).ok();
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dir_tar_roundtrip() {
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("hh-ftd-{}", std::process::id()));
+        let proj = dir.join("proj");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(proj.join("sub")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(proj.join("a.txt"), b"AAA").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(proj.join("sub/b.txt"), b"BBB").unwrap();
+
+        let (name, bytes, is_dir) = read_payload(proj.to_str().unwrap()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(name, "proj.tar");
+        assert!(is_dir);
+        let offer = Offer { id: "1".into(), name, size: bytes.len() as u64,
+            sha256: sha256_hex(&bytes), dir: true, from: "x".into() };
+        let dl = dir.join("dl");
+        let out = save(&dl, &offer, &bytes).unwrap(); // -> dl/proj
+        assert!(out.ends_with("proj"));
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(out.join("a.txt")).unwrap(), b"AAA");
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(out.join("sub/b.txt")).unwrap(), b"BBB");
+        std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir).ok();
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn traversal_guard_blocks_escapes() {
+        // The zip-slip guard: relative-only, no `..` escape, no absolute paths.
+        assert!(!safe_entry(Path::new("../escape.txt")));
+        assert!(!safe_entry(Path::new("a/../../etc/passwd")));
+        assert!(!safe_entry(Path::new("/etc/passwd")));
+        assert!(safe_entry(Path::new("proj/sub/ok.txt")));
+        assert!(safe_entry(Path::new("file.txt")));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/hh/src/main.rs b/hh/src/main.rs
index c532489..17a1ca3 100644
--- a/hh/src/main.rs
+++ b/hh/src/main.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 mod app;
 mod crypto;
+mod ft;
 mod net;
 mod sbx;
 mod theme;
diff --git a/hh/src/net.rs b/hh/src/net.rs
index c1ebd72..821be94 100644
--- a/hh/src/net.rs
+++ b/hh/src/net.rs
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ enum Decoded {
 }
 
 /// Decrypt + classify one stored/broadcast message object.
-fn decode_msg(room: &fernet::Fernet, m: &Value, allow_sbx: bool) -> Decoded {
+fn decode_msg(room: &fernet::Fernet, m: &Value, live: bool) -> Decoded {
     let ct = match m["text"].as_str() {
         Some(c) if !c.is_empty() => c,
         _ => return Decoded::Skip,
@@ -128,22 +128,26 @@ fn decode_msg(room: &fernet::Fernet, m: &Value, allow_sbx: bool) -> Decoded {
     let (text, system) = match room.decrypt(ct) {
         Ok(pt) => {
             let t = String::from_utf8_lossy(&pt).to_string();
-            if t.starts_with("{\"_ft\":") {
-                return Decoded::Skip; // file-transfer control frame (P5)
-            }
             // Server-stamped (authenticated) sender of this message.
             let sender = m["username"].as_str().unwrap_or("?");
             if t.starts_with("{\"_perm\":") {
                 return parse_perm(&t).map(Decoded::Sbx).unwrap_or(Decoded::Skip);
             }
+            // Control frames are live-only — never replayed from the stored snapshot.
             if t.starts_with("{\"_sbx\":") {
-                // Don't replay terminal history from the stored snapshot.
-                return if allow_sbx {
+                return if live {
                     parse_sbx(&t, sender).map(Decoded::Sbx).unwrap_or(Decoded::Skip)
                 } else {
                     Decoded::Skip
                 };
             }
+            if t.starts_with("{\"_ft\":") {
+                return if live {
+                    crate::ft::parse(&t, sender).map(|f| Decoded::Sbx(Net::Ft(f))).unwrap_or(Decoded::Skip)
+                } else {
+                    Decoded::Skip
+                };
+            }
             (t, false)
         }
         Err(_) => ("[unreadable — wrong room password?]".to_string(), true),
diff --git a/hh/src/ui.rs b/hh/src/ui.rs
index 111e9d8..1eda859 100644
--- a/hh/src/ui.rs
+++ b/hh/src/ui.rs
@@ -147,10 +147,17 @@ fn draw_input(f: &mut Frame, area: ratatui::layout::Rect, app: &App, theme: &The
     ]))
     .block(
         Block::bordered()
-            .border_style(Style::default().fg(theme.border))
+            .border_style(Style::default().fg(if app.pending_offer.is_some() {
+                theme.accent
+            } else {
+                theme.border
+            }))
             .title(Span::styled(
-                " message · enter send · esc quit ",
-                Style::default().fg(theme.dim),
+                match &app.pending_offer {
+                    Some(o) => format!(" ⛧ incoming: {} — /accept or /reject ", o.name),
+                    None => " message · enter send · esc quit ".to_string(),
+                },
+                Style::default().fg(theme.title),
             )),
     );
     f.render_widget(input, area);