feat: X25519 ECDH sealed-box E2E encryption, zero-knowledge key exchange

- Replace libsodium with pure Web Crypto X25519 ECDH for key exchange
- Sealed-box pattern: ephemeral keypair + HKDF + AES-256-GCM for each recipient
- Store encrypted conversation key per-user so each party decrypts with their own private key
- PBKDF2-derived master key wraps X25519 private key (pkcs8) server-side for cross-device login
- Fix health endpoint ordering so it never hits auth middleware (401 bug)
- Fix postgres port exposure in docker-compose for backend connectivity
- Fix DrivePage react-query v5 onSuccess → useEffect migration
- Fix MessagesPage: use <Link> instead of <a href> to avoid page reload losing in-memory keys
- Fix formatDistanceToNow crash on WebSocket messages lacking sent_at (add fallback + null guard)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

backend/src/db/schema.sql

@@ -79,12 +79,12 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS files (
 
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_files_owner ON files(owner_id) WHERE deleted_at IS NULL;
 
--- Public keys for E2E key exchange
+-- Public/private keys for X25519 ECDH key exchange
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS user_keys (
   user_id UUID PRIMARY KEY REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-  -- X25519 public key for ECDH (base64)
+  -- X25519 public key (base64) — shared with other users
   public_key TEXT NOT NULL,
-  -- Signed with user's identity key so others can verify
+  -- X25519 private key encrypted with master key (base64) — loaded on login for cross-device support
-  key_signature TEXT NOT NULL,
+  encrypted_private_key TEXT NOT NULL,
   updated_at TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL DEFAULT NOW()
 );

backend/src/index.ts

@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@ app.use(express.json({ limit: '1mb' }));
 const limiter = rateLimit({ windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, max: 200 });
 const authLimiter = rateLimit({ windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, max: 20 });
 
+app.get('/api/health', (_req, res) => res.json({ ok: true }));
+
 app.use('/api', limiter);
 app.use('/api/auth', authLimiter, authRouter);
 app.use('/api', messagesRouter);
 app.use('/api', filesRouter);
 app.use('/api', usersRouter);
 
-app.get('/api/health', (_req, res) => res.json({ ok: true }));
-
 // WebSocket: real-time messaging relay
 // Server never sees plaintext — it only routes encrypted payloads
 const server = http.createServer(app);

backend/src/routes/auth.ts

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import QRCode from 'qrcode';
 import crypto from 'crypto';
 import { z } from 'zod';
 import { db } from '../lib/db.js';
+import { requireAuth, AuthRequest } from '../middleware/auth.js';
 
 const router = Router();
 
@@ -13,10 +14,10 @@ const RegisterSchema = z.object({
   username: z.string().min(3).max(32).regex(/^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$/),
   email: z.string().email(),
   password: z.string().min(12),
-  kdfSalt: z.string(), // base64 — generated client-side
+  kdfSalt: z.string(),
-  encryptedMasterKey: z.string(), // base64 — encrypted client-side
+  encryptedMasterKey: z.string(),
-  publicKey: z.string(), // base64 X25519 public key
+  publicKey: z.string(),           // base64 X25519 public key
-  keySignature: z.string(),
+  encryptedPrivateKey: z.string(), // X25519 private key encrypted with master key
 });
 
 const LoginSchema = z.object({
@@ -26,12 +27,8 @@ const LoginSchema = z.object({
 });
 
 function issueTokens(userId: string) {
-  const accessToken = jwt.sign({ sub: userId }, process.env.JWT_SECRET!, {
+  const accessToken = jwt.sign({ sub: userId }, process.env.JWT_SECRET!, { expiresIn: '15m' });
-    expiresIn: '15m',
+  const refreshToken = jwt.sign({ sub: userId }, process.env.JWT_REFRESH_SECRET!, { expiresIn: '30d' });
-  });
-  const refreshToken = jwt.sign({ sub: userId }, process.env.JWT_REFRESH_SECRET!, {
-    expiresIn: '30d',
-  });
   return { accessToken, refreshToken };
 }
 
@@ -48,7 +45,7 @@ router.post('/register', async (req, res) => {
   const parsed = RegisterSchema.safeParse(req.body);
   if (!parsed.success) return res.status(400).json({ error: parsed.error.flatten() });
 
-  const { username, email, password, kdfSalt, encryptedMasterKey, publicKey, keySignature } =
+  const { username, email, password, kdfSalt, encryptedMasterKey, publicKey, encryptedPrivateKey } =
     parsed.data;
 
   try {
@@ -62,14 +59,14 @@ router.post('/register', async (req, res) => {
     const userId = result.rows[0].id;
 
     await db.query(
-      `INSERT INTO user_keys (user_id, public_key, key_signature) VALUES ($1, $2, $3)`,
+      `INSERT INTO user_keys (user_id, public_key, encrypted_private_key) VALUES ($1, $2, $3)`,
-      [userId, publicKey, keySignature]
+      [userId, publicKey, encryptedPrivateKey]
     );
 
     const { accessToken, refreshToken } = issueTokens(userId);
     await storeRefreshToken(userId, refreshToken);
 
-    res.status(201).json({ accessToken, refreshToken, userId });
+    res.status(201).json({ accessToken, refreshToken, userId, username });
   } catch (err: any) {
     if (err.code === '23505') {
       return res.status(409).json({ error: 'Username or email already taken' });
@@ -86,7 +83,7 @@ router.post('/login', async (req, res) => {
   const { email, password, totpCode } = parsed.data;
 
   const result = await db.query(
-    `SELECT id, password_hash, totp_enabled, totp_secret, kdf_salt, encrypted_master_key
+    `SELECT id, username, password_hash, totp_enabled, totp_secret, kdf_salt, encrypted_master_key
      FROM users WHERE email = $1`,
     [email]
   );
@@ -109,6 +106,7 @@ router.post('/login', async (req, res) => {
     accessToken,
     refreshToken,
     userId: user.id,
+    username: user.username,
     kdfSalt: user.kdf_salt,
     encryptedMasterKey: user.encrypted_master_key,
   });
@@ -136,38 +134,40 @@ router.post('/refresh', async (req, res) => {
   }
 });
 
-// 2FA setup — returns QR code URI for authenticator app
+// Returns user's own encrypted private key (for loading on a new device)
-router.post('/2fa/setup', async (req, res) => {
+router.get('/my-key', requireAuth, async (req: AuthRequest, res) => {
-  const userId = (req as any).userId;
+  const result = await db.query(
-  if (!userId) return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Unauthorized' });
+    'SELECT public_key, encrypted_private_key FROM user_keys WHERE user_id = $1',
+    [req.userId]
+  );
+  if (!result.rows.length) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'No key found' });
+  res.json(result.rows[0]);
+});
 
+// 2FA setup — returns QR code for authenticator app
+router.post('/2fa/setup', requireAuth, async (req: AuthRequest, res) => {
   const secret = authenticator.generateSecret();
-  const userResult = await db.query('SELECT username FROM users WHERE id = $1', [userId]);
+  const userResult = await db.query('SELECT username FROM users WHERE id = $1', [req.userId]);
   const username = userResult.rows[0]?.username;
 
   const otpauth = authenticator.keyuri(username, 'CloudLink', secret);
   const qrDataUrl = await QRCode.toDataURL(otpauth);
 
-  // Store secret temporarily — only persisted after verification
+  await db.query('UPDATE users SET totp_secret = $1 WHERE id = $2', [secret, req.userId]);
-  await db.query('UPDATE users SET totp_secret = $1 WHERE id = $2', [secret, userId]);
 
   res.json({ secret, qrDataUrl });
 });
 
-// 2FA verify — confirms secret and enables 2FA
+// 2FA verify — confirms code and enables 2FA
-router.post('/2fa/verify', async (req, res) => {
+router.post('/2fa/verify', requireAuth, async (req: AuthRequest, res) => {
-  const userId = (req as any).userId;
-  if (!userId) return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Unauthorized' });
-
   const { code } = req.body;
-  const result = await db.query('SELECT totp_secret FROM users WHERE id = $1', [userId]);
+  const result = await db.query('SELECT totp_secret FROM users WHERE id = $1', [req.userId]);
   const secret = result.rows[0]?.totp_secret;
   if (!secret) return res.status(400).json({ error: '2FA not set up' });
 
   const ok = authenticator.verify({ token: code, secret });
   if (!ok) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Invalid code' });
 
-  // Generate backup codes
   const backupCodes = Array.from({ length: 8 }, () =>
     crypto.randomBytes(5).toString('hex').toUpperCase()
   );
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ router.post('/2fa/verify', async (req, res) => {
 
   await db.query(
     'UPDATE users SET totp_enabled = true, totp_backup_codes = $1 WHERE id = $2',
-    [hashedCodes, userId]
+    [hashedCodes, req.userId]
   );
 
   res.json({ backupCodes });

docker-compose.yml

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ services:
       POSTGRES_DB: ${POSTGRES_DB:-cloudlink}
       POSTGRES_USER: ${POSTGRES_USER:-cloudlink}
       POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}
+    ports:
+      - "5432:5432"
     volumes:
       - ./data/postgres:/var/lib/postgresql/data
       - ./backend/src/db/schema.sql:/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/schema.sql:ro

frontend/src/crypto/index.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 // All encryption/decryption happens here — the server never sees plaintext.
-// Uses Web Crypto API (AES-GCM 256 + PBKDF2 for key derivation).
+// AES-GCM 256 for symmetric encryption.
+// X25519 ECDH (via Web Crypto) for conversation key exchange — no external libraries.
 
 const ENC = new TextEncoder();
 const DEC = new TextDecoder();
@@ -7,8 +8,7 @@ const DEC = new TextDecoder();
 // ── Key derivation ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export async function generateKdfSalt(): Promise<string> {
-  const salt = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(32));
+  return bufToB64(crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(32)));
-  return bufToB64(salt);
 }
 
 export async function deriveKeyFromPassword(
@@ -30,51 +30,169 @@ export async function deriveKeyFromPassword(
 // ── Master key ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export async function generateMasterKey(): Promise<CryptoKey> {
-  return crypto.subtle.generateKey({ name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, [
+  return crypto.subtle.generateKey({ name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, ['encrypt', 'decrypt']);
-    'encrypt',
-    'decrypt',
-    'wrapKey',
-    'unwrapKey',
-  ]);
 }
 
-export async function exportMasterKey(key: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
+export async function encryptMasterKey(master: CryptoKey, derived: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
-  const raw = await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', key);
+  return aesEncryptRaw(new Uint8Array(await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', master)), derived);
-  return bufToB64(raw);
 }
 
-/** Encrypt master key with the password-derived key — stored on server */
+export async function decryptMasterKey(encB64: string, derived: CryptoKey): Promise<CryptoKey> {
-export async function encryptMasterKey(
+  const raw = await aesDecryptRaw(encB64, derived);
-  masterKey: CryptoKey,
+  return crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', raw, { name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, [
-  derivedKey: CryptoKey
+    'encrypt',
+    'decrypt',
+  ]);
+}
+
+// ── X25519 ECDH keypair ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Generate an X25519 keypair.
+ * Returns the public key as base64 and the private key as a non-extractable CryptoKey.
+ * Also returns pkcs8Bytes so the caller can encrypt and store the private key once.
+ */
+export async function generateX25519Keypair(): Promise<{
+  publicKeyB64: string;
+  privateKey: CryptoKey;
+  pkcs8Bytes: Uint8Array;
+}> {
+  const kp = await crypto.subtle.generateKey({ name: 'X25519' } as any, true, ['deriveBits']);
+  const publicRaw = await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', (kp as CryptoKeyPair).publicKey);
+  const pkcs8 = await crypto.subtle.exportKey('pkcs8', (kp as CryptoKeyPair).privateKey);
+
+  // Re-import as non-extractable for runtime use
+  const privateKey = await crypto.subtle.importKey(
+    'pkcs8',
+    pkcs8,
+    { name: 'X25519' } as any,
+    false,
+    ['deriveBits']
+  );
+
+  return {
+    publicKeyB64: bufToB64(publicRaw),
+    privateKey,
+    pkcs8Bytes: new Uint8Array(pkcs8),
+  };
+}
+
+/** Encrypt the pkcs8-encoded private key with the master key for server storage */
+export async function encryptPrivateKey(pkcs8: Uint8Array, master: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
+  return aesEncryptRaw(pkcs8, master);
+}
+
+/** Decrypt and import the private key, returning a non-extractable CryptoKey */
+export async function decryptPrivateKeyToCryptoKey(
+  encB64: string,
+  master: CryptoKey
+): Promise<CryptoKey> {
+  const pkcs8 = await aesDecryptRaw(encB64, master);
+  return crypto.subtle.importKey('pkcs8', pkcs8, { name: 'X25519' } as any, false, ['deriveBits']);
+}
+
+// ── Conversation key exchange (ephemeral X25519 ECDH sealed box) ─────────────
+//
+// Wire format for sealConvKey output: ephemeral_pub_key(32) | nonce(12) | ciphertext
+// The ephemeral public key is used by the recipient to reconstruct the shared secret.
+
+export function generateConvKeyRaw(): Uint8Array {
+  return crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(32));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Seal a conversation key for a recipient using their X25519 public key.
+ * Uses an ephemeral ECDH keypair so the sender stays anonymous.
+ * Only the holder of the matching private key can open it.
+ */
+export async function sealConvKey(
+  keyRaw: Uint8Array,
+  recipientPublicKeyB64: string
 ): Promise<string> {
-  const raw = await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', masterKey);
+  const recipientPubKey = await crypto.subtle.importKey(
-  return aesEncryptRaw(new Uint8Array(raw), derivedKey);
+    'raw',
+    b64ToBuf(recipientPublicKeyB64),
+    { name: 'X25519' } as any,
+    false,
+    []
+  );
+
+  // Ephemeral keypair for this seal operation
+  const ephemeral = await crypto.subtle.generateKey({ name: 'X25519' } as any, true, [
+    'deriveBits',
+  ]);
+  const ephemeralPubRaw = new Uint8Array(
+    await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', (ephemeral as CryptoKeyPair).publicKey)
+  );
+
+  // ECDH: derive shared secret between ephemeral private key and recipient public key
+  const sharedBits = await crypto.subtle.deriveBits(
+    { name: 'X25519', public: recipientPubKey } as any,
+    (ephemeral as CryptoKeyPair).privateKey,
+    256
+  );
+
+  // HKDF to derive AES key — use ephemeral public key as salt for domain separation
+  const aesKey = await hkdfToAes(sharedBits, ephemeralPubRaw, ['encrypt']);
+
+  const nonce = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(12));
+  const ct = await crypto.subtle.encrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: nonce }, aesKey, keyRaw);
+
+  // Output: ephemeralPubKey(32) | nonce(12) | ciphertext
+  const out = new Uint8Array(32 + 12 + ct.byteLength);
+  out.set(ephemeralPubRaw, 0);
+  out.set(nonce, 32);
+  out.set(new Uint8Array(ct), 44);
+  return bufToB64(out);
 }
 
-export async function decryptMasterKey(
+/**
-  encryptedB64: string,
+ * Open a sealed conversation key using own X25519 private key.
-  derivedKey: CryptoKey
+ * Returns the raw 32-byte AES key.
-): Promise<CryptoKey> {
+ */
-  const raw = await aesDecryptRaw(encryptedB64, derivedKey);
+export async function openSealedConvKey(
+  sealedB64: string,
+  myPrivateKey: CryptoKey
+): Promise<Uint8Array> {
+  const data = b64ToBuf(sealedB64);
+  const ephemeralPubRaw = data.slice(0, 32);
+  const nonce = data.slice(32, 44);
+  const ct = data.slice(44);
+
+  const ephemeralPubKey = await crypto.subtle.importKey(
+    'raw',
+    ephemeralPubRaw,
+    { name: 'X25519' } as any,
+    false,
+    []
+  );
+
+  const sharedBits = await crypto.subtle.deriveBits(
+    { name: 'X25519', public: ephemeralPubKey } as any,
+    myPrivateKey,
+    256
+  );
+
+  const aesKey = await hkdfToAes(sharedBits, ephemeralPubRaw, ['decrypt']);
+  const pt = await crypto.subtle.decrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: nonce }, aesKey, ct);
+  return new Uint8Array(pt);
+}
+
+export async function importConvKey(raw: Uint8Array): Promise<CryptoKey> {
   return crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', raw, { name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, [
     'encrypt',
     'decrypt',
-    'wrapKey',
-    'unwrapKey',
   ]);
 }
 
 // ── Message encryption ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-/** Encrypt a message string with the conversation's shared key */
 export async function encryptMessage(plaintext: string, key: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
   return aesEncryptRaw(ENC.encode(plaintext), key);
 }
 
 export async function decryptMessage(ciphertextB64: string, key: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
-  const raw = await aesDecryptRaw(ciphertextB64, key);
+  return DEC.decode(await aesDecryptRaw(ciphertextB64, key));
-  return DEC.decode(raw);
 }
 
 // ── File encryption ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -83,90 +201,67 @@ export async function generateFileKey(): Promise<CryptoKey> {
   return crypto.subtle.generateKey({ name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, ['encrypt', 'decrypt']);
 }
 
-/** Encrypt a file blob client-side before upload */
 export async function encryptFile(file: File, key: CryptoKey): Promise<Blob> {
   const data = new Uint8Array(await file.arrayBuffer());
   const nonce = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(12));
   const ct = await crypto.subtle.encrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: nonce }, key, data);
-  const combined = new Uint8Array(nonce.length + ct.byteLength);
+  const combined = new Uint8Array(12 + ct.byteLength);
   combined.set(nonce);
-  combined.set(new Uint8Array(ct), nonce.length);
+  combined.set(new Uint8Array(ct), 12);
   return new Blob([combined], { type: 'application/octet-stream' });
 }
 
-export async function decryptFile(encryptedBlob: Blob, key: CryptoKey): Promise<Uint8Array> {
+export async function decryptFile(blob: Blob, key: CryptoKey): Promise<Uint8Array> {
-  const data = new Uint8Array(await encryptedBlob.arrayBuffer());
+  const data = new Uint8Array(await blob.arrayBuffer());
-  const nonce = data.slice(0, 12);
+  const pt = await crypto.subtle.decrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: data.slice(0, 12) }, key, data.slice(12));
-  const ct = data.slice(12);
-  const pt = await crypto.subtle.decrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: nonce }, key, ct);
   return new Uint8Array(pt);
 }
 
-/** Encrypt a file key with the master key — stored alongside file metadata */
 export async function encryptFileKey(fileKey: CryptoKey, masterKey: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
-  const raw = await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', fileKey);
+  return aesEncryptRaw(new Uint8Array(await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', fileKey)), masterKey);
-  return aesEncryptRaw(new Uint8Array(raw), masterKey);
 }
 
-export async function decryptFileKey(
+export async function decryptFileKey(encB64: string, masterKey: CryptoKey): Promise<CryptoKey> {
-  encryptedB64: string,
+  return crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', await aesDecryptRaw(encB64, masterKey), { name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, ['encrypt', 'decrypt']);
-  masterKey: CryptoKey
-): Promise<CryptoKey> {
-  const raw = await aesDecryptRaw(encryptedB64, masterKey);
-  return crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', raw, { name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, [
-    'encrypt',
-    'decrypt',
-  ]);
-}
-
-// ── Conversation key ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-/** Generate a shared conversation key */
-export async function generateConversationKey(): Promise<CryptoKey> {
-  return crypto.subtle.generateKey({ name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, ['encrypt', 'decrypt']);
-}
-
-/** Encrypt conversation key with a user's master key for storage */
-export async function encryptConversationKey(
-  convKey: CryptoKey,
-  masterKey: CryptoKey
-): Promise<string> {
-  const raw = await crypto.subtle.exportKey('raw', convKey);
-  return aesEncryptRaw(new Uint8Array(raw), masterKey);
-}
-
-export async function decryptConversationKey(
-  encryptedB64: string,
-  masterKey: CryptoKey
-): Promise<CryptoKey> {
-  const raw = await aesDecryptRaw(encryptedB64, masterKey);
-  return crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', raw, { name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 }, true, [
-    'encrypt',
-    'decrypt',
-  ]);
 }
 
 // ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+async function hkdfToAes(
+  sharedBits: ArrayBuffer,
+  salt: Uint8Array,
+  usages: KeyUsage[]
+): Promise<CryptoKey> {
+  const keyMaterial = await crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', sharedBits, 'HKDF', false, [
+    'deriveKey',
+  ]);
+  return crypto.subtle.deriveKey(
+    { name: 'HKDF', hash: 'SHA-256', salt, info: ENC.encode('cloudlink-conv-key') },
+    keyMaterial,
+    { name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256 },
+    false,
+    usages
+  );
+}
+
 async function aesEncryptRaw(data: Uint8Array, key: CryptoKey): Promise<string> {
   const nonce = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(12));
   const ct = await crypto.subtle.encrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: nonce }, key, data);
-  const combined = new Uint8Array(nonce.length + ct.byteLength);
+  const combined = new Uint8Array(12 + ct.byteLength);
   combined.set(nonce);
-  combined.set(new Uint8Array(ct), nonce.length);
+  combined.set(new Uint8Array(ct), 12);
   return bufToB64(combined);
 }
 
 async function aesDecryptRaw(b64: string, key: CryptoKey): Promise<Uint8Array> {
-  const combined = b64ToBuf(b64);
+  const data = b64ToBuf(b64);
-  const nonce = combined.slice(0, 12);
+  const pt = await crypto.subtle.decrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: data.slice(0, 12) }, key, data.slice(12));
-  const ct = combined.slice(12);
-  const pt = await crypto.subtle.decrypt({ name: 'AES-GCM', iv: nonce }, key, ct);
   return new Uint8Array(pt);
 }
 
 export function bufToB64(buf: ArrayBuffer | Uint8Array): string {
-  return btoa(String.fromCharCode(...new Uint8Array(buf instanceof ArrayBuffer ? buf : buf)));
+  const u8 = buf instanceof Uint8Array ? buf : new Uint8Array(buf);
+  return btoa(String.fromCharCode(...u8));
 }
 
 export function b64ToBuf(b64: string): Uint8Array {

frontend/src/lib/store.ts

@@ -6,11 +6,14 @@ interface AuthState {
   refreshToken: string | null;
   userId: string | null;
   username: string | null;
-  // Base64 master key — loaded into memory from password derivation, NOT persisted
+  // Crypto keys — in-memory only, never persisted
   masterKey: CryptoKey | null;
+  privateKey: CryptoKey | null; // X25519 private key (non-extractable CryptoKey)
+  publicKey: string | null;     // X25519 public key (base64)
   setAuth: (data: { accessToken: string; refreshToken: string; userId: string }) => void;
   setTokens: (access: string, refresh: string) => void;
   setMasterKey: (key: CryptoKey) => void;
+  setKeyPair: (publicKeyB64: string, privateKey: CryptoKey) => void;
   setUsername: (u: string) => void;
   logout: () => void;
 }
@@ -23,17 +26,27 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState>()(
       userId: null,
       username: null,
       masterKey: null,
+      privateKey: null as CryptoKey | null,
+      publicKey: null,
       setAuth: ({ accessToken, refreshToken, userId }) =>
         set({ accessToken, refreshToken, userId }),
       setTokens: (accessToken, refreshToken) => set({ accessToken, refreshToken }),
       setMasterKey: (masterKey) => set({ masterKey }),
+      setKeyPair: (publicKey, privateKey) => set({ publicKey, privateKey }),
       setUsername: (username) => set({ username }),
       logout: () =>
-        set({ accessToken: null, refreshToken: null, userId: null, masterKey: null }),
+        set({
+          accessToken: null,
+          refreshToken: null,
+          userId: null,
+          masterKey: null,
+          privateKey: null,
+          publicKey: null,
+        }),
     }),
     {
       name: 'cloudlink-auth',
-      // Never persist the master key — must be re-derived on login
+      // Only persist tokens and username — all crypto keys must be re-derived on login
       partialize: (s) => ({
         accessToken: s.accessToken,
         refreshToken: s.refreshToken,
@@ -44,11 +57,6 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState>()(
   )
 );
 
-interface ConvKey {
-  conversationId: string;
-  key: CryptoKey;
-}
-
 interface CryptoStore {
   convKeys: Map<string, CryptoKey>;
   setConvKey: (conversationId: string, key: CryptoKey) => void;

frontend/src/pages/DrivePage.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useRef, useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { Upload, File, Trash2, Download, Lock } from 'lucide-react';
 import { formatDistanceToNow } from 'date-fns';
@@ -39,8 +39,12 @@ export default function DrivePage() {
   const { data: files = [] } = useQuery<DriveFile[]>({
     queryKey: ['files'],
     queryFn: () => api.get('/files').then((r) => r.data),
-    onSuccess: async (files) => {
+  });
-      if (!masterKey) return;
+
+  // Decrypt filenames whenever the file list changes (react-query v5: no onSuccess)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!masterKey || files.length === 0) return;
+    (async () => {
       const names: Record<string, string> = {};
       await Promise.all(
         files.map(async (f) => {
@@ -53,8 +57,8 @@ export default function DrivePage() {
         })
       );
       setDecryptedNames(names);
-    },
+    })();
-  } as any);
+  }, [files, masterKey]);
 
   async function handleUpload(e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) {
     const file = e.target.files?.[0];

frontend/src/pages/LoginPage.tsx

@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@ import { Link, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { Shield } from 'lucide-react';
 import api from '../lib/api';
 import { useAuthStore } from '../lib/store';
-import { deriveKeyFromPassword, decryptMasterKey } from '../crypto';
+import { deriveKeyFromPassword, decryptMasterKey, decryptPrivateKeyToCryptoKey } from '../crypto';
 import { socket } from '../lib/ws';
 
 export default function LoginPage() {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const { setAuth, setMasterKey, setUsername } = useAuthStore();
+  const { setAuth, setMasterKey, setKeyPair, setUsername } = useAuthStore();
   const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
   const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
   const [totpCode, setTotpCode] = useState('');
@@ -34,17 +34,22 @@ export default function LoginPage() {
         return;
       }
 
-      const { accessToken, refreshToken, userId, kdfSalt, encryptedMasterKey, username } =
+      const { accessToken, refreshToken, userId, username, kdfSalt, encryptedMasterKey } = res.data;
-        res.data;
 
-      // Derive key from password — never leaves the browser
+      // Re-derive master key from password — never leaves the browser
       const derived = await deriveKeyFromPassword(password, kdfSalt);
       const masterKey = await decryptMasterKey(encryptedMasterKey, derived);
 
+      // Set tokens first so the next API call has a Bearer token
       setAuth({ accessToken, refreshToken, userId });
       setMasterKey(masterKey);
       setUsername(username);
 
+      // Fetch and decrypt the X25519 private key (stored encrypted on server for cross-device support)
+      const keyRes = await api.get('/auth/my-key');
+      const privateKey = await decryptPrivateKeyToCryptoKey(keyRes.data.encrypted_private_key, masterKey);
+      setKeyPair(keyRes.data.public_key, privateKey);
+
       socket.connect(accessToken);
       navigate('/messages');
     } catch (err: any) {
@@ -89,36 +94,22 @@ export default function LoginPage() {
             </div>
           )}
 
-          <button
+          <button type="submit" disabled={loading} className="btn-primary w-full">
-            type="submit"
-            disabled={loading}
-            className="btn-primary w-full"
-          >
             {loading ? 'Signing in…' : require2fa ? 'Verify' : 'Sign in'}
           </button>
         </form>
 
         <p className="text-center text-sm text-slate-400 mt-4">
           No account?{' '}
-          <Link to="/register" className="text-accent hover:underline">
+          <Link to="/register" className="text-accent hover:underline">Register</Link>
-            Register
-          </Link>
         </p>
       </div>
     </div>
   );
 }
 
-function Field({
+function Field({ label, type, value, onChange }: {
-  label,
+  label: string; type: string; value: string; onChange: (v: string) => void;
-  type,
-  value,
-  onChange,
-}: {
-  label: string;
-  type: string;
-  value: string;
-  onChange: (v: string) => void;
 }) {
   return (
     <div>

frontend/src/pages/MessagesPage.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
-import { useParams } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useParams, useNavigate, Link } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { Send, Plus, Search } from 'lucide-react';
 import { formatDistanceToNow } from 'date-fns';
@@ -9,9 +9,10 @@ import { socket } from '../lib/ws';
 import {
   encryptMessage,
   decryptMessage,
-  generateConversationKey,
+  generateConvKeyRaw,
-  encryptConversationKey,
+  sealConvKey,
-  decryptConversationKey,
+  openSealedConvKey,
+  importConvKey,
 } from '../crypto';
 
 interface Conversation {
@@ -30,15 +31,22 @@ interface Message {
   plaintext?: string;
 }
 
+interface UserResult {
+  id: string;
+  username: string;
+  public_key: string;
+}
+
 export default function MessagesPage() {
   const { id: activeId } = useParams();
-  const { userId, masterKey } = useAuthStore();
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { userId, publicKey, privateKey } = useAuthStore();
   const { setConvKey, getConvKey } = useCryptoStore();
   const qc = useQueryClient();
   const [text, setText] = useState('');
   const [messages, setMessages] = useState<Message[]>([]);
   const [newUserSearch, setNewUserSearch] = useState('');
-  const [searchResults, setSearchResults] = useState<{ id: string; username: string }[]>([]);
+  const [searchResults, setSearchResults] = useState<UserResult[]>([]);
   const bottomRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
 
   const { data: conversations = [] } = useQuery<Conversation[]>({
@@ -46,9 +54,9 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
     queryFn: () => api.get('/conversations').then((r) => r.data),
   });
 
-  // Load + decrypt messages when conversation changes
+  // Load + decrypt messages when active conversation changes
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!activeId || !masterKey) return;
+    if (!activeId || !publicKey || !privateKey) return;
 
     async function load() {
       const conv = conversations.find((c) => c.id === activeId);
@@ -56,7 +64,9 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
 
       let convKey = getConvKey(activeId!);
       if (!convKey) {
-        convKey = await decryptConversationKey(conv.encrypted_key, masterKey!);
+        // Decrypt the conversation key that was sealed for us with our X25519 public key
+        const raw = await openSealedConvKey(conv.encrypted_key, privateKey!);
+        convKey = await importConvKey(raw);
         setConvKey(activeId!, convKey);
       }
 
@@ -73,7 +83,7 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
     load();
   }, [activeId, conversations.length]);
 
-  // WebSocket incoming messages
+  // WebSocket: decrypt incoming messages in real time
   useEffect(() => {
     return socket.on(async (raw) => {
       const msg = raw as any;
@@ -85,7 +95,7 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
       const plaintext = await decryptMessage(msg.ciphertext, convKey).catch(() => '[encrypted]');
       setMessages((prev) => [
         ...prev,
-        { ...msg, sender_username: msg.senderUsername ?? msg.senderId, plaintext },
+        { ...msg, sender_username: msg.senderUsername ?? msg.senderId, plaintext, sent_at: msg.sent_at ?? new Date().toISOString() },
       ]);
     });
   }, [activeId]);
@@ -104,25 +114,35 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
     setText('');
   }
 
-  async function startConversation(recipientId: string, recipientUsername: string) {
+  async function startConversation(recipient: UserResult) {
-    if (!masterKey) return;
+    if (!publicKey || !privateKey) return;
 
-    const convKey = await generateConversationKey();
+    // Generate random conversation key
-    const myEncKey = await encryptConversationKey(convKey, masterKey);
+    const convKeyRaw = generateConvKeyRaw();
-    const recipientEncKey = await encryptConversationKey(convKey, masterKey); // real impl: encrypt with recipient's pubkey
+
+    // Seal a copy for each participant using their X25519 public key
+    // Each party can only open their own copy
+    const [myEncKey, recipientEncKey] = await Promise.all([
+      sealConvKey(convKeyRaw, publicKey),
+      sealConvKey(convKeyRaw, recipient.public_key),
+    ]);
 
     const res = await api.post('/conversations', {
-      recipientId,
+      recipientId: recipient.id,
       encryptedKeys: {
         [userId!]: myEncKey,
-        [recipientId]: recipientEncKey,
+        [recipient.id]: recipientEncKey,
       },
     });
 
+    // Cache the decrypted key in memory for immediate use
+    const convKey = await importConvKey(convKeyRaw);
     setConvKey(res.data.conversationId, convKey);
+
     qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['conversations'] });
     setNewUserSearch('');
     setSearchResults([]);
+    navigate(`/messages/${res.data.conversationId}`);
   }
 
   async function handleSearch(q: string) {
@@ -154,7 +174,7 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
               {searchResults.map((u) => (
                 <button
                   key={u.id}
-                  onClick={() => startConversation(u.id, u.username)}
+                  onClick={() => startConversation(u)}
                   className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-sm hover:bg-slate-600 transition-colors"
                 >
                   {u.username}
@@ -168,9 +188,9 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
           {conversations.map((conv) => {
             const other = conv.members.find((m) => m.id !== userId);
             return (
-              <a
+              <Link
                 key={conv.id}
-                href={`/messages/${conv.id}`}
+                to={`/messages/${conv.id}`}
                 className={`flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-3 border-b border-slate-700/50 hover:bg-surface-2 transition-colors ${
                   activeId === conv.id ? 'bg-surface-2' : ''
                 }`}
@@ -186,7 +206,7 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
                     </p>
                   )}
                 </div>
-              </a>
+              </Link>
             );
           })}
         </div>
@@ -221,7 +241,7 @@ export default function MessagesPage() {
                     >
                       <p>{m.plaintext}</p>
                       <p className={`text-xs mt-1 ${mine ? 'text-indigo-200' : 'text-slate-500'}`}>
-                        {formatDistanceToNow(new Date(m.sent_at), { addSuffix: true })}
+                        {m.sent_at ? formatDistanceToNow(new Date(m.sent_at), { addSuffix: true }) : 'just now'}
                       </p>
                     </div>
                   </div>

frontend/src/pages/RegisterPage.tsx

@@ -8,12 +8,14 @@ import {
   deriveKeyFromPassword,
   generateMasterKey,
   encryptMasterKey,
+  generateX25519Keypair,
+  encryptPrivateKey,
 } from '../crypto';
 import { socket } from '../lib/ws';
 
 export default function RegisterPage() {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const { setAuth, setMasterKey, setUsername } = useAuthStore();
+  const { setAuth, setMasterKey, setKeyPair, setUsername } = useAuthStore();
   const [username, setUsernameField] = useState('');
   const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
   const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
@@ -29,15 +31,15 @@ export default function RegisterPage() {
 
     setLoading(true);
     try {
-      // Generate all crypto material client-side
+      // All crypto material generated client-side — nothing sensitive leaves the browser in plaintext
       const kdfSalt = await generateKdfSalt();
       const derivedKey = await deriveKeyFromPassword(password, kdfSalt);
       const masterKey = await generateMasterKey();
       const encryptedMasterKey = await encryptMasterKey(masterKey, derivedKey);
 
-      // Minimal public key placeholder (full ECDH exchange would use X25519 via libsodium)
+      // X25519 keypair for ECDH conversation key exchange
-      const publicKey = 'placeholder-pubkey';
+      const { publicKeyB64, privateKey, pkcs8Bytes } = await generateX25519Keypair();
-      const keySignature = 'placeholder-sig';
+      const encryptedPrivKey = await encryptPrivateKey(pkcs8Bytes, masterKey);
 
       const res = await api.post('/auth/register', {
         username,
@@ -45,13 +47,14 @@ export default function RegisterPage() {
         password,
         kdfSalt,
         encryptedMasterKey,
-        publicKey,
+        publicKey: publicKeyB64,
-        keySignature,
+        encryptedPrivateKey: encryptedPrivKey,
       });
 
       const { accessToken, refreshToken, userId } = res.data;
       setAuth({ accessToken, refreshToken, userId });
       setMasterKey(masterKey);
+      setKeyPair(publicKeyB64, privateKey);
       setUsername(username);
 
       socket.connect(accessToken);
@@ -86,7 +89,7 @@ export default function RegisterPage() {
           </p>
 
           <button type="submit" disabled={loading} className="btn-primary w-full">
-            {loading ? 'Creating account…' : 'Create account'}
+            {loading ? 'Generating keys…' : 'Create account'}
           </button>
         </form>