Merge pull request 'release: VK Mini App + landscape UI + dict v1.3.1 seed (development→master)' (#144) from development into master

The scrabble-dictionary release v1.3.1 drops the obscene lexicon (mat).
Bump the centralised CI seed so unit/integration jobs validate against the
same dictionary the prod deploy now pins (vars.PROD_DICT_VERSION=v1.3.1).

.claude/skills/deploy-check/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+---
+name: deploy-check
+description: "Use before any deploy-touching change to this repo — phrases like '/deploy-check', 'is this prod-safe', 'before we deploy', 'deploy safety review', 'проверь перед деплоем', 'это безопасно для прода'. Runs a pre-deploy checklist of this project's hard-won runtime constraints against the current diff, so the crash classes that have bitten live environments get caught before shipping instead of after."
+---
+
+# Pre-deploy runtime-constraint check
+
+Triggered before shipping anything that touches the deploy contour (Dockerfiles,
+`deploy/`, Caddyfile, compose, migrations, boot guards, the Telegram side-service,
+edge config). The worst frictions in this repo were never logic bugs — they were
+**environment mismatches that crashed a live env and forced a redesign**. Run this
+list against the diff first; turn crash-and-redesign into a single pass.
+
+This checklist is a prompt, **not** the source of truth. The canonical detail
+lives in `deploy/README.md`, `docs/ARCHITECTURE.md`, `docs/EDGE_HTTP3.md`, and the
+agent memory files referenced below — read them when an item is in play, and add a
+new class here when a new incident teaches one.
+
+## How to run it
+
+1. `git diff <base>...HEAD --stat` to see what the change actually touches.
+2. For every risk class below that the diff touches, perform the **Check** and
+   report PASS / FAIL with the exact file:line to fix. Skip classes the diff does
+   not touch — say which you skipped and why.
+3. Remember: **deploy-job green ≠ healthy**. CI's deploy probe has historically
+   passed with a dead backend (it only checked static landing+gateway). Verify the
+   real feature live (`/readyz`, the actual flow) after deploy, not just the green.
+
+## Risk classes
+
+### 1. Container user — distroless nonroot UID 65532
+- **Bit us:** TLS keys `chmod 600` for the host owner crash-looped gateway + bot at
+  boot with "permission denied" — service images run UID 65532.
+- **Check:** any new/changed mounted secret, key, or config file must be readable by
+  UID 65532 (`0644`, not `0600`). Scan the diff for file modes, `chmod`, and new
+  volume mounts. (memory: `distroless-nonroot-mounted-secrets`)
+
+### 2. Caddy header pipeline ordering
+- **Bit us:** `header_up delete` after `set` nulled the value (the honeypot tag went
+  empty); it passed CI and only showed up live.
+- **Check:** in any Caddyfile change, verify the `set` / `delete` / `header_up`
+  ordering for every affected route, and test the tripwire/route on the live
+  contour, not just CI.
+
+### 3. Edge Alt-Svc / HTTP3
+- **Bit us:** edge advertised `Alt-Svc: h3` while UDP/443 was never exposed
+  (docker tcp-only + ufw tcp-only); clients cached it 30 days and stalled on dead
+  QUIC before falling back to h2 — Mini App "hangs on load".
+- **Check:** any edge/caddy change keeps `Alt-Svc: clear` (or only advertises h3 if
+  UDP/443 is genuinely exposed). (memory: `tg-app-load-stall-dead-http3-altsvc`,
+  `docs/EDGE_HTTP3.md`)
+
+### 4. Prod caddy config recreate
+- **Bit us:** prod rolling deploy did **not** recreate caddy on a config-only change
+  (pinned `caddy:2-alpine` + `admin off`), so a new Caddyfile deployed GREEN but
+  stayed inert until a manual `docker restart`.
+- **Check:** a config-only edge change must `--force-recreate` caddy in
+  `prod-deploy.sh` `roll()`; never trust deploy-green for edge config.
+  (memory: `prod-deploy-caddy-config-recreate`)
+
+### 5. DICT_VERSION / dictionary boot
+- **Bit us:** an early `DICT_VERSION` refuse-boot guard was wrong and crashed the
+  live env when bumped on a seeded volume; it had to be redesigned to "marker-wins".
+- **Check:** any change touching `DICT_VERSION`, dict load, or the boot guard must
+  keep marker-wins semantics and survive a seeded volume **and** an image rollback.
+  `DICT_VERSION` is a required build-arg (no default), single-sourced. A new dict
+  goes live via the admin console upload, not a redeploy. (memory:
+  `dict-version-deploy-verify`, `contour-schema-change-wipe`)
+
+### 6. Migrations — expand-contract + rollback safety
+- **Bit us / risk:** a non-backward-compatible migration breaks image rollback (DB
+  ahead of rolled-back code).
+- **Check:** migrations must be **expand-contract** (backward-compatible). A schema
+  change adds the maintenance window + a consistent `pg_dump` in prod-deploy. On the
+  **test contour**, a schema/wire-label change needs `DROP SCHEMA backend CASCADE` +
+  backend restart (new code vs old persisted DB), else the contour breaks. (memory:
+  `contour-schema-change-wipe`)
+
+### 7. Telegram permission model
+- **Bit us:** permissions are an **AND-intersection** — default-allow with explicit
+  denies, not default-deny; inverting it broke access.
+- **Check:** any change to the Telegram permission / relay logic preserves the
+  AND-intersection default-allow shape. (memory: `telegram-forum-relay-gotchas`)
+
+## Output
+
+A short PASS/FAIL table over the classes the diff touches, each FAIL with the exact
+file:line and the fix. If every touched class passes, say so plainly and name the
+post-deploy live check to run (not just "CI green").

.claude/vk-games-integration.md

@@ -0,0 +1,173 @@
+# VK Mini App / VK Games — integration reference
+
+Captured research + our implementation map, so a future session does not need to re-fetch
+the VK docs. Authoritative external source: <https://dev.vk.com/> (the `dev.vk.com` portal
+does not render via plain HTTP fetch; the facts below were cross-checked against the VKCOM
+reference repos cited at the end and verified against our own Go implementation).
+
+A VK **game** is technically a **VK Mini App**: an HTML5 SPA VK loads in an **iframe inside
+vk.com** (desktop + mobile web) and in a **WebView** inside the VK mobile apps (iOS/Android).
+We serve our existing SPA under a dedicated `/vk/` path, mirroring the Telegram `/telegram/`
+entry — the single-origin, path-routed model.
+
+## 1. Embedding model
+
+- VK loads the app at the **Web iframe URL** configured in the app settings (HTTPS + valid
+  cert required), appending the signed launch parameters as the **URL query string**.
+- An optional separate **Mobile iframe URL** is used by the VK mobile apps (we use the same).
+- No special `X-Frame-Options` / CSP `frame-ancestors` is required from us — VK frames the
+  configured origin. (Our edge sets **no** framing headers today, so VK works as-is; see the
+  clickjacking note in §Security.)
+- URL must match the settings exactly (scheme, host, no stray `www`/whitespace).
+
+## 2. Launch parameters (URL query)
+
+VK appends these to the iframe `src`. The `vk_*` set is what the signature covers.
+
+| Param | Meaning |
+| --- | --- |
+| `vk_user_id` | signed-in VK user numeric id — **the identity** |
+| `vk_app_id` | our registered app id |
+| `vk_is_app_user` | 0/1 — user authorized/installed the app |
+| `vk_are_notifications_enabled` | 0/1 |
+| `vk_language` | 2-letter UI language (`ru`, `en`, …) |
+| `vk_platform` | `mobile_iphone` \| `mobile_android` \| `mobile_web` \| `desktop_web` \| … |
+| `vk_ts` | unix seconds when VK generated the params |
+| `vk_ref` | where the app was opened from (`catalog`, `feed`, …) |
+| `vk_access_token_settings` | comma-separated granted scopes (often empty) |
+| `vk_group_id`, `vk_viewer_group_role`, `vk_is_favorite`, `vk_client` | optional/contextual |
+| `sign` | **the signature** (see §3) — NOT part of the signed set |
+
+Always present: `vk_user_id`, `vk_app_id`, `vk_platform`, `vk_ts`, `sign`.
+
+The user's **name is NOT in the launch params** (only `vk_user_id`). Read it client-side via
+`VKWebAppGetUserInfo` (see §4) — unsigned, so treat it as a cosmetic display seed only.
+
+## 3. Signature verification (`sign`)  — CONFIRMED base64url, not hex
+
+Algorithm (verified against our `gateway/internal/vkauth` + an independent Python reference):
+
+1. Collect the query params whose key starts with `vk_` (exclude `sign`).
+2. Sort by key (alphabetical).
+3. Serialize as a URL-encoded query string `k=v&k=v…` (Go `url.Values.Encode()` matches VK's
+   reference serialization for the constrained launch-param charset).
+4. `HMAC-SHA256(serialized, secret)` where `secret` = the app's **«Защищённый ключ»**
+   (protected / secure key, a.k.a. client_secret) from the app settings.
+5. **base64url, no padding** (`+`→`-`, `/`→`_`, strip `=`).
+6. Constant-time compare against `sign`.
+
+VK launch params have **no built-in expiry** (unlike Telegram's `auth_date`). We do NOT enforce
+freshness — the minted server session is the short-lived credential; a replay only
+re-authenticates the same `vk_user_id`.
+
+Verified against the official doc <https://dev.vk.com/ru/mini-apps/development/launch-params-sign>
+(prose + PHP example: base64url = `strtr('+/','-_')` + `rtrim('=')`) and reproduced identically by
+independent Node `crypto` + Python references. **Doc-example caveat**: that page shows secret
+`wvl68m4dR1UpLrVRli` → sign `exTIBP…`, but the secret is a **placeholder** — recomputing with it does
+NOT yield the shown sign (it was made with the real, unshown key). Don't chase the mismatch; our
+`vkauth.Verify` is correct (`gateway/internal/vkauth/vkauth_test.go` carries cross-checked vectors,
+incl. the `%2C` comma case for `vk_access_token_settings`).
+
+## 4. VK Bridge (client SDK)
+
+`@vkontakte/vk-bridge` (npm, v3.x; bundled — `default` export `bridge`). Methods we use / may use:
+
+- `VKWebAppInit` — **required**: tells VK the Mini App loaded (dismisses VK's loading cover).
+- `VKWebAppGetUserInfo` — `{ id, first_name, last_name, photo_200, … }`; no extra scope needed.
+- `VKWebAppGetLaunchParams` — parsed `vk_*` **without** `sign` (so NOT usable for our server
+  verification — read `window.location.search` instead, which carries `sign`).
+- `VKWebAppGetAuthToken` — OAuth access token for VK API calls (only if we ever call VK API).
+- `VKWebAppShare` — native share dialog (the friend-code invite uses it; `navigator.share` is absent
+  in the desktop VK iframe). **Used.**
+- `VKWebAppCopyText` — clipboard copy that works inside the VK iframe, where `navigator.clipboard` is
+  blocked. **Used** as the copy-code / copy-link path.
+- `VKWebAppUpdateConfig` (subscribe) — light/dark scheme; the app follows it while the theme pref is
+  "auto" (the VK webview's prefers-color-scheme does not track it). **Used.**
+- `VKWebAppSetViewSettings` / `VKWebAppSetSwipeSettings` — viewport / swipe-back (mobile); not used —
+  the bottom home-bar safe area is handled by CSS `env(safe-area-inset-*)` (viewport-fit=cover).
+
+The bridge talks to the embedding VK client over postMessage; it is NOT an external fetch, so
+it has no telegram.org-style load-hang risk. The SDK reads browser globals at import — we import
+it **lazily** so the pure URL helpers stay node-test-importable.
+
+**Deep links — NOT possible on VK (confirmed on the contour).** The VK iframe receives ONLY the signed
+`vk_*` launch params (+ `sign`); VK strips any custom data from the app link. The documented
+`vk.com/app<id>#<payload>` form is eaten by the vk.com SPA (which owns the URL hash), and a
+`vk.com/app<id>?hash=<payload>` query is dropped (the diagnostic showed `rawSearch` with only `vk_*`
+and an empty `hash`). So the friend-code invite link is just `vk.com/app<id>` (`vkShareLink`, app id
+from `vk_app_id`); the recipient enters the **copied code by hand** (`VKWebAppCopyText` works). The
+`vkStartParam` reader + the `bootVK` routing stay as a no-op today, ready if a post-moderation VK
+channel (e.g. an invite API) ever delivers a payload.
+
+## 5. Test mode (to verify before moderation)
+
+1. App already registered (we have the App ID).
+2. In the app settings (dev.vk.com / `vk.com/editapp?act=settings&app_id=<id>`):
+   - Category = **Игра** (Game).
+   - **Web iframe URL** = our public HTTPS `/vk/` (the test-contour origin for contour testing,
+     prod `https://erudit-game.ru/vk/` later). Mobile iframe URL = same.
+   - Copy the **«Защищённый ключ»** → set as `GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET` (Gitea `TEST_`/`PROD_` secret).
+   - Add own VK id to **testers**; open in test mode.
+3. Test mode = visible only to admins/testers, no payments processed.
+
+## 6. Auth / identity (our model)
+
+- `vk_user_id` (from verified params) → backend identity `kind='vk'`, `external_id=vk_user_id`,
+  auto-confirmed (a platform identity). First contact seeds language from `vk_language` and the
+  display name from the client-supplied `VKWebAppGetUserInfo` name (placeholder if empty).
+- No VK access token / VK API call needed for the launch+login MVP.
+
+## 7. Payments / monetization
+
+VK Pay / «голоса» (votes) are **optional**, not required to publish a free game. Not planned.
+
+## 8. ToS / moderation (pre-publish, analyzed — no blocker for a free «Эрудит»)
+
+- **Trademark**: "Scrabble" is trademarked. Our public brand is **«Эрудит»** (erudit-game.ru),
+  a generic Russian word-game name → fine. Ensure the VK-registered app name is «Эрудит»/word-game,
+  NOT "Scrabble". The repo name is internal and irrelevant to moderation.
+- **Pre-publish requirements**: public **Privacy Policy** + **ToS** URLs (disclose collected data:
+  `vk_user_id`, language; mention VK), **age rating** (likely 6+/12+), icon, description.
+- **Dictionary**: standard word lists; VK may expect offensive-word filtering — likely fine for a
+  dictionary game, flag if moderation asks.
+- **In-game chat (UGC)**: we already have a moderated chat + support relay → covered.
+- Moderation reviews after submission (commonly ~24–72h); rejects on violence/hate/sexual/illegal
+  content or IP infringement — none apply.
+
+## 9. Platforms
+
+Desktop web (iframe), mobile web (iframe), VK iOS app (WKWebView), VK Android app (WebView). Bridge
+methods behave per-platform; the app's own back chevron + app-shell document-pin cover navigation
+without VK-specific code. Theme/viewport fine-tuning is best verified live in the real VK client
+(not reproducible in Playwright — like the iOS gesture caveats).
+
+## 10. Our implementation map (what to touch for VK)
+
+- **Wire**: `pkg/fbs/scrabble.fbs` → `VKLoginRequest{ params, browser_tz, display_name }`
+  (regen: `make -C pkg fbs` + `pnpm -C ui codegen`).
+- **Gateway**: `internal/vkauth/` (the §3 verify), `internal/transcode` op `auth.vk`
+  (registered via `WithVKAuth(secret)` option; `DomainCode` → `invalid_vk_params`),
+  `internal/backendclient` `VKAuth` → `POST /api/v1/internal/sessions/vk`,
+  config `GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET`, SPA mount `/vk/` in `internal/connectsrv/server.go`.
+- **Backend**: `internal/account` `KindVK` + `ProvisionVK`/`vkSeed` + `confirmed` for platform
+  kinds; `internal/server/handlers_auth.go` `handleVKAuth` + route; migration
+  `00005_vk_identity.sql` (widen `identities_kind_chk` to include `'vk'`, expand-contract).
+- **UI**: `src/lib/vk.ts` (`onVKPath`/`vkLaunchParams`/`insideVK`/`vkInit`/`vkUserName` plus `vkAppId`/
+  `vkStartParam`/`vkShare`/`vkCopyText`/`vkOnScheme`), `app.svelte.ts` `bootVK` (+ deep-link routing
+  and VK scheme→theme) + the `/vk/` dispatch branch + shared `retryMiniAppBoot`, `codec.ts`
+  `encodeVKLogin`, `transport.ts`/`client.ts`/`mock/client.ts` `authVK`, `deeplink.ts` `vkShareLink`,
+  `Friends.svelte` (VK share/copy), `app.css` `--tg-safe-*` defaulting to `env(safe-area-inset-*)`.
+- **Edge/deploy**: `deploy/caddy/Caddyfile` `/vk` path; `GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET` in
+  `docker-compose.yml` + `.env.example` + `ci.yaml` (`TEST_…` secret) + `prod-deploy.yaml`
+  (`PROD_…` secret, deploy-main).
+- **Deferred**: payments (VK Pay / votes), native (Capacitor) VK, account-linking a vk identity to an
+  existing account, VK push. (Done after the launch+auth MVP — Group B: native share + clipboard via
+  the bridge, the friend-code deep link, the auto-theme follow, and the home-bar safe area.)
+
+## Sources
+
+- VKCOM/vk-bridge — <https://github.com/VKCOM/vk-bridge>
+- VKCOM/vk-apps-launch-params (canonical signature examples) — <https://github.com/VKCOM/vk-apps-launch-params>
+- kravetsone/vk-launch-params — <https://github.com/kravetsone/vk-launch-params>
+- SevereCloud/vksdk `vkapps.ParamsVerify` (Go reference) — <https://pkg.go.dev/github.com/SevereCloud/vksdk/v2/vkapps>
+- VK Mini Apps API — <https://github.com/VKCOM/vk-mini-apps-api>

.gitea/workflows/ci.yaml

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ on:
 # unit/integration jobs inherit it. The deploy job overrides it per contour with
 # vars.TEST_DICT_VERSION (the seed for a fresh volume), see deploy/README.md.
 env:
-  DICT_VERSION: v1.2.1
+  DICT_VERSION: v1.3.1
 
 jobs:
   # changes detects which areas a PR/push touched, so the test jobs can skip when
@@ -261,12 +261,16 @@ jobs:
           GRAFANA_ADMIN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.TEST_GRAFANA_ADMIN_PASSWORD }}
           TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TEST_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN }}
           TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TEST_TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN }}
+          # VK Mini App protected key (offline HMAC for the launch-param signature); empty
+          # leaves the VK auth path (auth.vk) disabled until the operator sets the secret.
+          GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET: ${{ secrets.TEST_GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET }}
           GM_BASICAUTH_USER: ${{ vars.TEST_GM_BASICAUTH_USER }}
           GRAFANA_ROOT_URL: ${{ vars.TEST_GRAFANA_ROOT_URL }}
           CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS: ${{ vars.TEST_CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS }}
           TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL: ${{ vars.TEST_TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL }}
           TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID: ${{ vars.TEST_TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID }}
           TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID: ${{ vars.TEST_TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID }}
+          TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID: ${{ vars.TEST_TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID }}
           TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME: ${{ vars.TEST_TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME }}
           # The promo button reuses the UI's Mini App link variable.
           TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK: ${{ vars.TEST_VITE_TELEGRAM_LINK }}

.gitea/workflows/prod-deploy.yaml

@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ jobs:
       GM_BASICAUTH_HASH: ${{ secrets.PROD_GM_BASICAUTH_HASH }}
       GRAFANA_ADMIN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.PROD_GRAFANA_ADMIN_PASSWORD }}
       TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PROD_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN }}
+      GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET: ${{ secrets.PROD_GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET }}
       PROD_BOTLINK_CA: ${{ secrets.PROD_BOTLINK_CA }}
       PROD_BOTLINK_GATEWAY_CERT: ${{ secrets.PROD_BOTLINK_GATEWAY_CERT }}
       PROD_BOTLINK_GATEWAY_KEY: ${{ secrets.PROD_BOTLINK_GATEWAY_KEY }}
@@ -136,6 +137,7 @@ jobs:
           export APP_VERSION='$TAG'
           export TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN='$TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN'
           export TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL='$TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL'
+          export GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET='$GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET'
           export GATEWAY_ABUSE_BAN_ENABLED='true'
           EOF
           printf '%s\n' "$PROD_BOTLINK_CA"           > stage/certs-main/ca.crt
@@ -179,6 +181,7 @@ jobs:
       TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL: ${{ vars.PROD_TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL }}
       TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID: ${{ vars.PROD_TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID }}
       TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID: ${{ vars.PROD_TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID }}
+      TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID: ${{ vars.PROD_TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID }}
       TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME: ${{ vars.PROD_TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME }}
       TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK: ${{ vars.PROD_VITE_TELEGRAM_LINK }}
     steps:
@@ -200,6 +203,7 @@ jobs:
           export TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL='$TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL'
           export TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID='$TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID'
           export TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID='$TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID'
+          export TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID='$TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID'
           export TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN='$TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN'
           export TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME='$TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME'
           export TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK='$TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK'

CLAUDE.md

@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ go run ./backend/cmd/backend    # /healthz, /readyz on :8080
 cd ui && pnpm install && pnpm check && pnpm test:unit && pnpm build  # the UI
 pnpm start                      # UI mock mode: lobby -> game, no backend
 
-docker build -f backend/Dockerfile -t scrabble-backend .   # images; gateway embeds the SPA
+docker build --build-arg DICT_VERSION=v1.3.0 -f backend/Dockerfile -t scrabble-backend .  # DICT_VERSION required (no default); gateway embeds the SPA
 docker build -f gateway/Dockerfile --target gateway -t scrabble-gateway .
 docker build -f gateway/Dockerfile --target landing -t scrabble-landing .  # static landing
 docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml config         # validate the full contour

README.md

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ observability stack (OTel Collector → Prometheus + Tempo → Grafana) + a fron
 services build from multi-stage distroless `*/Dockerfile`.
 
 ```sh
-docker build -f backend/Dockerfile -t scrabble-backend .   # pulls the DAWG release artifact
+docker build --build-arg DICT_VERSION=v1.3.0 -f backend/Dockerfile -t scrabble-backend .  # DICT_VERSION required; pulls that DAWG release artifact
 docker build -f gateway/Dockerfile -t scrabble-gateway .   # node stage builds + embeds the UI
 docker compose -f deploy/docker-compose.yml config         # validate (needs the TEST_/PROD_ env)
 ```

backend/Dockerfile

@@ -7,12 +7,14 @@
 # (GOPRIVATE), so the build stage needs git and network.
 #
 # Build from the repository root so go.work, go.work.sum, pkg/ and backend/ are all
-# in the Docker context:
-#   docker build -f backend/Dockerfile -t scrabble-backend .
+# in the Docker context. DICT_VERSION has no default — the caller supplies the
+# scrabble-dictionary release tag (compose/CI pass it; see deploy/README.md
+# "Bumping the dictionary version"):
+#   docker build --build-arg DICT_VERSION=v1.3.0 -f backend/Dockerfile -t scrabble-backend .
 
 # --- dictionary artifact -----------------------------------------------------
 FROM alpine:3.20 AS dawg
-ARG DICT_VERSION=v1.2.1
+ARG DICT_VERSION
 RUN apk add --no-cache curl tar
 RUN mkdir -p /dawg \
  && curl -fsSL -o /tmp/dawg.tar.gz \
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ FROM gcr.io/distroless/static-debian12:nonroot
 # Re-declare the build arg in this stage so it labels the seed dictionary. One
 # DICT_VERSION drives both the artifact the dawg stage downloads and the version
 # label the binary pins, so the resident version equals the release tag.
-ARG DICT_VERSION=v1.2.1
+ARG DICT_VERSION
 COPY --from=build /out/backend /usr/local/bin/backend
 # Own the seed dictionary as the nonroot runtime user (UID 65532): a named volume
 # mounted at /opt/dawg inherits this ownership on first use, so the admin console

backend/README.md

@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ internal/banview/    # gateway active-ban mirror: the console's Active IP bans p
 ```sh
 docker run -d --name scrabble-pg -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=dev -p 5432:5432 postgres:17-alpine
 # DAWGs: extract the dictionary release artifact (or point at a local scrabble-solver/dawg):
-mkdir -p /tmp/dawg && curl -fsSL https://gitea.iliadenisov.ru/developer/scrabble-dictionary/releases/download/v1.2.1/scrabble-dawg-v1.2.1.tar.gz | tar xz -C /tmp/dawg
+mkdir -p /tmp/dawg && curl -fsSL https://gitea.iliadenisov.ru/developer/scrabble-dictionary/releases/download/v1.3.0/scrabble-dawg-v1.3.0.tar.gz | tar xz -C /tmp/dawg
 BACKEND_POSTGRES_DSN='postgres://postgres:dev@localhost:5432/postgres?search_path=backend&sslmode=disable' \
   BACKEND_DICT_DIR=/tmp/dawg \
   GOPRIVATE='gitea.iliadenisov.ru/*' \

backend/internal/account/account.go

@@ -22,12 +22,13 @@ import (
 	"scrabble/backend/internal/postgres/jet/backend/table"
 )
 
-// Identity kinds recognised by the backend. Email is modelled as an identity
-// alongside platform identities; its confirmed flag is driven by the email
-// confirm-code flow. Robot is a synthetic kind: each pooled
-// robot opponent is a durable account bound to one robot identity.
+// Identity kinds recognised by the backend. Telegram and VK are platform identities,
+// auto-confirmed on first contact. Email is modelled as an identity alongside them; its
+// confirmed flag is driven by the email confirm-code flow. Robot is a synthetic kind:
+// each pooled robot opponent is a durable account bound to one robot identity.
 const (
 	KindTelegram = "telegram"
+	KindVK       = "vk"
 	KindEmail    = "email"
 	KindRobot    = "robot"
 )
@@ -119,6 +120,16 @@ func (s *Store) ProvisionByIdentity(ctx context.Context, kind, externalID string
 	return s.provision(ctx, kind, externalID, provisionSeed{})
 }
 
+// ProvisionEmail returns the account owning the email identity externalID, creating
+// it (unconfirmed) on first contact with browserTZ — the client's detected "±HH:MM"
+// UTC offset — seeded into its time zone. Like ProvisionByIdentity it is race-safe
+// and leaves an existing account untouched, so a returning user's saved zone is never
+// overwritten. The email account is created here (the code-request step), not at the
+// later login, so this is where its zone is seeded.
+func (s *Store) ProvisionEmail(ctx context.Context, externalID, browserTZ string) (Account, error) {
+	return s.provision(ctx, KindEmail, externalID, provisionSeed{timeZone: seedZone(browserTZ)})
+}
+
 // ProvisionRobot provisions (or finds) the durable account backing a robot pool
 // member: a KindRobot identity carrying displayName, with chat blocked but friend
 // requests NOT blocked — a request to a robot is accepted as pending and, since the
@@ -160,7 +171,7 @@ func (s *Store) ProvisionRobot(ctx context.Context, externalID, displayName stri
 // is never overwritten. The created flag lets the auth handler re-evaluate moderated-
 // chat write access on first registration — the path of a user who joined the chat
 // before registering, whom no chat_member event covers.
-func (s *Store) ProvisionTelegram(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, username, firstName string) (Account, bool, error) {
+func (s *Store) ProvisionTelegram(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, username, firstName, browserTZ string) (Account, bool, error) {
 	// Pre-check whether the identity already exists so the caller can act on first
 	// contact. A race with a concurrent create only over- or under-reports created for
 	// that one call, which the idempotent chat-access re-evaluation tolerates.
@@ -169,7 +180,31 @@ func (s *Store) ProvisionTelegram(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode,
 	if err != nil && !created {
 		return Account{}, false, err
 	}
-	acc, err := s.provision(ctx, KindTelegram, externalID, telegramSeed(languageCode, username, firstName))
+	seed := telegramSeed(languageCode, username, firstName)
+	seed.timeZone = seedZone(browserTZ)
+	acc, err := s.provision(ctx, KindTelegram, externalID, seed)
+	return acc, created, err
+}
+
+// ProvisionVK provisions (or finds) the account bound to a VK identity, reporting
+// whether this call created it (first contact). On first contact only, it seeds the new
+// account's preferred language from the VK languageCode (vk_language, when it maps to a
+// supported language) and its display name sanitized from displayName — the name read
+// client-side via VKWebAppGetUserInfo, since VK omits it from the signed launch params —
+// falling back to a generated placeholder when it yields no letters; an already-existing
+// account is returned unchanged, so a later profile edit is never overwritten.
+func (s *Store) ProvisionVK(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, displayName, browserTZ string) (Account, bool, error) {
+	// Pre-check whether the identity already exists so the caller can act on first
+	// contact (mirrors ProvisionTelegram); a create race only mis-reports created for
+	// that one call.
+	_, err := s.findByIdentity(ctx, KindVK, externalID)
+	created := errors.Is(err, ErrNotFound)
+	if err != nil && !created {
+		return Account{}, false, err
+	}
+	seed := vkSeed(languageCode, displayName)
+	seed.timeZone = seedZone(browserTZ)
+	acc, err := s.provision(ctx, KindVK, externalID, seed)
 	return acc, created, err
 }
 
@@ -197,12 +232,24 @@ func (s *Store) provision(ctx context.Context, kind, externalID string, seed pro
 }
 
 // provisionSeed carries the optional create-time profile seed for a brand-new
-// account (Telegram first contact). Empty fields fall back to the accounts table
-// defaults, so an unknown language keeps the 'en' default and an empty name keeps
-// the ” default.
+// account (first contact). Empty fields fall back to the accounts table defaults,
+// so an unknown language keeps the 'en' default, an empty name keeps the ” default
+// and an empty time zone keeps the 'UTC' default.
 type provisionSeed struct {
 	preferredLanguage string
 	displayName       string
+	timeZone          string
+}
+
+// seedZone returns browserTZ when it is a well-formed zone to persist at account
+// creation (a "±HH:MM" offset or a loadable IANA name), else "" so the new account
+// falls back to the accounts table's 'UTC' default. The client reports the device's
+// detected offset deterministically; a bad value is dropped rather than guessed at.
+func seedZone(browserTZ string) string {
+	if validZone(browserTZ) {
+		return browserTZ
+	}
+	return ""
 }
 
 // telegramSeed derives the create-time seed from Telegram launch fields: a
@@ -234,6 +281,24 @@ func telegramSeed(languageCode, username, firstName string) provisionSeed {
 	return seed
 }
 
+// vkSeed derives the create-time seed from VK launch fields: a supported preferred
+// language from languageCode (vk_language, normally a 2-letter code) and a display name
+// from displayName (sanitized to the editable format), falling back to a generated
+// placeholder in the seeded language when the name yields no usable letters. Unlike
+// telegramSeed there is no @username fallback — VK provides only the name.
+func vkSeed(languageCode, displayName string) provisionSeed {
+	var seed provisionSeed
+	if lang, _, _ := strings.Cut(strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(languageCode)), "-"); lang == "en" || lang == "ru" {
+		seed.preferredLanguage = lang
+	}
+	name := sanitizeDisplayName(displayName)
+	if name == "" {
+		name = placeholderDisplayName(seed.preferredLanguage)
+	}
+	seed.displayName = name
+	return seed
+}
+
 // GetByID loads the account identified by id, or ErrNotFound when it is absent.
 func (s *Store) GetByID(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (Account, error) {
 	stmt := postgres.SELECT(table.Accounts.AllColumns).
@@ -368,16 +433,22 @@ func (s *Store) create(ctx context.Context, kind, externalID string, seed provis
 
 	var created Account
 	err = withTx(ctx, s.db, func(tx *sql.Tx) error {
-		// Seed the new row's display name and language (Telegram first contact); an
-		// empty seed reproduces the table defaults ('' and 'en') the other callers
-		// relied on, so their behaviour is unchanged.
+		// Seed the new row's display name, language and time zone (first contact); an
+		// empty seed reproduces the table defaults ('', 'en' and 'UTC') the other callers
+		// relied on, so their behaviour is unchanged. time_zone is written explicitly (the
+		// detected offset, or 'UTC' equal to the column default) so a seeded zone lands at
+		// creation while an unseeded one stays UTC.
 		lang := seed.preferredLanguage
 		if lang == "" {
 			lang = "en"
 		}
+		tz := seed.timeZone
+		if tz == "" {
+			tz = "UTC"
+		}
 		insertAccount := table.Accounts.
-			INSERT(table.Accounts.AccountID, table.Accounts.DisplayName, table.Accounts.PreferredLanguage).
-			VALUES(accountID, seed.displayName, lang).
+			INSERT(table.Accounts.AccountID, table.Accounts.DisplayName, table.Accounts.PreferredLanguage, table.Accounts.TimeZone).
+			VALUES(accountID, seed.displayName, lang, tz).
 			RETURNING(table.Accounts.AllColumns)
 
 		var row model.Accounts
@@ -391,7 +462,7 @@ func (s *Store) create(ctx context.Context, kind, externalID string, seed provis
 			table.Identities.Kind,
 			table.Identities.ExternalID,
 			table.Identities.Confirmed,
-		).VALUES(identityID, accountID, kind, externalID, kind == KindTelegram)
+		).VALUES(identityID, accountID, kind, externalID, kind == KindTelegram || kind == KindVK)
 		if _, err := insertIdentity.ExecContext(ctx, tx); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -416,15 +487,21 @@ const guestDisplayName = "Guest"
 // ProvisionGuest creates a fresh ephemeral guest account: a durable row carrying
 // no identity, flagged is_guest, so it can hold a session and a game seat (both
 // foreign-key the accounts table) while being excluded from statistics, friends
-// and history. Guests are not reused — each bootstrap mints a new account.
-func (s *Store) ProvisionGuest(ctx context.Context) (Account, error) {
+// and history. Guests are not reused — each bootstrap mints a new account. browserTZ
+// (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset) seeds the guest's time zone, falling
+// back to the 'UTC' default when empty or malformed.
+func (s *Store) ProvisionGuest(ctx context.Context, browserTZ string) (Account, error) {
 	accountID, err := uuid.NewV7()
 	if err != nil {
 		return Account{}, fmt.Errorf("account: new guest id: %w", err)
 	}
+	tz := seedZone(browserTZ)
+	if tz == "" {
+		tz = "UTC"
+	}
 	stmt := table.Accounts.
-		INSERT(table.Accounts.AccountID, table.Accounts.DisplayName, table.Accounts.IsGuest).
-		VALUES(accountID, guestDisplayName, true).
+		INSERT(table.Accounts.AccountID, table.Accounts.DisplayName, table.Accounts.IsGuest, table.Accounts.TimeZone).
+		VALUES(accountID, guestDisplayName, true, tz).
 		RETURNING(table.Accounts.AllColumns)
 
 	var row model.Accounts

backend/internal/account/email.go

@@ -131,13 +131,15 @@ func (s *EmailService) ConfirmCode(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, ema
 // the unauthenticated email-login entry point and, unlike RequestCode,
 // does not refuse an already-confirmed email — that is the ordinary returning-user
 // login. The code is mailed to the address, so only its real owner can complete
-// the login. It returns the target account id for the subsequent LoginWithCode.
-func (s *EmailService) RequestLoginCode(ctx context.Context, email string) (uuid.UUID, error) {
+// the login. On first contact browserTZ (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset)
+// seeds the new account's time zone. It returns the target account id for the
+// subsequent LoginWithCode.
+func (s *EmailService) RequestLoginCode(ctx context.Context, email, browserTZ string) (uuid.UUID, error) {
 	addr, err := normalizeEmail(email)
 	if err != nil {
 		return uuid.UUID{}, err
 	}
-	acc, err := s.store.ProvisionByIdentity(ctx, KindEmail, addr)
+	acc, err := s.store.ProvisionEmail(ctx, addr, browserTZ)
 	if err != nil {
 		return uuid.UUID{}, err
 	}

backend/internal/account/profile.go

@@ -101,6 +101,66 @@ func validateVariantPreferences(prefs []string) ([]string, error) {
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// variantSeedPrefix marks a Telegram start-param payload that seeds a brand-new
+// account's variant preferences (e.g. "verudit_ru-scrabble_en"): the prefix, then the
+// canonical variant labels joined by "-". It is deliberately distinct from the routing
+// deep links (g/i/f; see platform/telegram .../deeplink) so the client's start-param
+// router falls through to the lobby for it.
+const variantSeedPrefix = "v"
+
+// SeedVariantsFromStartParam decodes a promo deep-link start-param into the variant
+// preference set to seed onto a brand-new account: the variantSeedPrefix followed by
+// the canonical variant labels joined by "-" (e.g. "verudit_ru-scrabble_en"). It
+// returns nil for any payload that is not a variant-seed link or that fails validation
+// against the known variants, so a malformed, empty or unrelated start-param simply
+// leaves the account on its default preferences rather than failing the login.
+func SeedVariantsFromStartParam(startParam string) []string {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(startParam, variantSeedPrefix) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	body := strings.TrimPrefix(startParam, variantSeedPrefix)
+	if body == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	prefs, err := validateVariantPreferences(strings.Split(body, "-"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return prefs
+}
+
+// SetVariantPreferences overwrites only the variant-preference set of the account,
+// cleaning it to a deduplicated, canonically ordered subset of the known variants
+// (rejecting an empty or unknown set with ErrInvalidProfile) and bumping updated_at; it
+// reports ErrNotFound when no account matches id. It is the narrow counterpart to
+// UpdateProfile used to seed a promo-onboarded account's variants at first contact
+// without disturbing its other profile fields.
+func (s *Store) SetVariantPreferences(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID, prefs []string) (Account, error) {
+	clean, err := validateVariantPreferences(prefs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Account{}, err
+	}
+	stmt := table.Accounts.UPDATE(
+		table.Accounts.VariantPreferences, table.Accounts.UpdatedAt,
+	).SET(
+		// clean is validated against the closed knownVariants set; bind as a text[]
+		// parameter (lib/pq encodes the array, the cast pins the column type), mirroring
+		// UpdateProfile.
+		postgres.Raw("#variant_prefs::text[]", map[string]interface{}{"#variant_prefs": pq.StringArray(clean)}),
+		postgres.TimestampzT(time.Now().UTC()),
+	).WHERE(table.Accounts.AccountID.EQ(postgres.UUID(id))).
+		RETURNING(table.Accounts.AllColumns)
+
+	var row model.Accounts
+	if err := stmt.QueryContext(ctx, s.db, &row); err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, qrm.ErrNoRows) {
+			return Account{}, ErrNotFound
+		}
+		return Account{}, fmt.Errorf("account: set variant preferences %s: %w", id, err)
+	}
+	return modelToAccount(row), nil
+}
+
 // UpdateProfile validates and overwrites the editable fields of the account, then
 // returns the stored row. It reports ErrInvalidProfile for a bad language,
 // timezone or display name and ErrNotFound when no account matches id.

backend/internal/account/provision_test.go

@@ -75,3 +75,55 @@ func TestTelegramSeedTruncatesLongName(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("display name rune count = %d, want %d", n, maxDisplayName)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestVKSeed covers the pure mapping from VK launch fields to the create-time account
+// seed: supported-language detection from vk_language (bare and region-tagged) and the
+// display name sanitized from the client-supplied name. Unlike Telegram there is no
+// @username fallback — VK provides only the name.
+func TestVKSeed(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string]struct {
+		languageCode, displayName string
+		wantLang, wantName        string
+	}{
+		"ru bare":          {"ru", "Иван", "ru", "Иван"},
+		"en region-tagged": {"en-US", "John", "en", "John"},
+		"full name kept":   {"ru", "Иван Петров", "ru", "Иван Петров"},
+		"unknown language": {"uk", "Тарас", "", "Тарас"},
+		"empty language":   {"", "Neo", "", "Neo"},
+		"trimmed":          {" RU ", "  Anna  ", "ru", "Anna"},
+		"emoji stripped":   {"en", "🎮Kaya🎮", "en", "Kaya"},
+	}
+	for name, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := vkSeed(tc.languageCode, tc.displayName)
+			if got.preferredLanguage != tc.wantLang {
+				t.Errorf("preferredLanguage = %q, want %q", got.preferredLanguage, tc.wantLang)
+			}
+			if got.displayName != tc.wantName {
+				t.Errorf("displayName = %q, want %q", got.displayName, tc.wantName)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestVKSeedPlaceholder checks a VK name with no usable letters falls back to a
+// generated placeholder in the seeded language ("Player-NNNNN" / "Игрок-NNNNN").
+func TestVKSeedPlaceholder(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string]struct {
+		languageCode, displayName string
+		wantRe                    string
+	}{
+		"en empty":     {"en", "", `^Player-\d{5}$`},
+		"ru empty":     {"ru", "", `^Игрок-\d{5}$`},
+		"default en":   {"uk", "", `^Player-\d{5}$`},
+		"name garbage": {"ru", "123!@#", `^Игрок-\d{5}$`},
+	}
+	for name, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := vkSeed(tc.languageCode, tc.displayName).displayName
+			if !regexp.MustCompile(tc.wantRe).MatchString(got) {
+				t.Errorf("displayName = %q, want match %s", got, tc.wantRe)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

backend/internal/account/variant_seed_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+package account
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// TestSeedVariantsFromStartParam covers decoding a promo deep-link start-param into the
+// variant-preference set to seed: a valid "v"-prefixed, "-"-joined label list is cleaned
+// to the canonical order and deduplicated, while anything that is not a variant-seed link
+// or that names an unknown variant yields nil (leaving the account on its defaults).
+func TestSeedVariantsFromStartParam(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		param string
+		want  []string
+	}{
+		{"english promo", "verudit_ru-scrabble_en", []string{"erudit_ru", "scrabble_en"}},
+		{"single variant", "vscrabble_en", []string{"scrabble_en"}},
+		{"canonical order regardless of payload order", "vscrabble_en-erudit_ru", []string{"erudit_ru", "scrabble_en"}},
+		{"deduplicated", "verudit_ru-erudit_ru", []string{"erudit_ru"}},
+		{"empty", "", nil},
+		{"prefix only", "v", nil},
+		{"routing game link is not a seed", "g0190abcd", nil},
+		{"friend code link is not a seed", "f123456", nil},
+		{"unknown variant rejected", "vscrabble_de", nil},
+		{"one unknown label rejects the whole set", "verudit_ru-scrabble_de", nil},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := SeedVariantsFromStartParam(tc.param)
+			if !slices.Equal(got, tc.want) {
+				t.Errorf("SeedVariantsFromStartParam(%q) = %v, want %v", tc.param, got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

backend/internal/adminconsole/render_test.go

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ func TestRendererRendersEveryPage(t *testing.T) {
 		{"dashboard", DashboardView{Accounts: 3, Variants: []VariantVersions{{Variant: "scrabble_en", Latest: "v1", Versions: []string{"v1"}}}}, "Dashboard"},
 		{"users", UsersView{Items: []UserRow{{ID: "a1", DisplayName: "Kaya", FlaggedHighRate: true}}, Pager: NewPager(1, 50, 1)}, "high-rate"},
 		{"user_detail", UserDetailView{ID: "a1", DisplayName: "Kaya", HasStats: true, Stats: StatsRow{Wins: 2}, TelegramID: "123", ConnectorEnabled: true}, "Send Telegram message"},
+		{"user_detail", UserDetailView{ID: "a1", DisplayName: "Kaya", VKID: "494075"}, "vk.com/id494075"},
 		{"user_detail", UserDetailView{ID: "a1", DisplayName: "Kaya", FlaggedHighRateAt: "2026-06-10 12:00"}, "Clear high-rate flag"},
 		{"user_detail", UserDetailView{ID: "a1", DisplayName: "Kaya", Roles: []string{"feedback_banned"}, KnownRoles: []string{"feedback_banned"}}, "feedback_banned"},
 		{"user_detail", UserDetailView{ID: "a1", DisplayName: "Kaya",

backend/internal/adminconsole/templates/pages/feedback_detail.gohtml

@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@
 <li><b>From</b> <a href="/_gm/users/{{.AccountID}}">{{.SenderName}}</a> ({{.Source}})</li>
 <li><b>Channel</b> {{.Channel}}</li>
 <li><b>Interface language</b> {{.InterfaceLanguage}}</li>
+<li><b>App version</b> {{if .Version}}<code>{{.Version}}</code>{{else}}<span class="note">unknown</span>{{end}}</li>
 <li><b>IP</b> {{if .IP}}<code>{{.IP}}</code>{{else}}<span class="note">none</span>{{end}}</li>
-<li><b>Filed</b> {{.CreatedAt}}</li>
+<li><b>Filed</b> {{.CreatedAt}} UTC &middot; browser {{if .CreatedAtBrowser}}{{.CreatedAtBrowser}} ({{.BrowserTZ}}){{else}}<span class="note">N/A</span>{{end}} &middot; user {{if .CreatedAtUser}}{{.CreatedAtUser}} ({{.UserTZ}}){{else}}<span class="note">N/A</span>{{end}}</li>
 <li><b>State</b> {{if .Archived}}archived{{else if .Read}}read{{else}}<span class="warn">unread</span>{{end}}</li>
 {{if .Banned}}<li><b>Feedback</b> <span class="warn">sender is banned from feedback</span></li>{{end}}
 </ul>

backend/internal/adminconsole/templates/pages/user_detail.gohtml

@@ -142,6 +142,11 @@
 {{else}}<p class="note">connector not configured (set BACKEND_CONNECTOR_ADDR)</p>{{end}}
 </section>
 {{end}}
+{{if .VKID}}
+<section class="panel"><h2>VK</h2>
+<p>VK ID: <code>{{.VKID}}</code> · <a href="https://vk.com/id{{.VKID}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener">open profile</a></p>
+</section>
+{{end}}
 <section class="panel"><h2>Games</h2>
 <table class="list">
 <thead><tr><th>Game</th><th>Variant</th><th>Status</th><th class="num">Players</th><th>Updated</th></tr></thead>

backend/internal/adminconsole/views.go

@@ -156,13 +156,17 @@ type UserDetailView struct {
 	HintBalance       int
 	// HintGrantMax is the per-grant cap the operator's "add hints" form enforces (it mirrors the
 	// server's maxHintGrant), passed through so the policy value lives in one place.
-	HintGrantMax     int
-	CreatedAt        string
-	HasStats         bool
-	Stats            StatsRow
-	Identities       []IdentityRow
-	Games            []GameRow
+	HintGrantMax int
+	CreatedAt    string
+	HasStats     bool
+	Stats        StatsRow
+	Identities   []IdentityRow
+	Games        []GameRow
+	// TelegramID and VKID are the account's platform external ids (empty when absent).
+	// TelegramID gates the "Send Telegram message" operator action; VKID surfaces the VK
+	// user id with a link to the VK profile (there is no VK messaging to drive).
 	TelegramID       string
+	VKID             string
 	ConnectorEnabled bool
 	// MoveChart is the pre-rendered inline SVG of the account's per-move-number think
 	// time (min/mean/max), empty when the account has no timed move.
@@ -554,5 +558,17 @@ type FeedbackDetailView struct {
 	ReplyBody         string
 	RepliedAt         string
 	CreatedAt         string
-	Banned            bool
+	// Version is the client app build the report was sent from (empty for rows that predate it).
+	Version string
+	// The Filed time is shown in three zones so the operator can tell what is certainly known from
+	// what is merely defaulted. CreatedAt is the authoritative UTC time. CreatedAtBrowser is that
+	// instant in the client's UTC offset detected at submit (BrowserTZ its "±HH:MM" label), empty
+	// when the client reported none (an older build). CreatedAtUser is that instant in the sender's
+	// saved profile zone (UserTZ its label), empty when the account has no zone beyond the UTC
+	// default — the template then shows "N/A" so the missing datum is explicit.
+	CreatedAtBrowser string
+	BrowserTZ        string
+	CreatedAtUser    string
+	UserTZ           string
+	Banned           bool
 }

backend/internal/feedback/service.go

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func (svc *Service) SetNotifier(p notify.Publisher) {
 // validates the body (non-empty, within the rune limit) and the optional
 // attachment (size and extension allow-list). senderIP is the gateway-forwarded
 // client IP (validated); channel is the submitting platform.
-func (svc *Service) Submit(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, body string, attachment []byte, attachmentName, channel, senderIP string) error {
+func (svc *Service) Submit(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, body string, attachment []byte, attachmentName, channel, version, browserTZ, senderIP string) error {
 	acc, err := svc.accounts.GetByID(ctx, accountID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -112,9 +112,10 @@ func (svc *Service) Submit(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, body string
 		attachmentName = "" // a name without bytes carries no attachment
 	}
 	ch := normalizeChannel(channel)
-	// Snapshot the sender's interface language at submit time (acc is already loaded
-	// for the guest check) so the operator later sees the state as it was.
-	_, err = svc.store.Insert(ctx, accountID, body, attachment, attachmentName, ch, acc.PreferredLanguage, parseIP(senderIP))
+	// Snapshot the sender's interface language, the client app version and the client's
+	// detected UTC offset at submit time (acc is already loaded for the guest check) so the
+	// operator later sees the state as it was.
+	_, err = svc.store.Insert(ctx, accountID, body, attachment, attachmentName, ch, acc.PreferredLanguage, version, browserTZ, parseIP(senderIP))
 	return err
 }
 

backend/internal/feedback/store.go

@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ func NewStore(db *sql.DB) *Store {
 
 // Insert stores one feedback message from accountID and returns its id. attachment
 // is the raw file bytes (nil for none); attachmentName, ip and a non-default
-// channel are stored as given. lang (the sender's interface language) is a snapshot
-// taken now, so the operator later sees the state at submit time. created_at defaults
-// to now() in the database.
-func (s *Store) Insert(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, body string, attachment []byte, attachmentName, channel, lang string, ip *string) (uuid.UUID, error) {
+// channel are stored as given. lang (interface language), version (client app build) and
+// browserTZ (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset) are snapshots taken now, so the operator
+// later sees the state at submit time. created_at defaults to now() in the database.
+func (s *Store) Insert(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, body string, attachment []byte, attachmentName, channel, lang, version, browserTZ string, ip *string) (uuid.UUID, error) {
 	id, err := uuid.NewV7()
 	if err != nil {
 		return uuid.Nil, fmt.Errorf("feedback: new message id: %w", err)
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ func (s *Store) Insert(ctx context.Context, accountID uuid.UUID, body string, at
 	}
 	if _, err := s.db.ExecContext(ctx,
 		`INSERT INTO backend.feedback_messages
-		   (message_id, account_id, body, attachment, attachment_name, channel, lang, sender_ip)
-		 VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8)`,
-		id, accountID, body, att, nullStr(attachmentName), channel, nullStr(lang), ip); err != nil {
+		   (message_id, account_id, body, attachment, attachment_name, channel, lang, app_version, browser_tz, sender_ip)
+		 VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10)`,
+		id, accountID, body, att, nullStr(attachmentName), channel, nullStr(lang), nullStr(version), nullStr(browserTZ), ip); err != nil {
 		return uuid.Nil, fmt.Errorf("feedback: insert: %w", err)
 	}
 	return id, nil
@@ -228,7 +228,15 @@ type AdminMessage struct {
 	Body       string
 	Channel    string
 	// Lang is the sender's interface language, snapshotted at submit time.
-	Lang           string
+	Lang string
+	// Version is the client app build the report was sent from, snapshotted at submit time.
+	Version string
+	// BrowserTZ is the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset at submit time, snapshotted so the
+	// filed time can be shown in the sender's browser-local zone even before they save a profile.
+	BrowserTZ string
+	// TimeZone is the sender account's stored zone ("±HH:MM" offset, IANA name, or ""), for
+	// rendering CreatedAt in the sender's own configured time alongside UTC.
+	TimeZone       string
 	SenderIP       string
 	HasAttachment  bool
 	AttachmentName string
@@ -343,7 +351,7 @@ func (s *Store) AdminGet(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (AdminMessage, error
 	var m AdminMessage
 	var repliedAt sql.NullTime
 	q := `SELECT m.message_id, m.account_id, a.display_name, ` + feedbackSource + ` AS source, m.body, m.channel,
-		COALESCE(m.lang, ''),
+		COALESCE(m.lang, ''), COALESCE(m.app_version, ''), COALESCE(m.browser_tz, ''), a.time_zone,
 		COALESCE(m.sender_ip, ''), (m.attachment IS NOT NULL), COALESCE(m.attachment_name, ''),
 		(m.read_at IS NOT NULL), (m.archived_at IS NOT NULL), (m.reply_body IS NOT NULL),
 		COALESCE(m.reply_body, ''), m.replied_at, m.created_at
@@ -352,7 +360,7 @@ func (s *Store) AdminGet(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID) (AdminMessage, error
 	WHERE m.message_id = $1`
 	err := s.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, q, id).Scan(
 		&m.ID, &m.AccountID, &m.SenderName, &m.Source, &m.Body, &m.Channel,
-		&m.Lang,
+		&m.Lang, &m.Version, &m.BrowserTZ, &m.TimeZone,
 		&m.SenderIP, &m.HasAttachment, &m.AttachmentName,
 		&m.Read, &m.Archived, &m.Replied, &m.ReplyBody, &repliedAt, &m.CreatedAt)
 	if errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNoRows) {

backend/internal/inttest/account_test.go

@@ -110,15 +110,15 @@ func identityConfirmed(t *testing.T, kind, externalID string) bool {
 }
 
 // TestProvisionTelegramSeedsNewAccountOnly checks that Telegram first contact
-// seeds the new account's language and display name from the launch fields,
-// defaults the in-app-only flag on, and never overwrites an existing account on a
-// later login (language seeding).
+// seeds the new account's language, display name and time zone from the launch
+// fields / detected offset, defaults the in-app-only flag on, and never overwrites
+// an existing account on a later login (language and zone seeding).
 func TestProvisionTelegramSeedsNewAccountOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
 	ext := "tg-" + uuid.NewString()
 
-	acc, created, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "ru-RU", "thehandle", "Иван")
+	acc, created, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "ru-RU", "thehandle", "Иван", "+03:00")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision telegram: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -131,12 +131,15 @@ func TestProvisionTelegramSeedsNewAccountOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	if acc.DisplayName != "Иван" {
 		t.Errorf("DisplayName = %q, want Иван", acc.DisplayName)
 	}
+	if acc.TimeZone != "+03:00" {
+		t.Errorf("TimeZone = %q, want the seeded +03:00", acc.TimeZone)
+	}
 	if !acc.NotificationsInAppOnly {
 		t.Error("NotificationsInAppOnly should default to true")
 	}
 
 	// A later login with different fields returns the same account, unchanged.
-	again, created, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "en", "other", "Other")
+	again, created, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "en", "other", "Other", "+09:00")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("re-provision telegram: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -146,8 +149,100 @@ func TestProvisionTelegramSeedsNewAccountOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	if again.ID != acc.ID {
 		t.Errorf("re-provision id = %s, want %s", again.ID, acc.ID)
 	}
-	if again.PreferredLanguage != "ru" || again.DisplayName != "Иван" {
-		t.Errorf("existing account overwritten: lang=%q name=%q", again.PreferredLanguage, again.DisplayName)
+	if again.PreferredLanguage != "ru" || again.DisplayName != "Иван" || again.TimeZone != "+03:00" {
+		t.Errorf("existing account overwritten: lang=%q name=%q tz=%q", again.PreferredLanguage, again.DisplayName, again.TimeZone)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestProvisionVKSeedsNewAccountOnly checks VK first contact seeds the new account's
+// language, display name and time zone from the launch fields / detected offset, records
+// the vk identity as confirmed (a platform identity), and never overwrites an existing
+// account on a later launch. It also exercises the widened identities.kind CHECK — a
+// 'vk' row must insert.
+func TestProvisionVKSeedsNewAccountOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
+	ext := "vk-" + uuid.NewString()
+
+	acc, created, err := store.ProvisionVK(ctx, ext, "ru", "Иван Петров", "+03:00")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("provision vk: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !created {
+		t.Error("created = false on first contact, want true")
+	}
+	if acc.PreferredLanguage != "ru" {
+		t.Errorf("PreferredLanguage = %q, want ru", acc.PreferredLanguage)
+	}
+	if acc.DisplayName != "Иван Петров" {
+		t.Errorf("DisplayName = %q, want Иван Петров", acc.DisplayName)
+	}
+	if acc.TimeZone != "+03:00" {
+		t.Errorf("TimeZone = %q, want the seeded +03:00", acc.TimeZone)
+	}
+	// A VK identity is a platform identity: confirmed on insert.
+	if !identityConfirmed(t, account.KindVK, ext) {
+		t.Error("vk identity must be confirmed")
+	}
+
+	// A later launch with different fields returns the same account, unchanged.
+	again, created, err := store.ProvisionVK(ctx, ext, "en", "Other Name", "+09:00")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("re-provision vk: %v", err)
+	}
+	if created {
+		t.Error("created = true on a repeat launch, want false")
+	}
+	if again.ID != acc.ID {
+		t.Errorf("re-provision id = %s, want %s", again.ID, acc.ID)
+	}
+	if again.PreferredLanguage != "ru" || again.DisplayName != "Иван Петров" || again.TimeZone != "+03:00" {
+		t.Errorf("existing account overwritten: lang=%q name=%q tz=%q", again.PreferredLanguage, again.DisplayName, again.TimeZone)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestProvisionSeedsTimeZone checks the create-time time-zone seed across paths: a
+// valid detected offset is stored verbatim (even "+00:00", which is deliberately
+// distinct from the unset "UTC" default), a guest is seeded the same way, and a
+// missing or malformed offset falls back to the "UTC" column default rather than
+// being guessed at.
+func TestProvisionSeedsTimeZone(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
+
+	// A detected zero offset is written as "+00:00" — we record that the zone was
+	// detected (and equals UTC), distinct from the "UTC" default meaning "unknown".
+	utcDetected, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Zero", "+00:00")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("provision telegram +00:00: %v", err)
+	}
+	if utcDetected.TimeZone != "+00:00" {
+		t.Errorf("TimeZone = %q, want the seeded +00:00", utcDetected.TimeZone)
+	}
+
+	// A malformed offset is dropped: the account keeps the UTC default.
+	bad, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Bad", "not-a-zone")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("provision telegram bad tz: %v", err)
+	}
+	if bad.TimeZone != "UTC" {
+		t.Errorf("TimeZone = %q, want UTC fallback for a malformed offset", bad.TimeZone)
+	}
+
+	// A guest is seeded its detected offset; an empty one keeps the UTC default.
+	guest, err := store.ProvisionGuest(ctx, "-05:30")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("provision guest: %v", err)
+	}
+	if guest.TimeZone != "-05:30" {
+		t.Errorf("guest TimeZone = %q, want the seeded -05:30", guest.TimeZone)
+	}
+	plainGuest, err := store.ProvisionGuest(ctx, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("provision plain guest: %v", err)
+	}
+	if plainGuest.TimeZone != "UTC" {
+		t.Errorf("plain guest TimeZone = %q, want UTC default", plainGuest.TimeZone)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -156,7 +251,7 @@ func TestProvisionTelegramSeedsNewAccountOnly(t *testing.T) {
 // language CHECK.
 func TestProvisionTelegramUnknownLanguageDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
-	acc, _, err := account.NewStore(testDB).ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "fr", "", "")
+	acc, _, err := account.NewStore(testDB).ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "fr", "", "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision telegram: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -172,7 +267,7 @@ func TestProvisionTelegramUnknownLanguageDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 func TestHighRateFlagRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
-	acc, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Player")
+	acc, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Player", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision telegram: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -228,7 +323,7 @@ func TestIdentityExternalID(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
 	ext := "tg-" + uuid.NewString()
-	acc, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "en", "", "Tg User")
+	acc, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "en", "", "Tg User", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision telegram: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -253,7 +348,7 @@ func TestIdentityExternalID(t *testing.T) {
 func TestNotificationsInAppOnlyRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
-	acc, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Player")
+	acc, _, err := store.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Player", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision telegram: %v", err)
 	}

backend/internal/inttest/admin_test.go

@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ func TestConsoleGameDetailRobotSchedule(t *testing.T) {
 func TestConsoleThrottledViewAndFlagClear(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	accounts := account.NewStore(testDB)
-	acc, _, err := accounts.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Throttled Player")
+	acc, _, err := accounts.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "en", "", "Throttled Player", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision: %v", err)
 	}

backend/internal/inttest/chat_access_test.go

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func TestChatAccessResolver(t *testing.T) {
 	srv := server.New(":0", server.Deps{Logger: zaptest.NewLogger(t), DB: testDB, Accounts: accounts})
 
 	ext := "tg-" + uuid.NewString()
-	acc, _, err := accounts.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "en", "", "Chatter")
+	acc, _, err := accounts.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, ext, "en", "", "Chatter", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision: %v", err)
 	}

backend/internal/inttest/email_test.go

@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ func TestEmailLoginFlow(t *testing.T) {
 	svc := account.NewEmailService(account.NewStore(testDB), mailer)
 	email := "login-" + uuid.NewString() + "@example.com"
 
-	accountID, err := svc.RequestLoginCode(ctx, email)
+	accountID, err := svc.RequestLoginCode(ctx, email, "+02:00")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("request login code: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -225,12 +225,15 @@ func TestEmailLoginFlow(t *testing.T) {
 	if acc.IsGuest {
 		t.Error("an email account must be durable, not a guest")
 	}
+	if acc.TimeZone != "+02:00" {
+		t.Errorf("TimeZone = %q, want the +02:00 seeded at the request step", acc.TimeZone)
+	}
 	if !identityConfirmed(t, account.KindEmail, email) {
 		t.Error("the email identity must be confirmed after login")
 	}
 
 	// A second login for the same email is the returning user: same account.
-	if _, err := svc.RequestLoginCode(ctx, email); err != nil {
+	if _, err := svc.RequestLoginCode(ctx, email, ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("second request: %v", err)
 	}
 	acc2, err := svc.LoginWithCode(ctx, email, sixDigit.FindString(mailer.lastBody))

backend/internal/inttest/feedback_test.go

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func latestFeedbackID(t *testing.T, svc *feedback.Service, acc uuid.UUID) uuid.U
 func TestFeedbackGuestRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	svc := newFeedbackService()
 	guest := provisionGuest(t)
-	if err := svc.Submit(context.Background(), guest, "hi", nil, "", "web", "1.2.3.4"); !errors.Is(err, feedback.ErrGuestForbidden) {
+	if err := svc.Submit(context.Background(), guest, "hi", nil, "", "web", "v1", "+05:00", "1.2.3.4"); !errors.Is(err, feedback.ErrGuestForbidden) {
 		t.Fatalf("guest submit err = %v, want ErrGuestForbidden", err)
 	}
 }
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ func TestFeedbackSubmitGateAndReplyLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
 	svc := newFeedbackService()
 	acc := provisionAccount(t)
 
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "  please fix the board  ", []byte("PNGDATA"), "shot.png", "ios", "9.9.9.9"); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "  please fix the board  ", []byte("PNGDATA"), "shot.png", "ios", "v1.2.0", "+03:00", "9.9.9.9"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit: %v", err)
 	}
 	// Anti-spam gate: a second message is refused while the first is unreviewed.
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "again", nil, "", "web", ""); !errors.Is(err, feedback.ErrPendingReview) {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "again", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); !errors.Is(err, feedback.ErrPendingReview) {
 		t.Fatalf("second submit err = %v, want ErrPendingReview", err)
 	}
 	if st, err := svc.State(ctx, acc); err != nil {
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func TestFeedbackSubmitGateAndReplyLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
 	if m.Body != "please fix the board" { // trimmed
 		t.Fatalf("body = %q, want trimmed", m.Body)
 	}
-	if !m.HasAttachment || m.AttachmentName != "shot.png" || m.Channel != "ios" || m.SenderIP != "9.9.9.9" {
+	if !m.HasAttachment || m.AttachmentName != "shot.png" || m.Channel != "ios" || m.SenderIP != "9.9.9.9" || m.Version != "v1.2.0" || m.BrowserTZ != "+03:00" {
 		t.Fatalf("admin message = %+v", m)
 	}
 	if name, data, ok, err := svc.Attachment(ctx, id); err != nil || !ok || name != "shot.png" || string(data) != "PNGDATA" {
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ func TestFeedbackReplyHiddenAfterNewMessage(t *testing.T) {
 	acc := provisionAccount(t)
 
 	// msg1, replied → the player can send again and currently sees the reply.
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "first", nil, "", "web", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "first", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit msg1: %v", err)
 	}
 	if err := svc.Reply(ctx, latestFeedbackID(t, svc, acc), "the answer"); err != nil {
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ func TestFeedbackReplyHiddenAfterNewMessage(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Sending a new message immediately drops the previous reply (it now belongs to an
 	// older message), even though it is well within the one-week window.
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "second", nil, "", "web", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "second", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit msg2: %v", err)
 	}
 	st, err := svc.State(ctx, acc)
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func TestFeedbackSnapshotsLanguage(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("set language: %v", err)
 	}
 	// A message snapshots the sender's interface language at submit time.
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "from telegram", nil, "", "telegram", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "from telegram", nil, "", "telegram", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit: %v", err)
 	}
 	id := latestFeedbackID(t, svc, acc)
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func TestFeedbackBanRole(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := accounts.GrantRole(ctx, acc, account.RoleFeedbackBanned); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("grant role: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "hi", nil, "", "web", ""); !errors.Is(err, feedback.ErrBanned) {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "hi", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); !errors.Is(err, feedback.ErrBanned) {
 		t.Fatalf("banned submit err = %v, want ErrBanned", err)
 	}
 	if st, err := svc.State(ctx, acc); err != nil {
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ func TestFeedbackBanRole(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := accounts.RevokeRole(ctx, acc, account.RoleFeedbackBanned); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("revoke role: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "hi again", nil, "", "web", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "hi again", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit after unban: %v", err)
 	}
 }
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ func TestFeedbackValidation(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			acc := provisionAccount(t) // fresh account so the pending gate never fires first
-			if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, tt.body, tt.attachment, tt.attachmentName, "web", ""); !errors.Is(err, tt.want) {
+			if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, tt.body, tt.attachment, tt.attachmentName, "web", "", "", ""); !errors.Is(err, tt.want) {
 				t.Fatalf("submit err = %v, want %v", err, tt.want)
 			}
 		})
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ func TestFeedbackAdminLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
 	svc := newFeedbackService()
 	acc := provisionAccount(t)
 
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "first report", nil, "", "web", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "first report", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit: %v", err)
 	}
 	id := latestFeedbackID(t, svc, acc)
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ func TestFeedbackDeleteAllByAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	svc := newFeedbackService()
 	acc := provisionAccount(t)
 
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "one", nil, "", "web", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "one", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit: %v", err)
 	}
 	if err := svc.DeleteAllByAccount(ctx, acc); err != nil {
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ func TestFeedbackDeleteAllByAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	if has, err := svc.ReplyUnread(ctx, acc); err != nil || has {
 		t.Fatalf("reply unread after delete-all = %v (err %v)", has, err)
 	}
-	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "fresh", nil, "", "web", ""); err != nil {
+	if err := svc.Submit(ctx, acc, "fresh", nil, "", "web", "", "", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("submit after delete-all: %v", err)
 	}
 }

backend/internal/inttest/helpers.go

@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func provisionAccount(t *testing.T) uuid.UUID {
 // provisionGuest creates a fresh ephemeral guest account and returns its id.
 func provisionGuest(t *testing.T) uuid.UUID {
 	t.Helper()
-	acc, err := account.NewStore(testDB).ProvisionGuest(context.Background())
+	acc, err := account.NewStore(testDB).ProvisionGuest(context.Background(), "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision guest: %v", err)
 	}

backend/internal/inttest/promo_variant_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package inttest
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"go.uber.org/zap/zaptest"
+
+	"scrabble/backend/internal/account"
+	"scrabble/backend/internal/server"
+	"scrabble/backend/internal/session"
+)
+
+// TestTelegramAuthSeedsPromoVariantForNewUserOnly drives the sessions/telegram endpoint
+// to confirm a promo deep-link start-param seeds a brand-new account's variant
+// preferences (English Scrabble alongside the default Erudit), that a new account with no
+// such payload keeps the Erudit-only default, and that an existing account is never
+// re-seeded on a later login (the new-user-only contract).
+func TestTelegramAuthSeedsPromoVariantForNewUserOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	srv := server.New(":0", server.Deps{
+		Logger:   zaptest.NewLogger(t),
+		DB:       testDB,
+		Accounts: account.NewStore(testDB),
+		Sessions: session.NewService(session.NewStore(testDB), session.NewCache()),
+		Notifier: &captureNotifier{},
+	})
+	h := srv.Handler()
+
+	post := func(ext, startParam string) {
+		body := `{"external_id":"` + ext + `","language_code":"en","first_name":"Promo"`
+		if startParam != "" {
+			body += `,"start_param":"` + startParam + `"`
+		}
+		body += `}`
+		rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+		req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/internal/sessions/telegram", strings.NewReader(body))
+		req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		h.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+		if rec.Code != http.StatusOK {
+			t.Fatalf("telegram auth = %d: %s", rec.Code, rec.Body.String())
+		}
+	}
+	store := account.NewStore(testDB)
+	reload := func(ext string) []string {
+		acc, err := store.AccountByIdentity(context.Background(), account.KindTelegram, ext)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("lookup %s: %v", ext, err)
+		}
+		return acc.VariantPreferences
+	}
+
+	// A brand-new account reached through a promo deep-link is seeded with English
+	// Scrabble alongside the default Erudit.
+	promoExt := "tg-" + uuid.NewString()
+	post(promoExt, "verudit_ru-scrabble_en")
+	if got, want := reload(promoExt), []string{"erudit_ru", "scrabble_en"}; !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Errorf("promo new account variants = %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+
+	// A brand-new account with no promo payload keeps the Erudit-only default.
+	plainExt := "tg-" + uuid.NewString()
+	post(plainExt, "")
+	if got, want := reload(plainExt), []string{"erudit_ru"}; !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Errorf("plain new account variants = %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+
+	// A later login of the promo account, even via a different payload, must not re-seed:
+	// the seed is first-contact only.
+	post(promoExt, "vscrabble_ru")
+	if got, want := reload(promoExt), []string{"erudit_ru", "scrabble_en"}; !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Errorf("existing account re-seeded = %v, want unchanged %v", got, want)
+	}
+}

backend/internal/inttest/suspension_gate_test.go

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func TestSuspensionGate(t *testing.T) {
 		Accounts: accounts,
 	})
 
-	acc, _, err := accounts.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "ru", "", "Blocked")
+	acc, _, err := accounts.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uuid.NewString(), "ru", "", "Blocked", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision: %v", err)
 	}

backend/internal/inttest/userlist_test.go

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ func TestUserListFilter(t *testing.T) {
 	st := account.NewStore(testDB)
 	uniq := uuid.NewString()
 
-	human, _, err := st.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uniq, "en", "", "Zzqxhuman")
+	human, _, err := st.ProvisionTelegram(ctx, "tg-"+uniq, "en", "", "Zzqxhuman", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision human: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestUserListFilter(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision robot: %v", err)
 	}
-	guest, err := st.ProvisionGuest(ctx)
+	guest, err := st.ProvisionGuest(ctx, "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("provision guest: %v", err)
 	}

backend/internal/postgres/migrations/00002_default_ad_tips.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+-- Replace the default (house) ad campaign's single seed tip with the curated,
+-- language-agnostic Scrabble tip set (one bilingual row per tip; the client picks the
+-- column for the viewer's language). Data-only — the ad_messages schema is unchanged, so
+-- a backend image rollback stays DB-safe. The default campaign is the fixed house id seeded
+-- in 00001; ON DELETE CASCADE is irrelevant here (we only touch its messages).
+
+-- +goose Up
+DELETE FROM backend.ad_messages WHERE campaign_id = '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad';
+INSERT INTO backend.ad_messages (message_id, campaign_id, "position", body_en, body_ru) VALUES
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 0, 'Keep a balanced rack — a slight edge of consonants over vowels.', 'Держи на руках баланс — с лёгким перевесом согласных над гласными.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 1, 'Your "leave" (the tiles you keep) sets up your next turn — value it.', '«Остаток» (что оставляешь на руках) готовит следующий ход — цени его.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 2, 'Shed duplicate tiles — repeats clog your options.', 'Сбрасывай дубли фишек — повторы забивают возможности.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 3, 'A slightly consonant-heavy rack builds full-rack plays more easily.', 'Лёгкий перевес согласных проще складывается в выкладку всех фишек.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 4, 'Play several tiles per turn to keep your rack cycling.', 'Выкладывай по нескольку фишек за ход, чтобы рука обновлялась.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 5, 'Don''t hoard hard-to-place duplicates or a lone high-value tile.', 'Не копи труднопристраиваемые дубли или одинокую дорогую фишку.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 6, 'Using all your rack tiles in one move scores a large bonus — chase it.', 'Выкладка всех фишек с рук за ход даёт крупный бонус — стремись к ней.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 7, 'Learn common prefixes and suffixes — they extend words to use every tile.', 'Учи частые приставки и суффиксы — они растягивают слово на все фишки.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 8, '"Fish": play few tiles to keep a near-complete rack when you''re ahead.', '«Рыбачь»: сыграй мало фишек, сохранив почти всю руку, когда ведёшь.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 9, 'Don''t hoard high-value tiles — play them in good time, not at the very end.', 'Не копи дорогие фишки — играй их вовремя, а не под самый конец.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 10, 'Don''t hold a high-value tile waiting for a rare partner — usually a loss.', 'Не держи дорогую фишку ради редкого партнёра — обычно это проигрыш.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 11, 'Land your priciest tile on a premium square for a big single score.', 'Сажай самую дорогую фишку на бонусную клетку ради крупных очков.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 12, 'High-value tiles shine in parallel plays through short words.', 'Дорогие фишки сильны в параллельных выкладках через короткие слова.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 13, 'Stuck with an unplayable high-value tile late? Exchange it.', 'Завис с неиграбельной дорогой фишкой под конец? Обменяй её.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 14, 'The blanks are the most valuable tiles in the bag — guard them.', 'Пустышки — самые ценные фишки в мешке; береги их.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 15, 'Save a blank for a full-rack play or a key premium square.', 'Береги пустышку для выкладки всех фишек или важной бонусной клетки.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 16, 'Don''t spend a blank cheaply — hold it for a much bigger gain.', 'Не трать пустышку по мелочи — придержи ради куда большей выгоды.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 17, 'Put high-value tiles on letter-bonus or word-bonus squares.', 'Клади дорогие фишки на бонус буквы или слова.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 18, 'Stack bonuses — a letter bonus under a word bonus multiplies both.', 'Совмещай бонусы — бонус буквы под бонусом слова умножает оба.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 19, 'Parallel plays can earn nearly half your points — look for them.', 'Параллельные выкладки могут давать почти половину очков — ищи их.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 20, 'A hook adds one tile to an existing word to make a new one.', '«Крючок» — одна фишка к готовому слову, образующая новое.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 21, 'Hooks work at the front or the back of a word.', 'Крючки работают спереди и сзади слова.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 22, 'Short words are the keys to tight parallel plays — memorize them.', 'Короткие слова — ключ к плотным параллелям; выучи их.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 23, 'Your opening word crosses the centre — keep it compact, don''t open up.', 'Первое слово идёт через центр — держи компактным, не раскрывайся.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 24, 'It''s not only your score — limit your opponent''s options too.', 'Это не только твои очки — ограничивай и возможности соперника.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 25, 'Denying a big reply often beats squeezing a few more points yourself.', 'Закрыть крупный ответ часто важнее, чем добрать пару своих очков.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 26, 'When ahead, keep the board tight and closed; avoid open lanes.', 'Ведёшь — держи доску плотной и закрытой, не открывай линии.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 27, 'When behind, open the board up to create high-scoring chances.', 'Отстаёшь — раскрывай доску ради шансов на крупный ход.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 28, 'Don''t leave a word-bonus square open right beside your word.', 'Не оставляй клетку бонуса слова открытой рядом со своим словом.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 29, 'Block a hot square even with a weak word to deny a big play.', 'Закрывай опасную клетку даже слабым словом, чтобы срубить крупный ход.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 30, 'Know words that take no hooks — use them to seal off lines.', 'Знай слова, не берущие крючков — ими запирай линии.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 31, 'Track the tiles played to judge what is still left in the bag.', 'Считай сыгранные фишки — так поймёшь, что осталось в мешке.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 32, 'Exchange when your rack is unbalanced or can only score low.', 'Меняй фишки, когда рука несбалансированна или тянет мало.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 33, 'A good exchange beats a bad play — a clean rack is worth a turn.', 'Хороший обмен лучше плохого хода — чистая рука стоит хода.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 34, 'Swap away a surplus of vowels or consonants to rebalance.', 'Сбрасывай в обмен избыток гласных или согласных, чтобы выровняться.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 35, 'Rare high-value tiles are gone once seen — note them as they appear.', 'Редкие дорогие фишки исчезают, едва мелькнув — отмечай их.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 36, 'Once the bag is empty, deduce your opponent''s remaining tiles.', 'Когда мешок пуст, вычисли оставшиеся фишки соперника.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 37, 'Shed high-value tiles before the bag empties — don''t get stuck with them.', 'Сбрось дорогие фишки до опустения мешка — не зависай с ними.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 38, 'Unplayed tiles count against you at the end — try to go out first.', 'Несыгранные фишки минусуют очки в конце — старайся выйти первым.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 39, 'Going out first adds your opponent''s leftover tiles to your score.', 'Кто вышел первым, добирает очки за оставшиеся фишки соперника.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 40, 'Sometimes leaving one tile in the bag buys you an extra turn.', 'Иногда оставить одну фишку в мешке — это лишний ход.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 41, 'In the endgame, block the exact squares your opponent needs.', 'В эндшпиле блокируй именно те клетки, что нужны сопернику.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 42, 'Shuffle your rack to spot new patterns.', 'Перемешивай фишки на руках — так замечаешь новые сочетания.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 43, 'Separate prefix, suffix and middle tiles to anagram faster.', 'Разнеси приставку, суффикс и середину — анаграммы решаются быстрее.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 44, 'Value board position and future turns over raw points this turn.', 'Цени позицию и будущие ходы выше сиюминутных очков.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 45, 'Early game build position; midgame maximize score; endgame defend.', 'В начале — позиция, в середине — очки, в конце — защита.'),
+    (gen_random_uuid(), '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 46, 'Learn the short-word lists first — they pay off in every game.', 'Сначала учи списки коротких слов — окупаются в каждой партии.');
+
+-- +goose Down
+-- Restore the original single house tip seeded by the baseline.
+DELETE FROM backend.ad_messages WHERE campaign_id = '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad';
+INSERT INTO backend.ad_messages (message_id, campaign_id, "position", body_en, body_ru)
+VALUES ('00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000a1', '00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ad', 0,
+    'Tip: a play using all 7 tiles earns a +50 bonus.',
+    'Совет: ход всеми 7 фишками приносит бонус +50 очков.');

backend/internal/postgres/migrations/00003_feedback_app_version.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+-- Capture the client app version (the build a report was sent from) with each feedback
+-- message, so the operator console can show which version a player was on. Nullable, so the
+-- rows that predate this keep working — additive and backward-compatible, so a backend image
+-- rollback stays DB-safe (older code simply ignores the column).
+
+-- +goose Up
+ALTER TABLE backend.feedback_messages ADD COLUMN app_version text;
+
+-- +goose Down
+ALTER TABLE backend.feedback_messages DROP COLUMN app_version;

backend/internal/postgres/migrations/00004_feedback_browser_tz.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+-- Capture the client's detected UTC offset ("±HH:MM") with each feedback message, so the
+-- operator console can show the filed time in the sender's browser-local zone even before that
+-- player has ever saved a profile (the account zone defaults to UTC until then). Nullable, so the
+-- rows that predate this keep working — additive and backward-compatible, so a backend image
+-- rollback stays DB-safe (older code simply ignores the column).
+
+-- +goose Up
+ALTER TABLE backend.feedback_messages ADD COLUMN browser_tz text;
+
+-- +goose Down
+ALTER TABLE backend.feedback_messages DROP COLUMN browser_tz;

backend/internal/postgres/migrations/00005_vk_identity.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+-- Admit the 'vk' platform identity (VK Mini App users) into the identities.kind check
+-- constraint, alongside telegram/email/robot. Expand-contract: widening the allowed set
+-- is backward-compatible, so a backend image rollback stays DB-safe — the older code
+-- simply never writes a 'vk' row. The table shape is unchanged (only the CHECK), so the
+-- generated go-jet model is not regenerated.
+
+-- +goose Up
+ALTER TABLE backend.identities DROP CONSTRAINT identities_kind_chk;
+ALTER TABLE backend.identities ADD CONSTRAINT identities_kind_chk CHECK ((kind = ANY (ARRAY['telegram'::text, 'vk'::text, 'email'::text, 'robot'::text])));
+
+-- +goose Down
+ALTER TABLE backend.identities DROP CONSTRAINT identities_kind_chk;
+ALTER TABLE backend.identities ADD CONSTRAINT identities_kind_chk CHECK ((kind = ANY (ARRAY['telegram'::text, 'email'::text, 'robot'::text])));

backend/internal/server/handlers.go

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ func (s *Server) registerRoutes() {
 	if s.sessions != nil && s.accounts != nil {
 		in := s.internal
 		in.POST("/sessions/telegram", s.handleTelegramAuth)
+		in.POST("/sessions/vk", s.handleVKAuth)
 		in.POST("/sessions/guest", s.handleGuestAuth)
 		in.POST("/sessions/email/request", s.handleEmailRequest)
 		in.POST("/sessions/email/login", s.handleEmailLogin)

backend/internal/server/handlers_admin_console.go

@@ -362,6 +362,9 @@ func (s *Server) consoleUserDetail(c *gin.Context) {
 	if tg, err := s.accounts.IdentityExternalID(ctx, id, account.KindTelegram); err == nil {
 		view.TelegramID = tg
 	}
+	if vk, err := s.accounts.IdentityExternalID(ctx, id, account.KindVK); err == nil {
+		view.VKID = vk
+	}
 	if games, err := s.games.ListForAccount(ctx, id); err == nil {
 		for _, g := range games {
 			view.Games = append(view.Games, gameRow(g))
@@ -1198,6 +1201,17 @@ func fmtTime(t time.Time) string {
 	return t.UTC().Format("2006-01-02 15:04")
 }
 
+// fmtTimeIn formats a timestamp in the given zone — a "±HH:MM" offset or an IANA name, resolved
+// by account.ResolveZone (falling back to UTC when empty or unknown) — or "" when zero. Used to
+// show a time in a user's local zone beside UTC; the offset form is what the profile editor and
+// the feedback browser-tz snapshot store, so it must not go through time.LoadLocation alone.
+func fmtTimeIn(t time.Time, tz string) string {
+	if t.IsZero() {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return t.In(account.ResolveZone(tz)).Format("2006-01-02 15:04")
+}
+
 // fmtTimePtr formats an optional timestamp for display, or "" when nil.
 func fmtTimePtr(t *time.Time) string {
 	if t == nil {

backend/internal/server/handlers_admin_feedback.go

@@ -77,6 +77,17 @@ func (s *Server) consoleFeedbackDetail(c *gin.Context) {
 		s.consoleError(c, err)
 		return
 	}
+	// Filed time in three zones so the operator can tell what is certainly known from what is
+	// merely defaulted: always UTC; the client's offset detected at submit (when the build
+	// reported one); and the sender's saved profile zone (when set beyond the UTC default). An
+	// empty rendered time makes the template show "N/A" for that line.
+	browserCreated, userCreated := "", ""
+	if m.BrowserTZ != "" {
+		browserCreated = fmtTimeIn(m.CreatedAt, m.BrowserTZ)
+	}
+	if m.TimeZone != "" && m.TimeZone != "UTC" {
+		userCreated = fmtTimeIn(m.CreatedAt, m.TimeZone)
+	}
 	view := adminconsole.FeedbackDetailView{
 		ID: m.ID.String(), AccountID: m.AccountID.String(), SenderName: m.SenderName,
 		Source: m.Source, Channel: m.Channel, InterfaceLanguage: m.Lang,
@@ -84,6 +95,9 @@ func (s *Server) consoleFeedbackDetail(c *gin.Context) {
 		HasAttachment: m.HasAttachment, AttachmentName: m.AttachmentName, IsImage: feedback.IsImage(m.AttachmentName),
 		Read: m.Read, Archived: m.Archived, Replied: m.Replied, ReplyBody: m.ReplyBody,
 		RepliedAt: fmtTime(m.RepliedAt), CreatedAt: fmtTime(m.CreatedAt),
+		Version:          m.Version,
+		CreatedAtBrowser: browserCreated, BrowserTZ: m.BrowserTZ,
+		CreatedAtUser: userCreated, UserTZ: m.TimeZone,
 	}
 	if banned, err := s.accounts.HasRole(ctx, m.AccountID, account.RoleFeedbackBanned); err == nil {
 		view.Banned = banned

backend/internal/server/handlers_auth.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
 
 	"scrabble/backend/internal/account"
 )
@@ -18,12 +19,17 @@ import (
 
 // telegramAuthRequest carries the identity the connector extracted from a
 // validated initData payload. Username, FirstName and LanguageCode seed a
-// brand-new account's display name and language (first contact only).
+// brand-new account's display name and language; BrowserTZ (the client's detected
+// "±HH:MM" UTC offset) seeds its time zone; StartParam is the validated launch
+// deep-link payload, which may seed the new account's variant preferences (first
+// contact only).
 type telegramAuthRequest struct {
 	ExternalID   string `json:"external_id"`
 	Username     string `json:"username"`
 	FirstName    string `json:"first_name"`
 	LanguageCode string `json:"language_code"`
+	BrowserTZ    string `json:"browser_tz"`
+	StartParam   string `json:"start_param"`
 }
 
 // handleTelegramAuth provisions (or finds) the account bound to a Telegram
@@ -35,7 +41,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleTelegramAuth(c *gin.Context) {
 		abortBadRequest(c, "external_id is required")
 		return
 	}
-	acc, created, err := s.accounts.ProvisionTelegram(c.Request.Context(), req.ExternalID, req.LanguageCode, req.Username, req.FirstName)
+	acc, created, err := s.accounts.ProvisionTelegram(c.Request.Context(), req.ExternalID, req.LanguageCode, req.Username, req.FirstName, req.BrowserTZ)
 	if err != nil {
 		s.abortErr(c, err)
 		return
@@ -45,6 +51,47 @@ func (s *Server) handleTelegramAuth(c *gin.Context) {
 		// joined the chat before registering is granted on the spot (no chat_member
 		// event fires on registration).
 		s.publishChatAccessChange(acc.ID)
+		// A promo deep-link may seed this brand-new account's variant preferences (e.g.
+		// English Scrabble alongside the default Erudit). Best-effort: an absent or
+		// malformed payload leaves the account on its defaults, and a write failure must
+		// not block the session mint.
+		if seed := account.SeedVariantsFromStartParam(req.StartParam); len(seed) > 0 {
+			if _, err := s.accounts.SetVariantPreferences(c.Request.Context(), acc.ID, seed); err != nil {
+				s.log.Warn("telegram: seed variant preferences failed",
+					zap.String("account", acc.ID.String()), zap.Error(err))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	s.mintSession(c, acc)
+}
+
+// vkAuthRequest carries the identity the gateway extracted from verified VK launch
+// params. LanguageCode (vk_language) and DisplayName (read client-side via
+// VKWebAppGetUserInfo, since VK omits the name from the signed params) seed a brand-new
+// account's language and display name; BrowserTZ (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC
+// offset) seeds its time zone. All seeds apply on first contact only.
+type vkAuthRequest struct {
+	ExternalID   string `json:"external_id"`
+	LanguageCode string `json:"language_code"`
+	DisplayName  string `json:"display_name"`
+	BrowserTZ    string `json:"browser_tz"`
+}
+
+// handleVKAuth provisions (or finds) the account bound to a VK identity and mints a
+// session for it, seeding a new account's language and display name from the supplied VK
+// fields (first contact only). Unlike Telegram there is no moderated-chat re-evaluation
+// or deep-link variant seed: a fresh VK account has no Telegram chat eligibility and the
+// MVP carries no launch deep link.
+func (s *Server) handleVKAuth(c *gin.Context) {
+	var req vkAuthRequest
+	if err := c.ShouldBindJSON(&req); err != nil || req.ExternalID == "" {
+		abortBadRequest(c, "external_id is required")
+		return
+	}
+	acc, _, err := s.accounts.ProvisionVK(c.Request.Context(), req.ExternalID, req.LanguageCode, req.DisplayName, req.BrowserTZ)
+	if err != nil {
+		s.abortErr(c, err)
+		return
 	}
 	s.mintSession(c, acc)
 }
@@ -97,9 +144,21 @@ func (s *Server) handlePushTarget(c *gin.Context) {
 	})
 }
 
-// handleGuestAuth provisions a fresh ephemeral guest account and mints a session.
+// guestAuthRequest carries the guest bootstrap's optional time-zone seed: BrowserTZ
+// (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset) is written to the new guest account's
+// time zone, so robot timing is anchored to the player's zone from the first game.
+type guestAuthRequest struct {
+	BrowserTZ string `json:"browser_tz"`
+}
+
+// handleGuestAuth provisions a fresh ephemeral guest account and mints a session,
+// seeding its time zone from the optional detected browser offset.
 func (s *Server) handleGuestAuth(c *gin.Context) {
-	acc, err := s.accounts.ProvisionGuest(c.Request.Context())
+	// The body is optional: an absent or malformed one simply yields no time-zone seed
+	// (the account keeps the UTC default), so a bind error must not fail the bootstrap.
+	var req guestAuthRequest
+	_ = c.ShouldBindJSON(&req)
+	acc, err := s.accounts.ProvisionGuest(c.Request.Context(), req.BrowserTZ)
 	if err != nil {
 		s.abortErr(c, err)
 		return
@@ -107,9 +166,12 @@ func (s *Server) handleGuestAuth(c *gin.Context) {
 	s.mintSession(c, acc)
 }
 
-// emailRequest is an email-login code request.
+// emailRequest is an email-login code request. BrowserTZ (the client's detected
+// "±HH:MM" UTC offset) seeds the time zone of an account provisioned here on first
+// contact (the email account is created at the request step, not at login).
 type emailRequest struct {
-	Email string `json:"email"`
+	Email     string `json:"email"`
+	BrowserTZ string `json:"browser_tz"`
 }
 
 // handleEmailRequest issues a login confirm-code to the email. It always reports
@@ -121,7 +183,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleEmailRequest(c *gin.Context) {
 		abortBadRequest(c, "email is required")
 		return
 	}
-	if _, err := s.emails.RequestLoginCode(c.Request.Context(), req.Email); err != nil {
+	if _, err := s.emails.RequestLoginCode(c.Request.Context(), req.Email, req.BrowserTZ); err != nil {
 		s.abortErr(c, err)
 		return
 	}

backend/internal/server/handlers_feedback.go

@@ -16,6 +16,12 @@ type feedbackSubmitRequest struct {
 	Attachment     string `json:"attachment"`
 	AttachmentName string `json:"attachment_name"`
 	Channel        string `json:"channel"`
+	// Version is the client's app version (pkg/version / the SPA build), snapshotted so the
+	// operator sees which build a report came from.
+	Version string `json:"version"`
+	// BrowserTZ is the client's detected UTC offset ("±HH:MM") at submit, so the operator can
+	// see the filed time in the sender's local zone even before they save a profile.
+	BrowserTZ string `json:"browser_tz"`
 }
 
 // feedbackReplyDTO is the operator's reply shown back to the player.
@@ -61,7 +67,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleFeedbackSubmit(c *gin.Context) {
 		}
 		attachment = data
 	}
-	if err := s.feedback.Submit(c.Request.Context(), uid, req.Body, attachment, req.AttachmentName, req.Channel, clientIP(c)); err != nil {
+	if err := s.feedback.Submit(c.Request.Context(), uid, req.Body, attachment, req.AttachmentName, req.Channel, req.Version, req.BrowserTZ, clientIP(c)); err != nil {
 		s.abortErr(c, err)
 		return
 	}

deploy/.env.example

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ POSTGRES_PASSWORD=change-me            # required
 # the active version lives in the DB. On a live volume a changed value is ignored (the
 # recorded .seed_version marker wins — the seed-drift guard); change a running
 # contour's dictionary through /_gm/dictionary (ARCHITECTURE.md §5).
-DICT_VERSION=v1.2.1
+DICT_VERSION=v1.3.0
 
 # --- Logging ----------------------------------------------------------------
 LOG_LEVEL=info
@@ -47,9 +47,17 @@ AWG_CONF=                              # required; AmneziaWG sidecar config (the
 TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN=                    # required
 TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID=
 TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID=                      # moderated discussion chat (channel's linked group); empty disables gating
+TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID=              # private forum supergroup for the support relay (topic per user); empty disables it
 TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN=             # optional standalone promo bot token; empty disables it
 TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME=               # main bot @username without the @ (promo message); required when the promo token is set
 TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK=                    # main bot Mini App link for the promo button (reuse VITE_TELEGRAM_LINK); required when the promo token is set
+TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM=           # promo button startapp payload — a variant-seed deep link (default verudit_ru-scrabble_en) adding English Scrabble for new users; empty forwards the user's /start payload
 TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL=                  # required
 TELEGRAM_TEST_ENV=false
 TELEGRAM_API_BASE_URL=
+
+# --- VK Mini App ------------------------------------------------------------
+# The VK app's "protected key" (client_secret): the gateway verifies the Mini App
+# launch-parameter signature in-process under it (a pure offline HMAC, no VK API call).
+# Empty disables the VK auth path (auth.vk). Set from the Gitea TEST_/PROD_ secret.
+GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET=

deploy/README.md

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ without it Docker's resolver handles `otelcol`, `gateway` and `api.telegram.org`
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | `POSTGRES_DB` | variable | `scrabble` | Database name. |
 | `POSTGRES_USER` | variable | `scrabble` | Database user. |
-| `DICT_VERSION` | variable | `v1.2.1` | `scrabble-dictionary` release tag baked into the backend image as the **seed for a fresh volume** (build-arg). A live contour changes dictionary through the admin console, not this; on a seeded volume a changed value is ignored (the recorded `.seed_version` marker wins — the seed-drift guard, ARCHITECTURE.md §5). Set per contour as `TEST_`/`PROD_DICT_VERSION`. |
+| `DICT_VERSION` | variable | `v1.3.0` | `scrabble-dictionary` release tag baked into the backend image as the **seed for a fresh volume** (build-arg). A live contour changes dictionary through the admin console, not this; on a seeded volume a changed value is ignored (the recorded `.seed_version` marker wins — the seed-drift guard, ARCHITECTURE.md §5). Set per contour as `TEST_`/`PROD_DICT_VERSION`. |
 | `LOG_LEVEL` | variable | `info` | Shared log level for backend / gateway / validator / bot (`debug\|info\|warn\|error`). |
 | `CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS` | variable | `:80` | Caddy site address. Test: `:80` (host caddy terminates TLS). Prod: a domain, so caddy does its own ACME. |
 | `GM_BASICAUTH_USER` | variable | `gm` | Username for the `/_gm` Basic-Auth. |
@@ -117,6 +117,28 @@ collector's / gateway's internal IP is fine (connected route), but its `AWG_CONF
 which resolves `otelcol`, `gateway` and `api.telegram.org`. `GATEWAY_ADMIN_*` is
 intentionally **unset** — caddy owns `/_gm` in the contour.
 
+## Bumping the dictionary version
+
+The dictionary ships as a versioned **release artifact** (`scrabble-dawg-vX.Y.Z.tar.gz`) from
+[`scrabble-dictionary`](https://gitea.iliadenisov.ru/developer/scrabble-dictionary). The tag is
+a build-time input with **no default** in the images, so it is set in exactly two places to
+move the whole stack — change both to a new release:
+
+1. **CI tests** — `.gitea/workflows/ci.yaml` `env.DICT_VERSION` (the unit/integration jobs
+   download that dawg).
+2. **Deploy seed** — the Gitea repo variables `TEST_DICT_VERSION` / `PROD_DICT_VERSION` (the tag
+   the deploy bakes into a **fresh** volume's image; the deploy job feeds it to `compose` as
+   `DICT_VERSION`).
+
+For local builds set `DICT_VERSION` in `deploy/.env` (template: `.env.example`); a bare
+`docker build` needs `--build-arg DICT_VERSION=vX.Y.Z`. The Dockerfiles and `compose` carry no
+default — a missing value fails loudly instead of baking a stale tag.
+
+Bumping the seed is a **no-op on a live volume** (the `.seed_version` marker wins — the
+seed-drift guard). A running contour/prod moves to a new release **through the admin console**
+`/_gm/dictionary` (upload the tarball, preview the per-variant diff, confirm); in-flight games
+keep their pinned version, new games use the new one (ARCHITECTURE.md §5).
+
 ## Production rollout
 
 Prod runs on **two hosts** (main = full stack + ACME on the domain; tg = the bot only,
@@ -128,7 +150,9 @@ Re-run `ansible/` after a host resize — it is idempotent.
 workflow manually (Gitea → Actions → prod-deploy → run from `master`, input
 `confirm=deploy`). It builds + pushes the images to the registry, ships the
 compose/config/certs/env over SSH, deploys the main host with `prod-deploy.sh` (rolling,
-health-gated, **auto-rollback to the previous tag**), then the bot host, then probes the
+health-gated, **auto-rollback to the previous tag**; caddy is force-recreated on its roll so
+a bind-mounted `Caddyfile` change applies — its image is pinned and admin is off, so neither a
+new tag nor a hot reload would pick it up), then the bot host, then probes the
 public site. After `master` is green this workflow is the **only** thing that touches
 prod — nothing auto-deploys there. It runs four visible jobs: **build → deploy-main →
 deploy-bot → verify** (the per-service rolling shows in the deploy-main log).

deploy/caddy/Caddyfile

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Edge reverse proxy for the Scrabble contour. A single Basic-Auth gate covers
 # every operator surface under /_gm (the backend-rendered admin console and the
-# Grafana subpath); the game SPA (/app/, /telegram/) and the Connect edge go to
+# Grafana subpath); the game SPA (/app/, /telegram/, /vk/) and the Connect edge go to
 # the gateway; the catch-all — notably the public landing at / — goes to the
 # static landing container, so stray traffic never reaches the Go edge.
 # Mirrors ../galaxy-game's /_gm model.
@@ -21,6 +21,18 @@
 }
 
 {$CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS::80} {
+	# HTTP/3 is advertised by default whenever this caddy terminates TLS (prod:
+	# CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS is the domain). But UDP/443 is never reachable — the prod
+	# compose maps only "443:443" (TCP) and ufw opens 443/tcp — so a client that cached
+	# the `Alt-Svc: h3` advert (sticky for ma=2592000s) stalls on the dead QUIC path
+	# before falling back to h2, which surfaced as the Telegram Mini App intermittently
+	# hanging on load. `Alt-Svc: clear` actively drops any cached alternative and pins
+	# clients to h2/h1; it is applied site-wide so every route is covered. In the test
+	# contour this caddy serves plain :80 (no h3 to advertise) and the host caddy
+	# re-stamps its own Alt-Svc, so the live test fix lives in the host caddy — here it
+	# is the prod fix. Background + alternatives (incl. serving h3 for real): docs/EDGE_HTTP3.md.
+	header Alt-Svc clear
+
 	# Operator surfaces under /_gm: a single shared Basic-Auth, then route.
 	@gm path /_gm /_gm/*
 	handle @gm {
@@ -41,7 +53,7 @@
 	# The game SPA and the Connect edge are served by the gateway. Strip any
 	# client-supplied X-Scrabble-Honeypot here so the gateway only ever honours the
 	# tag the honeypot block sets below (a client cannot self-tag a real request).
-	@gateway path /app /app/* /telegram /telegram/* /scrabble.edge.v1.Gateway/*
+	@gateway path /app /app/* /telegram /telegram/* /vk /vk/* /scrabble.edge.v1.Gateway/*
 	handle @gateway {
 		reverse_proxy gateway:8081 {
 			header_up -X-Scrabble-Honeypot

deploy/docker-compose.bot.yml

@@ -23,9 +23,15 @@ services:
       TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN: ${TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN:?set TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN}
       TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID: ${TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID:-}
       TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID: ${TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID:-}
+      # Support relay: a private forum supergroup the bot relays direct user messages
+      # into (one topic per user). 0/unset disables it; the bot needs admin there with
+      # the manage-topics and delete-messages rights.
+      TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID: ${TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID:-}
+      TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR: /data
       TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN: ${TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN:-}
       TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME: ${TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME:-}
       TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK: ${TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK:-}
+      TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM: ${TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM:-}
       TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL: ${TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL:?set TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL}
       # Real Bot API in prod (the test contour pins TELEGRAM_TEST_ENV=true instead).
       TELEGRAM_TEST_ENV: "false"
@@ -46,8 +52,13 @@ services:
       GOMAXPROCS: "1"
     volumes:
       - ${SCRABBLE_CONFIG_DIR:-.}/certs:/certs:ro
+      # Support relay state (topic mapping, block list); survives redeploys.
+      - bot-state:/data
     deploy:
       resources:
         limits:
           cpus: "1.0"
           memory: 256M
+
+volumes:
+  bot-state:

deploy/docker-compose.yml

@@ -68,9 +68,11 @@ services:
       context: ..
       dockerfile: backend/Dockerfile
       args:
-        # Seed dictionary for a FRESH volume; the per-contour value comes from the
-        # deploy env (Gitea TEST_/PROD_DICT_VERSION). See the volume note below.
-        DICT_VERSION: ${DICT_VERSION:-v1.2.1}
+        # Seed dictionary for a FRESH volume; required (no default) so the release tag is
+        # set in exactly one place per context — the deploy env (Gitea TEST_/PROD_DICT_VERSION)
+        # or .env for local builds. See the volume note below + deploy/README.md "Bumping the
+        # dictionary version".
+        DICT_VERSION: ${DICT_VERSION:?set DICT_VERSION — the scrabble-dictionary release tag, e.g. in deploy/.env}
         # Build version stamped into the binary (git tag; see pkg/version).
         VERSION: ${APP_VERSION:-dev}
     restart: unless-stopped
@@ -145,6 +147,10 @@ services:
       GATEWAY_BACKEND_GRPC_ADDR: backend:9090
       # Telegram auth validates against the home validator (plaintext, internal).
       GATEWAY_VALIDATOR_ADDR: validator:9091
+      # VK Mini App auth verifies the launch-parameter signature in-process under the VK
+      # app's protected key (a pure offline HMAC, no VK API round-trip). Empty disables
+      # the VK auth path (auth.vk is then unregistered).
+      GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET: ${GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET:-}
       # The reverse bot-link: the bot dials :9443 over mTLS; the backend admin relay
       # reaches the gateway at :9092 (plaintext, internal). In the test contour both
       # listeners stay on the internal network (the bot shares the VPN netns); in prod
@@ -290,6 +296,11 @@ services:
       # only restricts (mutes the ineligible) — and the bot must be an admin there with the
       # "Ban users" right; chat_member updates are delivered only to a chat admin.
       TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID: ${TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID:-}
+      # The private forum supergroup the bot relays direct user messages into (one topic
+      # per user) and reads operator replies from. Empty disables the support relay; when
+      # set the bot must be an admin there with the manage-topics and delete-messages rights.
+      TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID: ${TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID:-}
+      TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR: /data
       # The optional standalone promo bot (its own token) answering /start with a button
       # into the main bot's app. Empty disables it; when set it needs the main bot's
       # @username and the Mini App link (reused from the UI's VITE_TELEGRAM_LINK).
@@ -323,6 +334,8 @@ services:
       GOMAXPROCS: "1"
     volumes:
       - ${SCRABBLE_CONFIG_DIR:-.}/certs:/certs:ro
+      # Support relay state (topic mapping, block list); survives redeploys.
+      - bot-state:/data
     deploy:
       resources:
         limits:
@@ -494,3 +507,4 @@ volumes:
   prometheus-data:
   tempo-data:
   grafana-data:
+  bot-state:

deploy/grafana/dashboards/resources.json

@@ -36,7 +36,21 @@
       "type": "stat",
       "title": "Database size",
       "gridPos": { "h": 5, "w": 6, "x": 18, "y": 0 },
-      "fieldConfig": { "defaults": { "unit": "bytes" }, "overrides": [] },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "bytes",
+          "color": { "mode": "thresholds" },
+          "thresholds": {
+            "mode": "absolute",
+            "steps": [
+              { "color": "green", "value": null },
+              { "color": "yellow", "value": 8589934592 },
+              { "color": "red", "value": 17179869184 }
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
       "datasource": { "type": "prometheus", "uid": "prometheus" },
       "targets": [{ "refId": "A", "expr": "max(pg_database_size_bytes{datname=\"scrabble\"})" }]
     },

deploy/prod-deploy.sh

@@ -74,7 +74,13 @@ health_running() { # health_running <container>: running, not restarting, stable
 roll() { # roll <service> <health-cmd...>
   local svc="$1"; shift
   echo ">>> rolling $svc -> $TAG"
-  dc up -d --no-build --no-deps "$svc" || return 1
+  # caddy's image is pinned (caddy:2-alpine, no $TAG) and its Caddyfile is bind-mounted, so a
+  # config-only change leaves the compose definition unchanged: `up -d` treats the container as
+  # current and does not recreate it, and admin is off so there is no hot reload — the new
+  # Caddyfile would never load. Force a recreate for caddy so config changes always apply; every
+  # other service already recreates on its new $TAG image.
+  local recreate=(); [ "$svc" = caddy ] && recreate=(--force-recreate)
+  dc up -d --no-build --no-deps "${recreate[@]}" "$svc" || return 1
   "$@" || { echo "!!! $svc failed health check"; return 1; }
   echo "<<< $svc healthy"
 }

docs/ARCHITECTURE.md

@@ -42,7 +42,12 @@ Three executables plus per-platform side-services:
   users, a weighted fair rotation — §10),
   and a client **board-style** setting (bonus-label
   mode). The visual/interaction design system is documented in
-  [`UI_DESIGN.md`](UI_DESIGN.md).
+  [`UI_DESIGN.md`](UI_DESIGN.md). Inside the Telegram Mini App the client additionally
+  tracks Telegram's live theme switch (`themeChanged`), fits the full device safe-area
+  insets (the bottom/home-indicator strip taking the bottom bar's colour), exposes
+  Telegram's native **Settings** button into the in-app settings, and syncs the
+  device-independent display preferences (theme, reduce-motion, board labels — **not** the
+  interface language) across the user's Telegram devices via **CloudStorage**.
 - **`platform/telegram`** — the Telegram side-service (module
   `scrabble/platform/telegram`), split into two binaries that share the bot token
   (**one bot**, one optional game channel, §3):
@@ -144,21 +149,34 @@ arrive from a platform rather than completing a mandatory registration).
 
 - The gateway validates the originating credential **once** — Telegram `initData`
   (delegated to the **validator's** `ValidateInitData` RPC, which holds the bot token —
-  the HMAC secret — so it never reaches the gateway), an email-code login, or a guest
+  the HMAC secret — so it never reaches the gateway), a **VK Mini App** launch (verified
+  **in-process** by `gateway/internal/vkauth`: HMAC-SHA256 over the signed `vk_*` params
+  under the VK app's protected key `GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET`, base64url — a pure offline check,
+  as VK signing needs no API round-trip, so no side-service), an email-code login, or a guest
   bootstrap — then mints a **thin opaque server session token** (`session_id`). First
-  Telegram contact seeds the new account's language (from the launch `language_code`)
-  and display name (§4). The validator runs on the main host and never reaches the Bot
-  API, so login does not depend on Telegram or the remote bot being up (§10, §12).
+  Telegram/VK contact seeds the new account's language (Telegram's `language_code` / VK's
+  `vk_language`) and display name (§4; VK omits the name from the signed params, so the client
+  reads it via `VKWebAppGetUserInfo` as an unsigned, cosmetic seed). The validator runs on the
+  main host and never reaches the Bot API, so login does not depend on Telegram or the remote
+  bot being up (§10, §12). VK launch params carry no built-in expiry (unlike Telegram's
+  `auth_date`), so freshness is not enforced — the minted session is the short-lived credential,
+  and a replay only re-authenticates the same `vk_user_id`.
 - **Single bot.** The platform side-service runs **one bot** (one token + one optional
   game channel), split into a home **validator** and a remote **bot** that share the
   token. `ValidateInitData` (the validator) validates `initData` against that single
-  token and returns only the Telegram user identity — there is no per-bot "service
+  token, **rejects a bot user** (the signed `is_bot` flag), and returns only the Telegram
+  user identity — there is no per-bot "service
   language" and no supported-languages set on the wire. The bot's chat messages and
   out-of-app push are
   rendered in the recipient's **interface language** (`preferred_language`, en/ru), not in
   any bot-scoped language, and the friend-invite **share link** (and its caption) point at
   that one bot. First Telegram contact seeds the new account's `preferred_language` from the
-  launch `language_code` (§4); the interface language is otherwise edited in Settings.
+  launch `language_code` (§4), but the **interface language follows the device** — the system
+  guess, or an explicit Settings choice saved locally — and the bot never dictates the UI.
+  `preferred_language` is then **reconciled to the active interface locale on every session
+  adopt** (not only on a Settings change; a no-op for guests and when already equal), so the
+  server-rendered language surfaces — this push and the ad banner — always match the UI rather
+  than stranding a user who never opened Settings on the creation-time seed.
 - **Variant preferences (New Game gating).** Which variants a player may be matched into is a
   per-user **profile** setting — `variant_preferences`, a set of `engine.Variant` labels
   (`scrabble_en`, `scrabble_ru`, `erudit_ru`) edited on the Settings/Profile screen. New
@@ -199,7 +217,7 @@ arrive from a platform rather than completing a mandatory registration).
 > recipient's interface language (`preferred_language`), with no per-bot routing. New
 > Game variant gating moved off the login language onto a per-user profile setting
 > `variant_preferences` (default Erudit only, server-enforced on the caller's create
-> paths; an invited friend may still accept any variant). The per-bot env vars and
+> paths; an invited friend may still accept any variant, and a Telegram **promo deep-link** seeds extra variants — e.g. English Scrabble — onto a brand-new account via the validated `start_param`). The per-bot env vars and
 > `GATEWAY_DEFAULT_SUPPORTED_LANGUAGES` were removed; the wire dropped
 > `service_language`/`supported_languages` and the push `language` routing field, and
 > gained `variant_preferences` on Profile/UpdateProfile.
@@ -640,7 +658,7 @@ in either direction (the enqueue excludes the caller's `BlockedWith` set);
   **floats games with any unread entry to the top** of the your-turn and opponent-turn
   sections (the finished section keeps its activity order). On each clear the publish-to-read
   latency is recorded; the read time itself is not retained.
-- **Profile**: `preferred_language` (en/ru, edited in Settings), display name, email
+- **Profile**: `preferred_language` (en/ru; tracks the interface language — §4), display name, email
   (confirm-code binding, see §4), **timezone**, the daily **away window**, the
   **variant preferences** (`variant_preferences`, the matchable-variant set that gates New
   Game — §3, defaulting to Erudit only, at least one enforced) and the
@@ -649,7 +667,11 @@ in either direction (the enqueue excludes the caller's `BlockedWith` set);
   separators (no leading/trailing/adjacent separators, ≤ 32 runes); the timezone is a
   fixed `±HH:MM` **UTC offset** (or a legacy IANA name) resolved by `account.ResolveZone`
   for the sweeper and the robot's sleep (a fixed offset trades DST for a simple
-  picker); the away window is at most **12 h** (midnight-wrap aware). Linked platform
+  picker), and is **seeded at account creation** from the client's detected offset — sent
+  on the Telegram / guest / email first-contact request — so the robot's sleep and the
+  away-window sweeper are anchored to the player's real zone from the first game rather
+  than the `UTC` default (an undetected or malformed offset keeps the default); the away
+  window is at most **12 h** (midnight-wrap aware). Linked platform
   accounts and merge are covered in §4.
 
 ## 9. Persistence
@@ -963,7 +985,7 @@ edits take effect on the next `profile.get` (open/reconnect/foreground), not mid
 | Concern | Enforced by |
 | --- | --- |
 | Public rate limiting / anti-abuse | gateway (per-IP public/email/admin classes, per-user authenticated class; a request body cap of `GATEWAY_MAX_BODY_BYTES`; rejections are metered, summarised to the backend and surfaced in the admin console with a conservative reversible auto-flag — §11). In prod a **temporary IP ban** (`GATEWAY_ABUSE_BAN_ENABLED`) blocks an IP that sustains rejections or trips a **honeypot** decoy path / **honeytoken**, refused with 429 before any work; operators lift bans from the console. Off in the shared-NAT test contour, where the client IP is not real (§11) |
-| Telegram initData validation (bot-token HMAC) | the Telegram **validator**; the gateway delegates it over gRPC, so the bot token (the HMAC secret) lives only in the validator and the bot, never in the gateway |
+| Telegram initData validation (bot-token HMAC) | the Telegram **validator**; the gateway delegates it over gRPC, so the bot token (the HMAC secret) lives only in the validator and the bot, never in the gateway. The validator also **rejects a bot principal** (the signed `is_bot` flag) before any account is provisioned |
 | Session minting; email-code / guest validation | gateway (with backend) |
 | Session → `user_id` resolution, `X-User-ID` injection | gateway |
 | Authorisation, ownership, state transitions | backend (`X-User-ID` is the sole identity input) |
@@ -1031,9 +1053,11 @@ a dedicated redeem sub-limit or a longer code is the hardening step if abuse app
 Single public origin, path-routed. The Vite build has two entries: a lightweight
 **landing page** and the game **SPA**. The gateway **embeds** the SPA build
 (`go:embed`, baked in by a node stage in `gateway/Dockerfile`) and serves it at
-`/app/` (web) and `/telegram/` (the Telegram Mini App; outside Telegram that path
-redirects to the root — the client-side guard); a stray hit on the gateway's `/`
-308-redirects to `/app/`. The **landing** ships in its own static container: the
+`/app/` (web), `/telegram/` (the Telegram Mini App; on that path without sign-in data
+— no `initData` — the client renders a compact, shareable launch-diagnostic screen instead
+of redirecting away) and `/vk/` (the VK Mini App; the client reads the signed `vk_*` launch
+parameters from the URL and the gateway verifies them in-process — §12); a stray hit on the
+gateway's `/` 308-redirects to `/app/`. The **landing** ships in its own static container: the
 `landing` target of `gateway/Dockerfile` (caddy:2-alpine + the same Vite build,
 `deploy/landing/Caddyfile`) serves it at `/`, so stray public traffic is absorbed by
 static file serving and never reaches the Go edge. Hash-named `/assets/*` are served
@@ -1042,7 +1066,7 @@ static file serving and never reaches the Go edge. Hash-named `/assets/*` are se
 in-compose **caddy** is the contour's edge: it owns a single `/_gm` Basic-Auth and
 routes `/_gm/grafana/*` to **Grafana** (anonymous-admin, so the one shared login gates
 it with no per-user Grafana accounts) and the rest of `/_gm/*` to the backend-rendered
-**admin console**; `/app/`, `/telegram/` and the Connect path go to the gateway; the
+**admin console**; `/app/`, `/telegram/`, `/vk/` and the Connect path go to the gateway; the
 catch-all — notably the landing at `/` — goes to the landing container. The
 **Telegram validator** runs as a separate container with **no public ingress**,
 answering only internal gRPC (HMAC, no Telegram egress). The **Telegram bot** holds
@@ -1089,7 +1113,10 @@ Two contours, two secret/variable prefixes (`TEST_` / `PROD_`):
   the **main host** runs the full stack (`docker-compose.yml` + `docker-compose.prod.yml`),
   the **bot host** runs only the bot (`docker-compose.bot.yml`, no VPN — native Bot API
   egress, telemetry off). There is no host caddy, so the contour caddy terminates TLS —
-  `CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS` is the domain and caddy does its own ACME. The gateway **publishes**
+  `CADDY_SITE_ADDRESS` is the domain and caddy does its own ACME. Caddy advertises HTTP/3 by default, but UDP/443 is not exposed (the
+  compose maps only TCP and ufw opens 443/tcp), so the edge emits `Alt-Svc: clear` to keep
+  clients on h2/h1 rather than stall on a dead QUIC path — see [`EDGE_HTTP3.md`](EDGE_HTTP3.md).
+  The gateway **publishes**
   the bot-link `:9443`; the remote bot dials it over mTLS (certs from `PROD_BOTLINK_*`,
   ServerName `gateway`, so TLS validation is independent of the public dial address), holds
   no inbound port, and login is unaffected if that host or the link is down.
@@ -1149,9 +1176,11 @@ Two contours, two secret/variable prefixes (`TEST_` / `PROD_`):
 
 Players reach the operators through a **Feedback** screen (Settings → Info, registered accounts
 only). A message (≤1024 runes) plus an optional single attachment is stored in
-`feedback_messages`; the sender's IP (gateway-forwarded, as for chat) and the submitting
-**channel** (telegram/ios/android/web, client-reported and validated) are recorded. The domain
-is `internal/feedback` (store + service), modelled on the admin chat-moderation surface.
+`feedback_messages`; the sender's IP (gateway-forwarded, as for chat), the submitting
+**channel** (telegram/ios/android/web, client-reported and validated), the **client app version**
+(`__APP_VERSION__`, the build a report was sent from), the client's **detected UTC offset** at
+submit (`browser_tz`, `±HH:MM`) and a snapshot of the sender's interface language are recorded. The domain is `internal/feedback` (store + service), modelled on the admin
+chat-moderation surface.
 
 **Anti-spam.** A player with an unreviewed message (`read_at IS NULL`) cannot submit another; the
 gate is server-side. Because the operator must act before the next message, this is itself the
@@ -1159,8 +1188,11 @@ rate limit — there is no separate per-user feedback limiter.
 
 **Operator review** happens in the server-rendered console (`/_gm/feedback`): an
 unread / read / archived queue with per-user search (the `/users` glob masks), a detail card
-(user content rendered as auto-escaped `html/template` text), and the read / reply / archive /
-delete / delete-all actions — each marks the message read; merely opening the detail does not.
+(user content rendered as auto-escaped `html/template` text; it shows the channel, interface
+language and app version, and the filed time in three zones — UTC, the browser offset detected at
+submit, and the sender's saved profile zone, each `N/A` when not known), and the read /
+reply / archive / delete / delete-all actions — each marks the message read; merely opening the
+detail does not.
 The attachment is served from `/_gm/feedback/:id/attachment` with `X-Content-Type-Options:
 nosniff`: images inline (loaded only via `<img>`, which never executes — a renamed non-image is
 inert), everything else as an `application/octet-stream` download. The UI gates the attachment by
@@ -1182,3 +1214,27 @@ blocks **only** feedback submission (unlike a suspension, the whole-account bloc
 granted from the feedback section (the delete-with-block checkbox) and granted/revoked from the
 `/users` console card. Roles are validated against a known set in Go, so adding one needs no
 migration.
+
+**Telegram support relay.** Separate from the in-app Feedback above, the bot offers a direct
+support channel for users who message it on Telegram. Any message other than `/start` is relayed
+into a private **forum supergroup** (`TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID`): a user's first message opens a
+dedicated **forum topic** whose first message is an info card (the name is a tappable profile
+mention via a `text_mention` entity — which also keeps a name beginning with `/` from being read as
+a command — plus @username, language, premium, id) carrying a Block/Unblock toggle and a Clear
+button; every message is then
+copied into that topic (`copyMessage`, so any content — text, media, voice, files — carries over).
+Any **administrator** of the support chat who writes in a user's topic has their message copied
+back to that user; non-admins and the bot's own posts are ignored (the loop guard). Block drops the
+user's incoming messages (the topic stays); Clear deletes the relayed messages, keeping the info
+card; a topic the operators delete is reopened on the next message. State (user→topic map, block
+list, relayed message ids) is a small JSON file on a writable volume — the bot host has no database
+and cannot reach Postgres. The relay is **bot-local**: it touches neither the backend, the gateway,
+nor `feedback_messages`. The bot must be an administrator in the forum group with the manage-topics
+and delete-messages rights.
+
+> **Decision (2026-06-23) — bot-local support relay over forum topics.** The direct Telegram
+> support channel lives entirely in the bot (no backend, no bot-link command), because the bot host
+> has no database. One forum **topic per user** (not a reply-to-header thread) gives native per-user
+> separation and survives message deletion; the topic id, not a fragile header message, anchors the
+> mapping. Operators are the support chat's administrators (no separate owner id); messages relay
+> both ways with `copyMessage`. State persists as JSON on a dedicated volume.

docs/EDGE_HTTP3.md

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+# Edge HTTP/3 (`Alt-Svc`) policy
+
+## TL;DR
+
+The edge **advertises HTTP/3 but does not actually serve it** (UDP/443 is not exposed),
+so we suppress the advert with `Alt-Svc: clear`. Advertising QUIC on `:443/udp` while
+that port is unreachable makes clients — notably the Telegram Mini App webview — stall
+on a dead QUIC connection before falling back to h2, which shows up as the app "hanging
+on load".
+
+## Symptom
+
+Opening the Mini App intermittently hangs on load: from a barely-noticeable pause to
+several seconds, sometimes a blank window that never finishes downloading `index.html`.
+Intermittent, worse after the first successful visit, reproduced on both the test
+contour and prod.
+
+## Root cause
+
+Caddy enables HTTP/3 by default on any TLS listener and emits
+`Alt-Svc: h3=":443"; ma=2592000` — telling every client "reach me over QUIC/UDP 443"
+and to cache that for 30 days. But UDP/443 is **never reachable end to end**:
+
+- **Test contour**: the host caddy publishes only `:443/tcp` (`docker port caddy` shows
+  no `udp`); QUIC packets from the internet are dropped.
+- **Prod**: `deploy/docker-compose.prod.yml` maps `"443:443"` (Docker = **TCP only**)
+  and `deploy/ansible/roles/main/tasks/main.yml` opens 443 `proto: tcp`. UDP/443 is
+  dropped at both the publish and the firewall.
+
+Caddy *does* bind `udp/443` inside the container and h3 works container-to-container
+(verified `http=3 code=200`), so the listener is healthy — it is simply not exposed.
+
+A client that cached the advert tries QUIC first on later opens, gets no response, and
+waits for the QUIC attempt to time out before falling back to TCP/h2. That wait is the
+stall. The very first visit (no cached `Alt-Svc`) uses h2 and is fast.
+
+The h2/TCP serving path itself is healthy: 30 fresh-TLS requests through the full path
+(host caddy -> contour caddy -> gateway) measured TTFB ~9.5 ms, total ~9.8 ms, no tail;
+`index.html` is ~1 KB.
+
+## Fix in place (option A — suppress the advert)
+
+Emit `Alt-Svc: clear`, which actively drops any cached alternative (better than merely
+deleting the header, which leaves the sticky 30-day cache in place):
+
+- **Prod / repo**: `deploy/caddy/Caddyfile` — a site-level `header Alt-Svc clear` (this
+  caddy terminates TLS in prod).
+- **Test contour**: the host caddy terminates TLS, so the fix lives there (homelab
+  config, outside this repo): `header Alt-Svc clear` on the `scrabble.*` site. The
+  in-compose caddy serves plain `:80` in test and never advertises h3, so the repo
+  directive is a harmless no-op there (the host caddy re-stamps the header).
+
+`header Alt-Svc clear` overrides Caddy's auto-advert (verified) and is site-scoped.
+
+### Verify
+
+The runner/prod host shell cannot reach the Docker bridge IPs directly, so probe from a
+container on the relevant network, using `--resolve` to hit the TLS-terminating caddy by
+its bridge IP (this also bypasses the public-IP NAT hairpin):
+
+```sh
+# <edge-ip> = the TLS-terminating caddy's IP on its network (docker inspect ... )
+docker run --rm --network edge curlimages/curl:latest -sS -D - -o /dev/null \
+  --resolve <host>:443:<edge-ip> https://<host>/telegram/ | grep -iE '^HTTP|^alt-svc'
+# expect: HTTP/2 200, and NO `alt-svc: h3=...` (the header is absent or `alt-svc: clear`)
+```
+
+## If it recurs — alternatives to try
+
+So we do not re-derive the diagnosis from scratch:
+
+1. **Re-confirm the advert is actually suppressed** with the verify command above. A
+   redeploy or a Caddy upgrade could regress it, or a client may still hold a cached
+   `h3` entry that has not yet been replaced by a `clear` (it needs one successful h2
+   response to receive the `clear`).
+2. **Option B — serve HTTP/3 for real** instead of suppressing it. Worth it only if we
+   actually want QUIC (the benefit is marginal for a ~1 KB shell plus hash-immutable
+   cached assets, and it adds UDP/QUIC attack surface):
+   - Publish UDP: add `"443:443/udp"` next to the TCP map in
+     `deploy/docker-compose.prod.yml` (and publish udp/443 on the test host caddy too).
+   - Open the firewall: add a `443 proto: udp` rule in
+     `deploy/ansible/roles/main/tasks/main.yml`.
+   - Drop the `header Alt-Svc clear` so Caddy advertises h3 again.
+   - Verify with an h3 client from inside the network:
+     `docker run --rm --network edge ymuski/curl-http3 curl --http3-only ...` should
+     return `http=3 code=200`.
+3. **Look past the edge** if the advert is suppressed and stalls persist. The h2 path is
+   fast server-side, so a remaining stall is most likely the client network / RTT / the
+   provider, not our stack. Re-run the timing loop (below) to confirm the server is
+   still <~10 ms TTFB before chasing the client side.
+
+## How this was diagnosed (method, to repeat)
+
+- The runner/prod host shell cannot reach the Docker bridge subnets, so all probing runs
+  from a throwaway container on the target network (`docker run --network <net>
+  curlimages/curl`), using `--resolve <host>:443:<edge-ip>` to bypass the public-IP NAT
+  hairpin and exercise the real TLS path.
+- Compare a fresh-connection timing loop (worst case, full TLS each time) against a
+  keepalive batch to separate handshake cost from serving cost:
+
+  ```sh
+  docker run --rm --network edge curlimages/curl:latest sh -c '
+    for i in $(seq 1 30); do
+      curl -sS -o /dev/null --resolve <host>:443:<edge-ip> \
+        -w "http=%{http_version} code=%{http_code} tls=%{time_appconnect} ttfb=%{time_starttransfer} total=%{time_total}\n" \
+        https://<host>/telegram/
+    done'
+  ```
+
+- `docker port <caddy>` shows whether `udp/443` is actually published; the response
+  `Alt-Svc` header shows what the edge advertises. The two disagreeing is the bug.

docs/FUNCTIONAL.md

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ costs nothing when the rack has no legal move. The word-check accepts only the
 variant's alphabet, remembers answers within the session and rate-limits repeats.
 A public **landing page** at the site root introduces the game, switches language and
 theme, and links to the matching per-language Telegram channel; the game itself runs at
-`/app/` (web) and `/telegram/` (the Telegram Mini App). The landing's theme is ephemeral
+`/app/` (web), `/telegram/` (the Telegram Mini App) and `/vk/` (the VK Mini App). The landing's theme is ephemeral
 (it follows the system scheme, not the saved preference); its language choice is saved.
 
 ### Identity & sessions
@@ -30,10 +30,15 @@ A player arrives from a platform (Telegram first), via email login, or as an
 ephemeral guest. The gateway validates the credential once and mints a thin
 session token; the backend resolves it to an internal `user_id`. A **Telegram Mini
 App** launch authenticates from the platform's signed `initData`, themes the UI to
-the Telegram colours, and — on first contact — seeds the new account's interface
+the Telegram colours (re-theming live if you switch Telegram's light/dark mode) and fits
+the device safe-area, and — on first contact — seeds the new account's interface
 language from the Telegram client. If a launch cannot reach the backend (for example during a
 deployment), the Mini App retries quietly and then shows a small "couldn't load" screen with a
 **Retry** button, rather than dropping to the web sign-in, which has no place inside Telegram.
+A **VK Mini App** launch works the same way: it authenticates from VK's signed launch parameters
+(verified by the gateway), and on first contact seeds the new account's interface language from
+`vk_language` and its display name from the VK profile (read on the client, since VK does not put
+the name in the signed launch). The same quiet-retry "couldn't load" screen applies inside VK.
 Telegram runs a **single bot**: every player uses
 the same bot, and all of its chat and out-of-app notifications are written in the
 player's own **interface language** (en/ru). A separate optional **promo bot** can run alongside the
@@ -120,7 +125,7 @@ and any incidental perpendicular words are ignored and not scored — while on i
 standard Scrabble. English games are always standard and show no such toggle. In auto-match
 the choice joins the pairing key, so a player only meets opponents who picked the same rule. Friend games (2–4) are
 formed by inviting players from the friend list (an invitation, like a friend code,
-is shareable as a Telegram deep link that opens it directly): the inviter chooses the
+is shareable as a Telegram or VK deep link that opens it directly): the inviter chooses the
 settings and the game starts once every invitee has accepted — any decline cancels it, and an unanswered invitation
 expires after seven days.
 
@@ -213,6 +218,9 @@ block **overrides but does not delete** an existing friendship (so you may block
 they keep seeing you as one); active games are never interrupted — you can finish them, with
 the blocked opponent's chat composer hidden (only the log remains). Blocking from a game card
 mirrors the block in **Settings → Friends**; **unblock** and **unfriend** live there only.
+On Settings → Friends each friend is a one-line row whose right-hand kebab (⋮) slides open
+**block 🚫** and **remove ✖️** icon actions, and each action is gated by a confirmation
+that names the friend (*Block this player?* / *Remove from friends?*).
 Blocking an **auto-match opponent who is secretly a robot** behaves the same in that game
 (struck name, hidden composer) and lists the blocked opponent under the name you saw, but is
 recorded only against that game — the disguise holds, the shared robot is never globally
@@ -241,16 +249,21 @@ also clears the moment its recipient **takes their move**.
 Edit the display name (letters joined by a single space / "." / "_" separator, with an
 optional trailing "." or a trailing run of up to five digits, up to 32 characters and at most
 5 special characters — the "." / "_" punctuation, spaces and digits aside), the timezone
-(chosen as a UTC offset), the
+(chosen as a UTC offset, and pre-filled from your device's detected offset when the account
+is first created — so robot games are timed correctly before you ever open this form), the
 daily away window (on a 10-minute grid, at most 12 hours, wrapping midnight) and the
 block toggles. The profile form is edited inline (no separate edit mode). Linking
 an email or Telegram and merging accounts are covered under "Accounts, linking &
-merge".
+merge". Inside the Telegram Mini App, Telegram's own ⋮ menu also offers a **Settings**
+entry that opens this screen, and your display preferences (theme, board-label style and
+reduce-motion — not the interface language, which follows your account) sync across your
+Telegram devices.
 
 **Preferences (which variants you can be matched into).** A profile setting picks the game
 variants — Erudite, Russian Scrabble and English Scrabble, shown **Erudite-first** — you allow
-yourself to be matched into; a **new account starts with Erudite only**, and you must keep **at
-least one** selected. This list is exactly what **New Game** offers when you start a game
+yourself to be matched into; a **new account starts with Erudite only** — unless it was created
+through the **promo bot's deep link**, which also enables **English Scrabble** — and you must keep
+**at least one** selected. This list is exactly what **New Game** offers when you start a game
 (auto-match, an AI game, or a friend invitation you create) — a variant you have not enabled is
 not offered, and the server refuses it. It does not restrict games you are **invited** to: an
 invited friend may accept an invitation in **any** variant, and you can always open and play
@@ -268,6 +281,15 @@ marked read once the screen shows it and disappears a week later. A badge on the
 unanswered reply. Guests cannot send feedback (the entry is hidden). A player the operator has
 barred from feedback (a role, not a full account block) sees the send control disabled.
 
+### Telegram support chat
+A user can also reach the operators straight from the Telegram bot: anything they send the bot
+other than `/start` — text, a photo, a voice message, a file — is forwarded into the operators'
+private support group, grouped into a per-user thread. The user sees no automatic reply; an
+operator answers from that thread and the bot delivers the answer back as an ordinary bot message,
+so to the user it is a quiet one-to-one conversation. Operators can block a user (the bot then
+silently ignores their messages) or clear a thread's messages. This is independent of the in-app
+Feedback above — it serves people who write to the bot directly rather than through the app.
+
 ### History & statistics
 Finished games are archived in a dictionary-independent form and exportable to
 GCG; the export is offered **only once a game is finished**, and never for an
@@ -346,7 +368,9 @@ over-grant cannot be reversed there.
 The console works a **feedback** queue too (`/_gm/feedback`): the messages players sent, filtered
 **unread / read / archived** with per-user search, each shown with its sender, source, channel
 (with the bot language — en/ru — for a Telegram message), the sender's interface
-language, IP and any attachment. The operator can mark a message read, **reply** to the player (delivered
+language, the **app version** it was sent from, IP, the filed time (in three zones — UTC, the
+browser zone detected at submit, and the sender's saved zone, each shown `N/A` when not known) and
+any attachment. The operator can mark a message read, **reply** to the player (delivered
 in-app), archive it, delete it, or delete every message from that player — and, alongside a delete,
 **bar the player from feedback** (a `feedback_banned` role, distinct from a full account block: it
 stops only feedback submission). Roles are listed and granted/revoked on the user card. Opening a

docs/FUNCTIONAL_ru.md

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ top-1 подсказку, безлимитную проверку слова с
 и ограничивает частоту повторов.
 Публичная **посадочная страница** в корне сайта представляет игру, переключает язык и
 тему и ведёт в соответствующий по-язычный Telegram-канал; сама игра живёт по адресам
-`/app/` (веб) и `/telegram/` (Telegram Mini App). Тема на странице эфемерна (берётся из
+`/app/` (веб), `/telegram/` (Telegram Mini App) и `/vk/` (VK Mini App). Тема на странице эфемерна (берётся из
 системной настройки, а не из сохранённой), выбор языка сохраняется.
 
 ### Личность и сессии
@@ -31,11 +31,17 @@ top-1 подсказку, безлимитную проверку слова с
 эфемерный гость. Gateway один раз валидирует доступ и выдаёт тонкий
 session-токен; backend сопоставляет его с внутренним `user_id`. Запуск **Telegram
 Mini App** авторизует по подписанным `initData` платформы, перекрашивает интерфейс
-в цвета Telegram и — при первом контакте — задаёт язык интерфейса нового аккаунта по
+в цвета Telegram (перекрашиваясь вживую при смене светлой/тёмной темы Telegram) и
+вписывается в безопасные зоны экрана (safe-area), а — при первом контакте — задаёт язык
+интерфейса нового аккаунта по
 языку Telegram-клиента. Если запуск не может достучаться до бэкенда (например, во время
 деплоя), Mini App тихо повторяет попытки, а затем показывает небольшой экран «не удалось
 загрузить» с кнопкой **Повторить**, вместо того чтобы сбрасывать на веб-вход, которому внутри
-Telegram не место. Telegram держит **единого бота**: все игроки пользуются одним
+Telegram не место. Запуск **VK Mini App** работает так же: авторизует по подписанным
+launch-параметрам VK (их проверяет gateway), и при первом контакте задаёт язык интерфейса
+нового аккаунта по `vk_language`, а отображаемое имя — по профилю VK (читается на клиенте,
+так как VK не кладёт имя в подписанный запуск). Тот же экран тихого повтора «не удалось
+загрузить» действует и внутри VK. Telegram держит **единого бота**: все игроки пользуются одним
 и тем же ботом, а весь его чат и внеприложенческие уведомления пишутся на **языке
 интерфейса** самого игрока (en/ru). Рядом с основным может работать отдельный опциональный
 **промо-бот** — его единственная задача отвечать на `/start` коротким сообщением и кнопкой,
@@ -125,7 +131,7 @@ _Вход сейчас только через провайдера, поэто
 показывают. В авто-подборе выбор входит в ключ подбора, поэтому игрок сводится только с теми,
 кто выбрал то же правило. Игры с друзьями (2–4)
 формируются приглашением игроков из списка друзей (приглашение, как и код друга,
-можно отправить deep-link'ом в Telegram, который откроет его сразу): инициатор
+можно отправить deep-link'ом в Telegram или VK, который откроет его сразу): инициатор
 выбирает настройки, и партия стартует, когда приняли все приглашённые — любой отказ отменяет приглашение, а без
 ответа приглашение протухает через семь дней.
 
@@ -218,6 +224,9 @@ _Вход сейчас только через провайдера, поэто
 заблокированного соперника «подвал» чата скрыт (остаётся только лог). Блокировка с карточки в
 партии повторяет блокировку в **Настройках → Друзья**; **разблокировка** и **удаление из друзей**
 есть только там.
+В **Настройках → Друзья** каждый друг — однострочник, чей правый кебаб (⋮) выдвигает
+иконки-действия **заблокировать 🚫** и **удалить ✖️**, и каждое действие подтверждается
+диалогом с именем друга (*Заблокировать?* / *Удалить из друзей?*).
 Блокировка **авто-матч соперника, который втайне робот**, в этой партии ведёт себя так же
 (зачёркнутое имя, скрытый «подвал») и в списке заблокированных показывается под тем именем,
 которое ты видел, но записывается только для этой партии — маскировка сохраняется, общий
@@ -248,15 +257,21 @@ _Вход сейчас только через провайдера, поэто
 Редактирование отображаемого имени (буквы, разделённые одиночным пробелом / «.» /
 «_», с необязательной завершающей «.» или хвостом до пяти цифр, до 32 символов и не
 более 5 спецсимволов — пунктуации «.» / «_», пробелы и цифры не в счёт), таймзоны (выбор смещения от
-UTC), суточного окна отсутствия (away; сетка по 10 минут, не более 12 часов, с
-переходом через полночь) и переключателей блокировок. Форма профиля редактируется
+UTC; при создании аккаунта она подставляется из определённого смещения устройства — чтобы
+игры с роботом таймились правильно ещё до открытия этой формы), суточного окна отсутствия
+(away; сетка по 10 минут, не более 12 часов, с переходом через полночь) и переключателей блокировок. Форма профиля редактируется
 сразу (без отдельного режима редактирования). Привязка email и Telegram, а также
-слияние аккаунтов вынесены в раздел «Аккаунты, привязка и слияние».
+слияние аккаунтов вынесены в раздел «Аккаунты, привязка и слияние». Внутри Telegram
+Mini App пункт **Settings** в системном меню «⋮» Telegram также открывает этот экран, а
+ваши настройки отображения (тема, стиль подписей клеток и reduce-motion — кроме языка
+интерфейса, который следует за аккаунтом) синхронизируются между вашими устройствами в
+Telegram.
 
 **Предпочтения (в какие варианты тебя можно подбирать).** Настройка профиля задаёт варианты
 игры — Эрудит, русский Scrabble и английский Scrabble, показанные **сначала Эрудит**, — в
-которые ты разрешаешь себя подбирать; **новый аккаунт стартует только с Эрудитом**, и нужно
-оставить выбранным **хотя бы один**. Именно этот список предлагает **Новая игра**, когда ты
+которые ты разрешаешь себя подбирать; **новый аккаунт стартует только с Эрудитом** — если только
+он не создан по **диплинку промо-бота**, который дополнительно включает **английский Scrabble**, —
+и нужно оставить выбранным **хотя бы один**. Именно этот список предлагает **Новая игра**, когда ты
 запускаешь партию (авто-подбор, игра с ИИ или приглашение друга, которое ты создаёшь), — не
 включённый вариант не предлагается, и сервер его отклоняет. На партии, в которые тебя
 **приглашают**, это не влияет: приглашённый друг может принять приглашение в **любом** варианте,
@@ -274,6 +289,15 @@ UTC), суточного окна отсутствия (away; сетка по 10
 ответе. Гость отправлять обратную связь не может (пункт скрыт). Игрок, которому оператор запретил
 обратную связь (роль, а не полная блокировка аккаунта), видит кнопку отправки недоступной.
 
+### Чат поддержки в Telegram
+С операторами можно поговорить и прямо из Telegram-бота: всё, что пользователь присылает боту,
+кроме `/start` — текст, фото, голосовое, файл, — пересылается в закрытую группу поддержки операторов
+и собирается в отдельную ветку на пользователя. Пользователь не получает автоответа; оператор
+отвечает из этой ветки, и бот доставляет ответ обратно обычным сообщением — для пользователя это
+тихий диалог один на один. Операторы могут заблокировать пользователя (тогда бот молча игнорирует
+его сообщения) или очистить сообщения ветки. Это независимо от встроенной «Обратной связи» выше —
+канал для тех, кто пишет боту напрямую, а не через приложение.
+
 ### История и статистика
 Завершённые партии архивируются в независимом от словаря виде и экспортируются
 в GCG; экспорт доступен **только после завершения партии** и никогда — для
@@ -356,7 +380,8 @@ high-rate флага. С карточки пользователя операт
 Консоль ведёт и очередь **обратной связи** (`/_gm/feedback`): присланные игроками сообщения с фильтром
 **непрочитанные / прочитанные / архив** и поиском по пользователю, каждое — с отправителем, источником,
 каналом (и языком бота — en/ru — для сообщения из Telegram), языком интерфейса отправителя,
-IP и вложением. Оператор может пометить сообщение прочитанным, **ответить** игроку (доставка
+**версией приложения**, с которой отправлено, IP, временем подачи (в трёх зонах — UTC, зоне браузера
+на момент отправки и сохранённой зоне отправителя, каждая — «N/A», если неизвестна) и вложением. Оператор может пометить сообщение прочитанным, **ответить** игроку (доставка
 в приложение), отправить в архив, удалить или удалить все сообщения этого игрока — и вместе с удалением
 **запретить игроку обратную связь** (роль `feedback_banned`, отличная от полной блокировки аккаунта:
 останавливает только отправку обратной связи). Роли перечислены и выдаются/снимаются на карточке

docs/UI_DESIGN.md

@@ -8,7 +8,13 @@ emoji glyphs. Tokens are CSS custom properties (`ui/src/app.css`), light/dark vi
 `prefers-color-scheme` or an explicit Settings choice, and **Telegram-themed**:
 on a Telegram Mini App launch — the app is served under `/telegram/` and detects the
 launch by `Telegram.WebApp.initData` — the SDK's `themeParams` override the tokens at
-runtime; opened outside Telegram, the `/telegram/` path redirects to the site root.
+runtime; on that path without sign-in data (no `initData` — outside Telegram, or a Mini App
+launch that delivered none, as seen on some Android clients) the app renders a compact,
+shareable launch-diagnostic screen (`screens/TelegramLaunchError.svelte`) rather than
+redirecting to the site root. `telegram-web-app.js` is loaded **dynamically with a timeout**,
+only on a Telegram entry — not a render-blocking `<script>` in the shared `index.html` shell —
+so a network that blocks `telegram.org` cannot hang the page; `/app/` (web) and the native build
+never load it.
 
 ## Layout shell (`components/Screen.svelte`)
 
@@ -91,14 +97,16 @@ dismisses as soon as the lobby is ready. The pure layout and timing live in `lib
   which leaks into the Telegram Desktop webview and otherwise fights it) and the Settings
   theme switcher is hidden; the nav bar takes Telegram's background and `setHeaderColor` /
   `setBackgroundColor` / `setBottomBarColor` paint Telegram's own chrome to match; the
-  native header **BackButton** drives back-navigation (the app's chevron is hidden in
-  Telegram); **HapticFeedback** fires on tile placement / commit / error; on **mobile**
-  clients the app enters **immersive fullscreen** on launch (`requestFullscreen`, Bot API
-  8.0+) like Telegram's own Mini Apps, while desktop keeps the bot's full-size window;
-  **closing confirmation** is enabled while a game is open **on mobile only** (on desktop
-  closing is deliberate and the "changes may not be saved" dialog is just noise — move drafts
-  auto-save); **vertical swipes** (swipe-to-minimise)
-  are disabled so they don't fight tile drag or the board scroll; **external links** (the word-check
+  app's **own back chevron** (Header) drives back-navigation on every platform — the native
+  Telegram BackButton is not used, as it does not render reliably in the windowed Mini App;
+  **HapticFeedback** fires on tile placement / commit / error; the app calls `expand()` for the
+  bot's full-size (max-height) window but **never `requestFullscreen`** — immersive fullscreen hid
+  the native header (and its BackButton) and the Android system swipe-back then minimised the app,
+  so it stays windowed with Telegram's thin native header (close) above the app's own header; move
+  drafts auto-save, so there is **no closing-confirmation guard**; a hidden **debug panel** (ten
+  quick taps on the header title) shows and shares a privacy-safe client diagnostic snapshot for
+  support; **vertical swipes** (swipe-to-minimise) are disabled so they don't fight tile drag or
+  the board scroll; **external links** (the word-check
   dictionary lookup, the rules link, operator-reply links) open through `Telegram.WebApp.openLink`
   so Telegram shows them in its in-app browser instead of the WebView's "open this link?"
   confirmation a plain `target=_blank` triggers; and a live stream dropped
@@ -109,7 +117,10 @@ dismisses as soon as the lobby is ready. The pure layout and timing live in `lib
 ## Tiles & board
 
 - **Tiles**: the letter sits in the **top-left** corner (offset a touch more than the
-  value), the point value bottom-right; blanks show no value.
+  value), the point value bottom-right; blanks show no value. In **Erudit** the blank is the
+  "звёздочка" (star) chip: an unplaced blank shows the star (`✻`, U+273B) centred on the rack
+  tile, and a placed blank carries it in the value corner; the Scrabble variants leave the
+  blank unmarked (`usesStarBlank` in `lib/variants.ts`).
 - **Board zoom** (`Board.svelte`): a two-state zoom (full 15×15 ↔ ~9 cells) by **growing
   the board's width** inside a fixed-size viewport (a real layout change → native scroll
   that works consistently across browsers; no `transform`, which broke scrolling

gateway/README.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ thin opaque session, rate-limits, injects `X-User-ID` when forwarding to the
 backend over REST/JSON, and bridges the backend's gRPC push stream to each
 client's in-app live channel. It **embeds the static UI build** (`go:embed`, baked
 in by the gateway image's node stage) and serves a **landing page** at `/` and the game
-**SPA** at `/app/` (web) and `/telegram/` (the Mini App) — the single-origin model.
+**SPA** at `/app/` (web), `/telegram/` (the Telegram Mini App) and `/vk/` (the VK Mini App) — the single-origin model.
 Hash-named `/assets/*` are served `immutable`; the HTML shells are `no-cache`. It can also serve the
 backend's admin console at `/_gm` behind HTTP Basic-Auth for a local non-caddy run;
 in the deployed contour the front caddy owns `/_gm` (see
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ internal/push/          # live-event fan-out hub (per-user client streams)
 internal/transcode/     # FlatBuffers<->REST bridge + message_type registry
 internal/connectsrv/    # the Connect Gateway service over h2c (+ the in-memory active_users gauge)
 internal/admin/         # Basic-Auth reverse proxy mounting the backend admin console at /_gm (verbatim)
-internal/webui/         # embedded UI build (go:embed dist): landing at /, SPA at /app/ + /telegram/
+internal/webui/         # embedded UI build (go:embed dist): landing at /, SPA at /app/ + /telegram/ + /vk/
 ```
 
 The FlatBuffers payloads and the backend push proto are the shared wire
@@ -54,7 +54,14 @@ them down the same link and awaits the bot's ack (ARCHITECTURE.md §10/§12). Wh
 `GATEWAY_VALIDATOR_ADDR` is unset Telegram auth is disabled; when `GATEWAY_BOTLINK_ADDR`
 is unset the bot channel (out-of-app push + admin relay) is disabled.
 
-The message-type catalog: `auth.telegram`, `auth.guest`,
+`auth.vk` validates a VK Mini App launch **in-process** (`internal/vkauth`): it verifies the
+signed `vk_*` launch parameters against the VK app's protected key (`GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET`) —
+HMAC-SHA256 over the sorted params, base64url — a pure offline check with no side-service or VK API
+round-trip, then forwards the trusted `vk_user_id` (and the client-read display name, which VK omits
+from the signed params) to the backend. When `GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET` is unset VK auth is disabled
+(`auth.vk` is unregistered).
+
+The message-type catalog: `auth.telegram`, `auth.vk`, `auth.guest`,
 `auth.email.request`, `auth.email.login`, `profile.get`, `game.submit_play`,
 `game.state`, `lobby.enqueue`, `lobby.poll`, `chat.post`, `chat.read` and the play-loop ops;
 live events
@@ -81,6 +88,7 @@ validator (`ValidateLoginWidget`) and forward the trusted `external_id`. These
 | `GATEWAY_BACKEND_TIMEOUT` | `5s` | per backend REST call |
 | `GATEWAY_ADMIN_USER` / `GATEWAY_ADMIN_PASSWORD` | unset | enable + guard the admin console at `/_gm` |
 | `GATEWAY_VALIDATOR_ADDR` | unset | Telegram validator gRPC address (enables initData / Login Widget validation) |
+| `GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET` | unset | VK app protected key; enables in-process VK Mini App launch-signature verification (`auth.vk`) |
 | `GATEWAY_BOTLINK_ADDR` | unset | reverse mTLS bot-link listener the remote bot dials (enables out-of-app push + admin relay) |
 | `GATEWAY_BOTLINK_RELAY_ADDR` | unset | plaintext internal listener serving the backend admin `SendToUser`/`SendToGameChannel` relay |
 | `GATEWAY_BOTLINK_TLS_CERT` / `_KEY` / `_CA` | unset | gateway server cert, its key, and the CA that signs accepted bot client certs (required when `GATEWAY_BOTLINK_ADDR` is set) |

gateway/cmd/gateway/main.go

@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, cfg config.Config, logger *zap.Logger) error {
 		logger.Info("admin console disabled (set GATEWAY_ADMIN_USER and GATEWAY_ADMIN_PASSWORD)")
 	}
 
-	registry := transcode.NewRegistry(backend, validator)
+	registry := transcode.NewRegistry(backend, validator, transcode.WithVKAuth(cfg.VKAppSecret))
 	edge := connectsrv.NewServer(connectsrv.Deps{
 		Registry:     registry,
 		Sessions:     sessions,

gateway/internal/backendclient/api.go

@@ -184,8 +184,10 @@ type ChatResp struct {
 }
 
 // TelegramAuth provisions/finds the Telegram account and mints a session, seeding a
-// brand-new account's display name and language from the validated launch fields.
-func (c *Client) TelegramAuth(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, username, firstName string) (SessionResp, error) {
+// brand-new account's display name and language from the validated launch fields, its
+// time zone from browserTz (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset) and, from the
+// validated launch deep-link startParam, its variant preferences (first contact only).
+func (c *Client) TelegramAuth(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, username, firstName, browserTz, startParam string) (SessionResp, error) {
 	var out SessionResp
 	err := c.do(ctx, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/internal/sessions/telegram", "", "",
 		map[string]string{
@@ -193,6 +195,25 @@ func (c *Client) TelegramAuth(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, use
 			"language_code": languageCode,
 			"username":      username,
 			"first_name":    firstName,
+			"browser_tz":    browserTz,
+			"start_param":   startParam,
+		}, &out)
+	return out, err
+}
+
+// VKAuth provisions/finds the VK account and mints a session, seeding a brand-new
+// account's preferred language from languageCode (the vk_language hint), its display
+// name from displayName (read client-side via VKWebAppGetUserInfo, since VK omits the
+// name from the signed launch params) and its time zone from browserTz (the client's
+// detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset). All seeds apply on first contact only.
+func (c *Client) VKAuth(ctx context.Context, externalID, languageCode, displayName, browserTz string) (SessionResp, error) {
+	var out SessionResp
+	err := c.do(ctx, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/internal/sessions/vk", "", "",
+		map[string]string{
+			"external_id":   externalID,
+			"language_code": languageCode,
+			"display_name":  displayName,
+			"browser_tz":    browserTz,
 		}, &out)
 	return out, err
 }
@@ -243,17 +264,21 @@ func (c *Client) ChatAccessByUser(ctx context.Context, userID string) (ChatAcces
 	return out, err
 }
 
-// GuestAuth provisions a guest account and mints a session.
-func (c *Client) GuestAuth(ctx context.Context) (SessionResp, error) {
+// GuestAuth provisions a guest account and mints a session, seeding its time zone
+// from browserTz (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset).
+func (c *Client) GuestAuth(ctx context.Context, browserTz string) (SessionResp, error) {
 	var out SessionResp
-	err := c.do(ctx, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/internal/sessions/guest", "", "", struct{}{}, &out)
+	err := c.do(ctx, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/internal/sessions/guest", "", "",
+		map[string]string{"browser_tz": browserTz}, &out)
 	return out, err
 }
 
-// EmailRequest asks the backend to mail a login code.
-func (c *Client) EmailRequest(ctx context.Context, email string) error {
+// EmailRequest asks the backend to mail a login code, provisioning the account on
+// first contact; browserTz (the client's detected "±HH:MM" UTC offset) seeds the new
+// account's time zone, since the email account is created here, not at login.
+func (c *Client) EmailRequest(ctx context.Context, email, browserTz string) error {
 	return c.do(ctx, http.MethodPost, "/api/v1/internal/sessions/email/request", "", "",
-		map[string]string{"email": email}, nil)
+		map[string]string{"email": email, "browser_tz": browserTz}, nil)
 }
 
 // EmailLogin verifies a login code and mints a session.

gateway/internal/backendclient/api_feedback.go

@@ -27,12 +27,14 @@ type FeedbackUnreadResp struct {
 
 // FeedbackSubmit posts a feedback message. The attachment bytes are base64-encoded
 // into the JSON body for the internal hop; clientIP rides X-Forwarded-For.
-func (c *Client) FeedbackSubmit(ctx context.Context, userID, body string, attachment []byte, attachmentName, channel, clientIP string) error {
+func (c *Client) FeedbackSubmit(ctx context.Context, userID, body string, attachment []byte, attachmentName, channel, version, browserTz, clientIP string) error {
 	payload := map[string]string{
 		"body":            body,
 		"attachment":      "",
 		"attachment_name": attachmentName,
 		"channel":         channel,
+		"version":         version,
+		"browser_tz":      browserTz,
 	}
 	if len(attachment) > 0 {
 		payload["attachment"] = base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(attachment)

gateway/internal/config/config.go

@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ type Config struct {
 	// plaintext, internal). The gateway calls it to validate Mini App initData and
 	// Login Widget data. Empty disables the telegram auth path.
 	ValidatorAddr string
+	// VKAppSecret is the VK Mini App protected ("secure") key. The gateway verifies the
+	// VK launch-parameter signature in-process under it (a pure offline HMAC, no VK API
+	// round-trip). Empty disables the VK auth path (auth.vk is then unregistered).
+	VKAppSecret string
 	// BotLink configures the reverse mTLS channel to the remote Telegram bot. An
 	// empty BotLink.Addr disables the bot channel (out-of-app push and admin relay).
 	BotLink BotLinkConfig
@@ -169,6 +173,7 @@ func Load() (Config, error) {
 		AdminUser:       os.Getenv("GATEWAY_ADMIN_USER"),
 		AdminPassword:   os.Getenv("GATEWAY_ADMIN_PASSWORD"),
 		ValidatorAddr:   os.Getenv("GATEWAY_VALIDATOR_ADDR"),
+		VKAppSecret:     os.Getenv("GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET"),
 		SessionCacheMax: defaultSessionCacheMax,
 		RateLimit:       DefaultRateLimit(),
 		Abuse:           DefaultAbuse(),

gateway/internal/connectsrv/server.go

@@ -183,14 +183,15 @@ func (s *Server) HTTPHandler() http.Handler {
 		// does not serve the app shell at the operator path.
 		mux.Handle("/_gm/", http.NotFoundHandler())
 	}
-	// The embedded UI: the game SPA under /app/ (web) and /telegram/ (the Telegram
-	// Mini App) — the single-origin model (docs/ARCHITECTURE.md §13). Both sit below
-	// the h2c wrap so the Connect edge (a more specific prefix) keeps priority, and
-	// each mount falls back to the app shell (index.html) for the hash router. The
-	// public landing lives in its own static container behind the contour caddy,
-	// so the catch-all redirects a stray root hit to the app shell — which
-	// keeps a local no-caddy run usable.
+	// The embedded UI: the game SPA under /app/ (web), /telegram/ (the Telegram Mini
+	// App) and /vk/ (the VK Mini App) — the single-origin model (docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
+	// §13). All sit below the h2c wrap so the Connect edge (a more specific prefix) keeps
+	// priority, and each mount falls back to the app shell (index.html) for the hash
+	// router. The public landing lives in its own static container behind the contour
+	// caddy, so the catch-all redirects a stray root hit to the app shell — which keeps a
+	// local no-caddy run usable.
 	mux.Handle("/telegram/", webui.Handler("/telegram/", "index.html"))
+	mux.Handle("/vk/", webui.Handler("/vk/", "index.html"))
 	mux.Handle("/app/", webui.Handler("/app/", "index.html"))
 	mux.Handle("/", http.RedirectHandler("/app/", http.StatusPermanentRedirect))
 	// abuseGuard is the outermost wrap (right under h2c) so a banned IP or a

gateway/internal/transcode/transcode.go

@@ -9,15 +9,18 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
+	"net/url"
 
 	"scrabble/gateway/internal/backendclient"
 	"scrabble/gateway/internal/connector"
+	"scrabble/gateway/internal/vkauth"
 	fb "scrabble/pkg/fbs/scrabblefb"
 )
 
 // Message types in the vertical slice.
 const (
 	MsgAuthTelegram   = "auth.telegram"
+	MsgAuthVK         = "auth.vk"
 	MsgAuthGuest      = "auth.guest"
 	MsgAuthEmailReq   = "auth.email.request"
 	MsgAuthEmailLogin = "auth.email.login"
@@ -88,8 +91,9 @@ type TelegramValidator interface {
 
 // NewRegistry builds the slice's message-type catalog over the backend client.
 // The Telegram auth op is registered only when a validator is supplied (the
-// connector is configured); otherwise auth.telegram is simply unknown.
-func NewRegistry(backend *backendclient.Client, tg TelegramValidator) *Registry {
+// connector is configured); otherwise auth.telegram is simply unknown. Optional ops
+// (e.g. WithVKAuth) are applied last from opts.
+func NewRegistry(backend *backendclient.Client, tg TelegramValidator, opts ...Option) *Registry {
 	r := &Registry{ops: make(map[string]Op)}
 	if tg != nil {
 		r.ops[MsgAuthTelegram] = Op{Handler: authTelegramHandler(backend, tg)}
@@ -125,9 +129,27 @@ func NewRegistry(backend *backendclient.Client, tg TelegramValidator) *Registry
 	r.ops[MsgFeedbackUnread] = Op{Handler: feedbackUnreadHandler(backend), Auth: true}
 	registerSocialOps(r, backend)
 	registerLinkOps(r, backend, tg)
+	for _, opt := range opts {
+		opt(r, backend)
+	}
 	return r
 }
 
+// Option configures an optional registry operation at construction. It is kept out of
+// NewRegistry's positional signature so existing call sites stay unaffected.
+type Option func(r *Registry, backend *backendclient.Client)
+
+// WithVKAuth registers the VK Mini App auth op (auth.vk), which verifies launch params
+// in-process under the VK app secret. A blank secret leaves auth.vk unregistered, so
+// the op is simply unknown wherever VK is not configured.
+func WithVKAuth(secret string) Option {
+	return func(r *Registry, backend *backendclient.Client) {
+		if secret != "" {
+			r.ops[MsgAuthVK] = Op{Handler: authVKHandler(backend, secret)}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // Lookup returns the operation for messageType, and whether it is registered.
 func (r *Registry) Lookup(messageType string) (Op, bool) {
 	op, ok := r.ops[messageType]
@@ -145,6 +167,9 @@ func DomainCode(err error) (string, bool) {
 	if errors.Is(err, connector.ErrInvalidInitData) {
 		return "invalid_init_data", true
 	}
+	if errors.Is(err, vkauth.ErrInvalid) {
+		return "invalid_vk_params", true
+	}
 	if errors.Is(err, connector.ErrInvalidLoginWidget) {
 		return "invalid_login_widget", true
 	}
@@ -154,11 +179,38 @@ func DomainCode(err error) (string, bool) {
 func authTelegramHandler(backend *backendclient.Client, tg TelegramValidator) Handler {
 	return func(ctx context.Context, req Request) ([]byte, error) {
 		in := fb.GetRootAsTelegramLoginRequest(req.Payload, 0)
-		user, err := tg.ValidateInitData(ctx, string(in.InitData()))
+		initData := string(in.InitData())
+		user, err := tg.ValidateInitData(ctx, initData)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		sess, err := backend.TelegramAuth(ctx, user.ExternalID, user.LanguageCode, user.Username, user.FirstName)
+		// start_param rides inside the signed initData validated just above, so the launch
+		// deep-link payload can be trusted here without a separate wire field; the backend
+		// uses it to seed a brand-new account's variant preferences.
+		startParam := ""
+		if q, perr := url.ParseQuery(initData); perr == nil {
+			startParam = q.Get("start_param")
+		}
+		sess, err := backend.TelegramAuth(ctx, user.ExternalID, user.LanguageCode, user.Username, user.FirstName, string(in.BrowserTz()), startParam)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return encodeSession(sess), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// authVKHandler verifies a VK Mini App launch in-process (HMAC over the signed vk_*
+// params under the app secret) and provisions/finds the bound account. Unlike Telegram,
+// VK omits the user's name from the signed params, so the client-supplied display_name
+// rides the wire as a cosmetic seed for a brand-new account.
+func authVKHandler(backend *backendclient.Client, secret string) Handler {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, req Request) ([]byte, error) {
+		in := fb.GetRootAsVKLoginRequest(req.Payload, 0)
+		user, err := vkauth.Verify(string(in.Params()), secret)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		sess, err := backend.VKAuth(ctx, user.ExternalID, user.Language, string(in.DisplayName()), string(in.BrowserTz()))
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -167,8 +219,15 @@ func authTelegramHandler(backend *backendclient.Client, tg TelegramValidator) Ha
 }
 
 func authGuestHandler(backend *backendclient.Client) Handler {
-	return func(ctx context.Context, _ Request) ([]byte, error) {
-		sess, err := backend.GuestAuth(ctx)
+	return func(ctx context.Context, req Request) ([]byte, error) {
+		// The guest bootstrap historically carried no payload; the detected zone is
+		// optional, so an absent or empty one simply yields no time-zone seed (rather
+		// than panicking in GetRootAs* on a zero-length buffer).
+		var browserTz string
+		if len(req.Payload) > 0 {
+			browserTz = string(fb.GetRootAsGuestLoginRequest(req.Payload, 0).BrowserTz())
+		}
+		sess, err := backend.GuestAuth(ctx, browserTz)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -179,7 +238,7 @@ func authGuestHandler(backend *backendclient.Client) Handler {
 func authEmailRequestHandler(backend *backendclient.Client) Handler {
 	return func(ctx context.Context, req Request) ([]byte, error) {
 		in := fb.GetRootAsEmailRequestRequest(req.Payload, 0)
-		if err := backend.EmailRequest(ctx, string(in.Email())); err != nil {
+		if err := backend.EmailRequest(ctx, string(in.Email()), string(in.BrowserTz())); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		return encodeAck(true), nil
@@ -499,7 +558,7 @@ func hideGameHandler(backend *backendclient.Client) Handler {
 func feedbackSubmitHandler(backend *backendclient.Client) Handler {
 	return func(ctx context.Context, req Request) ([]byte, error) {
 		in := fb.GetRootAsFeedbackSubmitRequest(req.Payload, 0)
-		if err := backend.FeedbackSubmit(ctx, req.UserID, string(in.Body()), in.AttachmentBytes(), string(in.AttachmentName()), string(in.Channel()), req.ClientIP); err != nil {
+		if err := backend.FeedbackSubmit(ctx, req.UserID, string(in.Body()), in.AttachmentBytes(), string(in.AttachmentName()), string(in.Channel()), string(in.Version()), string(in.BrowserTz()), req.ClientIP); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		return encodeAck(true), nil

gateway/internal/transcode/transcode_telegram_test.go

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestTelegramAuthForwardsSeedFields(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("auth.telegram not registered")
 	}
 
-	payload, err := op.Handler(context.Background(), transcode.Request{Payload: telegramLoginPayload("init")})
+	payload, err := op.Handler(context.Background(), transcode.Request{Payload: telegramLoginPayload("start_param=verudit_ru-scrabble_en&query_id=abc")})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("handler: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -66,6 +66,11 @@ func TestTelegramAuthForwardsSeedFields(t *testing.T) {
 	if gotBody["external_id"] != "42" || gotBody["language_code"] != "ru" || gotBody["first_name"] != "Иван" {
 		t.Errorf("forwarded body = %+v, want external_id=42 language_code=ru first_name=Иван", gotBody)
 	}
+	// start_param is parsed out of the validated initData and forwarded so the backend can
+	// seed the new account's variant preferences from a promo deep link.
+	if gotBody["start_param"] != "verudit_ru-scrabble_en" {
+		t.Errorf("forwarded start_param = %q, want verudit_ru-scrabble_en", gotBody["start_param"])
+	}
 }
 
 func TestTelegramAuthInvalidInitData(t *testing.T) {

gateway/internal/transcode/transcode_vk_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+package transcode_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/url"
+	"testing"
+
+	flatbuffers "github.com/google/flatbuffers/go"
+
+	"scrabble/gateway/internal/transcode"
+	fb "scrabble/pkg/fbs/scrabblefb"
+)
+
+const (
+	vkTestSecret = "wv527nm6mvf3rgomfhd6"
+	// vkGoldenSign is the base64url HMAC-SHA256 of the unsigned params below under
+	// vkTestSecret, computed independently (a Python reference) — so a green test
+	// exercises VK's real algorithm end to end, not a self-consistent fake.
+	vkGoldenSign = "x7RUe9sKN05Bigm-pBIl8gLmfMwZCloPrwZaZEQAdOA"
+)
+
+// vkParams is the canonical VK launch-parameter set (without the sign) that
+// vkGoldenSign covers.
+func vkParams() url.Values {
+	return url.Values{
+		"vk_access_token_settings":     {""},
+		"vk_app_id":                    {"6736218"},
+		"vk_are_notifications_enabled": {"0"},
+		"vk_is_app_user":               {"1"},
+		"vk_is_favorite":               {"0"},
+		"vk_language":                  {"ru"},
+		"vk_platform":                  {"android"},
+		"vk_ref":                       {"other"},
+		"vk_ts":                        {"1546961916"},
+		"vk_user_id":                   {"494075"},
+	}
+}
+
+func vkLoginPayload(params, browserTz, displayName string) []byte {
+	b := flatbuffers.NewBuilder(0)
+	p := b.CreateString(params)
+	tz := b.CreateString(browserTz)
+	dn := b.CreateString(displayName)
+	fb.VKLoginRequestStart(b)
+	fb.VKLoginRequestAddParams(b, p)
+	fb.VKLoginRequestAddBrowserTz(b, tz)
+	fb.VKLoginRequestAddDisplayName(b, dn)
+	b.Finish(fb.VKLoginRequestEnd(b))
+	return b.FinishedBytes()
+}
+
+func TestVKAuthForwardsSeedFields(t *testing.T) {
+	var gotBody map[string]string
+	backend, cleanup := fakeBackend(t, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		if r.URL.Path != "/api/v1/internal/sessions/vk" {
+			t.Errorf("unexpected path %q", r.URL.Path)
+		}
+		_ = json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotBody)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(`{"token":"tok-vk","user_id":"u-vk","is_guest":false,"display_name":"Иван"}`))
+	})
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	reg := transcode.NewRegistry(backend, nil, transcode.WithVKAuth(vkTestSecret))
+	op, ok := reg.Lookup(transcode.MsgAuthVK)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("auth.vk not registered")
+	}
+
+	signed := vkParams()
+	signed.Set("sign", vkGoldenSign)
+	payload, err := op.Handler(context.Background(), transcode.Request{Payload: vkLoginPayload(signed.Encode(), "+03:00", "Иван Петров")})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("handler: %v", err)
+	}
+	sess := fb.GetRootAsSession(payload, 0)
+	if string(sess.Token()) != "tok-vk" || string(sess.UserId()) != "u-vk" {
+		t.Fatalf("session decoded wrong: token=%q user=%q", sess.Token(), sess.UserId())
+	}
+	// The verified vk_user_id and vk_language plus the client-supplied display name are
+	// forwarded so the backend can seed a brand-new account.
+	if gotBody["external_id"] != "494075" || gotBody["language_code"] != "ru" || gotBody["display_name"] != "Иван Петров" {
+		t.Errorf("forwarded body = %+v, want external_id=494075 language_code=ru display_name=Иван Петров", gotBody)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestVKAuthInvalidSign confirms a bad signature is a domain failure (invalid_vk_params)
+// and the backend is never called.
+func TestVKAuthInvalidSign(t *testing.T) {
+	backend, cleanup := fakeBackend(t, func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
+		t.Error("backend must not be called when the sign is invalid")
+	})
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	reg := transcode.NewRegistry(backend, nil, transcode.WithVKAuth(vkTestSecret))
+	op, _ := reg.Lookup(transcode.MsgAuthVK)
+
+	tampered := vkParams()
+	tampered.Set("sign", "deadbeef")
+	_, err := op.Handler(context.Background(), transcode.Request{Payload: vkLoginPayload(tampered.Encode(), "", "")})
+	if code, ok := transcode.DomainCode(err); !ok || code != "invalid_vk_params" {
+		t.Errorf("DomainCode = (%q, %v), want (invalid_vk_params, true)", code, ok)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestVKAuthDisabledWithoutSecret confirms a blank VK app secret leaves auth.vk
+// unregistered.
+func TestVKAuthDisabledWithoutSecret(t *testing.T) {
+	backend, cleanup := fakeBackend(t, func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {})
+	defer cleanup()
+	reg := transcode.NewRegistry(backend, nil)
+	if _, ok := reg.Lookup(transcode.MsgAuthVK); ok {
+		t.Error("auth.vk should be unregistered without a VK app secret")
+	}
+}

gateway/internal/vkauth/vkauth.go

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+// Package vkauth verifies VK Mini App launch parameters in-process. VK signs the
+// launch query string with the app's protected ("secure") key; the gateway holds that
+// secret (GATEWAY_VK_APP_SECRET) and validates the `sign` itself rather than calling a
+// side-service, because the check is a pure offline HMAC with no VK API round-trip
+// (unlike the Telegram validator, which lives in a separate process to isolate the bot
+// token). See docs/ARCHITECTURE.md §12.
+package vkauth
+
+import (
+	"crypto/hmac"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"crypto/subtle"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"errors"
+	"net/url"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// ErrInvalid is returned when launch params fail signature verification, are
+// malformed, carry no signed vk_* parameters, or lack the vk_user_id.
+var ErrInvalid = errors.New("vkauth: invalid vk launch params")
+
+// Identity is the user extracted from verified VK launch params. ExternalID is the
+// vk_user_id used as the identities external_id; Language is the vk_language hint that
+// seeds a brand-new account's preferred language.
+type Identity struct {
+	ExternalID string
+	Language   string
+}
+
+// Verify checks the `sign` of a VK Mini App launch query string against secret and
+// returns the launching user's identity. Per VK's documented algorithm the signature
+// is HMAC-SHA256 over the vk_*-prefixed parameters — sorted by key and serialized as a
+// URL-encoded query string (url.Values.Encode mirrors VK's reference serialization for
+// the constrained launch-parameter charset) — under the app secret, then base64url
+// without padding; the comparison is constant-time.
+//
+// VK launch params carry no built-in expiry (unlike Telegram's auth_date), so freshness
+// is deliberately not enforced here: the gateway mints its own short-lived session, and
+// a replay only re-authenticates the same vk_user_id.
+func Verify(params, secret string) (Identity, error) {
+	values, err := url.ParseQuery(params)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Identity{}, ErrInvalid
+	}
+	sign := values.Get("sign")
+	if sign == "" {
+		return Identity{}, ErrInvalid
+	}
+	// Only vk_*-prefixed parameters are signed; any other query parameter the client
+	// appended is outside the signature and must be excluded from the check.
+	signed := url.Values{}
+	for k, v := range values {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(k, "vk_") {
+			signed[k] = v
+		}
+	}
+	if len(signed) == 0 {
+		return Identity{}, ErrInvalid
+	}
+	mac := hmac.New(sha256.New, []byte(secret))
+	mac.Write([]byte(signed.Encode()))
+	want := base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(mac.Sum(nil))
+	if subtle.ConstantTimeCompare([]byte(want), []byte(sign)) != 1 {
+		return Identity{}, ErrInvalid
+	}
+	externalID := values.Get("vk_user_id")
+	if externalID == "" {
+		return Identity{}, ErrInvalid
+	}
+	return Identity{ExternalID: externalID, Language: values.Get("vk_language")}, nil
+}

gateway/internal/vkauth/vkauth_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+package vkauth_test
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"net/url"
+	"testing"
+
+	"scrabble/gateway/internal/vkauth"
+)
+
+const (
+	testSecret = "wv527nm6mvf3rgomfhd6"
+	// goldenSign is HMAC-SHA256(sorted vk_* query, testSecret) base64url without
+	// padding, computed independently from a Python reference over goldenParams — so a
+	// green test proves Verify matches VK's documented algorithm, not merely itself.
+	goldenSign = "x7RUe9sKN05Bigm-pBIl8gLmfMwZCloPrwZaZEQAdOA"
+)
+
+// goldenParams is the canonical VK launch-parameter set the golden signature covers
+// (a representative real launch, including the empty vk_access_token_settings).
+func goldenParams() url.Values {
+	return url.Values{
+		"vk_access_token_settings":     {""},
+		"vk_app_id":                    {"6736218"},
+		"vk_are_notifications_enabled": {"0"},
+		"vk_is_app_user":               {"1"},
+		"vk_is_favorite":               {"0"},
+		"vk_language":                  {"ru"},
+		"vk_platform":                  {"android"},
+		"vk_ref":                       {"other"},
+		"vk_ts":                        {"1546961916"},
+		"vk_user_id":                   {"494075"},
+	}
+}
+
+func signedParams() url.Values {
+	p := goldenParams()
+	p.Set("sign", goldenSign)
+	return p
+}
+
+func TestVerifyValid(t *testing.T) {
+	id, err := vkauth.Verify(signedParams().Encode(), testSecret)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Verify: unexpected error %v", err)
+	}
+	if id.ExternalID != "494075" || id.Language != "ru" {
+		t.Fatalf("identity = %+v, want ExternalID=494075 Language=ru", id)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestVerifyCommaValue locks the URL-encoding of the one realistic special-char VK
+// value: vk_access_token_settings can carry a comma (e.g. "email,phone"), which VK's
+// signer and our url.Values.Encode both escape to %2C. The golden sign was computed
+// independently (Node crypto) over these params under testSecret — so a green test
+// proves Go's encoding matches VK's for that character.
+func TestVerifyCommaValue(t *testing.T) {
+	p := url.Values{
+		"vk_access_token_settings": {"email,phone"},
+		"vk_app_id":                {"6736218"},
+		"vk_language":              {"ru"},
+		"vk_platform":              {"mobile_web"},
+		"vk_ts":                    {"1546961916"},
+		"vk_user_id":               {"494075"},
+		"sign":                     {"6g9FKCAfHfT-fBUdBAcJ5QK1xUm-vKMvGZrQ63aPgnQ"},
+	}
+	id, err := vkauth.Verify(p.Encode(), testSecret)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Verify: unexpected error %v", err)
+	}
+	if id.ExternalID != "494075" {
+		t.Fatalf("ExternalID = %q, want 494075", id.ExternalID)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestVerifyIgnoresForeignParams asserts a non-vk_ query parameter the client may
+// append (e.g. a tracking tag) is outside the signed set and does not break the check.
+func TestVerifyIgnoresForeignParams(t *testing.T) {
+	id, err := vkauth.Verify(signedParams().Encode()+"&utm_source=catalog", testSecret)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Verify: unexpected error %v", err)
+	}
+	if id.ExternalID != "494075" {
+		t.Fatalf("ExternalID = %q, want 494075", id.ExternalID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestVerifyRejects(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		raw    string
+		secret string
+	}{
+		{name: "tampered param", secret: testSecret, raw: func() string {
+			p := signedParams()
+			p.Set("vk_user_id", "1") // user id changed; the golden sign no longer matches
+			return p.Encode()
+		}()},
+		{name: "wrong secret", secret: "not-the-secret", raw: signedParams().Encode()},
+		{name: "missing sign", secret: testSecret, raw: goldenParams().Encode()},
+		{name: "no vk params", secret: testSecret, raw: url.Values{"sign": {goldenSign}, "foo": {"bar"}}.Encode()},
+		{name: "malformed query", secret: testSecret, raw: "%zz=bad"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if _, err := vkauth.Verify(tt.raw, tt.secret); !errors.Is(err, vkauth.ErrInvalid) {
+				t.Fatalf("Verify error = %v, want ErrInvalid", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

loadtest/Dockerfile

@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@
 
 # --- dictionary artifact -----------------------------------------------------
 FROM alpine:3.20 AS dawg
-ARG DICT_VERSION=v1.2.1
+# Required, no default: the build caller supplies the scrabble-dictionary release tag.
+ARG DICT_VERSION
 RUN apk add --no-cache curl tar
 RUN mkdir -p /dawg \
  && curl -fsSL -o /tmp/dawg.tar.gz \

loadtest/README.md

@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ The harness reaches Postgres and the gateway directly, so run it as a one-shot
 container on the contour's docker network (this bypasses the host→gateway hairpin):
 
 ```sh
-# from the repo root
-docker build -f loadtest/Dockerfile -t scrabble-loadtest .
+# from the repo root (DICT_VERSION has no default — pass the scrabble-dictionary release tag)
+docker build --build-arg DICT_VERSION=v1.3.0 -f loadtest/Dockerfile -t scrabble-loadtest .
 
 docker run --rm --cpus=3 --name scrabble-loadtest --network scrabble-internal \
   -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD="$TEST_POSTGRES_PASSWORD" \

pkg/fbs/scrabble.fbs

@@ -99,24 +99,47 @@ table MoveRecord {
 // --- auth (unauthenticated) ---
 
 // TelegramLoginRequest carries the platform launch data; the gateway validates
-// its HMAC before forwarding the extracted identity to the backend.
+// its HMAC before forwarding the extracted identity to the backend. browser_tz is
+// the client's detected UTC offset ("±HH:MM"), seeded into a brand-new account's
+// time zone so the robot's sleep window and the turn-timeout away window are
+// anchored to the player's real zone from first contact (first contact only).
 table TelegramLoginRequest {
   init_data:string;
+  browser_tz:string;
+}
+
+// VKLoginRequest carries a VK Mini App launch. params is the raw query string of the
+// signed vk_* launch parameters plus the sign, which the gateway verifies in-process
+// (HMAC-SHA256 over the sorted vk_* params under the app secret, base64url) before
+// forwarding the extracted vk_user_id to the backend. display_name is the player's
+// name read client-side via VKWebAppGetUserInfo — VK omits it from the signed params,
+// so it is an untrusted, cosmetic seed for a brand-new account's display name.
+// browser_tz is the client's detected UTC offset ("±HH:MM"), seeded into a brand-new
+// account's time zone (see TelegramLoginRequest.browser_tz; first contact only).
+table VKLoginRequest {
+  params:string;
+  browser_tz:string;
+  display_name:string;
 }
 
 // GuestLoginRequest bootstraps an ephemeral guest session. locale is an optional
-// preferred-language hint.
+// preferred-language hint; browser_tz is the detected UTC offset seeded into the
+// guest account's time zone (see TelegramLoginRequest.browser_tz).
 table GuestLoginRequest {
   locale:string;
+  browser_tz:string;
 }
 
-// EmailRequestRequest asks the backend to send a login confirm-code to email.
+// EmailRequestRequest asks the backend to send a login confirm-code to email. It
+// also provisions the account on first contact, so browser_tz (the detected UTC
+// offset) is seeded into its time zone here, not at the later login step.
 table EmailRequestRequest {
   email:string;
+  browser_tz:string;
 }
 
-// EmailLoginRequest logs in (or provisions) the account owning email, verifying
-// the confirm-code.
+// EmailLoginRequest logs in to the account owning email (provisioned at the
+// request step), verifying the confirm-code.
 table EmailLoginRequest {
   email:string;
   code:string;
@@ -383,6 +406,8 @@ table FeedbackSubmitRequest {
   attachment:[ubyte];
   attachment_name:string;
   channel:string;
+  version:string;
+  browser_tz:string;
 }
 
 // FeedbackReply is the operator's answer shown back to the player.

pkg/fbs/scrabblefb/EmailRequestRequest.go

@@ -49,12 +49,23 @@ func (rcv *EmailRequestRequest) Email() []byte {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (rcv *EmailRequestRequest) BrowserTz() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(6))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func EmailRequestRequestStart(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) {
-	builder.StartObject(1)
+	builder.StartObject(2)
 }
 func EmailRequestRequestAddEmail(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, email flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
 	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(0, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(email), 0)
 }
+func EmailRequestRequestAddBrowserTz(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, browserTz flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(1, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(browserTz), 0)
+}
 func EmailRequestRequestEnd(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) flatbuffers.UOffsetT {
 	return builder.EndObject()
 }

pkg/fbs/scrabblefb/FeedbackSubmitRequest.go

@@ -99,8 +99,24 @@ func (rcv *FeedbackSubmitRequest) Channel() []byte {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (rcv *FeedbackSubmitRequest) Version() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(12))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (rcv *FeedbackSubmitRequest) BrowserTz() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(14))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func FeedbackSubmitRequestStart(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) {
-	builder.StartObject(4)
+	builder.StartObject(6)
 }
 func FeedbackSubmitRequestAddBody(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, body flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
 	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(0, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(body), 0)
@@ -117,6 +133,12 @@ func FeedbackSubmitRequestAddAttachmentName(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, attach
 func FeedbackSubmitRequestAddChannel(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, channel flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
 	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(3, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(channel), 0)
 }
+func FeedbackSubmitRequestAddVersion(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, version flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(4, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(version), 0)
+}
+func FeedbackSubmitRequestAddBrowserTz(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, browserTz flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(5, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(browserTz), 0)
+}
 func FeedbackSubmitRequestEnd(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) flatbuffers.UOffsetT {
 	return builder.EndObject()
 }

pkg/fbs/scrabblefb/GuestLoginRequest.go

@@ -49,12 +49,23 @@ func (rcv *GuestLoginRequest) Locale() []byte {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (rcv *GuestLoginRequest) BrowserTz() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(6))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func GuestLoginRequestStart(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) {
-	builder.StartObject(1)
+	builder.StartObject(2)
 }
 func GuestLoginRequestAddLocale(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, locale flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
 	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(0, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(locale), 0)
 }
+func GuestLoginRequestAddBrowserTz(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, browserTz flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(1, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(browserTz), 0)
+}
 func GuestLoginRequestEnd(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) flatbuffers.UOffsetT {
 	return builder.EndObject()
 }

pkg/fbs/scrabblefb/TelegramLoginRequest.go

@@ -49,12 +49,23 @@ func (rcv *TelegramLoginRequest) InitData() []byte {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (rcv *TelegramLoginRequest) BrowserTz() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(6))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func TelegramLoginRequestStart(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) {
-	builder.StartObject(1)
+	builder.StartObject(2)
 }
 func TelegramLoginRequestAddInitData(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, initData flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
 	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(0, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(initData), 0)
 }
+func TelegramLoginRequestAddBrowserTz(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, browserTz flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(1, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(browserTz), 0)
+}
 func TelegramLoginRequestEnd(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) flatbuffers.UOffsetT {
 	return builder.EndObject()
 }

pkg/fbs/scrabblefb/VKLoginRequest.go

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+// Code generated by the FlatBuffers compiler. DO NOT EDIT.
+
+package scrabblefb
+
+import (
+	flatbuffers "github.com/google/flatbuffers/go"
+)
+
+type VKLoginRequest struct {
+	_tab flatbuffers.Table
+}
+
+func GetRootAsVKLoginRequest(buf []byte, offset flatbuffers.UOffsetT) *VKLoginRequest {
+	n := flatbuffers.GetUOffsetT(buf[offset:])
+	x := &VKLoginRequest{}
+	x.Init(buf, n+offset)
+	return x
+}
+
+func FinishVKLoginRequestBuffer(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, offset flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.Finish(offset)
+}
+
+func GetSizePrefixedRootAsVKLoginRequest(buf []byte, offset flatbuffers.UOffsetT) *VKLoginRequest {
+	n := flatbuffers.GetUOffsetT(buf[offset+flatbuffers.SizeUint32:])
+	x := &VKLoginRequest{}
+	x.Init(buf, n+offset+flatbuffers.SizeUint32)
+	return x
+}
+
+func FinishSizePrefixedVKLoginRequestBuffer(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, offset flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.FinishSizePrefixed(offset)
+}
+
+func (rcv *VKLoginRequest) Init(buf []byte, i flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	rcv._tab.Bytes = buf
+	rcv._tab.Pos = i
+}
+
+func (rcv *VKLoginRequest) Table() flatbuffers.Table {
+	return rcv._tab
+}
+
+func (rcv *VKLoginRequest) Params() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(4))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (rcv *VKLoginRequest) BrowserTz() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(6))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (rcv *VKLoginRequest) DisplayName() []byte {
+	o := flatbuffers.UOffsetT(rcv._tab.Offset(8))
+	if o != 0 {
+		return rcv._tab.ByteVector(o + rcv._tab.Pos)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func VKLoginRequestStart(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) {
+	builder.StartObject(3)
+}
+func VKLoginRequestAddParams(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, params flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(0, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(params), 0)
+}
+func VKLoginRequestAddBrowserTz(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, browserTz flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(1, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(browserTz), 0)
+}
+func VKLoginRequestAddDisplayName(builder *flatbuffers.Builder, displayName flatbuffers.UOffsetT) {
+	builder.PrependUOffsetTSlot(2, flatbuffers.UOffsetT(displayName), 0)
+}
+func VKLoginRequestEnd(builder *flatbuffers.Builder) flatbuffers.UOffsetT {
+	return builder.EndObject()
+}

platform/telegram/Dockerfile

@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ ARG VERSION=dev
 RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux go build -trimpath -ldflags "-X scrabble/pkg/version.Version=${VERSION}" -o /out/validator ./platform/telegram/cmd/validator
 RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux go build -trimpath -ldflags "-X scrabble/pkg/version.Version=${VERSION}" -o /out/bot ./platform/telegram/cmd/bot
 
+# The bot's support relay writes its JSON state under /data. Stage an empty directory
+# owned by the distroless nonroot UID so a fresh named volume mounted there inherits
+# writable ownership (Docker copies the image dir's mode/owner into an empty volume).
+RUN mkdir -p /out/data
+
 # --- validator (home) --------------------------------------------------------
 FROM gcr.io/distroless/static-debian12:nonroot AS validator
 COPY --from=build /out/validator /usr/local/bin/validator
@@ -32,4 +37,5 @@ ENTRYPOINT ["/usr/local/bin/validator"]
 # --- bot (remote) ------------------------------------------------------------
 FROM gcr.io/distroless/static-debian12:nonroot AS bot
 COPY --from=build /out/bot /usr/local/bin/bot
+COPY --from=build --chown=65532:65532 /out/data /data
 ENTRYPOINT ["/usr/local/bin/bot"]

platform/telegram/README.md

@@ -38,10 +38,17 @@ Telegram identity to an account from a browser. Both map a rejection to gRPC
   operator-chosen for broadcasts) with a Mini App launch button and sends it. It replies
   with an `Ack` per command (`delivered` mirrors the former connector semantics —
   false when the kind is not rendered out-of-app or the user never started the bot).
-- **Bot chat.** `/start <payload>` (and the chat menu button) reply with a Mini App
-  launch button; a deep-link payload routes the launch to a game / invitation / friend
-  code. This is **self-contained** — the bot never calls back into the game, so `/start`
-  onboarding works even when the game is down.
+- **Bot chat.** `/start <payload>` (and the chat menu button) reply with a localized
+  welcome and a Mini App launch button; a deep-link payload routes the launch to a game /
+  invitation / friend code. The welcome is **Russian or English** by the sender's reported
+  Telegram language (`Message.from.language_code`, which the Bot API carries on the message
+  itself — no separate user-update event — English fallback) and links the game channel and
+  discussion chat by their public `@username`, **resolved once at startup** from
+  `TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID` / `TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID` via `getChat` (a chat that is unset,
+  private, or unreadable degrades that link to a generic noun — "the channel" / "our
+  chat" — rather than a dangling "@"). This is otherwise **self-contained**
+  — the bot never calls back into the game, so `/start` onboarding works even when the game
+  is down.
 - **Moderated-chat gating.** When `TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID` names a channel's linked discussion
   group, the bot gates who may write there. The group **allows sending by default** (a
   human setting) and the bot only **restricts** — Telegram intersects the chat default with
@@ -56,13 +63,32 @@ Telegram identity to an account from a browser. Both map a rejection to gRPC
   `getChatMember`, since bots cannot list members). The bot must be an **administrator** there
   with the **"Ban users"** right (the Bot API `can_restrict_members`), and it subscribes to
   `chat_member` updates, which Telegram delivers only to a chat admin.
+- **Support relay (optional).** When `TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID` names a private **forum
+  supergroup**, the bot runs a direct support channel for users who message it. A user's first
+  non-`/start` message opens a dedicated **forum topic** whose first message is an info card (the
+  name is a tappable profile mention via a `text_mention` entity — which also stops a name starting
+  with `/` from rendering as a command — plus @username, language, premium, id) with a **Block/Unblock** toggle
+  and a **Clear** button; each message is then copied into that topic (`copyMessage`, so any content
+  — text, media, voice, files — carries over). Any **administrator** of the support chat who writes
+  in a user's topic has it copied back to that user; the bot's own posts and non-admins are ignored
+  (the loop guard). **Block** drops a user's incoming messages (the topic stays); **Clear** deletes
+  the relayed messages, keeping the info card; a topic the operators delete is reopened on the next
+  message. State (user→topic map, block list, relayed ids) is a JSON file under
+  `TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR` on a persistent volume — the bot host has no database. The bot must
+  be an **administrator** in the group with the **manage-topics** and **delete-messages** rights.
+  The relay is bot-local (no backend, no bot-link) and the user gets no automatic reply.
 - **Promo bot (optional).** When `TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN` is set, the container also
   runs a **second, standalone** bot whose only job is to answer `/start` with a localized
   message and a button that opens the **main** bot's Mini App. The button is a **URL** to
   the main bot's direct link (`TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK`, the same link the UI uses) with
   `?startapp` — a `web_app` button would launch under the promo bot's identity (its token
   would sign the initData), which the main bot's validator rejects. It is fully
-  self-contained: no bot-link, no gateway, no game.
+  self-contained: no bot-link, no gateway, no game. Its `?startapp` payload
+  (`TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM`, default `verudit_ru-scrabble_en`) is a variant-seed deep
+  link the backend decodes to seed a brand-new user's variant preferences (English Scrabble
+  alongside the default Erudit). The message body also renders the bot's `@username` as that
+  same deep link (an HTML `text_link`), so tapping the mention — not just the button — opens
+  the seeded Mini App rather than the bot profile.
 - **Rate limiting.** Outbound sends are throttled (`TELEGRAM_SEND_RATE_PER_SECOND`,
   default 25) to respect the Bot API flood limits.
 
@@ -125,9 +151,12 @@ Bot (`cmd/bot`):
 | `TELEGRAM_BOTLINK_TLS_CERT` / `_KEY` / `_CA` | — (required) | the bot client cert, its key, and the CA that signs the gateway server cert |
 | `TELEGRAM_GAME_CHANNEL_ID` | — | the bot's game channel chat id for `SendToGameChannel` |
 | `TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID` | — | the moderated discussion chat id (a channel's linked group); empty disables chat gating |
+| `TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID` | — | the support relay's forum supergroup id (topic per user); empty disables the relay |
+| `TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR` | `/data` | directory for the support relay's JSON state (a writable volume) |
 | `TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN` | — | the optional standalone promo bot's token; empty disables it |
 | `TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME` | — | the main bot's @username without the @ (promo message); required when the promo bot runs |
 | `TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK` | — | the main bot's Mini App link for the promo button (the UI's `VITE_TELEGRAM_LINK`); required when the promo bot runs |
+| `TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM` | `verudit_ru-scrabble_en` | the promo button's `startapp` payload — a variant-seed deep link the backend decodes to seed a brand-new user's variant preferences; empty forwards the user's own `/start` payload |
 | `TELEGRAM_OWNS_UPDATES` | `true` | run the exclusive `getUpdates` long-poll (one bot per token) |
 | `TELEGRAM_SEND_RATE_PER_SECOND` | `25` | outbound Bot API send cap (0 disables) |
 | `TELEGRAM_INSTANCE_ID` | hostname | bot identity reported to the gateway |

platform/telegram/cmd/bot/main.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"log"
 	"os/signal"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/botlink"
 	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/config"
 	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/promobot"
+	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/support"
 )
 
 // telemetryShutdownTimeout bounds the OpenTelemetry flush during process exit.
@@ -65,6 +67,19 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, cfg config.BotConfig, logger *zap.Logger) error {
 		logger.Warn("telemetry: start runtime metrics", zap.Error(err))
 	}
 
+	// The support relay keeps its per-user state in a JSON file on a writable volume
+	// (the bot host has no database). A corrupt file is logged and the relay starts
+	// empty rather than crash-looping the bot.
+	var supportStore *support.Store
+	if cfg.SupportChatID != 0 {
+		statePath := filepath.Join(cfg.SupportStateDir, "support.json")
+		supportStore, err = support.Open(statePath)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Warn("support: state load failed, starting empty", zap.String("path", statePath), zap.Error(err))
+			supportStore = support.New(statePath)
+		}
+	}
+
 	b, err := bot.New(bot.Config{
 		Token:             cfg.Token,
 		APIBaseURL:        cfg.APIBaseURL,
@@ -72,6 +87,9 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, cfg config.BotConfig, logger *zap.Logger) error {
 		MiniAppURL:        cfg.MiniAppURL,
 		SendRatePerSecond: cfg.SendRatePerSecond,
 		ChatID:            cfg.ChatID,
+		GameChannelID:     cfg.GameChannelID,
+		SupportChatID:     cfg.SupportChatID,
+		SupportStore:      supportStore,
 	}, logger)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -113,6 +131,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, cfg config.BotConfig, logger *zap.Logger) error {
 			TestEnv:           cfg.TestEnv,
 			BotUsername:       cfg.BotUsername,
 			BotLinkURL:        cfg.BotLinkURL,
+			StartParam:        cfg.PromoStartParam,
 			SendRatePerSecond: cfg.SendRatePerSecond,
 		}, logger)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -127,6 +146,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, cfg config.BotConfig, logger *zap.Logger) error {
 		zap.Bool("owns_updates", cfg.OwnsUpdates),
 		zap.Bool("test_env", cfg.TestEnv),
 		zap.Bool("chat_gating", cfg.ChatID != 0),
+		zap.Bool("support_relay", cfg.SupportChatID != 0),
 		zap.Bool("promo_bot", promo != nil))
 
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup

platform/telegram/internal/bot/bot.go

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/go-telegram/bot/models"
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
 	"golang.org/x/time/rate"
+
+	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/support"
 )
 
 // Config configures the bot wrapper.
@@ -33,8 +35,20 @@ type Config struct {
 	SendRatePerSecond int
 	// ChatID is the moderated discussion chat the bot gates write access in; 0
 	// disables chat gating (and the chat_member long-poll subscription). Gating needs
-	// the bot to be an administrator there with the restrict-members right.
+	// the bot to be an administrator there with the restrict-members right. Its public
+	// @username is also resolved at startup for the /start welcome's discussion link.
 	ChatID int64
+	// GameChannelID is the game channel whose public @username the /start welcome links
+	// to (resolved from this id via getChat at startup); 0 omits that follow link.
+	GameChannelID int64
+	// SupportChatID is the private forum supergroup the bot relays direct user messages
+	// into (one topic per user) and reads operator replies from; 0 disables the support
+	// relay. The bot must be an administrator there with the manage-topics and
+	// delete-messages rights.
+	SupportChatID int64
+	// SupportStore persists the support relay's state (topic mapping, block list,
+	// relayed message ids); required when SupportChatID is set, ignored otherwise.
+	SupportStore *support.Store
 }
 
 // EligibilityResolver answers whether the Telegram user identified by externalID
@@ -54,12 +68,29 @@ type Bot struct {
 	limiter *rate.Limiter
 	// chatID is the moderated discussion chat (0 disables gating).
 	chatID int64
+	// channelID is the game channel (0 omits its welcome follow link).
+	channelID int64
+	// channelUsername and chatUsername are the public @usernames (without the leading
+	// @) of the game channel and the discussion chat, resolved once at startup
+	// (resolveWelcomeHandles) for the /start welcome's follow links; "" when unresolved.
+	channelUsername string
+	chatUsername    string
 	// botID is the bot's own Telegram user id (resolved at startup); it skips the
-	// chat_member updates the bot's own restrict actions generate — the grant loop guard.
+	// chat_member updates the bot's own restrict actions generate — the grant loop guard —
+	// and the bot's own relayed copies in the support chat.
 	botID int64
 	// eligibility resolves a joining user's chat write eligibility; nil leaves a
 	// joiner muted (fail-closed) until it is wired.
 	eligibility EligibilityResolver
+	// supportChatID is the support relay's forum supergroup (0 disables the relay).
+	supportChatID int64
+	// support persists the support relay's per-user state; nil when the relay is off.
+	support *support.Store
+	// supportLocks serialises per-user topic creation so a burst of a new user's
+	// messages opens exactly one topic.
+	supportLocks *keyedMutex
+	// admins caches the support chat's administrator ids (who may reply and act).
+	admins *adminCache
 }
 
 // New builds the bot wrapper, registering the /start handler and a default handler
@@ -69,7 +100,14 @@ func New(cfg Config, log *zap.Logger) (*Bot, error) {
 	if log == nil {
 		log = zap.NewNop()
 	}
-	t := &Bot{miniAppURL: cfg.MiniAppURL, log: log, chatID: cfg.ChatID}
+	t := &Bot{
+		miniAppURL:    cfg.MiniAppURL,
+		log:           log,
+		chatID:        cfg.ChatID,
+		channelID:     cfg.GameChannelID,
+		supportChatID: cfg.SupportChatID,
+		support:       cfg.SupportStore,
+	}
 	if cfg.SendRatePerSecond > 0 {
 		t.limiter = rate.NewLimiter(rate.Limit(cfg.SendRatePerSecond), cfg.SendRatePerSecond)
 	}
@@ -78,15 +116,26 @@ func New(cfg Config, log *zap.Logger) (*Bot, error) {
 		tgbot.WithDefaultHandler(t.handleUpdate),
 		tgbot.WithMessageTextHandler("/start", tgbot.MatchTypePrefix, t.handleStart),
 	}
+	if t.supportEnabled() {
+		t.supportLocks = newKeyedMutex()
+		t.admins = &adminCache{}
+		// The info-card buttons are callback_query updates; route them to the support
+		// callback handler by their "sup:" data prefix.
+		opts = append(opts, tgbot.WithCallbackQueryDataHandler(supportCallbackPrefix, tgbot.MatchTypePrefix, t.handleSupportCallback))
+	}
+	// Allowed updates default to "all except chat_member". Specify an explicit set only
+	// when we need chat_member (moderated chat) — and then re-add callback_query (which
+	// the explicit set would otherwise drop) when the support relay needs it.
 	if cfg.ChatID != 0 {
-		// chat_member updates are off by default; subscribe explicitly (alongside
-		// messages) so the bot sees joins in the moderated chat. The bot must also be an
-		// administrator there for Telegram to deliver them.
-		opts = append(opts, tgbot.WithAllowedUpdates(tgbot.AllowedUpdates{
+		allowed := tgbot.AllowedUpdates{
 			models.AllowedUpdateMessage,
 			models.AllowedUpdateMyChatMember,
 			models.AllowedUpdateChatMember,
-		}))
+		}
+		if t.supportEnabled() {
+			allowed = append(allowed, models.AllowedUpdateCallbackQuery)
+		}
+		opts = append(opts, tgbot.WithAllowedUpdates(allowed))
 	}
 	if cfg.TestEnv {
 		// Route to the Bot API test environment (.../bot<token>/test/METHOD).
@@ -123,9 +172,46 @@ func (t *Bot) Run(ctx context.Context) {
 	if t.chatID != 0 {
 		t.logChatAdminStatus(ctx)
 	}
+	if t.supportEnabled() {
+		t.initSupport(ctx)
+	}
+	t.resolveWelcomeHandles(ctx)
 	t.api.Start(ctx)
 }
 
+// resolveWelcomeHandles resolves, once at startup, the public @usernames of the game
+// channel and the discussion chat from their configured ids (getChat), caching them for
+// the /start welcome's follow links. It runs before the update loop, so the handles are
+// set before any /start is handled; a chat that is unset, private (no public username)
+// or unreadable simply leaves its handle empty and the welcome omits that follow link.
+func (t *Bot) resolveWelcomeHandles(ctx context.Context) {
+	t.channelUsername = t.resolveUsername(ctx, t.channelID, "game channel")
+	t.chatUsername = t.resolveUsername(ctx, t.chatID, "discussion chat")
+}
+
+// resolveUsername returns the public @username (without the leading @) of the chat with
+// the given id, or "" when id is 0, the chat has no public username, or getChat fails —
+// logging the reason, since a missing handle silently drops a welcome follow link.
+func (t *Bot) resolveUsername(ctx context.Context, id int64, label string) string {
+	if id == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	chat, err := t.api.GetChat(ctx, &tgbot.GetChatParams{ChatID: id})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("welcome: getChat failed; follow link omitted",
+			zap.String("chat", label), zap.Int64("id", id), zap.Error(err))
+		return ""
+	}
+	if chat.Username == "" {
+		t.log.Warn("welcome: chat has no public @username; follow link omitted",
+			zap.String("chat", label), zap.Int64("id", id))
+		return ""
+	}
+	t.log.Info("welcome: resolved follow link",
+		zap.String("chat", label), zap.String("username", chat.Username))
+	return chat.Username
+}
+
 // logChatAdminStatus checks, at startup, whether the bot can actually gate the
 // moderated chat — it must be an administrator there with the restrict-members
 // ("Ban users") right, or Telegram delivers no chat_member updates and restricts
@@ -198,11 +284,19 @@ func (t *Bot) handleStart(ctx context.Context, api *tgbot.Bot, update *models.Up
 	if update.Message.Chat.Type != models.ChatTypePrivate {
 		return
 	}
+	// The sender's Telegram language rides on the message itself (Message.from.language_code
+	// in the Bot API — there is no separate user-update event); fall back to English when it
+	// is absent.
+	lang := ""
+	if update.Message.From != nil {
+		lang = update.Message.From.LanguageCode
+	}
+	text, button := startText(lang, t.channelUsername, t.chatUsername)
 	startParam := startPayload(update.Message.Text)
 	if _, err := api.SendMessage(ctx, &tgbot.SendMessageParams{
 		ChatID:      update.Message.Chat.ID,
-		Text:        "Tap to open Scrabble.",
-		ReplyMarkup: t.launchMarkup("Open Scrabble", startParam),
+		Text:        text,
+		ReplyMarkup: t.launchMarkup(button, startParam),
 	}); err != nil {
 		t.log.Warn("reply to start failed", zap.Error(err))
 	}
@@ -252,6 +346,19 @@ func (t *Bot) handleUpdate(ctx context.Context, api *tgbot.Bot, update *models.U
 		t.handleChatMember(ctx, update.ChatMember)
 		return
 	}
+	// Support relay (when enabled): a non-/start message — /start has its own handler —
+	// is either an operator's reply in the support chat or a user's direct message to
+	// relay. Everything else falls through to the Mini App launch reply.
+	if t.supportEnabled() && update.Message != nil {
+		switch {
+		case update.Message.Chat.ID == t.supportChatID:
+			t.handleSupportGroupMessage(ctx, update.Message)
+			return
+		case update.Message.Chat.Type == models.ChatTypePrivate:
+			t.handleSupportUserMessage(ctx, update.Message)
+			return
+		}
+	}
 	t.handleStart(ctx, api, update)
 }
 

platform/telegram/internal/bot/bot_test.go

@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ func (f *fakeBotAPI) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		f.text = r.FormValue("text")
 		f.replyMarkup = r.FormValue("reply_markup")
 		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"message_id":1}}`)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(r.URL.Path, "/getChat"):
+		// Echo the requested id into the username so a resolver test can tell the
+		// channel lookup from the chat lookup.
+		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"id":-100,"type":"channel","username":"u`+r.FormValue("chat_id")+`"}}`)
 	default:
 		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":true}`)
 	}
@@ -105,7 +109,7 @@ func TestTestEnvironmentRoutesGetMe(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleStartRepliesPrivateOnly(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Run("private replies", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("private replies in english by default", func(t *testing.T) {
 		api := &fakeBotAPI{}
 		b := newTestBot(t, api)
 		b.handleStart(context.Background(), b.api, &models.Update{Message: &models.Message{
@@ -114,6 +118,35 @@ func TestHandleStartRepliesPrivateOnly(t *testing.T) {
 		if api.chatID != "42" || !strings.Contains(api.replyMarkup, "web_app") {
 			t.Errorf("private /start: chat=%q markup=%q, want a web_app reply", api.chatID, api.replyMarkup)
 		}
+		// No reported language -> English welcome + English button.
+		if !strings.Contains(api.text, "Hi!") {
+			t.Errorf("text = %q, want the English welcome", api.text)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(api.replyMarkup, "Open") {
+			t.Errorf("reply_markup = %q, want the English button", api.replyMarkup)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("uses the sender's reported language", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &fakeBotAPI{}
+		b := newTestBot(t, api)
+		b.handleStart(context.Background(), b.api, &models.Update{Message: &models.Message{
+			Chat: models.Chat{ID: 42, Type: models.ChatTypePrivate}, Text: "/start",
+			From: &models.User{ID: 7, LanguageCode: "ru"},
+		}})
+		if !strings.Contains(api.text, "Привет!") {
+			t.Errorf("text = %q, want the Russian welcome for a ru sender", api.text)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("embeds resolved follow handles", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &fakeBotAPI{}
+		b := newTestBot(t, api)
+		b.channelUsername, b.chatUsername = "erudit", "erudite_chat"
+		b.handleStart(context.Background(), b.api, &models.Update{Message: &models.Message{
+			Chat: models.Chat{ID: 42, Type: models.ChatTypePrivate}, Text: "/start",
+		}})
+		if !strings.Contains(api.text, "@erudit") || !strings.Contains(api.text, "@erudite_chat") {
+			t.Errorf("text = %q, want the follow handles", api.text)
+		}
 	})
 	t.Run("group ignored", func(t *testing.T) {
 		api := &fakeBotAPI{}
@@ -127,6 +160,26 @@ func TestHandleStartRepliesPrivateOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestResolveWelcomeHandles(t *testing.T) {
+	api := &fakeBotAPI{}
+	b := newTestBot(t, api)
+	b.channelID, b.chatID = 111, 222
+	b.resolveWelcomeHandles(context.Background())
+	// The fake echoes the requested id into the username, so each lookup is independent.
+	if b.channelUsername != "u111" {
+		t.Errorf("channelUsername = %q, want u111", b.channelUsername)
+	}
+	if b.chatUsername != "u222" {
+		t.Errorf("chatUsername = %q, want u222", b.chatUsername)
+	}
+	// An unset id resolves to no handle (and makes no getChat call).
+	b.channelID = 0
+	b.resolveWelcomeHandles(context.Background())
+	if b.channelUsername != "" {
+		t.Errorf("channelUsername = %q, want empty for id 0", b.channelUsername)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestStartPayload(t *testing.T) {
 	cases := map[string]string{
 		"/start g123":  "g123",

platform/telegram/internal/bot/support.go

@@ -0,0 +1,484 @@
+package bot
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+	"unicode/utf16"
+
+	tgbot "github.com/go-telegram/bot"
+	"github.com/go-telegram/bot/models"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
+
+	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/support"
+)
+
+// Support relay: the bot forwards a user's direct messages into a per-user forum
+// topic in the operators' private support chat, and relays operator replies in that
+// topic back to the user. The info card opening each topic carries a Block/Unblock
+// toggle and a Clear button. State (topic mapping, block list, relayed message ids)
+// lives in a small JSON file via internal/support.
+const (
+	// supportCallbackPrefix namespaces the info-card button callbacks
+	// ("sup:<action>:<userID>").
+	supportCallbackPrefix = "sup:"
+	supportActionBlock    = "block"
+	supportActionUnblock  = "unblock"
+	supportActionClear    = "clear"
+	// supportAdminTTL is how long the support chat's administrator set is cached.
+	supportAdminTTL = time.Minute
+	// supportTopicNameMax bounds the forum topic name (the Telegram limit is 128).
+	supportTopicNameMax = 128
+	// supportDeleteBatch is the maximum message ids per deleteMessages call (the
+	// Telegram limit is 100).
+	supportDeleteBatch = 100
+)
+
+// supportEnabled reports whether the support relay is configured.
+func (t *Bot) supportEnabled() bool {
+	return t.supportChatID != 0 && t.support != nil
+}
+
+// initSupport prepares the support relay at startup: it resolves the bot's own user
+// id (getMe) for the loop guard, unless the chat-gating self-check already did, and
+// logs readiness. The loop guard also tests From.IsBot, so an unresolved id is not
+// fatal.
+func (t *Bot) initSupport(ctx context.Context) {
+	if t.botID == 0 {
+		if me, err := t.api.GetMe(ctx); err != nil {
+			t.log.Warn("support: getMe failed; relying on is_bot for the loop guard", zap.Error(err))
+		} else {
+			t.botID = me.ID
+		}
+	}
+	t.log.Info("support relay ready", zap.Int64("support_chat_id", t.supportChatID))
+}
+
+// keyedMutex serialises work per int64 key (here, per user id) so two concurrent
+// updates from the same user — the go-telegram/bot library runs handlers in
+// goroutines — cannot both open a forum topic.
+type keyedMutex struct {
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	m  map[int64]*sync.Mutex
+}
+
+func newKeyedMutex() *keyedMutex { return &keyedMutex{m: map[int64]*sync.Mutex{}} }
+
+// lock acquires the per-key mutex and returns its unlock function.
+func (k *keyedMutex) lock(key int64) func() {
+	k.mu.Lock()
+	mu, ok := k.m[key]
+	if !ok {
+		mu = &sync.Mutex{}
+		k.m[key] = mu
+	}
+	k.mu.Unlock()
+	mu.Lock()
+	return mu.Unlock
+}
+
+// adminCache caches the support chat's administrator ids for a short TTL, so the bot
+// does not call getChatAdministrators on every operator action.
+type adminCache struct {
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	ids       map[int64]bool
+	fetchedAt time.Time
+}
+
+// isSupportAdmin reports whether userID administers the support chat, refreshing the
+// cache when stale. On a refresh failure it falls back to the last known set
+// (fail-closed when nothing is cached yet).
+func (t *Bot) isSupportAdmin(ctx context.Context, userID int64) bool {
+	t.admins.mu.Lock()
+	if t.admins.ids != nil && time.Since(t.admins.fetchedAt) < supportAdminTTL {
+		ok := t.admins.ids[userID]
+		t.admins.mu.Unlock()
+		return ok
+	}
+	t.admins.mu.Unlock()
+
+	members, err := t.api.GetChatAdministrators(ctx, &tgbot.GetChatAdministratorsParams{ChatID: t.supportChatID})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: getChatAdministrators failed; using cached admin set", zap.Error(err))
+		t.admins.mu.Lock()
+		defer t.admins.mu.Unlock()
+		return t.admins.ids[userID] // a nil map yields false (fail-closed)
+	}
+	ids := make(map[int64]bool, len(members))
+	for _, m := range members {
+		if u := chatMemberUser(m); u != nil {
+			ids[u.ID] = true
+		}
+	}
+	t.admins.mu.Lock()
+	t.admins.ids = ids
+	t.admins.fetchedAt = time.Now()
+	t.admins.mu.Unlock()
+	return ids[userID]
+}
+
+// handleSupportUserMessage relays a user's direct message into their forum topic in
+// the support chat, opening the topic (and its info card) on first contact. A blocked
+// user's message is dropped silently, and the user receives no reply — operators
+// answer from the topic.
+func (t *Bot) handleSupportUserMessage(ctx context.Context, m *models.Message) {
+	if m.From == nil || m.From.IsBot {
+		return
+	}
+	uid := m.From.ID
+	unlock := t.supportLocks.lock(uid)
+	defer unlock()
+
+	rec, _ := t.support.Get(uid)
+	if rec.Blocked {
+		return
+	}
+	topicID, err := t.ensureTopic(ctx, m.From, rec)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: ensure topic failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+		return
+	}
+
+	newID, err := t.copyToTopic(ctx, m.Chat.ID, m.ID, topicID)
+	if err != nil && isTopicMissingErr(err) {
+		// Backstop: the topic vanished between the liveness probe and the copy.
+		t.log.Info("support: topic gone on copy, reopening", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Int("topic_id", topicID))
+		if topicID, err = t.openSupportTopic(ctx, m.From); err == nil {
+			newID, err = t.copyToTopic(ctx, m.Chat.ID, m.ID, topicID)
+		}
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: relay to topic failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+		return
+	}
+	if err := t.support.AppendMsg(uid, newID); err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: persist relayed id failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+	}
+}
+
+// handleSupportGroupMessage relays an operator's reply in a user's topic back to that
+// user. It ignores the bot's own posts (the loop guard), messages outside a topic,
+// unknown topics, and non-administrators. The operator's message is tracked too, so a
+// later clear removes it.
+func (t *Bot) handleSupportGroupMessage(ctx context.Context, m *models.Message) {
+	if m.From == nil || m.From.IsBot {
+		return // the bot's own relayed copies (and other bots) — never loop them back
+	}
+	if t.botID != 0 && m.From.ID == t.botID {
+		return
+	}
+	if m.MessageThreadID == 0 {
+		return // the chat's general area, not a user's topic
+	}
+	uid, ok := t.support.ByTopic(m.MessageThreadID)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	if !t.isSupportAdmin(ctx, m.From.ID) {
+		return // only operators reach the user
+	}
+	if err := t.support.AppendMsg(uid, m.ID); err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: persist operator msg id failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+	}
+	if _, err := t.copyToUser(ctx, m.ID, uid); err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: relay reply to user failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+	}
+}
+
+// handleSupportCallback handles the info-card buttons (block/unblock/clear). Only
+// support-chat administrators may act; others get a denial. It always answers the
+// callback query so the client's spinner clears.
+func (t *Bot) handleSupportCallback(ctx context.Context, _ *tgbot.Bot, update *models.Update) {
+	cq := update.CallbackQuery
+	if cq == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	action, uid, ok := parseSupportCallback(cq.Data)
+	if !ok {
+		t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, "")
+		return
+	}
+	if !t.isSupportAdmin(ctx, cq.From.ID) {
+		t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, "Недостаточно прав")
+		return
+	}
+	switch action {
+	case supportActionBlock:
+		t.setSupportBlocked(ctx, cq, uid, true)
+	case supportActionUnblock:
+		t.setSupportBlocked(ctx, cq, uid, false)
+	case supportActionClear:
+		t.clearSupportTopic(ctx, cq, uid)
+	default:
+		t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, "")
+	}
+}
+
+// setSupportBlocked sets the user's block state, flips the info-card toggle to match,
+// and answers the callback. Blocking does not delete the topic — it stays.
+func (t *Bot) setSupportBlocked(ctx context.Context, cq *models.CallbackQuery, uid int64, blocked bool) {
+	if err := t.support.SetBlocked(uid, blocked); err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: set blocked failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+		t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, "Ошибка")
+		return
+	}
+	if rec, ok := t.support.Get(uid); ok && rec.HeaderMsgID != 0 {
+		if _, err := t.api.EditMessageReplyMarkup(ctx, &tgbot.EditMessageReplyMarkupParams{
+			ChatID:      t.supportChatID,
+			MessageID:   rec.HeaderMsgID,
+			ReplyMarkup: supportCardMarkup(uid, blocked),
+		}); err != nil {
+			t.log.Debug("support: update card markup failed", zap.Error(err))
+		}
+	}
+	msg := "Разблокирован"
+	if blocked {
+		msg = "Заблокирован"
+	}
+	t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, msg)
+}
+
+// clearSupportTopic deletes the messages relayed into the user's topic (keeping the
+// info card) and answers the callback.
+func (t *Bot) clearSupportTopic(ctx context.Context, cq *models.CallbackQuery, uid int64) {
+	ids, err := t.support.ClearMsgs(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: clear failed", zap.Int64("user_id", uid), zap.Error(err))
+		t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, "Ошибка")
+		return
+	}
+	t.deleteSupportMessages(ctx, ids)
+	t.answerSupportCallback(ctx, cq.ID, "Очищено")
+}
+
+// ensureTopic returns a live forum-topic id for the user, opening a fresh topic (and
+// info card) when none exists or the previous one was deleted. Telegram silently
+// routes a copy aimed at a deleted topic into the chat's General topic (no error), so
+// the bot cannot rely on copyMessage failing; instead it probes the info card —
+// re-applying the card's reply markup is a no-op that errors only when the card (hence
+// the topic) is gone — and reopens on that signal. The probe also keeps the card's
+// block button in sync with the stored state.
+func (t *Bot) ensureTopic(ctx context.Context, u *models.User, rec support.User) (int, error) {
+	if rec.TopicID == 0 || rec.HeaderMsgID == 0 {
+		return t.openSupportTopic(ctx, u)
+	}
+	_, err := t.api.EditMessageReplyMarkup(ctx, &tgbot.EditMessageReplyMarkupParams{
+		ChatID:      t.supportChatID,
+		MessageID:   rec.HeaderMsgID,
+		ReplyMarkup: supportCardMarkup(u.ID, rec.Blocked),
+	})
+	if isCardMissingErr(err) {
+		t.log.Info("support: topic gone, reopening", zap.Int64("user_id", u.ID), zap.Int("topic_id", rec.TopicID))
+		return t.openSupportTopic(ctx, u)
+	}
+	// Any other outcome (success, or a benign "message is not modified") means the
+	// topic is alive; reuse it.
+	return rec.TopicID, nil
+}
+
+// openSupportTopic creates a forum topic for the user and posts its info card with
+// the block/clear buttons, persisting both. It returns the new topic id. A failure to
+// persist is logged but not fatal: the in-memory mapping still lets the relay proceed.
+func (t *Bot) openSupportTopic(ctx context.Context, u *models.User) (int, error) {
+	topic, err := t.api.CreateForumTopic(ctx, &tgbot.CreateForumTopicParams{
+		ChatID: t.supportChatID,
+		Name:   supportTopicName(u),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("create forum topic: %w", err)
+	}
+	headerID := 0
+	cardText, cardEntities := supportCard(u)
+	header, err := t.api.SendMessage(ctx, &tgbot.SendMessageParams{
+		ChatID:          t.supportChatID,
+		MessageThreadID: topic.MessageThreadID,
+		Text:            cardText,
+		Entities:        cardEntities,
+		ReplyMarkup:     supportCardMarkup(u.ID, false),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: post info card failed (topic opened without it)", zap.Error(err))
+	} else {
+		headerID = header.ID
+	}
+	if err := t.support.SetTopic(u.ID, topic.MessageThreadID, headerID, u.FirstName, u.LastName, u.Username); err != nil {
+		t.log.Warn("support: persist topic state failed (kept in memory)", zap.Int64("user_id", u.ID), zap.Error(err))
+	}
+	return topic.MessageThreadID, nil
+}
+
+// copyToTopic copies a message into the user's forum topic and returns the new
+// message id.
+func (t *Bot) copyToTopic(ctx context.Context, fromChatID int64, messageID, topicID int) (int, error) {
+	if err := t.throttle(ctx); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	res, err := t.api.CopyMessage(ctx, &tgbot.CopyMessageParams{
+		ChatID:          t.supportChatID,
+		MessageThreadID: topicID,
+		FromChatID:      fromChatID,
+		MessageID:       messageID,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return res.ID, nil
+}
+
+// copyToUser copies a support-chat message to the user's private chat and returns the
+// new message id.
+func (t *Bot) copyToUser(ctx context.Context, messageID int, userID int64) (int, error) {
+	if err := t.throttle(ctx); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	res, err := t.api.CopyMessage(ctx, &tgbot.CopyMessageParams{
+		ChatID:     userID,
+		FromChatID: t.supportChatID,
+		MessageID:  messageID,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return res.ID, nil
+}
+
+// deleteSupportMessages best-effort deletes the given support-chat messages in
+// batches; individual failures (for example a message already removed) are ignored.
+func (t *Bot) deleteSupportMessages(ctx context.Context, ids []int) {
+	for start := 0; start < len(ids); start += supportDeleteBatch {
+		end := min(start+supportDeleteBatch, len(ids))
+		if _, err := t.api.DeleteMessages(ctx, &tgbot.DeleteMessagesParams{
+			ChatID:     t.supportChatID,
+			MessageIDs: ids[start:end],
+		}); err != nil {
+			t.log.Debug("support: delete batch failed", zap.Error(err))
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// answerSupportCallback answers a callback query, logging a failure at debug (the
+// only effect of a miss is a lingering client spinner).
+func (t *Bot) answerSupportCallback(ctx context.Context, id, text string) {
+	if _, err := t.api.AnswerCallbackQuery(ctx, &tgbot.AnswerCallbackQueryParams{
+		CallbackQueryID: id,
+		Text:            text,
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.log.Debug("support: answer callback failed", zap.Error(err))
+	}
+}
+
+// parseSupportCallback parses "sup:<action>:<userID>" callback data.
+func parseSupportCallback(data string) (action string, userID int64, ok bool) {
+	rest, found := strings.CutPrefix(data, supportCallbackPrefix)
+	if !found {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	action, idStr, found := strings.Cut(rest, ":")
+	if !found {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	userID, err := strconv.ParseInt(idStr, 10, 64)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	return action, userID, true
+}
+
+// supportCardMarkup builds the info-card buttons: a Block/Unblock toggle reflecting
+// the current state, and a Clear button.
+func supportCardMarkup(userID int64, blocked bool) *models.InlineKeyboardMarkup {
+	toggleText, toggleAction := "Заблокировать", supportActionBlock
+	if blocked {
+		toggleText, toggleAction = "Разблокировать", supportActionUnblock
+	}
+	return &models.InlineKeyboardMarkup{
+		InlineKeyboard: [][]models.InlineKeyboardButton{{
+			{Text: toggleText, CallbackData: fmt.Sprintf("%s%s:%d", supportCallbackPrefix, toggleAction, userID)},
+			{Text: "Очистить", CallbackData: fmt.Sprintf("%s%s:%d", supportCallbackPrefix, supportActionClear, userID)},
+		}},
+	}
+}
+
+// supportTopicName builds the forum topic title for a user: full name and @username,
+// trimmed to the Telegram length limit.
+func supportTopicName(u *models.User) string {
+	name := strings.TrimSpace(u.FirstName + " " + u.LastName)
+	if name == "" {
+		name = "user " + strconv.FormatInt(u.ID, 10)
+	}
+	if u.Username != "" {
+		name += " @" + u.Username
+	}
+	if r := []rune(name); len(r) > supportTopicNameMax {
+		return string(r[:supportTopicNameMax])
+	}
+	return name
+}
+
+// supportCard renders the topic info card describing the user and the message
+// entities for it. The display name is covered by a text_mention entity: it links to
+// the user's profile (the reliable way to mention a user who has no public username —
+// the bot has seen them, since they messaged it) and, because the name sits inside an
+// entity, Telegram does not auto-detect a leading "/" as a bot command or a stray
+// "@handle" inside the name as a mention. The remaining lines are plain text; a public
+// @username, when present, is left for Telegram to auto-link. Entity offsets are in
+// UTF-16 code units, as the Bot API requires; the name is at offset 0.
+func supportCard(u *models.User) (string, []models.MessageEntity) {
+	name := strings.TrimSpace(u.FirstName + " " + u.LastName)
+	if name == "" {
+		name = "user " + strconv.FormatInt(u.ID, 10)
+	}
+	username := "—"
+	if u.Username != "" {
+		username = "@" + u.Username
+	}
+	lang := u.LanguageCode
+	if lang == "" {
+		lang = "—"
+	}
+	premium := "нет"
+	if u.IsPremium {
+		premium = "да"
+	}
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.WriteString(name)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\nUsername: %s", username)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\nID: %d", u.ID)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\nЯзык: %s · Premium: %s", lang, premium)
+	entities := []models.MessageEntity{{
+		Type:   models.MessageEntityTypeTextMention,
+		Offset: 0,
+		Length: len(utf16.Encode([]rune(name))),
+		User:   &models.User{ID: u.ID},
+	}}
+	return b.String(), entities
+}
+
+// isCardMissingErr reports whether err means the info-card message no longer exists
+// (the operators deleted the topic), as opposed to a benign "message is not modified"
+// no-op when the card is still there.
+func isCardMissingErr(err error) bool {
+	if err == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	s := strings.ToLower(err.Error())
+	return strings.Contains(s, "message to edit not found") ||
+		strings.Contains(s, "message can't be edited") ||
+		strings.Contains(s, "message_id_invalid")
+}
+
+// isTopicMissingErr reports whether err is Telegram's deleted/absent forum-topic
+// error, signalling the topic must be reopened.
+func isTopicMissingErr(err error) bool {
+	if err == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	s := strings.ToLower(err.Error())
+	return strings.Contains(s, "thread not found") ||
+		strings.Contains(s, "thread_not_found") ||
+		strings.Contains(s, "topic deleted") ||
+		strings.Contains(s, "topic_deleted")
+}

platform/telegram/internal/bot/support_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,473 @@
+package bot
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/go-telegram/bot/models"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
+
+	"scrabble/platform/telegram/internal/support"
+)
+
+const supportChatID = -1001000000000
+
+// copyRec records one copyMessage call.
+type copyRec struct {
+	chatID, fromChatID, threadID, messageID string
+}
+
+// supportAPI is a fake Bot API for the support-relay handlers: it answers the
+// methods they call with incrementing ids and records the requests for assertions.
+type supportAPI struct {
+	mu           sync.Mutex
+	adminIDs     []int64
+	nextThread   int
+	nextMsg      int
+	topicsOpened int
+	copies       []copyRec
+	headerThread string // message_thread_id of the last header sendMessage
+	deleted      [][]int
+	editedMsgIDs []string
+	answers      []string
+	// editErr, when set, makes editMessageReplyMarkup return that Telegram error
+	// description (simulating a deleted info card / topic).
+	editErr string
+}
+
+func newSupportAPI(adminIDs ...int64) *supportAPI {
+	return &supportAPI{adminIDs: adminIDs, nextThread: 1000, nextMsg: 5000}
+}
+
+func (s *supportAPI) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	path := r.URL.Path
+	switch {
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/getMe"):
+		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"id":1,"is_bot":true,"first_name":"bot","username":"b"}}`)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/createForumTopic"):
+		s.topicsOpened++
+		tid := s.nextThread
+		s.nextThread++
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"message_thread_id":%d,"name":%q}}`, tid, r.FormValue("name"))
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/sendMessage"):
+		s.headerThread = r.FormValue("message_thread_id")
+		mid := s.nextMsg
+		s.nextMsg++
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"message_id":%d}}`, mid)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/copyMessage"):
+		s.copies = append(s.copies, copyRec{
+			chatID:     r.FormValue("chat_id"),
+			fromChatID: r.FormValue("from_chat_id"),
+			threadID:   r.FormValue("message_thread_id"),
+			messageID:  r.FormValue("message_id"),
+		})
+		mid := s.nextMsg
+		s.nextMsg++
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"message_id":%d}}`, mid)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/deleteMessages"):
+		var ids []int
+		_ = json.Unmarshal([]byte(r.FormValue("message_ids")), &ids)
+		s.deleted = append(s.deleted, ids)
+		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":true}`)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/editMessageReplyMarkup"):
+		if s.editErr != "" {
+			fmt.Fprintf(w, `{"ok":false,"error_code":400,"description":%q}`, s.editErr)
+			return
+		}
+		s.editedMsgIDs = append(s.editedMsgIDs, r.FormValue("message_id"))
+		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":{"message_id":1}}`)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/answerCallbackQuery"):
+		s.answers = append(s.answers, r.FormValue("text"))
+		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":true}`)
+	case strings.HasSuffix(path, "/getChatAdministrators"):
+		var b strings.Builder
+		b.WriteString(`{"ok":true,"result":[`)
+		for i, id := range s.adminIDs {
+			if i > 0 {
+				b.WriteString(",")
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, `{"status":"administrator","user":{"id":%d,"is_bot":false}}`, id)
+		}
+		b.WriteString(`]}`)
+		io.WriteString(w, b.String())
+	default:
+		io.WriteString(w, `{"ok":true,"result":true}`)
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *supportAPI) copyCount() int {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return len(s.copies)
+}
+
+// newSupportBot builds a support-enabled bot against the fake API and returns it with
+// its backing store.
+func newSupportBot(t *testing.T, api http.Handler) (*Bot, *support.Store) {
+	t.Helper()
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(api)
+	t.Cleanup(srv.Close)
+	st := support.New(filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "support.json"))
+	b, err := New(Config{
+		Token:         "123:ABC",
+		APIBaseURL:    srv.URL,
+		MiniAppURL:    "https://example.com/telegram/",
+		SupportChatID: supportChatID,
+		SupportStore:  st,
+	}, zap.NewNop())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new support bot: %v", err)
+	}
+	return b, st
+}
+
+// userMsg builds a private direct message from the given user.
+func userMsg(userID int64, text string) *models.Message {
+	return &models.Message{
+		ID:   int(userID)*10 + 1,
+		Chat: models.Chat{ID: userID, Type: models.ChatTypePrivate},
+		From: &models.User{ID: userID, FirstName: "Ann", Username: "annlee", LanguageCode: "ru"},
+		Text: text,
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportFirstContactOpensTopicAndRelays(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI()
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+
+	b.handleSupportUserMessage(context.Background(), userMsg(7, "hello"))
+
+	if api.topicsOpened != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("topics opened = %d, want 1", api.topicsOpened)
+	}
+	rec, ok := st.Get(7)
+	if !ok || rec.TopicID != 1000 || rec.HeaderMsgID != 5000 {
+		t.Fatalf("store = %+v ok=%v, want topic 1000 / header 5000", rec, ok)
+	}
+	if api.headerThread != "1000" {
+		t.Errorf("header posted to thread %q, want 1000", api.headerThread)
+	}
+	if len(api.copies) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("copies = %d, want 1", len(api.copies))
+	}
+	c := api.copies[0]
+	if c.threadID != "1000" || c.fromChatID != "7" || c.chatID != fmt.Sprint(supportChatID) {
+		t.Errorf("copy = %+v, want thread 1000 from 7 into the support chat", c)
+	}
+	if len(rec.RelayedMsgIDs) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("relayed ids = %v, want 1 tracked", rec.RelayedMsgIDs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportSubsequentReusesTopic(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI()
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+
+	b.handleSupportUserMessage(context.Background(), userMsg(7, "first"))
+	b.handleSupportUserMessage(context.Background(), userMsg(7, "second"))
+
+	if api.topicsOpened != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("topics opened = %d, want 1 (topic reused)", api.topicsOpened)
+	}
+	if len(api.copies) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("copies = %d, want 2", len(api.copies))
+	}
+	rec, _ := st.Get(7)
+	if len(rec.RelayedMsgIDs) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("relayed ids = %v, want 2", rec.RelayedMsgIDs)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestSupportTopicRecreatedWhenDeleted covers the case the operator hit in prod:
+// after they delete a user's whole topic, Telegram routes a copy aimed at it into
+// General with no error, so the bot must proactively detect the dead topic (the card
+// probe fails) and reopen it instead of silently losing the message to General.
+func TestSupportTopicRecreatedWhenDeleted(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI()
+	api.editErr = "message to edit not found" // the operators deleted the topic + its card
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+	// Seed a topic that has since been deleted in Telegram.
+	if err := st.SetTopic(7, 999, 4999, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportUserMessage(context.Background(), userMsg(7, "still there?"))
+
+	if api.topicsOpened != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("topics opened = %d, want 1 (reopened after deletion)", api.topicsOpened)
+	}
+	rec, _ := st.Get(7)
+	if rec.TopicID != 1000 || rec.HeaderMsgID != 5000 {
+		t.Errorf("store = topic %d / header %d, want the reopened 1000 / 5000", rec.TopicID, rec.HeaderMsgID)
+	}
+	if len(api.copies) != 1 || api.copies[0].threadID != "1000" {
+		t.Errorf("relay copies = %+v, want one into the reopened topic 1000", api.copies)
+	}
+	if _, ok := st.ByTopic(999); ok {
+		t.Error("stale topic 999 still indexed after reopen")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportBlockedUserDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI()
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+	if err := st.SetTopic(7, 1000, 5000, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := st.SetBlocked(7, true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("block: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportUserMessage(context.Background(), userMsg(7, "hello?"))
+
+	if api.copyCount() != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a blocked user's message was relayed (%d copies)", api.copyCount())
+	}
+	if api.topicsOpened != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a blocked user opened a topic (%d)", api.topicsOpened)
+	}
+}
+
+// supportGroupMsg builds an operator message inside a topic of the support chat.
+func supportGroupMsg(fromID int64, threadID int, isBot bool) *models.Message {
+	return &models.Message{
+		ID:              700 + threadID,
+		Chat:            models.Chat{ID: supportChatID, Type: models.ChatTypeSupergroup},
+		From:            &models.User{ID: fromID, IsBot: isBot},
+		MessageThreadID: threadID,
+		Text:            "operator reply",
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportOperatorReplyRelayed(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI(50) // user 50 is an admin
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+	if err := st.SetTopic(7, 1000, 5000, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportGroupMessage(context.Background(), supportGroupMsg(50, 1000, false))
+
+	if len(api.copies) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("copies = %d, want 1 (reply relayed to user)", len(api.copies))
+	}
+	if api.copies[0].chatID != "7" || api.copies[0].fromChatID != fmt.Sprint(supportChatID) {
+		t.Errorf("copy = %+v, want from the support chat to user 7", api.copies[0])
+	}
+	rec, _ := st.Get(7)
+	if len(rec.RelayedMsgIDs) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("operator message not tracked for clear: %v", rec.RelayedMsgIDs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportGroupMessageIgnored(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name   string
+		msg    *models.Message
+		admins []int64
+	}{
+		{"bot's own copy (loop guard)", supportGroupMsg(1, 1000, true), []int64{50}},
+		{"non-admin sender", supportGroupMsg(999, 1000, false), []int64{50}},
+		{"outside any topic", supportGroupMsg(50, 0, false), []int64{50}},
+		{"unknown topic", supportGroupMsg(50, 4242, false), []int64{50}},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			api := newSupportAPI(tc.admins...)
+			b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+			if err := st.SetTopic(7, 1000, 5000, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+			}
+			b.handleSupportGroupMessage(context.Background(), tc.msg)
+			if api.copyCount() != 0 {
+				t.Errorf("message relayed (%d copies); it should be ignored", api.copyCount())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// supportCallback builds a callback-query update for the given data and presser.
+func supportCallback(data string, fromID int64) *models.Update {
+	return &models.Update{CallbackQuery: &models.CallbackQuery{
+		ID:   "cb1",
+		From: models.User{ID: fromID},
+		Data: data,
+	}}
+}
+
+func TestSupportCallbackBlockToggle(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI(50)
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+	if err := st.SetTopic(7, 1000, 5000, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportCallback(context.Background(), b.api, supportCallback("sup:block:7", 50))
+	if !st.Blocked(7) {
+		t.Error("user not blocked after sup:block")
+	}
+	if len(api.editedMsgIDs) != 1 || api.editedMsgIDs[0] != "5000" {
+		t.Errorf("edited markup msg ids = %v, want [5000]", api.editedMsgIDs)
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportCallback(context.Background(), b.api, supportCallback("sup:unblock:7", 50))
+	if st.Blocked(7) {
+		t.Error("user still blocked after sup:unblock")
+	}
+	if len(api.answers) != 2 || api.answers[0] != "Заблокирован" || api.answers[1] != "Разблокирован" {
+		t.Errorf("answers = %v, want [Заблокирован Разблокирован]", api.answers)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportCallbackNonAdminDenied(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI(50)
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+	if err := st.SetTopic(7, 1000, 5000, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportCallback(context.Background(), b.api, supportCallback("sup:block:7", 999))
+
+	if st.Blocked(7) {
+		t.Error("a non-admin managed to block the user")
+	}
+	if len(api.answers) != 1 || api.answers[0] != "Недостаточно прав" {
+		t.Errorf("answers = %v, want a permission denial", api.answers)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportCallbackClearDeletesTracked(t *testing.T) {
+	api := newSupportAPI(50)
+	b, st := newSupportBot(t, api)
+	if err := st.SetTopic(7, 1000, 5000, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed topic: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, id := range []int{501, 502, 503} {
+		if err := st.AppendMsg(7, id); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("append: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	b.handleSupportCallback(context.Background(), b.api, supportCallback("sup:clear:7", 50))
+
+	if len(api.deleted) != 1 || len(api.deleted[0]) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("deleted batches = %v, want one batch of 3", api.deleted)
+	}
+	rec, _ := st.Get(7)
+	if len(rec.RelayedMsgIDs) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("relayed ids after clear = %v, want empty", rec.RelayedMsgIDs)
+	}
+	if rec.HeaderMsgID != 5000 {
+		t.Errorf("clear disturbed the header (%d)", rec.HeaderMsgID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseSupportCallback(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		data       string
+		wantAction string
+		wantUID    int64
+		wantOK     bool
+	}{
+		{"sup:block:7", "block", 7, true},
+		{"sup:clear:-100", "clear", -100, true},
+		{"sup:unblock:42", "unblock", 42, true},
+		{"block:7", "", 0, false},
+		{"sup:block", "", 0, false},
+		{"sup:block:notanumber", "", 0, false},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.data, func(t *testing.T) {
+			action, uid, ok := parseSupportCallback(tc.data)
+			if action != tc.wantAction || uid != tc.wantUID || ok != tc.wantOK {
+				t.Errorf("parseSupportCallback(%q) = %q,%d,%v; want %q,%d,%v",
+					tc.data, action, uid, ok, tc.wantAction, tc.wantUID, tc.wantOK)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportCard(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("name is a plain-text mention, not a command", func(t *testing.T) {
+		u := &models.User{ID: 7, FirstName: "/start", Username: "ann", LanguageCode: "ru", IsPremium: true}
+		text, ents := supportCard(u)
+		// The name is rendered verbatim (no HTML, no escaping) at the start of the card.
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(text, "/start\n") {
+			t.Errorf("card = %q, want it to start with the raw name", text)
+		}
+		// A text_mention entity covers exactly the name with the user id — this both
+		// suppresses the "/start" command auto-detection and links the profile.
+		if len(ents) != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("entities = %d, want 1", len(ents))
+		}
+		e := ents[0]
+		if e.Type != models.MessageEntityTypeTextMention || e.Offset != 0 || e.Length != len("/start") {
+			t.Errorf("entity = %+v, want a text_mention over the name", e)
+		}
+		if e.User == nil || e.User.ID != 7 {
+			t.Errorf("entity user = %+v, want id 7", e.User)
+		}
+		if strings.Contains(text, "tg://") || strings.Contains(text, "<") {
+			t.Errorf("card = %q, want no tg:// link and no HTML", text)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(text, "Premium: да") || !strings.Contains(text, "@ann") {
+			t.Errorf("card = %q, want premium + @username", text)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("entity length is UTF-16, not runes", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// "😀A" is 2 runes but 3 UTF-16 code units (the emoji is a surrogate pair).
+		u := &models.User{ID: 9, FirstName: "😀A"}
+		_, ents := supportCard(u)
+		if len(ents) != 1 || ents[0].Length != 3 {
+			t.Fatalf("entity = %+v, want length 3 UTF-16 units", ents)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("nameless user falls back to an id label", func(t *testing.T) {
+		u := &models.User{ID: 42}
+		text, ents := supportCard(u)
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(text, "user 42") {
+			t.Errorf("card = %q, want the id fallback name", text)
+		}
+		if ents[0].Length != len("user 42") {
+			t.Errorf("entity length = %d, want it over the fallback name", ents[0].Length)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestSupportTopicName(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := supportTopicName(&models.User{ID: 7, FirstName: "Ann", LastName: "Lee", Username: "annlee"}); got != "Ann Lee @annlee" {
+		t.Errorf("topic name = %q, want %q", got, "Ann Lee @annlee")
+	}
+	if got := supportTopicName(&models.User{ID: 7}); got != "user 7" {
+		t.Errorf("nameless topic = %q, want %q", got, "user 7")
+	}
+	long := strings.Repeat("x", 200)
+	if got := supportTopicName(&models.User{ID: 7, FirstName: long}); len([]rune(got)) != supportTopicNameMax {
+		t.Errorf("topic name length = %d, want %d (trimmed)", len([]rune(got)), supportTopicNameMax)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSupportDisabledFallsThrough(t *testing.T) {
+	// With no SupportChatID the relay is off and supportEnabled is false.
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(&supportAPI{nextThread: 1000, nextMsg: 5000})
+	t.Cleanup(srv.Close)
+	b, err := New(Config{Token: "123:ABC", APIBaseURL: srv.URL, MiniAppURL: "https://example.com/"}, zap.NewNop())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new bot: %v", err)
+	}
+	if b.supportEnabled() {
+		t.Error("supportEnabled() = true without a SupportChatID")
+	}
+}

platform/telegram/internal/bot/welcome.go

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package bot
+
+import "strings"
+
+// startText returns the localized /start welcome body and the launch-button label.
+// Russian is used when lang (the IETF language tag the Telegram client reports on the
+// message's sender) starts with "ru", English otherwise and when it is absent — so a
+// user with no reported language still gets a sensible message. channel and chat are
+// the resolved public @usernames (without the leading @) of the game channel and the
+// discussion chat; when either is empty its follow link degrades to a generic noun
+// (e.g. "the channel" / "our chat") rather than rendering a dangling "@", since the
+// bot's own info screen still lists the real links.
+func startText(lang, channel, chat string) (text, button string) {
+	if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(lang), "ru") {
+		return ruWelcome(channel, chat), "Открыть «Эрудит»"
+	}
+	return enWelcome(channel, chat), "Open “Erudite”"
+}
+
+// ruWelcome builds the Russian welcome. A known handle is named as "@<username>"; an
+// unresolved one degrades to a plain noun.
+func ruWelcome(channel, chat string) string {
+	ch := "канал"
+	if channel != "" {
+		ch = "@" + channel
+	}
+	ct := "чате"
+	if chat != "" {
+		ct = "@" + chat
+	}
+	return strings.Join([]string{
+		"Привет! 👋",
+		"Здесь можно сражаться в «Эрудит» со случайными игроками или в компании друзей.",
+		"Подписывайтесь на " + ch + ", чтобы быть в курсе последних игровых событий и вовремя " +
+			"получать важные уведомления. Игроки могут обсуждать игру и просто общаться в нашем " +
+			ct + "! 💬",
+		"Ни слова больше.\nПервая партия сама себя не сыграет 😊",
+	}, "\n\n")
+}
+
+// enWelcome builds the English welcome (the fallback for any non-Russian or missing
+// language). A known handle is named as "@<username>"; an unresolved one degrades to a
+// plain noun.
+func enWelcome(channel, chat string) string {
+	ch := "the channel"
+	if channel != "" {
+		ch = "@" + channel
+	}
+	ct := "group chat"
+	if chat != "" {
+		ct = "@" + chat
+	}
+	return strings.Join([]string{
+		"Hi! 👋",
+		"Play Scrabble against random players — or with a group of friends.",
+		"Follow " + ch + " to stay up to date with the latest game events and receive important " +
+			"notifications in time. Players can discuss the game and simply chat in our " + ct + "! 💬",
+		"Okay, no more talking.\nFirst game won't play itself 😊",
+	}, "\n\n")
+}

platform/telegram/internal/bot/welcome_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+package bot
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestStartTextLocalizesByLanguage(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name       string
+		lang       string
+		wantButton string
+		wantSubstr string // a phrase unique to the chosen language body
+	}{
+		{"russian", "ru", "Открыть «Эрудит»", "Привет!"},
+		{"russian region tag", "ru-RU", "Открыть «Эрудит»", "Первая партия"},
+		{"english", "en", "Open “Erudite”", "Hi!"},
+		{"other language falls back to english", "de", "Open “Erudite”", "Hi!"},
+		{"absent language falls back to english", "", "Open “Erudite”", "no more talking"},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			text, button := startText(tc.lang, "erudit", "erudite_chat")
+			if button != tc.wantButton {
+				t.Errorf("button = %q, want %q", button, tc.wantButton)
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(text, tc.wantSubstr) {
+				t.Errorf("text %q does not contain %q", text, tc.wantSubstr)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStartTextEmbedsFollowHandles(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, lang := range []string{"ru", "en"} {
+		text, _ := startText(lang, "erudit", "erudite_chat")
+		if !strings.Contains(text, "@erudit") || !strings.Contains(text, "@erudite_chat") {
+			t.Errorf("lang %q: follow paragraph missing the handles: %q", lang, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStartTextFallsBackToGenericWhenHandleMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	// An unresolved handle degrades to a generic noun rather than a dangling "@" — and
+	// only that slot degrades; a resolved sibling still shows its "@username".
+	t.Run("both missing leaves no @", func(t *testing.T) {
+		for _, lang := range []string{"ru", "en"} {
+			text, _ := startText(lang, "", "")
+			if strings.Contains(text, "@") {
+				t.Errorf("lang %q: text shows a dangling @: %q", lang, text)
+			}
+		}
+		// The generic nouns are present in each language.
+		ru, _ := startText("ru", "", "")
+		if !strings.Contains(ru, "на канал") || !strings.Contains(ru, "в нашем чате") {
+			t.Errorf("russian generic fallback missing: %q", ru)
+		}
+		en, _ := startText("en", "", "")
+		if !strings.Contains(en, "Follow the channel") || !strings.Contains(en, "in our group chat") {
+			t.Errorf("english generic fallback missing: %q", en)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("only the missing slot degrades", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Channel resolved, chat missing: the channel keeps its @handle, the chat is generic.
+		en, _ := startText("en", "erudit", "")
+		if !strings.Contains(en, "@erudit") || strings.Contains(en, "@erudite") {
+			t.Errorf("channel handle not shown / chat handle leaked: %q", en)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(en, "in our group chat") {
+			t.Errorf("chat slot did not degrade to a generic noun: %q", en)
+		}
+	})
+}

platform/telegram/internal/config/config.go

@@ -42,6 +42,16 @@ type BotConfig struct {
 	// (TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID, optional; 0 disables chat gating). The bot must be an admin
 	// there with the "Ban users" right, and "chat_member" in its allowed updates.
 	ChatID int64
+	// SupportChatID is the chat id of the private forum supergroup the bot relays
+	// direct user messages into — one forum topic per user — and reads operator
+	// replies from (TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID, optional; 0 disables the support relay).
+	// The bot must be an administrator there with the manage-topics and
+	// delete-messages rights. Distinct from ChatID (the moderated discussion chat).
+	SupportChatID int64
+	// SupportStateDir is the directory holding the support relay's JSON state file
+	// (TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR, default /data). It must be writable by the
+	// container user (UID 65532) and backed by a persistent volume.
+	SupportStateDir string
 	// PromoBotToken is the API token of the optional standalone promo bot run in this
 	// container — a second bot whose only job is to answer /start with a button that
 	// opens the main bot's Mini App (TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN, optional; empty disables
@@ -55,6 +65,12 @@ type BotConfig struct {
 	// button appends ?startapp=<payload> to it (TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK; required when the
 	// promo bot runs). It is distinct from the BotLink mTLS dial config below.
 	BotLinkURL string
+	// PromoStartParam is the promo button's launch payload, appended as
+	// ?startapp=<PromoStartParam> (TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM, default
+	// "verudit_ru-scrabble_en"). It is a variant-seed deep link the backend decodes to
+	// seed a brand-new user's variant preferences; its labels must match the backend's
+	// known variants. Empty falls back to forwarding the user's own /start payload.
+	PromoStartParam string
 	// MiniAppURL is the HTTPS origin of the Mini App registered with BotFather; it is
 	// the base of every launch button (TELEGRAM_MINIAPP_URL, required).
 	MiniAppURL string
@@ -103,6 +119,10 @@ const (
 	defaultValidatorGRPCAddr = ":9091"
 	defaultBotReconnectDelay = 2 * time.Second
 	defaultSendRatePerSecond = 25
+	// defaultPromoStartParam is the promo button's default launch payload: a variant-seed
+	// deep link the backend decodes to add English Scrabble to a brand-new user's variant
+	// preferences alongside the default Erudit. Override with TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM.
+	defaultPromoStartParam = "verudit_ru-scrabble_en"
 )
 
 // LoadValidator reads the validator configuration from the environment.
@@ -135,6 +155,8 @@ func LoadBot() (BotConfig, error) {
 		PromoBotToken:     os.Getenv("TELEGRAM_PROMO_BOT_TOKEN"),
 		BotUsername:       strings.TrimPrefix(os.Getenv("TELEGRAM_BOT_USERNAME"), "@"),
 		BotLinkURL:        os.Getenv("TELEGRAM_BOT_LINK"),
+		PromoStartParam:   envOr("TELEGRAM_PROMO_START_PARAM", defaultPromoStartParam),
+		SupportStateDir:   envOr("TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR", "/data"),
 		LogLevel:          envOr("TELEGRAM_LOG_LEVEL", "info"),
 		BotLink: BotLinkClientConfig{
 			GatewayAddr: os.Getenv("TELEGRAM_GATEWAY_ADDR"),
@@ -152,6 +174,9 @@ func LoadBot() (BotConfig, error) {
 	if cfg.ChatID, err = envInt64("TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID", 0); err != nil {
 		return BotConfig{}, err
 	}
+	if cfg.SupportChatID, err = envInt64("TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID", 0); err != nil {
+		return BotConfig{}, err
+	}
 	if cfg.SendRatePerSecond, err = envInt("TELEGRAM_SEND_RATE_PER_SECOND", defaultSendRatePerSecond); err != nil {
 		return BotConfig{}, err
 	}

platform/telegram/internal/config/config_test.go

@@ -151,6 +151,48 @@ func TestLoadBotChatAndPromo(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+// TestLoadBotSupportRelay verifies the support-relay chat id parses, the state
+// directory defaults to /data, and the relay is disabled (chat id 0) by default.
+func TestLoadBotSupportRelay(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("parsed", func(t *testing.T) {
+		setBotRequired(t)
+		t.Setenv("TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID", "-1001234567890")
+		t.Setenv("TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_STATE_DIR", "/srv/state")
+		c, err := LoadBot()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadBot: %v", err)
+		}
+		if c.SupportChatID != -1001234567890 {
+			t.Errorf("SupportChatID = %d, want -1001234567890", c.SupportChatID)
+		}
+		if c.SupportStateDir != "/srv/state" {
+			t.Errorf("SupportStateDir = %q, want /srv/state", c.SupportStateDir)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("defaults", func(t *testing.T) {
+		setBotRequired(t)
+		c, err := LoadBot()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("LoadBot: %v", err)
+		}
+		if c.SupportChatID != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("SupportChatID = %d, want 0 (relay disabled)", c.SupportChatID)
+		}
+		if c.SupportStateDir != "/data" {
+			t.Errorf("SupportStateDir = %q, want /data", c.SupportStateDir)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("malformed chat id rejected", func(t *testing.T) {
+		setBotRequired(t)
+		t.Setenv("TELEGRAM_SUPPORT_CHAT_ID", "not-a-number")
+		if _, err := LoadBot(); err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("LoadBot: expected an error for a malformed support chat id, got nil")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 // TestLoadRejectsUnsupportedExporter verifies an exporter outside the supported set
 // fails validation (the validator path).
 func TestLoadRejectsUnsupportedExporter(t *testing.T) {

platform/telegram/internal/initdata/validator.go

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 // ErrInvalidInitData is returned when initData fails HMAC validation, is missing
-// the hash, is malformed, or is older than the freshness window.
+// the hash, is malformed, is older than the freshness window, or identifies a bot
+// user (is_bot), which is denied.
 var ErrInvalidInitData = errors.New("initdata: invalid telegram init data")
 
 // defaultMaxAge bounds how old a validated initData payload may be.
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ func parseUser(userJSON string) (User, error) {
 	}
 	var u struct {
 		ID           int64  `json:"id"`
+		IsBot        bool   `json:"is_bot"`
 		Username     string `json:"username"`
 		FirstName    string `json:"first_name"`
 		LanguageCode string `json:"language_code"`
@@ -127,6 +129,12 @@ func parseUser(userJSON string) (User, error) {
 	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(userJSON), &u); err != nil || u.ID == 0 {
 		return User{}, ErrInvalidInitData
 	}
+	// Deny bot principals: the HMAC has already proved Telegram signed this payload, so is_bot==true
+	// is Telegram itself attesting the launching user is a bot. A real user opening the Mini App
+	// never carries it, so reject defensively rather than provision an account for a bot.
+	if u.IsBot {
+		return User{}, ErrInvalidInitData
+	}
 	return User{
 		ExternalID:   strconv.FormatInt(u.ID, 10),
 		Username:     u.Username,

platform/telegram/internal/initdata/validator_test.go

@@ -83,3 +83,28 @@ func TestValidateRejects(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 }
+
+func TestValidateBotUser(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("is_bot true is denied", func(t *testing.T) {
+		initData := signInitData(testToken, map[string]string{
+			"auth_date": strconv.FormatInt(time.Now().Unix(), 10),
+			"user":      `{"id":42,"is_bot":true,"first_name":"Robo"}`,
+		})
+		if _, err := NewHMACValidator(testToken).Validate(initData); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidInitData) {
+			t.Errorf("err = %v, want ErrInvalidInitData", err)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("is_bot false is allowed", func(t *testing.T) {
+		initData := signInitData(testToken, map[string]string{
+			"auth_date": strconv.FormatInt(time.Now().Unix(), 10),
+			"user":      `{"id":42,"is_bot":false,"first_name":"Thomas"}`,
+		})
+		u, err := NewHMACValidator(testToken).Validate(initData)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("validate: %v", err)
+		}
+		if u.ExternalID != "42" || u.FirstName != "Thomas" {
+			t.Errorf("user = %+v, want {42 Thomas}", u)
+		}
+	})
+}

platform/telegram/internal/promobot/promobot.go

@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@
 package promobot
 
 import (
+	"cmp"
 	"context"
+	"html"
 	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -33,6 +35,11 @@ type Config struct {
 	// BotLinkURL is the main bot's Mini App direct link; the button appends
 	// ?startapp=<payload> to it.
 	BotLinkURL string
+	// StartParam is the campaign payload appended as ?startapp=<StartParam> to the launch
+	// button — e.g. a variant-seed deep link ("verudit_ru-scrabble_en") the backend
+	// decodes to seed a brand-new user's variant preferences. Empty falls back to
+	// forwarding the user's own /start payload.
+	StartParam string
 	// SendRatePerSecond caps outbound sends to respect the Bot API flood limits; 0
 	// disables the limiter. The burst equals the per-second rate.
 	SendRatePerSecond int
@@ -40,11 +47,12 @@ type Config struct {
 
 // Bot is the promo bot wrapper around a Telegram Bot API client.
 type Bot struct {
-	api      *tgbot.Bot
-	username string
-	linkURL  string
-	log      *zap.Logger
-	limiter  *rate.Limiter
+	api        *tgbot.Bot
+	username   string
+	linkURL    string
+	startParam string
+	log        *zap.Logger
+	limiter    *rate.Limiter
 }
 
 // New builds the promo bot, registering a /start (and default) handler that replies
@@ -53,7 +61,7 @@ func New(cfg Config, log *zap.Logger) (*Bot, error) {
 	if log == nil {
 		log = zap.NewNop()
 	}
-	t := &Bot{username: cfg.BotUsername, linkURL: cfg.BotLinkURL, log: log}
+	t := &Bot{username: cfg.BotUsername, linkURL: cfg.BotLinkURL, startParam: cfg.StartParam, log: log}
 	if cfg.SendRatePerSecond > 0 {
 		t.limiter = rate.NewLimiter(rate.Limit(cfg.SendRatePerSecond), cfg.SendRatePerSecond)
 	}
@@ -87,7 +95,8 @@ func (t *Bot) Run(ctx context.Context) {
 }
 
 // handleStart replies to any message (typically /start) with the localized promo text
-// and a button that opens the main bot's Mini App, forwarding any /start payload.
+// and a button that opens the main bot's Mini App at the configured campaign payload
+// (falling back to forwarding any /start payload the user arrived with).
 func (t *Bot) handleStart(ctx context.Context, api *tgbot.Bot, update *models.Update) {
 	if update.Message == nil {
 		return
@@ -104,11 +113,16 @@ func (t *Bot) handleStart(ctx context.Context, api *tgbot.Bot, update *models.Up
 	if update.Message.From != nil {
 		lang = update.Message.From.LanguageCode
 	}
-	text, button := promoText(lang, t.username)
+	// The configured campaign payload (a variant-seed deep link) takes precedence; absent
+	// one, fall back to forwarding any /start payload the user arrived with. The same
+	// payload backs both the inline button and the @username link in the body.
+	param := cmp.Or(t.startParam, startPayload(update.Message.Text))
+	text, button := promoText(lang, t.username, t.launchURL(param))
 	if _, err := api.SendMessage(ctx, &tgbot.SendMessageParams{
 		ChatID:      update.Message.Chat.ID,
 		Text:        text,
-		ReplyMarkup: t.launchMarkup(button, startPayload(update.Message.Text)),
+		ParseMode:   models.ParseModeHTML,
+		ReplyMarkup: t.launchMarkup(button, param),
 	}); err != nil {
 		t.log.Warn("promo: reply to start failed", zap.Error(err))
 	}
@@ -159,11 +173,15 @@ func startPayload(text string) string {
 	return strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(text, cmd))
 }
 
-// promoText returns the localized message body and button label, naming the main bot
-// (Russian for a "ru" language code, English otherwise).
-func promoText(lang, username string) (text, button string) {
+// promoText returns the localized message body and button label. The body names the main
+// bot as a clickable @username whose link is the Mini App deep link (launchURL, the same
+// target as the button), so tapping the mention opens the seeded Mini App rather than the
+// bot profile. The body is sent with ParseMode HTML; only the link carries markup, so the
+// static sentences need no escaping. Russian for a "ru" language code, English otherwise.
+func promoText(lang, username, launchURL string) (text, button string) {
+	mention := `<a href="` + html.EscapeString(launchURL) + `">@` + html.EscapeString(username) + `</a>`
 	if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(lang), "ru") {
-		return "Откройте @" + username + " и выберите в настройках профиля нужный вариант игры.", "🤩 Хочу играть!"
+		return "Откройте " + mention + " и выберите в настройках профиля нужный вариант игры.", "🤩 Хочу играть!"
 	}
-	return "Open @" + username + " and choose your game variant in the profile settings.", "🤩 I want to play!"
+	return "Open " + mention + " and choose your game variant in the profile settings.", "🤩 I want to play!"
 }

platform/telegram/internal/promobot/promobot_test.go

@@ -13,25 +13,30 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestPromoTextLocalization(t *testing.T) {
-	en, enBtn := promoText("en", "ScrabbleBot")
-	if !strings.Contains(en, "@ScrabbleBot") || !strings.Contains(en, "profile settings") {
+	const url = "https://t.me/bot/app?startapp=verudit_ru-scrabble_en"
+	// The @username is rendered as a clickable deep link (the same target as the button),
+	// not a plain mention, so tapping it opens the seeded Mini App.
+	wantLink := `<a href="` + url + `">@ScrabbleBot</a>`
+
+	en, enBtn := promoText("en", "ScrabbleBot", url)
+	if !strings.Contains(en, wantLink) || !strings.Contains(en, "profile settings") {
 		t.Errorf("en text = %q", en)
 	}
 	if enBtn != "🤩 I want to play!" {
 		t.Errorf("en button = %q", enBtn)
 	}
 
-	ru, ruBtn := promoText("ru-RU", "ScrabbleBot")
-	if !strings.Contains(ru, "@ScrabbleBot") || !strings.Contains(ru, "Откройте") {
+	ru, ruBtn := promoText("ru-RU", "ScrabbleBot", url)
+	if !strings.Contains(ru, wantLink) || !strings.Contains(ru, "Откройте") {
 		t.Errorf("ru text = %q", ru)
 	}
 	if ruBtn != "🤩 Хочу играть!" {
 		t.Errorf("ru button = %q", ruBtn)
 	}
 
-	// An unknown language falls back to English.
-	if got, _ := promoText("de", "B"); !strings.Contains(got, "Open @B") {
-		t.Errorf("fallback text = %q, want English", got)
+	// An unknown language falls back to English, still with the linked mention.
+	if got, _ := promoText("de", "B", url); !strings.Contains(got, "Open ") || !strings.Contains(got, `">@B</a>`) {
+		t.Errorf("fallback text = %q, want English with a linked mention", got)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -93,8 +98,8 @@ func TestHandleStartReplies(t *testing.T) {
 	if api.chatID != "42" {
 		t.Errorf("chat_id = %q, want 42", api.chatID)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(api.text, "@ScrabbleBot") {
-		t.Errorf("text = %q, want the @mention", api.text)
+	if !strings.Contains(api.text, `<a href="https://t.me/bot/app?startapp=f99">@ScrabbleBot</a>`) {
+		t.Errorf("text = %q, want the @mention linked to the startapp deep link", api.text)
 	}
 	if strings.Contains(api.replyMarkup, "web_app") {
 		t.Errorf("reply_markup = %q has a web_app button; want a url button", api.replyMarkup)

platform/telegram/internal/support/store.go

@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+// Package support persists the Telegram bot's support-relay state. For each user
+// who direct-messages the bot it records the dedicated forum topic the bot opened
+// in the operators' support chat, whether the user is blocked, and the ids of the
+// messages relayed into that topic — so an operator's "clear" can delete them while
+// keeping the topic's info card. The state is a small JSON file on a writable
+// volume: the bot host has no database.
+//
+// The store is concurrency-safe. The go-telegram/bot library dispatches each update
+// in its own goroutine, so every exported method locks. Mutators update only their
+// own fields (SetTopic never touches Blocked, SetBlocked never touches the relayed
+// ids) so a topic recreate cannot clobber a concurrent block toggle.
+package support
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// User is one user's support-relay state.
+type User struct {
+	// UserID is the user's Telegram user id (the private chat id the bot relays to).
+	UserID int64 `json:"user_id"`
+	// TopicID is the forum topic's message_thread_id in the support chat; 0 means no
+	// topic has been created yet.
+	TopicID int `json:"topic_id"`
+	// HeaderMsgID is the info-card message that opens the topic and carries the
+	// block/clear buttons; it is never deleted by a clear.
+	HeaderMsgID int `json:"header_msg_id"`
+	// Blocked reports whether the bot drops this user's incoming messages.
+	Blocked bool `json:"blocked"`
+	// FirstName, LastName and Username snapshot the user's Telegram profile at the
+	// time the topic was created or last refreshed (for the topic name and info card).
+	FirstName string `json:"first_name,omitempty"`
+	LastName  string `json:"last_name,omitempty"`
+	Username  string `json:"username,omitempty"`
+	// RelayedMsgIDs are the ids of the messages posted into the topic after the header
+	// (the user's relayed messages and the operators' replies); a clear deletes them.
+	RelayedMsgIDs []int `json:"relayed_msg_ids,omitempty"`
+	// CreatedAt is when the topic was first opened for this user.
+	CreatedAt time.Time `json:"created_at"`
+}
+
+// Store is the concurrency-safe, JSON-backed support-relay state. The zero value is
+// not usable; build one with Open or New.
+type Store struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	path    string
+	users   map[int64]*User
+	byTopic map[int]int64 // TopicID -> UserID, for resolving operator replies
+}
+
+// file is the on-disk shape: a flat list of users. A JSON object keyed by user id
+// would force the int64 keys through strings; a list keeps the ids typed.
+type file struct {
+	Users []*User `json:"users"`
+}
+
+// New returns an empty store that persists to path, creating the parent directory
+// when missing. Use it as the fallback when Open reports a corrupt file.
+func New(path string) *Store {
+	_ = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755)
+	return &Store{path: path, users: map[int64]*User{}, byTopic: map[int]int64{}}
+}
+
+// Open loads the store from path. A missing file yields an empty store and no
+// error; an unreadable or malformed file returns an error so the caller can decide
+// whether to start empty.
+func Open(path string) (*Store, error) {
+	s := New(path)
+	b, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return s, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("support: read state %s: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	var f file
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(b, &f); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("support: parse state %s: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	for _, u := range f.Users {
+		if u == nil || u.UserID == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		s.users[u.UserID] = u
+		if u.TopicID != 0 {
+			s.byTopic[u.TopicID] = u.UserID
+		}
+	}
+	return s, nil
+}
+
+// Get returns a detached copy of the user's state and whether it exists.
+func (s *Store) Get(userID int64) (User, bool) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	u, ok := s.users[userID]
+	if !ok {
+		return User{}, false
+	}
+	cp := *u
+	cp.RelayedMsgIDs = append([]int(nil), u.RelayedMsgIDs...)
+	return cp, true
+}
+
+// ByTopic returns the user id owning the given forum topic, and whether one is known.
+func (s *Store) ByTopic(topicID int) (int64, bool) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	uid, ok := s.byTopic[topicID]
+	return uid, ok
+}
+
+// Blocked reports whether the user's incoming messages are dropped.
+func (s *Store) Blocked(userID int64) bool {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if u, ok := s.users[userID]; ok {
+		return u.Blocked
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// SetTopic records the forum topic and info-card message opened for the user and
+// refreshes the profile snapshot, creating the record on first contact. It rebuilds
+// the topic index when the topic changes (a recreate) and preserves the block state
+// and the relayed-message ids. It persists the result.
+func (s *Store) SetTopic(userID int64, topicID, headerMsgID int, firstName, lastName, username string) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	u, ok := s.users[userID]
+	if !ok {
+		u = &User{UserID: userID, CreatedAt: time.Now().UTC()}
+		s.users[userID] = u
+	} else if u.TopicID != 0 && u.TopicID != topicID {
+		delete(s.byTopic, u.TopicID)
+	}
+	u.TopicID = topicID
+	u.HeaderMsgID = headerMsgID
+	u.FirstName, u.LastName, u.Username = firstName, lastName, username
+	if topicID != 0 {
+		s.byTopic[topicID] = userID
+	}
+	return s.save()
+}
+
+// SetBlocked sets the user's blocked flag, creating a minimal record when none
+// exists, and persists the result.
+func (s *Store) SetBlocked(userID int64, blocked bool) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	u, ok := s.users[userID]
+	if !ok {
+		u = &User{UserID: userID, CreatedAt: time.Now().UTC()}
+		s.users[userID] = u
+	}
+	u.Blocked = blocked
+	return s.save()
+}
+
+// AppendMsg records a message posted into the user's topic (for a later clear) and
+// persists the result. It is a no-op when the user has no record yet.
+func (s *Store) AppendMsg(userID int64, msgID int) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	u, ok := s.users[userID]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	u.RelayedMsgIDs = append(u.RelayedMsgIDs, msgID)
+	return s.save()
+}
+
+// ClearMsgs empties and returns the user's relayed-message ids (the info card is not
+// among them) and persists the result, so the caller can delete them from the chat.
+func (s *Store) ClearMsgs(userID int64) ([]int, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	u, ok := s.users[userID]
+	if !ok || len(u.RelayedMsgIDs) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	ids := u.RelayedMsgIDs
+	u.RelayedMsgIDs = nil
+	if err := s.save(); err != nil {
+		// Roll back so the ids are not lost if the write fails.
+		u.RelayedMsgIDs = ids
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return ids, nil
+}
+
+// save writes the state atomically (temp file in the same directory, then rename).
+// The caller must hold s.mu.
+func (s *Store) save() error {
+	f := file{Users: make([]*User, 0, len(s.users))}
+	for _, u := range s.users {
+		f.Users = append(f.Users, u)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(f.Users, func(i, j int) bool { return f.Users[i].UserID < f.Users[j].UserID })
+	b, err := json.MarshalIndent(f, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("support: marshal state: %w", err)
+	}
+	tmp, err := os.CreateTemp(filepath.Dir(s.path), ".support-*.json")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("support: create temp state: %w", err)
+	}
+	tmpName := tmp.Name()
+	defer func() { _ = os.Remove(tmpName) }() // no-op once the rename succeeds
+	if _, err := tmp.Write(b); err != nil {
+		_ = tmp.Close()
+		return fmt.Errorf("support: write temp state: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := tmp.Close(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("support: close temp state: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Rename(tmpName, s.path); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("support: replace state %s: %w", s.path, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

platform/telegram/internal/support/store_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+package support
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// statePath returns a path inside a fresh temp directory for a store file.
+func statePath(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	return filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "support.json")
+}
+
+func TestOpenMissingReturnsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	s, err := Open(statePath(t))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Open missing: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := s.Get(42); ok {
+		t.Error("Get on an empty store returned a record")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOpenCorruptReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
+	path := statePath(t)
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte("{not json"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write corrupt: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := Open(path); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Open on a corrupt file: expected an error, got nil")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSetTopicPersistsAndReloads(t *testing.T) {
+	path := statePath(t)
+	s := New(path)
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 100, 101, "Ann", "Lee", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// In-memory view.
+	got, ok := s.Get(7)
+	if !ok || got.TopicID != 100 || got.HeaderMsgID != 101 || got.Username != "annlee" {
+		t.Fatalf("Get = %+v ok=%v, want topic 100 / header 101 / annlee", got, ok)
+	}
+	if got.CreatedAt.IsZero() {
+		t.Error("CreatedAt not set on first contact")
+	}
+	if uid, ok := s.ByTopic(100); !ok || uid != 7 {
+		t.Errorf("ByTopic(100) = %d ok=%v, want 7/true", uid, ok)
+	}
+
+	// Reloaded from disk.
+	reload, err := Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Open: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, ok = reload.Get(7)
+	if !ok || got.TopicID != 100 || got.FirstName != "Ann" {
+		t.Fatalf("reloaded Get = %+v ok=%v, want topic 100 / Ann", got, ok)
+	}
+	if uid, ok := reload.ByTopic(100); !ok || uid != 7 {
+		t.Errorf("reloaded ByTopic(100) = %d ok=%v, want 7/true", uid, ok)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSetTopicRecreateReindexes(t *testing.T) {
+	s := New(statePath(t))
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 100, 101, "Ann", "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 200, 201, "Ann", "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic recreate: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, ok := s.ByTopic(100); ok {
+		t.Error("ByTopic(100) still resolves after recreate; the stale topic was not dropped")
+	}
+	if uid, ok := s.ByTopic(200); !ok || uid != 7 {
+		t.Errorf("ByTopic(200) = %d ok=%v, want 7/true", uid, ok)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBlockSurvivesTopicRecreate is the field-isolation guarantee: a topic recreate
+// (SetTopic) must not clear a block set concurrently from the buttons.
+func TestBlockSurvivesTopicRecreate(t *testing.T) {
+	s := New(statePath(t))
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 100, 101, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SetBlocked(7, true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetBlocked: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 200, 201, "Ann", "", "annlee"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic recreate: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !s.Blocked(7) {
+		t.Error("block was cleared by a topic recreate")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAppendAndClearMsgs(t *testing.T) {
+	s := New(statePath(t))
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 100, 101, "Ann", "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, id := range []int{500, 501, 502} {
+		if err := s.AppendMsg(7, id); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("AppendMsg %d: %v", id, err)
+		}
+	}
+	got, _ := s.Get(7)
+	if len(got.RelayedMsgIDs) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("RelayedMsgIDs = %v, want 3 ids", got.RelayedMsgIDs)
+	}
+
+	ids, err := s.ClearMsgs(7)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ClearMsgs: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(ids) != 3 || ids[0] != 500 || ids[2] != 502 {
+		t.Errorf("ClearMsgs = %v, want [500 501 502]", ids)
+	}
+	got, _ = s.Get(7)
+	if len(got.RelayedMsgIDs) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("RelayedMsgIDs after clear = %v, want empty", got.RelayedMsgIDs)
+	}
+	if got.HeaderMsgID != 101 || got.TopicID != 100 {
+		t.Errorf("clear disturbed the topic/header: %+v", got)
+	}
+
+	// A second clear is a no-op.
+	if ids, err := s.ClearMsgs(7); err != nil || ids != nil {
+		t.Errorf("second ClearMsgs = %v, %v, want nil, nil", ids, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGetReturnsDetachedCopy(t *testing.T) {
+	s := New(statePath(t))
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 100, 101, "Ann", "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := s.AppendMsg(7, 500); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("AppendMsg: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, _ := s.Get(7)
+	got.RelayedMsgIDs[0] = 999 // mutate the copy
+	again, _ := s.Get(7)
+	if again.RelayedMsgIDs[0] != 500 {
+		t.Error("Get returned a slice that aliases the store's state")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestConcurrentMutationsSafe exercises the mutex under parallel writers; run with
+// -race to catch data races.
+func TestConcurrentMutationsSafe(t *testing.T) {
+	s := New(statePath(t))
+	if err := s.SetTopic(7, 100, 101, "Ann", "", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetTopic: %v", err)
+	}
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := range 20 {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(n int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			_ = s.AppendMsg(7, 1000+n)
+			_ = s.SetBlocked(7, n%2 == 0)
+			_, _ = s.Get(7)
+			_, _ = s.ByTopic(100)
+		}(i)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	got, ok := s.Get(7)
+	if !ok || len(got.RelayedMsgIDs) != 20 {
+		t.Errorf("after concurrent appends: %d ids, want 20", len(got.RelayedMsgIDs))
+	}
+}

ui/e2e/fixtures.ts

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 import { test as base } from '@playwright/test';
 
 // All e2e specs run hermetically against the mock transport. Neutralise the real
-// telegram-web-app.js (loaded from the CDN in index.html) so the suite never blocks
-// on telegram.org — it is unreachable from the CI runner, and a render-blocking
-// <script> to it would hang every page load. Specs that exercise the Telegram launch
-// inject their own window.Telegram via addInitScript before navigating.
+// telegram-web-app.js (the app loads it dynamically — see lib/telegram.ts loadTelegramSDK) so the
+// suite never reaches telegram.org, which is unreachable from the CI runner. Specs that exercise
+// the Telegram launch inject their own window.Telegram via addInitScript before navigating, so the
+// dynamic load short-circuits on the already-present SDK.
 export const test = base.extend({
   page: async ({ page }, use) => {
-    await page.route('**/telegram-web-app.js', (route) =>
+    await page.route('**/telegram-web-app.js*', (route) =>
       route.fulfill({ status: 200, contentType: 'application/javascript', body: '' }),
     );
     await use(page);

ui/e2e/social.spec.ts

@@ -44,6 +44,60 @@ test('friends: issue a code, accept an incoming request, redeem a code', async (
   await expect(page.locator('.who', { hasText: 'Friend 111111' })).toBeVisible();
 });
 
+test('friends: the row kebab reveals block/remove and an outside tap closes it', async ({ page }) => {
+  await loginLobby(page);
+  await openFriends(page);
+
+  // A friend row slides open on its kebab (like the lobby), exposing two icon actions.
+  const kaya = page.locator('.rowwrap', { hasText: 'Kaya' });
+  await kaya.locator('.kebab').click();
+  await expect(kaya).toHaveClass(/revealed/);
+  await expect(kaya.locator('.acts').getByRole('button', { name: 'Block' })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(kaya.locator('.acts').getByRole('button', { name: 'Remove' })).toBeVisible();
+
+  // A tap anywhere outside the action buttons collapses the row again.
+  await page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Your friends' }).click();
+  await expect(kaya).not.toHaveClass(/revealed/);
+});
+
+test('friends: blocking from the list confirms (naming the friend) and moves them to Blocked', async ({ page }) => {
+  await loginLobby(page);
+  await openFriends(page);
+
+  const kaya = page.locator('.rowwrap', { hasText: 'Kaya' });
+  await kaya.locator('.kebab').click();
+  await kaya.locator('.acts').getByRole('button', { name: 'Block' }).click();
+
+  // The confirmation keeps a generic title and names the friend in the body.
+  const dialog = page.getByRole('dialog');
+  await expect(dialog.getByText('Block this player?')).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(dialog.locator('.confirm-name')).toHaveText('Kaya');
+  await dialog.getByRole('button', { name: 'Block' }).click();
+
+  // The block applied: Kaya leaves the friends list and shows under Blocked players.
+  await expect(page.getByText('No friends yet.')).toBeVisible();
+  const blocked = page.locator('.rowwrap', { hasText: 'Kaya' });
+  await expect(blocked.getByRole('button', { name: 'Unblock' })).toBeVisible();
+});
+
+test('friends: removing from the list confirms (naming the friend) and drops them', async ({ page }) => {
+  await loginLobby(page);
+  await openFriends(page);
+
+  const kaya = page.locator('.rowwrap', { hasText: 'Kaya' });
+  await kaya.locator('.kebab').click();
+  await kaya.locator('.acts').getByRole('button', { name: 'Remove' }).click();
+
+  const dialog = page.getByRole('dialog');
+  await expect(dialog.getByText('Remove from friends?')).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(dialog.locator('.confirm-name')).toHaveText('Kaya');
+  await dialog.getByRole('button', { name: 'Remove' }).click();
+
+  // Unfriending just drops the friendship — Kaya is gone and not blocked.
+  await expect(page.getByText('No friends yet.')).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.locator('.rowwrap', { hasText: 'Kaya' })).toHaveCount(0);
+});
+
 test('invitations: the lobby shows an invitation and accepting clears it', async ({ page }) => {
   await loginLobby(page);
   await expect(page.getByText('Invitations')).toBeVisible();

ui/e2e/telegram.spec.ts

@@ -107,11 +107,30 @@ test('inside Telegram, a failed launch shows the retry screen, not the web login
   await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: /guest/i })).toHaveCount(0);
 });
 
-test('outside Telegram, the /telegram/ entry redirects to the site root', async ({ page }) => {
+test('outside Telegram, the /telegram/ entry shows the launch diagnostic, not a redirect', async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
   await page.goto('/telegram/');
 
-  // The guard sends a non-Telegram visitor back to the root, where the normal
-  // (guest / email) login is shown.
-  await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: /guest/i })).toBeVisible();
-  await expect(page).not.toHaveURL(/\/telegram\//);
+  // The entry no longer bounces a visitor without Telegram sign-in data to the marketing landing;
+  // it shows a compact diagnostic screen (Share + Retry) that helps pinpoint why initData was
+  // absent — notably the Android empty-initData failure.
+  await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Share' })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Retry' })).toBeVisible();
+  // It stays on /telegram/ (no redirect) and never shows the web (guest) login.
+  await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/telegram\//);
+  await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: /guest/i })).toHaveCount(0);
+});
+
+test('a blocked telegram-web-app.js does not hang the diagnostic screen', async ({ page }) => {
+  // Simulate a network where telegram.org is unreachable: the SDK fetch fails. Because the SPA
+  // loads the SDK dynamically with a timeout (not a render-blocking <script>), a failed/blocked
+  // fetch must not strand the page — the diagnostic screen still renders, reporting no SDK. (This
+  // route overrides the fixture's empty-body fulfill; the later registration wins.)
+  await page.route('**/telegram-web-app.js*', (route) => route.abort());
+  await page.goto('/telegram/');
+
+  await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Share' })).toBeVisible();
+  // The diagnostic names the load outcome: a failed fetch reads as sdk-load: error.
+  await expect(page.getByText('sdk-load: error')).toBeVisible();
 });

ui/index.html

@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@
 <html lang="en">
   <head>
     <meta charset="UTF-8" />
-    <!-- Telegram Mini App SDK: defines window.Telegram.WebApp. Harmless outside
-         Telegram (initData is empty), so it loads on every entry. -->
-    <script src="https://telegram.org/js/telegram-web-app.js"></script>
+    <!-- The Telegram Mini App SDK (window.Telegram.WebApp) is deliberately NOT loaded here: a
+         render-blocking <script> to telegram.org hangs the whole page on a network that blocks
+         telegram.org (common where Telegram itself reaches users only over a proxy), stranding even
+         the launch-diagnostic screen. The app loads it dynamically, with a timeout, only on a
+         Telegram entry — see lib/telegram.ts loadTelegramSDK and lib/app.svelte.ts bootstrap. -->
     <!-- user-scalable=no: the board owns zoom; we do not want the browser's pinch
          to fight our two-state zoom. viewport-fit=cover for native (Capacitor). -->
     <meta

ui/package.json

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
     "@bufbuild/protobuf": "^2.12.0",
     "@connectrpc/connect": "^2.1.0",
     "@connectrpc/connect-web": "^2.1.0",
+    "@vkontakte/vk-bridge": "^3.0.2",
     "flatbuffers": "^25.9.23"
   },
   "devDependencies": {

ui/pnpm-lock.yaml

@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ importers:
       '@connectrpc/connect-web':
         specifier: ^2.1.0
         version: 2.1.1(@bufbuild/protobuf@2.12.0)(@connectrpc/connect@2.1.1(@bufbuild/protobuf@2.12.0))
+      '@vkontakte/vk-bridge':
+        specifier: ^3.0.2
+        version: 3.0.2
       flatbuffers:
         specifier: ^25.9.23
         version: 25.9.23
@@ -413,6 +416,9 @@ packages:
       svelte: ^5.0.0
       vite: ^6.0.0
 
+  '@swc/helpers@0.5.23':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-5lSsMOTXURePglDfvuAQUqkGek9Hg2kksOYay2m0+XR++b2NWYL/4sWyuvVBIs8oKnJaxkdi9whaL/sqN13afw==}
+
   '@types/chai@5.2.3':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-Mw558oeA9fFbv65/y4mHtXDs9bPnFMZAL/jxdPFUpOHHIXX91mcgEHbS5Lahr+pwZFR8A7GQleRWeI6cGFC2UA==}
 
@@ -462,6 +468,9 @@ packages:
   '@vitest/utils@3.2.6':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-lI23nIs4bnT3T8NIoh+vFaz5s2/DdP0Jgt2jxwgWljvwn82cLJtyi/If+fjFyoLMGIOz0U/fKvWE0d4jsNQEfg==}
 
+  '@vkontakte/vk-bridge@3.0.2':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-MTp+nl0/jH4Sa2TXDyxNfy9VkhOhRQR1oQ4yhvthVDA4aWUa26npns7bRgfTuR3xDVGFiqW7zAwLnwcv3mL+dA==}
+
   acorn@8.16.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-UVJyE9MttOsBQIDKw1skb9nAwQuR5wuGD3+82K6JgJlm/Y+KI92oNsMNGZCYdDsVtRHSak0pcV5Dno5+4jh9sw==}
     engines: {node: '>=0.4.0'}
@@ -689,6 +698,9 @@ packages:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-azl+t0z7pw/z958Gy9svOTuzqIk6xq+NSheJzn5MMWtWTFywIacg2wUlzKFGtt3cthx0r2SxMK0yzJOR0IES7Q==}
     engines: {node: '>=14.0.0'}
 
+  tslib@2.8.1:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-oJFu94HQb+KVduSUQL7wnpmqnfmLsOA/nAh6b6EH0wCEoK0/mPeXU6c3wKDV83MkOuHPRHtSXKKU99IBazS/2w==}
+
   typescript@5.4.5:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-vcI4UpRgg81oIRUFwR0WSIHKt11nJ7SAVlYNIu+QpqeyXP+gpQJy/Z4+F0aGxSE4MqwjyXvW/TzgkLAx2AGHwQ==}
     engines: {node: '>=14.17'}
@@ -1022,6 +1034,10 @@ snapshots:
     transitivePeerDependencies:
       - supports-color
 
+  '@swc/helpers@0.5.23':
+    dependencies:
+      tslib: 2.8.1
+
   '@types/chai@5.2.3':
     dependencies:
       '@types/deep-eql': 4.0.2
@@ -1086,6 +1102,10 @@ snapshots:
       loupe: 3.2.1
       tinyrainbow: 2.0.0
 
+  '@vkontakte/vk-bridge@3.0.2':
+    dependencies:
+      '@swc/helpers': 0.5.23
+
   acorn@8.16.0: {}
 
   aria-query@5.3.1: {}
@@ -1318,6 +1338,8 @@ snapshots:
 
   tinyspy@4.0.4: {}
 
+  tslib@2.8.1: {}
+
   typescript@5.4.5: {}
 
   typescript@5.9.3: {}

ui/src/App.svelte

@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
   import { onMount } from 'svelte';
   import { cubicOut } from 'svelte/easing';
   import { app, bootstrap } from './lib/app.svelte';
-  import { navigate, router, type RouteName } from './lib/router.svelte';
+  import { router, type RouteName } from './lib/router.svelte';
   import { t } from './lib/i18n/index.svelte';
-  import { insideTelegram, telegramBackButton } from './lib/telegram';
   import Toast from './components/Toast.svelte';
   import Splash from './components/Splash.svelte';
   import StaleInviteModal from './components/StaleInviteModal.svelte';
   import WelcomeRedeemModal from './components/WelcomeRedeemModal.svelte';
+  import DebugPanel from './components/DebugPanel.svelte';
   import Login from './screens/Login.svelte';
   import Lobby from './screens/Lobby.svelte';
   import NewGame from './screens/NewGame.svelte';
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
   import Feedback from './screens/Feedback.svelte';
   import Blocked from './screens/Blocked.svelte';
   import BootError from './screens/BootError.svelte';
+  import TelegramLaunchError from './screens/TelegramLaunchError.svelte';
 
   onMount(() => {
     void bootstrap();
@@ -29,19 +30,6 @@
   // another screen is not covered.
   const routeIsLobby = $derived(router.route.name === 'lobby');
 
-  // Inside Telegram, drive its native header back button: show it on any sub-screen
-  // (everything returns to the lobby root), hide it on the lobby/login. The app's own
-  // back chevron is hidden in Telegram (Header.svelte) so only the native one shows.
-  $effect(() => {
-    if (!insideTelegram()) return;
-    const r = router.route;
-    // The chat / check sub-screens step back to their game; every other sub-screen to the lobby.
-    let target = '/';
-    if (r.name === 'gameChat' || r.name === 'gameCheck') target = `/game/${r.params.id}`;
-    else if (r.name === 'feedback') target = '/about'; // back to the Settings → Info tab
-    telegramBackButton(r.name !== 'lobby' && r.name !== 'login', () => navigate(target));
-  });
-
   // Screen transitions: the lobby is the navigation root. Entering a screen from the
   // lobby slides it in from the right (forward); returning to the lobby slides the
   // screen out to the right and reveals the lobby (back). Transitions are local, so
@@ -84,6 +72,11 @@
   {#if !routeIsLobby}
     <div class="splash">{t('common.loading')}</div>
   {/if}
+{:else if app.launchError}
+  <!-- The /telegram/ entry without sign-in data: a compact, shareable diagnostic screen instead
+       of bouncing to the marketing landing (also the probe for the empty-initData failure on
+       some Android clients). -->
+  <TelegramLaunchError />
 {:else if app.bootError}
   <!-- A Mini App launch that failed to authenticate (e.g. the backend was down mid-deploy):
        show the retry screen instead of falling back to the web login. -->
@@ -128,10 +121,14 @@
 <StaleInviteModal />
 <WelcomeRedeemModal />
 
-{#if routeIsLobby && !app.splashDone && !app.blocked && !app.bootError}
+{#if routeIsLobby && !app.splashDone && !app.blocked && !app.bootError && !app.launchError}
   <Splash />
 {/if}
 
+{#if app.debugOpen}
+  <DebugPanel />
+{/if}
+
 <style>
   .splash {
     height: 100%;

ui/src/app.css

@@ -46,9 +46,16 @@
   /* Height Telegram's native nav overlays at the top in fullscreen; set from the SDK's
      content-safe-area inset, 0 elsewhere. */
   --tg-content-top: 0px;
-  /* Telegram device safe-area top (the notch); TG's own nav controls sit between it and
-     --tg-content-top, so the in-app header aligns to that band, 0 elsewhere. */
-  --tg-safe-top: 0px;
+  /* Device safe-area top (the notch); inside Telegram TG's own nav controls sit between it and
+     --tg-content-top, so the in-app header aligns to that band. Inside Telegram these are set from
+     the SDK (lib/app.svelte.ts); elsewhere they fall back to the CSS env() safe area, so a VK Mini
+     App / Capacitor / PWA webview clears the device cut-outs too (a plain browser tab reports 0). */
+  --tg-safe-top: env(safe-area-inset-top, 0px);
+  /* Device safe-area bottom / sides (home indicator; landscape notch) — the screen pads its bottom
+     and left/right edges by these so content clears the cut-outs (e.g. the VK mobile home bar). */
+  --tg-safe-bottom: env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px);
+  --tg-safe-left: env(safe-area-inset-left, 0px);
+  --tg-safe-right: env(safe-area-inset-right, 0px);
   --font: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial,
     "Noto Sans", "Liberation Sans", sans-serif;
   --shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08), 0 6px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);

ui/src/components/DebugPanel.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  // Hidden on-device debug panel, opened by tapping the header title ten times (Header.svelte) and
+  // closed by tapping anywhere except the Share control. It shows a privacy-safe client diagnostic
+  // snapshot (no secrets, no initData values, no IP) and shares it through the OS share sheet (or a
+  // clipboard copy on desktop) — a support aid for reproducing client-specific issues, e.g. the
+  // Telegram Android presentation quirks. Drawn from the top, just under the app header.
+  import { app, closeDebug } from '../lib/app.svelte';
+  import { connection } from '../lib/connection.svelte';
+  import { shareText } from '../lib/share';
+  import { telegramChromeDiag } from '../lib/telegram';
+
+  const report = [
+    `app: ${__APP_VERSION__}`,
+    `locale: ${app.locale}  theme: ${app.theme}  reduceMotion: ${app.reduceMotion}`,
+    `online: ${connection.online}  streamAlive: ${app.streamAlive}`,
+    `userId: ${app.session?.userId ?? '—'}  guest: ${app.profile?.isGuest ?? '—'}`,
+    telegramChromeDiag(),
+  ].join('\n');
+
+  let label = $state('Share');
+  async function share(e: MouseEvent): Promise<void> {
+    e.stopPropagation(); // a tap on Share shares; it must not also close the panel
+    const r = await shareText(report, `Scrabble debug ${__APP_VERSION__}`);
+    if (r === 'copied') {
+      label = 'Copied';
+      setTimeout(() => (label = 'Share'), 1500);
+    }
+  }
+</script>
+
+<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events -->
+<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+<div class="overlay" onclick={closeDebug}>
+  <button class="share" onclick={share}>{label}</button>
+  <pre class="body">{report}</pre>
+</div>
+
+<style>
+  .overlay {
+    position: fixed;
+    inset: 0;
+    z-index: 10000;
+    /* Drawn from the top; the content clears the app header (~56px + the device safe-area). */
+    padding: calc(var(--tg-safe-top, 0px) + 56px) 12px 16px;
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.82);
+    overflow: auto;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 10px;
+    align-items: flex-start;
+  }
+  .share {
+    flex: 0 0 auto;
+    padding: 7px 16px;
+    border: 1px solid var(--accent);
+    background: var(--accent);
+    color: var(--accent-text);
+    border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+    font-size: 0.95rem;
+  }
+  .body {
+    margin: 0;
+    width: 100%;
+    white-space: pre-wrap;
+    overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+    font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, monospace;
+    font-size: 11px;
+    line-height: 1.45;
+    color: #d6e6ff;
+  }
+</style>

ui/src/components/Header.svelte

@@ -1,17 +1,30 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { navigate } from '../lib/router.svelte';
-  import { insideTelegram } from '../lib/telegram';
   import { connection } from '../lib/connection.svelte';
   import { t } from '../lib/i18n/index.svelte';
-  import { app } from '../lib/app.svelte';
+  import { app, openDebug } from '../lib/app.svelte';
   import Spinner from './Spinner.svelte';
   import AdBanner from './AdBanner.svelte';
 
   let { title, back, grow = false }: { title: string; back?: string; grow?: boolean } = $props();
 
-  // Inside Telegram the native header back button (App.svelte) is the back control, so
-  // the app's own chevron is hidden to avoid two back affordances.
-  const showBack = $derived(!!back && !insideTelegram());
+  // The app always shows its own back chevron when there is a back target — on every platform, in
+  // and out of Telegram. The native Telegram BackButton is not used: it does not render reliably in
+  // the windowed Mini App (relying on it would lose back navigation there).
+  const showBack = $derived(!!back);
+
+  // Ten quick taps on the title open the hidden debug panel (components/DebugPanel) — a support aid.
+  let titleTaps = 0;
+  let lastTitleTap = 0;
+  function onTitleTap(): void {
+    const now = Date.now();
+    titleTaps = now - lastTitleTap < 400 ? titleTaps + 1 : 1;
+    lastTitleTap = now;
+    if (titleTaps >= 10) {
+      titleTaps = 0;
+      openDebug();
+    }
+  }
 </script>
 
 <header class="nav" class:grow>
@@ -24,7 +37,9 @@
       <span class="spacer"></span>
     {/if}
     {#if connection.online}
-      <h1>{title}</h1>
+      <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events -->
+      <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_noninteractive_element_interactions -->
+      <h1 onclick={onTitleTap}>{title}</h1>
     {:else}
       <h1 class="connecting"><Spinner /> <span>{t('connection.connecting')}</span></h1>
     {/if}
@@ -66,7 +81,7 @@
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
     gap: var(--gap);
-    padding: 10px var(--pad);
+    padding: 5px var(--pad);
   }
   h1 {
     font-size: 1.05rem;
@@ -124,15 +139,15 @@
        back chevron is hidden), so min-height (the nav-band height) doesn't bind. Without the
        (removed) hamburger that content shrank and the bar sat flush under Telegram's native nav
        band. So **padding-top** is the lever: it drops the title clear of the band — the notch
-       plus a **10px** gap (was 6). A fixed px (not rem/em) gap so the clearance from Telegram's
-       native controls stays constant if the user scales up the font (the title then grows
-       downward and the bar with it). (Owner-tunable: the 10px.) */
+       plus an **8px** gap (halved from 16). A fixed px (not rem/em) gap so the clearance from
+       Telegram's native controls stays constant if the user scales up the font (the title then
+       grows downward and the bar with it). (Owner-tunable: the 8px.) */
     min-height: var(--tg-content-top);
     box-sizing: border-box;
     align-items: center;
     justify-content: center;
-    padding-top: calc(var(--tg-safe-top) + 16px);
-    padding-bottom: 6px;
+    padding-top: calc(var(--tg-safe-top) + 8px);
+    padding-bottom: 3px;
   }
   :global(html.tg-fullscreen) .spacer {
     display: none;

ui/src/components/Screen.svelte

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
     scroll = true,
     growNav = false,
     column = false,
+    selfInset = false,
   }: {
     title: string;
     back?: string;
@@ -21,6 +22,10 @@
     children?: Snippet;
     scroll?: boolean;
     growNav?: boolean;
+    // selfInset: the content paints the bottom home-indicator inset itself (a tab-bar-less screen
+    // whose own bottom element owns the strip, e.g. the landscape game's left-panel controls), so
+    // the shell does not add the detached .content padding-bottom below it.
+    selfInset?: boolean;
     // column lays the content out as a flex column so a child can own the vertical fit
     // (the game makes only its board scroll while the score/rack/tab bar stay put).
     column?: boolean;
@@ -87,7 +92,7 @@
 
 <div class="screen">
   <Header {title} {back} grow={growNav} />
-  <main class="content" class:scroll class:fill={!growNav} class:column>{@render children?.()}</main>
+  <main class="content" class:scroll class:fill={!growNav} class:column class:selfinset={selfInset}>{@render children?.()}</main>
   {#if tabbar}
     <nav class="tabbar">{@render tabbar()}</nav>
   {/if}
@@ -101,6 +106,12 @@
        bottom input — chat, word-check — stays above an open soft keyboard without the page
        scrolling; falls back to the full height where the var is unset. */
     height: var(--vvh, 100%);
+    /* Clear the landscape notch sides inside Telegram (0 elsewhere). The top inset is owned by the
+       header; the home-indicator (bottom) inset is owned by the bottom bar — the .tabbar paints its
+       own chrome into it, and a screen with no tab bar pads its content (.content:last-child) — so
+       the strip takes the bar's colour rather than the detached content background. */
+    padding-left: var(--tg-safe-left, 0px);
+    padding-right: var(--tg-safe-right, 0px);
   }
   .content {
     flex: 0 1 auto;
@@ -116,7 +127,23 @@
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
   }
+  /* No tab bar → the content is the bottom-most element: pad it by the device home-indicator inset
+     so it clears the cut-out, the strip taking the content's own background. With a tab bar the
+     .tabbar owns that inset instead (and content is not the last child, so this does not apply). */
+  .content:last-child {
+    padding-bottom: var(--tg-safe-bottom, 0px);
+  }
+  /* selfInset: the content's own bottom element paints the home-indicator strip (the landscape
+     game's left-panel controls), so the shell does not add a detached padding strip below it. */
+  .content.selfinset:last-child {
+    padding-bottom: 0;
+  }
   .tabbar {
     flex: 0 0 auto;
+    /* Extend the bottom bar's chrome (the TabBar's --bg-elev) under the device home indicator
+       inside Telegram (the inset is 0 elsewhere), so the safe-area strip reads as part of the bar
+       instead of the content background showing through. */
+    background: var(--bg-elev);
+    padding-bottom: var(--tg-safe-bottom, 0px);
   }
 </style>

ui/src/components/StaleInviteModal.svelte

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { app, dismissStaleInvite } from '../lib/app.svelte';
+  import { router } from '../lib/router.svelte';
   import { t } from '../lib/i18n/index.svelte';
   import { botUsername } from '../lib/deeplink';
-  import { telegramOpenLink } from '../lib/telegram';
+  import { insideTelegram, telegramDialogsAvailable, telegramOpenLink, telegramShowPopup } from '../lib/telegram';
+  import { BOT_BUTTON_ID, botInfoPopup } from '../lib/nativedialogs';
   import Modal from './Modal.svelte';
 
   // The single bot's @username, for the deep link.
@@ -19,9 +21,30 @@
     }
     dismissStaleInvite();
   }
+
+  // Native path: when the notice fires inside the Mini App with native popups, present Telegram's
+  // own popup instead of the in-app modal. insideTelegram()/dialogs are evaluated at fire time, not
+  // captured at init: this component mounts before bootstrap loads the SDK, so a captured value
+  // would be stale. The popup's "open bot" button opens the bot chat; any other dismissal clears the
+  // notice; the `shown` guard fires it once per notice.
+  // The notice is raised during boot; wait until the loading cover for the current route is gone —
+  // the tile splash on the lobby (splashDone), the plain loading screen elsewhere (app.ready) — so
+  // the native popup never appears over the splash.
+  const ready = $derived(router.route.name === 'lobby' ? app.splashDone : app.ready);
+  let shown = false;
+  $effect(() => {
+    if (app.staleInvite && !shown && ready && insideTelegram() && telegramDialogsAvailable()) {
+      shown = true;
+      void telegramShowPopup(
+        botInfoPopup(t('friends.staleInviteTitle'), t('friends.staleInvite'), username ?? '', t('common.ok')),
+      ).then((id) => (id === BOT_BUTTON_ID ? openBot() : dismissStaleInvite()));
+    } else if (!app.staleInvite) {
+      shown = false;
+    }
+  });
 </script>
 
-{#if app.staleInvite}
+{#if app.staleInvite && ready && !(insideTelegram() && telegramDialogsAvailable())}
   <Modal title={t('friends.staleInviteTitle')} onclose={dismissStaleInvite}>
     <p class="msg">{parts[0]}{#if username}<button type="button" class="bot" onclick={openBot}>@{username}</button>{/if}{parts[1] ?? ''}</p>
     <button class="ok" onclick={dismissStaleInvite}>{t('common.ok')}</button>

ui/src/components/WelcomeRedeemModal.svelte

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { app, dismissWelcomeRedeem } from '../lib/app.svelte';
+  import { router } from '../lib/router.svelte';
   import { t } from '../lib/i18n/index.svelte';
   import { botUsername } from '../lib/deeplink';
-  import { telegramOpenLink } from '../lib/telegram';
+  import { insideTelegram, telegramDialogsAvailable, telegramOpenLink, telegramShowPopup } from '../lib/telegram';
+  import { BOT_BUTTON_ID, botInfoPopup } from '../lib/nativedialogs';
   import Modal from './Modal.svelte';
 
   // The single bot's @username, for the deep link.
@@ -22,9 +24,30 @@
     }
     dismissWelcomeRedeem();
   }
+
+  // Native path: when the greeting fires inside the Mini App with native popups, present Telegram's
+  // own popup instead of the in-app modal. insideTelegram()/dialogs are evaluated at fire time, not
+  // captured at init: this component mounts before bootstrap loads the SDK, so a captured value
+  // would be stale. The popup's "open bot" button opens the bot chat; any other dismissal clears it;
+  // the `shown` guard fires it once per greeting.
+  // The greeting is raised during boot; wait until the loading cover for the current route is gone —
+  // the tile splash on the lobby (splashDone), the plain loading screen elsewhere (app.ready) — so
+  // the native popup never appears over the splash.
+  const ready = $derived(router.route.name === 'lobby' ? app.splashDone : app.ready);
+  let shown = false;
+  $effect(() => {
+    if (app.welcomeRedeem && !shown && ready && insideTelegram() && telegramDialogsAvailable()) {
+      shown = true;
+      void telegramShowPopup(
+        botInfoPopup(t('friends.welcomeRedeemTitle'), t('friends.welcomeRedeem', { name }), username ?? '', t('common.ok')),
+      ).then((id) => (id === BOT_BUTTON_ID ? openBot() : dismissWelcomeRedeem()));
+    } else if (!app.welcomeRedeem) {
+      shown = false;
+    }
+  });
 </script>
 
-{#if app.welcomeRedeem}
+{#if app.welcomeRedeem && ready && !(insideTelegram() && telegramDialogsAvailable())}
   <Modal title={t('friends.welcomeRedeemTitle')} onclose={dismissWelcomeRedeem}>
     <p class="msg">{parts[0]}{#if username}<button type="button" class="bot" onclick={openBot}>@{username}</button>{/if}{parts[1] ?? ''}</p>
     <button class="ok" onclick={dismissWelcomeRedeem}>{t('common.ok')}</button>

ui/src/components/WordTiles.svelte

@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   // A best-move word drawn as a row of game tiles, mirroring the board's placed-tile
   // look (letter top-left, point value bottom-right) at a small fixed size. A blank tile
-  // shows its letter but no value, exactly as on the board. Letters are upper-cased for
-  // display. The tile values ride on each tile, so this renders without the variant's
-  // alphabet table (which the statistics screen has not cached).
-  import type { BestMoveTile } from '../lib/model';
+  // shows its letter but no value, exactly as on the board; in Erudit it also carries the
+  // blank's star (✻) in the value corner. Letters are upper-cased for display. The tile
+  // values ride on each tile, so this needs only the variant id (for the star) — not the
+  // variant's alphabet table, which the statistics screen has not cached.
+  import type { BestMoveTile, Variant } from '../lib/model';
+  import { usesStarBlank, BLANK_STAR } from '../lib/variants';
 
-  let { word }: { word: BestMoveTile[] } = $props();
+  let { word, variant }: { word: BestMoveTile[]; variant: Variant } = $props();
 
   const label = $derived(word.map((t) => t.letter).join('').toUpperCase());
 </script>
@@ -15,7 +17,11 @@
   {#each word as tile, i (i)}
     <span class="tile" class:blank={tile.blank} aria-hidden="true">
       <span class="letter">{tile.letter.toUpperCase()}</span>
-      {#if !tile.blank}<span class="val">{tile.value}</span>{/if}
+      {#if !tile.blank}
+        <span class="val">{tile.value}</span>
+      {:else if usesStarBlank(variant)}
+        <span class="val blankmark">{BLANK_STAR}</span>
+      {/if}
     </span>
   {/each}
 </span>
@@ -50,4 +56,10 @@
     font-size: 7px;
     font-weight: 600;
   }
+  /* A placed Erudit blank ("звёздочка") shows its star where the (absent) point value sits,
+     its ink kept on the value digits' line (mirrors the board tile). */
+  .blankmark {
+    font-size: 8px;
+    bottom: 0;
+  }
 </style>

ui/src/game/Board.svelte

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
   import type { Premium } from '../lib/premiums';
   import { valueForLetter } from '../lib/alphabet';
   import type { Variant } from '../lib/model';
+  import { usesStarBlank, BLANK_STAR } from '../lib/variants';
   import { bonusLabel, type BoardLabelMode } from '../lib/boardlabels';
   import type { Locale } from '../lib/i18n/catalog';
 
@@ -104,18 +105,27 @@
     prevZoom = on;
     prevRecenter = rc;
     if (landscape) {
-      // Height-driven board in a wide viewport: pan so the focused cell is centred. The board
-      // magnifies over the .scaler.land width/height transition, so the focus-centred scroll target
-      // is only reachable once the board has grown — clamp it to the CURRENT scrollable size each
-      // frame and ride the transition over a fixed time budget. (A scrollWidth-progress tween like
-      // portrait's never settles here: zoom-out shrinks the board below the viewport, where it
-      // stops overflowing.)
+      // A wide viewport overflows VERTICALLY as soon as the square board grows past its height, but
+      // HORIZONTALLY only once the board grows past the (much larger) width — so a per-axis scroll
+      // moves the vertical axis early and the horizontal axis late (the browser pins scrollLeft to 0
+      // until the board is wider than the viewport): the board positioning "in two steps". Drive
+      // BOTH axes by one progress q — how far the board has grown past the viewport width, the point
+      // at which a horizontal pan first becomes possible. Until then q is 0 and the board simply
+      // zooms centred; past it both axes pan together in one diagonal motion. The full-zoom focus
+      // target is finalSL/ST on zoom-in and the current position on zoom-out (where final is 0), so
+      // q running 1→0 unwinds the scroll before the board shrinks back below the viewport.
       if (toggled || (recentered && on && f)) {
-        const t0 = performance.now();
-        let raf = requestAnimationFrame(function tick(now: number) {
-          vp.scrollLeft = Math.min(finalSL, Math.max(0, vp.scrollWidth - vp.clientWidth));
-          vp.scrollTop = Math.min(finalST, Math.max(0, vp.scrollHeight - vp.clientHeight));
-          if (now - t0 < 320) raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+        const scaler = vp.firstElementChild as HTMLElement | null;
+        const targetSL = on ? finalSL : vp.scrollLeft;
+        const targetST = on ? finalST : vp.scrollTop;
+        const span = Math.max(1, fullSide - clientW);
+        let raf = requestAnimationFrame(function tick() {
+          const side = scaler ? scaler.getBoundingClientRect().width : fullSide;
+          const q = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (side - clientW) / span));
+          vp.scrollLeft = targetSL * q;
+          vp.scrollTop = targetST * q;
+          const settled = on ? side >= fullSide - 1 : side <= fitSide + 1;
+          if (!settled) raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
         });
         return () => cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
       }
@@ -203,6 +213,69 @@
     };
   });
 
+  // Mouse drag-to-pan the zoomed board. Touch scrolls the overflow:auto viewport natively, but a
+  // mouse cannot drag-scroll it, so on desktop / the landscape iframe the magnified board could not
+  // be moved at all. Active only while zoomed, for a primary-button drag that does NOT start on a
+  // pending tile (those own their pointer for relocation), and only once the pointer passes a small
+  // threshold — so a plain click still places a rack tile or toggles zoom. A completed pan swallows
+  // the trailing click so it does not also act on the cell under the release.
+  $effect(() => {
+    const vp = viewport;
+    if (!vp) return;
+    let armed = false;
+    let panning = false;
+    let sx = 0;
+    let sy = 0;
+    let sl = 0;
+    let st = 0;
+    const onDown = (e: PointerEvent) => {
+      if (e.pointerType === 'touch' || e.button !== 0 || !zoomed) return;
+      if ((e.target as HTMLElement | null)?.closest('.cell.pending')) return;
+      armed = true;
+      panning = false;
+      sx = e.clientX;
+      sy = e.clientY;
+      sl = vp.scrollLeft;
+      st = vp.scrollTop;
+    };
+    const onMove = (e: PointerEvent) => {
+      if (!armed) return;
+      const dx = e.clientX - sx;
+      const dy = e.clientY - sy;
+      if (!panning) {
+        if (Math.hypot(dx, dy) < 4) return; // a small move is still a click, not a pan
+        panning = true;
+        vp.setPointerCapture(e.pointerId);
+      }
+      vp.scrollLeft = sl - dx;
+      vp.scrollTop = st - dy;
+    };
+    const onUp = (e: PointerEvent) => {
+      armed = false;
+      if (!panning) return;
+      panning = false;
+      if (vp.hasPointerCapture(e.pointerId)) vp.releasePointerCapture(e.pointerId);
+      // Swallow the click the drag would otherwise produce (capture phase, before it reaches the
+      // cell); self-remove on that click, and clean up on the next tick if none fired.
+      const swallow = (ev: Event) => {
+        ev.stopPropagation();
+        vp.removeEventListener('click', swallow, true);
+      };
+      vp.addEventListener('click', swallow, true);
+      setTimeout(() => vp.removeEventListener('click', swallow, true), 0);
+    };
+    vp.addEventListener('pointerdown', onDown);
+    vp.addEventListener('pointermove', onMove);
+    vp.addEventListener('pointerup', onUp);
+    vp.addEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
+    return () => {
+      vp.removeEventListener('pointerdown', onDown);
+      vp.removeEventListener('pointermove', onMove);
+      vp.removeEventListener('pointerup', onUp);
+      vp.removeEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
+    };
+  });
+
   // Double-tap a pending tile recalls it; double-tap any other cell toggles zoom toward
   // it. A single tap places a selected rack tile (handled by oncell). Drag also auto-zooms
   // toward a cell the held tile hovers over (handled in Game), so the one-finger native
@@ -254,7 +327,11 @@
           >
             {#if letter}
               <span class="letter">{letter}</span>
-              {#if !blank}<span class="val">{valueForLetter(variant, letter)}</span>{/if}
+              {#if !blank}
+                <span class="val">{valueForLetter(variant, letter)}</span>
+              {:else if usesStarBlank(variant)}
+                <span class="val blankmark">{BLANK_STAR}</span>
+              {/if}
             {:else if r === centre.row && c === centre.col}
               <span class="star">★</span>
             {:else if bl?.kind === 'single'}
@@ -282,6 +359,9 @@
     /* Clamp the pan at the board edge: kill the native rubber-band/overscroll so the zoomed
        board cannot be dragged past its content into empty space — it just stops at the edge. */
     overscroll-behavior: none;
+    /* The zoom effect drives scrollLeft/Top itself while the board grows/shrinks; turn off the
+       browser's scroll-anchoring so it does not fight those writes mid-transition. */
+    overflow-anchor: none;
   }
   /* The query container is the (zoom-scaled) board, so cqw labels scale WITH the board
      — a magnifying-glass zoom. */
@@ -410,6 +490,12 @@
     font-size: 2.4cqw;
     font-weight: 600;
   }
+  /* A placed Erudit blank ("звёздочка") shows its star where the (absent) point value sits,
+     its ink centred on the same line as a neighbouring tile's value digit. */
+  .blankmark {
+    font-size: 2.8cqw;
+    bottom: 0;
+  }
   .star {
     position: absolute;
     inset: 0;