test(daemon): add F1/F2 process-lifecycle integration tests; fix clobbered start error

Links the real EmbeddedDaemon into the ObsidianDragonTests target (its deps were
already present) and adds two POSIX integration tests that exercise the actual
fork/exec/waitpid fixes headlessly:

- testExecFailureReported (F2): start() against a non-executable file must fail with a
  precise "not executable or wrong architecture" reason.
- testDaemonCrashDetected (F1): a short-lived child that exits abnormally is still
  detected (crash_count_ increments) while isRunning() is hammered from the test
  thread — a regression test for the reap race.

Writing the F2 test surfaced a real bug: start()'s failure branch called
setState(State::Error, "Failed to start dragonxd process"), and setState stores the
Error message into last_error_ — clobbering the precise message startProcess() had
just set, so getLastError()/the UI only ever saw the generic string. Fixed to pass the
preserved detail to setState, so the precise reason survives and now also reaches the
state callback (crash panel / status).

ctest 1/1, green including the two new integration tests.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable user-facing changes to ObsidianDragon are documented here. The format loosely
+follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/); the project uses Conventional Commits.
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+### ⚠️ Breaking changes
+
+- **Remote RPC over plain HTTP is now refused by default.** If your wallet is configured to
+  reach a **remote** `rpchost`/`rpcconnect` **without TLS**, it will no longer connect — it
+  previously sent your `rpcuser`/`rpcpassword` in cleartext (capturable by anyone on the
+  network path) after only a dismissible warning. To reconnect, either:
+  - add **`rpctls=1`** to `DRAGONX.conf` (preferred, if your daemon supports TLS), or
+  - add **`rpcallowplaintext=1`** to `DRAGONX.conf` to explicitly accept the plaintext link.
+
+  Local and embedded daemons (`127.0.0.0/8`, `localhost`, `::1`) are unaffected.
+
+### Security
+
+- Refuse remote plaintext RPC credential transmission by default (see Breaking changes above).
+- Tightened localhost detection: a hostname that merely *starts* with `127.` (e.g.
+  `127.evil.com`) is no longer mistaken for a loopback address, so it can no longer bypass the
+  plaintext-RPC protection.
+- Sapling parameters are now integrity-checked (SHA-256) against pinned canonical digests
+  before use, instead of only checking that the files exist. A truncated or corrupt parameter
+  file is caught up front rather than surfacing later as a confusing shielded-operation failure.
+  (Cached via a `size:mtime` marker so it doesn't re-hash ~48 MB on every launch.)
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Daemon crashes are no longer occasionally missed: a race between the UI thread and the
+  process monitor could consume the daemon's exit status, hiding a crash and defeating the
+  automatic-restart cap. The monitor is now the sole reaper.
+- A daemon that fails to launch (missing execute permission, wrong architecture, corrupt
+  binary) now reports a precise error immediately instead of briefly showing "running" and
+  then a generic "exited unexpectedly (exit code 127)".
+- A quick stop→start no longer triggers a restart storm: the wallet now waits briefly for a
+  previous daemon to release the data-directory lock and shows a clear, non-crash message
+  instead of exhausting the crash-restart budget.
+- Failures while writing the daemon binaries or Sapling parameters (disk full, permission
+  denied) are now surfaced clearly up front instead of failing opaquely when the daemon later
+  can't start.
+- Directory-creation failures on startup (read-only home, permission denied) now produce a
+  clear "Cannot create <dir>" message instead of a confusing downstream "config missing" /
+  "binary not found" error (or, in one path, an uncaught exception).
+
+### Added
+
+- A "Taking longer than expected" notice now appears if the daemon is reachable but hasn't
+  finished initializing after ~45 s (configurable via `ui.toml`), with guidance to restart the
+  daemon or open the Console — instead of an indefinite silent spinner. It clears itself
+  automatically once the daemon connects.
+
+---
+
+Engineering detail and the finding-by-finding rationale for this batch live in
+`docs/daemon-startup-hardening.md`.

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -1129,6 +1129,7 @@ if(BUILD_TESTING)
         src/data/address_book.cpp
         src/data/wallet_index.cpp
         src/daemon/lifecycle_adapters.cpp
+        src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp
         src/rpc/connection.cpp
         src/config/settings.cpp
         src/resources/embedded_resources.cpp

docs/daemon-startup-hardening.md

@@ -0,0 +1,549 @@
+# Daemon Startup Hardening — Implementation Plan
+
+Eight verified edge-case defects in how ObsidianDragon brings up (and watches) the
+`dragonxd` daemon at launch. Each entry is a buildable fix: the defect (with exact
+line references), the chosen approach, the call sites, a representative change, and how
+to verify it.
+
+- **Scope:** full-node startup path (`--lite` excludes the embedded daemon entirely).
+- **Source:** line references are exact against branch `dev` @ `45b652f`.
+- **Provenance:** findings verified by direct source read; each fix designed by an
+  independent agent grounded in the cited files, with a sequencing pass for ordering,
+  shared helpers, and merge conflicts.
+
+**Severity:** 2 High, 6 Medium · **Effort:** ≈ 25–35 engineering-hours · **7 landing steps.**
+
+Status legend: ☐ not started · ◐ in progress · ☑ landed & verified
+
+**Status: all 8 landed & verified** (build-clean, `ctest` green after each) across four commits on
+`dev` — lifecycle cluster (F1/F2/F4), filesystem+params cluster (F7/F6/F5), F3, and F8. Six new
+pure-helper unit tests added.
+
+**Wrap-up done:** release notes added (`CHANGELOG.md`, F8 breaking change front and center); i18n
+back-fill applied additively to `res/lang/*.json` (42 keys — all 6 for es/de/fr/pt/ru; 6 zh/ja/ko
+entries whose glyphs aren't in the current `NotoSansCJK-Subset.ttf` were left on English fallback
+rather than render as tofu).
+
+**Still owed before release:** a **CJK subset-font rebuild** (`scripts/build_cjk_subset.py`, needs
+the Noto CJK source font) to cover the 6 deferred zh/ja/ko strings. *(F1 and F2 now have headless
+integration-test coverage — see the progress log — so their GUI repros are optional, not blocking.)*
+
+---
+
+## Recommended rollout sequence
+
+A real dependency order, not a checklist. The daemon-lifecycle cluster lands first
+because it makes the `State::Error` / `crash_count_` contract trustworthy — which the
+connect-stall panel and the lock gate both build on. The filesystem cluster lands
+around a single shared helper. The connectivity-breaking security flip lands last.
+
+| Step | Finding(s) | Site | Why here | Status |
+|------|-----------|------|----------|--------|
+| 1 | **F1** | `embedded_daemon.cpp` · `isRunning()` | Smallest/highest-severity; establishes the reliable Error/crash-count transition steps 3 & 6 depend on. | ☑ |
+| 2 | **F2** | `embedded_daemon.cpp` · `startProcess()` | Same file family, different function; test the F1+F2 pair together with `kill -SEGV` / bad-binary repros. | ☑ |
+| 3 | **F4** | `embedded_daemon.cpp` · `start()` | After F1/F2 so crash-count semantics are settled; its bail deliberately stays out of the crash path. | ☑ |
+| 4 | **F7** | `util/platform` · `connection.cpp` | Structural owner of the fs-error idiom + `ConnectionConfig` that F5/F6/F8 reuse. | ☑ |
+| 5 | **F6 + F5** | `app.cpp` · `verifySaplingParams()` | Same `startEmbeddedDaemon` / `verifySaplingParams` block; land together. | ☑ |
+| 6 | **F3** | `app.cpp` · `renderLoadingOverlay()` | After F1 — panel is guarded off during `State::Error` (owned by the crash-count hint). | ☑ |
+| 7 | **F8** | `connection.cpp` · `tryConnect()` | Largest; only connectivity-breaking default flip — land last, with release notes. | ☑ |
+
+---
+
+## F1 — Double-`waitpid` race can swallow a daemon crash
+
+**Severity:** High · **Effort:** S (~1–2h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+### The defect
+`EmbeddedDaemon::isRunning()` (`embedded_daemon.cpp:1136`, POSIX branch) calls
+`waitpid(WNOHANG)` — from the **UI thread, nearly every frame** — racing
+`monitorProcess()`'s own reap at `:1244`. `waitpid` is one-shot: if the UI thread wins,
+the monitor never decodes the exit, so `crash_count_` never increments, `State::Error`
+never fires, and the 3-strike auto-restart cap (`app_network.cpp:479`) is defeated. The
+sibling `XmrigManager::isRunning()` (`xmrig_manager.cpp:512`) already fixed exactly this
+with an atomic read.
+
+### The fix
+Make `isRunning()` read the existing `std::atomic<State> state_` (member at
+`embedded_daemon.h:253`) instead of calling `waitpid`, leaving `monitorProcess()` as the
+sole reaper. Predicate is `Running || Stopping` — `Stopping` must stay "alive" because
+`stop()`'s graceful/SIGTERM wait loops poll `isRunning()` before the process has exited.
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp` — `isRunning()`, POSIX branch (~1136)
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+bool EmbeddedDaemon::isRunning() const   // POSIX branch
+{
+    // Read the atomic state_ instead of waitpid() — monitorProcess() is the
+    // sole reaper. Previously both threads reaped; if the UI thread won, the
+    // monitor never saw the exit (crash_count_ / exit code / Error all lost).
+    if (process_pid_ <= 0) return false;
+
+    State s = state_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+    // Stopping stays "alive": stop()'s wait loops poll isRunning() while
+    // state_ == Stopping, before the process has actually terminated.
+    return (s == State::Running || s == State::Stopping);
+}
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Manual: `kill -SEGV` the daemon 10–20×; the monitor must report the exit and increment `crash_count_` every time (previously intermittent).
+- Regression: a normal Settings-driven stop still escalates SIGTERM→SIGKILL (the `Stopping` predicate).
+- Not unit-testable (real fork/exec/waitpid) — consistent with the no-process-spawn harness.
+
+### Dependencies
+Mirrors `XmrigManager::isRunning()`. Flags a separate latent hazard (out of scope):
+`stop()`'s final blocking `waitpid` (`:1220`) can still race a mid-sleep monitor
+iteration — file as its own ticket.
+
+---
+
+## F2 — exec-after-fork silent failure: "Running" for a daemon that never started
+
+**Severity:** High · **Effort:** S (~2–3h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+### The defect
+In `startProcess()` (`embedded_daemon.cpp:957–1061`, POSIX) the parent runs
+`process_pid_ = pid; return true;` **unconditionally** after `fork()` — with no
+exec-status handshake. On a non-executable / wrong-arch / corrupt binary the child's
+`execv` fails and it `_exit(127)`s, but `start()` has already set `State::Running`
+(`:565`). The real cause never reaches `last_error_`; it surfaces later, generically,
+as "exited unexpectedly (exit code 127)".
+
+### The fix
+Add a **close-on-exec self-pipe** handshake — `pipe() + fcntl(FD_CLOEXEC)`, deliberately
+**not** `pipe2()` (macOS lacks it; the POSIX branch is shared). The child writes `errno`
+only on `execv` failure; a successful exec closes the write end for free. Parent reads:
+EOF ⇒ success; 4 bytes ⇒ reap the zombie, set a precise `last_error_` ("not executable
+or wrong architecture"), and return `false` so `start()` never reports Running. EINTR-safe
+on both ends. Also comments the unchecked parent-side `setpgid` at `:1053`.
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp` — `startProcess()` parent read path
+- `src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp` — child `execv`-failure write (~1043)
+- `src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp` — `setpgid` best-effort comment (~1053)
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+// Self-pipe exec handshake (pipe()+FD_CLOEXEC; NOT pipe2 — macOS lacks it).
+int execpipe[2]; pipe(execpipe);
+fcntl(execpipe[0], F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC);
+fcntl(execpipe[1], F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC);
+
+pid_t pid = fork();
+if (pid == 0) {                        // child
+    close(execpipe[0]);
+    /* setpgid / chdir / dup2 / argv … */
+    execv(binary_path.c_str(), argv.data());
+    int e = errno;                     // execv failed
+    while (write(execpipe[1], &e, sizeof e) < 0 && errno == EINTR) {}
+    _exit(127);
+}
+
+close(execpipe[1]);                    // parent: must close or read() never EOFs
+int child_errno = 0, total = 0;
+for (;;) {                             // EOF ⇒ exec ok; 4 bytes ⇒ exec failed
+    ssize_t n = read(execpipe[0], (char*)&child_errno + total, sizeof(int) - total);
+    if (n == 0) break;
+    if (n < 0) { if (errno == EINTR) continue; break; }
+    if ((total += n) >= (int)sizeof(int)) break;
+}
+close(execpipe[0]);
+if (total >= (int)sizeof(int)) {       // exec never happened
+    waitpid(pid, nullptr, 0);          // reap the zombie
+    last_error_ = "dragonxd could not be executed: " +
+                  std::string(strerror(child_errno)) +
+                  " — not executable or wrong architecture";
+    return false;                      // start() no longer reports Running
+}
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Point at a `chmod -x` / wrong-arch file → `start()` returns false immediately, precise message, no leftover zombie.
+- Success path: real binary still starts with no perceptible added latency.
+- Optional pure `formatExecFailureError(errno)` helper for a `test_phase4.cpp` unit test.
+
+### Dependencies
+F1 (same function family; sequence F1→F2). **Highest-risk mistake:** forgetting
+`FD_CLOEXEC` makes every successful start hang the parent read forever.
+
+---
+
+## F4 — Stale datadir-lock start → restart storm that wedges the UI
+
+**Severity:** Medium · **Effort:** S (~3–5h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+### The defect
+`start()` (`embedded_daemon.cpp:466`) gates only on the RPC port (`:482`), never on
+`isDaemonProcessRunning()` (`:1292`). A graceful shutdown frees the port but keeps the
+datadir `.lock` for up to ~90s. A rapid stop→start spawns a daemon that dies "Cannot
+obtain a lock on data directory" — routed to the generic crash path. With a ~4s retry
+cadence, **three lock races in ~12s exhaust the 3-strike budget** and wedge the UI long
+before the lock actually clears.
+
+### The fix
+Fail-fast with a **short bounded local wait (~300ms), not a 90s block**. After the port
+bail, consult `isDaemonProcessRunning()` — gated by `!skip_port_check_` and exempt when
+`override_datadir_` is set, so the isolated migrate-to-seed daemon still works. A pure
+`evaluateDatadirLockGate()` returns a **distinct non-crash Error** that never increments
+`crash_count_`. The connect loop's own retry then absorbs the transient.
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/daemon/embedded_daemon.h` — decision struct, helper decl, poll constants
+- `src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp` — `start()` gate + `evaluateDatadirLockGate()`
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+static StartLockGateDecision evaluateDatadirLockGate(
+        bool skipPortCheck, bool isolatedOverride, bool stillRunningAfterWait) {
+    if (skipPortCheck || isolatedOverride) return {true,  ""};   // migrate-to-seed exempt
+    if (!stillRunningAfterWait)            return {true,  ""};
+    return {false, "A previous dragonxd is still shutting down and holding the "
+                   "data directory lock. Retrying shortly…"};
+}
+
+// start() — after the isPortInUse() bail, before setState(Starting):
+if (!skip_port_check_ && override_datadir_.empty()) {
+    bool stillLocked = false;                       // ~300ms bounded wait, NOT ~90s
+    for (int i = 0; i < kDatadirLockWaitMaxPolls; ++i) {
+        if (!isDaemonProcessRunning()) { stillLocked = false; break; }
+        stillLocked = true;
+        std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(kDatadirLockWaitPollMs));
+    }
+    auto gate = evaluateDatadirLockGate(false, false, stillLocked);
+    if (!gate.proceed) { setState(State::Error, gate.errorMessage); return false; }
+}
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Unit: `evaluateDatadirLockGate()` across the skip / isolated / still-running matrix.
+- Manual: rapid restart into a lingering lock → distinct message, no crash-cap wedge.
+- Migrate-to-seed second daemon still starts (isolated exemption).
+
+### Dependencies
+F1/F2 (must not touch `crash_count_`; wording must not collide with the monitor's
+"exited unexpectedly"). Same TU, different function.
+
+---
+
+## F5 — Extraction / copy write-failures never surfaced up front
+
+**Severity:** Medium · **Effort:** S (~2–3h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+### The defect
+`startEmbeddedDaemon()` discards `extractEmbeddedResources()`'s `bool` return
+(`app.cpp:4152`) and the second copy-fallback loop drops `copy_file`'s `error_code`
+entirely (`:4236`). Only Sapling params **existence** is re-checked — never the daemon
+binary/CLI/tx/asmap. A disk-full or truncated `dragonxd` write falls straight through to
+spawn and fails opaquely. The innermost write already returns `false`
+(`embedded_resources.cpp:307`) — the signal is simply thrown away.
+
+### The fix
+Minimal, surgical wiring — no new abstraction. Capture the extraction return and, on
+failure, set `daemon_status_ = TR("sb_daemon_extract_failed")` and `return false` before
+spawning. In the second copy loop, check `ec` after each `copy_file`, track `copyFailed`,
+and abort with a dir-parameterized `sb_daemon_files_failed`. An **absent source** stays
+fine (optional files); only an actual `error_code` counts. Written so F6/F7 slot in later
+without re-touching this control flow.
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/app.cpp` — `startEmbeddedDaemon()` extraction check (~4152)
+- `src/app.cpp` — second copy-fallback loop (~4210–4242)
+- `src/util/i18n.cpp` + `res/lang/*.json` — 2 additive keys
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+// stop discarding the extraction result (~4152)
+if (!resources::extractEmbeddedResources()) {
+    daemon_status_ = TR("sb_daemon_extract_failed");   // disk full / permission denied
+    return false;                                      // abort before spawning
+}
+
+// second copy-fallback loop — was dropping ec entirely (~4236)
+bool copyFailed = false;
+for (const char* name : { "asmap.dat", "dragonxd", "dragonx-cli", "dragonx-tx" }) {
+    fs::path dst = fs::path(daemon_dir) / name;
+    if (fs::exists(dst)) continue;                      // already present — skip
+    for (const auto& dir : searchDirs) {
+        fs::path src = fs::path(dir) / name;
+        if (!fs::exists(src)) continue;                 // absent source is OK, not a failure
+        fs::copy_file(src, dst, ec);
+        if (ec) { copyFailed = true; ec.clear(); }
+        break;
+    }
+}
+if (copyFailed) {
+    char buf[512];
+    snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, TR("sb_daemon_files_failed"), daemon_dir.c_str());
+    daemon_status_ = buf;
+    return false;                                       // don't fall through to spawn
+}
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Unit: `extractEmbeddedResources()` returns false without embedded resources.
+- Extract the copy loop into a testable helper; force one dst write to fail (dst is an existing directory).
+- Manual: near-full tmpfs / read-only dir → clear status, daemon controller never constructed.
+
+### Dependencies
+Shares the `daemon_status_` surfacing convention with F6; its early-return pattern is the
+template F7 matches. Open item: remove truncated dst files so a retry re-copies.
+
+---
+
+## F6 — Sapling params validated by existence/size only, never hashed
+
+**Severity:** Medium · **Effort:** S (~3–5h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+> **As-built note.** `verifySaplingParams()` now delegates to a public, injectable
+> `verifySaplingParamsIn(dir, digests)` so the integrity + marker-cache logic is unit-testable
+> with synthetic small files (the real 48 MB params aren't in the repo). i18n keys for F5 were
+> added to `i18n.cpp` (English source of truth); the `res/lang/*.json` back-fill via
+> `scripts/add_missing_translations.py` is deferred to a single run at the end of the batch,
+> per the cross-cutting note. Non-English locales fall back to English until then.
+
+### The defect
+`verifySaplingParams()` (`connection.cpp:123`) only calls `fs::exists()`;
+`resourceNeedsUpdate()` (`embedded_resources.cpp:250`) is size-only. On Linux (no
+embedded resources) a **truncated-but-present** param passes and is handed to the daemon,
+which then fails to build shielded proofs mid-operation — far from the real cause.
+
+### The fix
+Add a pinned `{ filename → size, sha256 }` table (one source of truth, cross-referenced
+to `scripts/build-lite-backend-artifact.sh`) and hash-check each param after the
+existence check, reusing the existing `util::sha256Hex` (no second implementation). Since
+these are ~48 MB, **cache the result** via a `.sapling_verified` marker keyed on
+`size:mtime` — re-hash only when the stat line changes, so startup isn't slowed.
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/rpc/connection.h` — `verifySaplingParams` decl
+- `src/rpc/connection.cpp` — digest table, marker helpers, rewrite
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+// connection.cpp — pinned known-good digests
+// (source of truth: scripts/build-lite-backend-artifact.sh ensure_sapling_params)
+constexpr SaplingParamDigest kSaplingParamDigests[] = {
+  { "sapling-spend.params",  47958396, "8e48ffd2…efc13" },
+  { "sapling-output.params",  3592860, "2f0ebbcb…fb0e4" },
+};
+
+bool Connection::verifySaplingParams() {
+    // existence check (unchanged) …
+    // cache: skip re-hashing a ~48 MB file unless size:mtime changed
+    if (readMarkerMatches(marker, statLines)) return true;
+    for (auto& d : kSaplingParamDigests)
+        if (util::sha256Hex(bytes) != d.sha256) return false;   // reuse existing helper
+    writeMarker(marker, statLines);
+    return true;
+}
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Unit: good params pass; truncated / wrong-bytes rejected; marker cache short-circuits re-hash unless size/mtime changed. Real temp-file fixtures (matches existing `sha256Hex` tests).
+
+### Dependencies
+F7 (reuse fs-error idiom; shares the `startEmbeddedDaemon`/`verifySaplingParams` block).
+Third caller of the existing `util::sha256Hex`.
+
+---
+
+## F7 — Directory-create errors universally ignored on the daemon-env path
+
+**Severity:** Medium · **Effort:** S (~3–4h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+> **As-built notes.** Two deviations from the original design, both confirmed against the code:
+> (1) `embedded_resources.cpp:270` already checks its `error_code` and returns `false` on failure — it was **not** a bug, so it is left untouched.
+> (2) Of the four `autoDetectConfig` callers, only the primary connect path (`app_network.cpp:243`) was wired to check `dir_error`; the other three degrade gracefully on their own — `app.cpp:4306` and `app_wizard.cpp:912` are stop paths that already gate on empty creds, and `settings_page.cpp:434` is read-only display. `dir_error` is set by `autoDetectConfig`, so they can be wired later if desired.
+
+### The defect
+Five startup directory-create sites either drop the `error_code` or use the throwing
+overload with no `catch`: `main.cpp:730`, `connection.cpp:216` (can throw **uncaught**
+through its callers), `embedded_resources.cpp:270`, `app.cpp:4172`/`4218`. A read-only
+home or permission-denied yields a confusing "conf missing" / "binary not found"
+downstream — or an uncaught `filesystem_error` — instead of a clear cause.
+
+### The fix
+One shared, non-throwing `Platform::ensureDirectory(dir, outError)` in
+`util/platform.{h,cpp}` that produces a single consistent message. Replace all five
+sites; `autoDetectConfig()` moves off the throwing overload and sets a new
+`ConnectionConfig::dir_error` that its four callers check and bail on. This is the
+**structural owner** of the fs-error idiom that F5 and F6 reuse.
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/util/platform.h` / `.cpp` — `ensureDirectory()`
+- `src/rpc/connection.h` / `.cpp` — `dir_error` + `autoDetectConfig`
+- `main.cpp`, `app.cpp`, `app_network.cpp`, `app_wizard.cpp`, `settings_page.cpp`, `embedded_resources.cpp` — 5 sites + 4 callers
+- `tests/test_phase4.cpp` — `TestPlatformEnsureDirectory`
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+// util/platform.cpp — one shared, non-throwing helper
+bool Platform::ensureDirectory(const std::string& dir, std::string* outError) {
+    std::error_code ec;
+    if (std::filesystem::is_directory(dir, ec)) return true;
+    ec.clear();
+    std::filesystem::create_directories(dir, ec);
+    if (ec) {
+        if (outError)
+            *outError = "Cannot create " + dir + ": " + ec.message() +
+                        ". Check permissions / free space.";
+        return false;
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+// Replaces 5 ad-hoc sites; autoDetectConfig() now sets ConnectionConfig::dir_error,
+// and its 4 callers bail on it.
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Unit `TestPlatformEnsureDirectory`: existing dir → true; fresh nested → created; POSIX unwritable → false + message.
+- All four `autoDetectConfig` callers tolerate `dir_error`. Pre-App-init site (main.cpp) reports via stderr / MessageBox.
+
+### Dependencies
+**Owns** `Platform::ensureDirectory` (used by F5, F6) and the `ConnectionConfig`
+extension (coordinated with F8). Land before F5/F6/F8.
+
+---
+
+## F8 — Plaintext-remote RPC credential transmission is warn-only
+
+**Severity:** Medium · **Effort:** M (~6–9h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+> **⚠️ RELEASE NOTES REQUIRED — breaking default flip.** A wallet configured to talk to a
+> **remote** `rpchost` over **plain HTTP** (no `rpctls=1`) will now be **refused** at connect
+> time instead of warned. Affected users must add **`rpcallowplaintext=1`** to `DRAGONX.conf`
+> (or switch to `rpctls=1`) to reconnect. Local/embedded daemons (`127.0.0.0/8`, `localhost`,
+> `::1`) are unaffected. Call this out prominently in the release notes.
+>
+> **As-built note.** Shipped the security-complete core: `isLocalHost` tightened to exact
+> loopback (`isExactIPv4Loopback` — `127.evil.com` no longer passes), refuse-by-default in
+> `tryConnect`, and the `rpcallowplaintext` conf-key opt-in. The **Settings toggle UI was
+> deferred** — the RPC section of `settings_page.cpp` is read-only display and a security
+> toggle there is riskier surface; the conf-key opt-in fully covers recovery, and the refusal
+> status/notification tells the user exactly what to add. The toggle can be added later
+> (persist a `Settings` flag and OR it into `allowsPlaintextRemote`).
+
+### The defect
+A remote `rpchost` without `rpctls=1` sends Basic-auth `rpcuser:rpcpassword` over
+cleartext HTTP. `tryConnect()` (`app_network.cpp:314`) only shows a **dismissible
+warning** then proceeds — a local-network MITM sees the credentials. Compounding it,
+`isLocalHost()`'s naive `rfind("127.",0)==0` misclassifies `127.evil.com` as local,
+suppressing even the warning.
+
+### The fix
+Change the policy to **refuse-by-default with an explicit, persisted opt-in** — a
+`rpcallowplaintext=1` conf key (for hand-editors) and a Settings toggle. Block the
+connect and show a **blocking modal** explaining the risk and how to enable TLS or opt
+in; localhost is unaffected. Tighten `isLocalHost()` to exact `127.x.y.z` / `::1` /
+`localhost` via `isExactIPv4Loopback()`. **Back-compat:** default off ⇒ existing remote
+users hit a hard stop until they opt in — **ship with prominent release notes.**
+
+### Files touched
+- `src/rpc/connection.h` / `.cpp` — `isLocalHost`, `allow_plaintext_remote`, `parseConfFile`
+- `src/config/settings.h` / `.cpp` — persisted opt-in
+- `src/app_network.cpp`, `src/app.h` — refuse + modal dispatch
+- `src/ui/windows/plaintext_remote_rpc_dialog.h` — new blocking modal
+- `src/ui/pages/settings_page.cpp` — toggle UI
+
+### Core change
+```cpp
+// Tightened loopback test — "127.evil.com" is NOT local
+bool Connection::isLocalHost(const std::string& host) {
+    std::string h = stripBrackets(lowercase(host));
+    return h == "localhost" || h == "::1" || isExactIPv4Loopback(h);  // exact 127.x.y.z
+}
+
+// Refuse-by-default with an explicit, persisted opt-in
+const bool plaintextRemote  = rpc::Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(config);
+const bool plaintextAllowed = config.allow_plaintext_remote          // rpcallowplaintext=1
+                           || settings_.getAllowPlaintextRemoteRpc(); // Settings toggle
+if (plaintextRemote && !plaintextAllowed) {
+    connection_status_ = TR("sb_plaintext_remote_blocked");
+    showPlaintextRemoteRpcDialog(config.host + ":" + config.port);    // blocking modal
+    return;                                                           // no creds sent
+}
+```
+
+### Verification
+- Unit: `isLocalHost` — `127.evil.com` false, `127.0.0.1`/`::1`/`localhost` true; `allowsPlaintextRemote` honors conf key + settings flag.
+- Manual: remote plaintext blocked; modal fires; opt-in persists across restart.
+
+### Dependencies
+F7 (second extender of `ConnectionConfig`/`parseConfFile`; land after so the struct grows
+once). Wire `renderPlaintextRemoteRpcDialog` into the app modal-dispatch list.
+
+---
+
+## Shared helpers & coordination points
+
+| Helper | Purpose | Used by |
+|--------|---------|---------|
+| `Platform::ensureDirectory()` | Single non-throwing directory-create with one consistent message; replaces five ad-hoc sites. Owned by F7. | F7, F5, F6 |
+| `ConnectionConfig` extension | Coordination point, not a function: F7 adds `dir_error`, F8 adds `allow_plaintext_remote`. Land F7→F8 so it grows once per step. | F7, F8 |
+| `util::sha256Hex` *(existing)* | Already-compiled, curl-free SHA-256. F6 becomes its third caller — no second hash routine. | F6 |
+| `connectHasStalled()` *(new, pure)* | Stall predicate split out of the ImGui/App code for unit testing, per the `*_updater_core.cpp` precedent. | F3 |
+| `evaluateDatadirLockGate()` *(new, pure)* | Lock-gate decision as `{proceed, message}` from three booleans — unit-testable without real process/fs I/O. | F4 |
+
+## F3 — Unbounded connect spinner (deferred to step 6)
+
+**Severity:** Medium · **Effort:** S (~3–5h) · **Status:** ☑ landed & verified
+
+> **As-built note.** `renderLoadingOverlay()` is a pure draw-list overlay with **no interactive
+> widgets** (the existing crash case at ~5289 already communicates via guidance *text*, relying on
+> the sidebar staying reachable). So rather than inject `ActionButton`s — which would fight the
+> non-interactive overlay — the stall notice follows that same idiom: a "Taking longer than
+> expected" title + a reassuring body (with elapsed seconds) + a full-node-gated hint ("Open
+> Settings → Restart Daemon, or check the Console"). This let me drop the planned
+> `WalletState::connect_stalled` flag too: the stalled state is computed locally in the overlay
+> from `connect_stall_since_`, so the only new member is `App::connect_stall_since_`.
+
+The connect loop retries forever while `!state_.connected` (`app.cpp:1239`);
+`loading_timer_` only animates the spinner. Stamp `connect_stall_since_` when
+"reachable but not ready" is first seen; a pure `connectHasStalled()` helper (new
+`util/connect_stall.h`, default 45s from `ui.toml`) flips `state_.connect_stalled` at
+threshold, and `renderLoadingOverlay()` shows a "Taking longer than expected" panel with
+Retry / Restart daemon / Open console (full-node gated). The background retry keeps
+firing — recovery clears the panel automatically. Guarded off while the daemon is in
+`State::Error` (owned by F1's crash-count hint). Full detail lives in the sequencing/
+design record; see the shared-helper table above.
+
+---
+
+## Cross-cutting notes
+
+- **One TU, three functions.** `embedded_daemon.cpp` is edited by F1 (`isRunning`),
+  F2 (`startProcess`) and F4 (`start`) — no literal hunk overlap, but land in order to
+  keep "monitorProcess is the sole reaper" coherent.
+- **Connection struct grows twice.** `connection.h/.cpp` is touched by F6, F7 and F8;
+  F7 and F8 both extend `ConnectionConfig` and `parseConfFile` — highest collision risk.
+  Sequence F7→F6→F8.
+- **Testability split.** The three new pure predicates all get `tests/test_phase4.cpp`
+  coverage. F1/F2's fork/exec/waitpid changes are **not** unit-testable — they rely on
+  manual `kill` / non-executable-binary repros, consistent with the no-process-spawn harness.
+- **i18n is additive-only.** Add each finding's English keys to `strings_`, then run
+  `scripts/add_missing_translations.py` **once at the very end**
+  (`json.dump indent=4, sort_keys=True, ensure_ascii=False`) — never bulk-regenerate a
+  `res/lang/*.json`.
+- **F8 is a breaking default flip.** Refuse-plaintext-by-default stops existing
+  remote-RPC users cold until they opt in. Lands last, gated behind a persisted opt-in,
+  with release notes calling out the new `rpcallowplaintext` key and the Settings toggle.
+- **Latent hazard, out of scope.** F1 surfaces (but doesn't fix) a second
+  double-`waitpid` window between `stop()`'s final blocking reap (`:1220`) and a
+  mid-sleep monitor iteration — file it as its own ticket.
+
+---
+
+## Progress log
+
+- **F1/F2 integration tests** — ☑ added `testExecFailureReported` (F2) and `testDaemonCrashDetected` (F1) to `test_phase4.cpp`, driving the **real** `EmbeddedDaemon` fork/exec/waitpid code headlessly (POSIX; required linking `embedded_daemon.cpp` into the test target — its deps were already there). The F1 test hammers `isRunning()` from the test thread while the child exits, so it's a genuine regression test for the reap race. **The F2 test caught a real bug:** `start()`'s failure branch overwrote `startProcess()`'s precise `last_error_` ("…not executable or wrong architecture") with a generic "Failed to start dragonxd process" (because `setState(Error, …)` stores its message into `last_error_`), so the precise reason never reached `getLastError()`/the UI — **fixed** to preserve the detail (now also surfaced via the state callback / crash panel). Build-clean; `ctest` 1/1.
+
+- **F1** — ☑ landed: `isRunning()` (POSIX) now reads the atomic `state_` (predicate `Running || Stopping`) instead of calling `waitpid`, leaving `monitorProcess()` the sole reaper. Clean build (all targets link); `ctest` 1/1 passing. Not unit-testable — needs the manual `kill -SEGV` repro before release.
+- **F2** — ☑ landed: `startProcess()` (POSIX) now creates a `FD_CLOEXEC` self-pipe before `fork()`; the child writes `errno` to it on `execv` failure, the parent reads EOF-vs-errno and, on failure, reaps the zombie + sets a precise `last_error_` ("not executable or wrong architecture") + returns `false` (so `start()` no longer reports `Running` for a daemon that never started). Parent-side `setpgid` is now best-effort with a `DEBUG_LOGF` on failure. Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing. Not unit-testable — needs the manual non-executable / wrong-arch-binary repro before release.
+- **F8** — ☑ landed: `isLocalHost()` tightened to exact loopback via `isExactIPv4Loopback` (a `127.`-prefixed *hostname* like `127.evil.com` is no longer misclassified as local). `tryConnect()` now **refuses** a plaintext connection to a remote host instead of warn-and-proceeding — a local-network MITM can no longer capture `rpcuser:rpcpassword` — unless the user opts in with `rpcallowplaintext=1` in `DRAGONX.conf` (new `ConnectionConfig::allow_plaintext_remote` + `allowsPlaintextRemote()` policy). The refusal surfaces via status line + a one-time notification. New `testIsLocalHost` (12 assertions) + `testAllowsPlaintextRemote` (5). Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing. **Breaking — needs release notes; Settings-toggle UI deferred (see as-built note).**
+- **F3** — ☑ landed: the connect loop now stamps `connect_stall_since_ = ImGui::GetTime()` the moment the daemon first goes "reachable but not ready" (warmup branch + `applyDaemonInitStatus`), and clears it in `onConnected` / `onDisconnected` / warmup-complete — all in `app_network.cpp`. The pure `util::connectHasStalled(stallSince, now, threshold)` helper (new `util/connect_stall.h`, default 45 s from `ui.toml`) drives a draw-list "Taking longer than expected" notice in `renderLoadingOverlay()` (title + elapsed-seconds body + full-node hint), guarded off while the daemon is in `State::Error`. Background retry continues, so the notice self-clears on connect. New `testConnectHasStalled` unit test (7 assertions). Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing. (Draw-list text, not buttons — see as-built note above.)
+- **F6** — ☑ landed: `verifySaplingParams()` now hash-verifies each Sapling param against its pinned canonical SHA-256 (from `build-lite-backend-artifact.sh`), replacing the existence-only check, so a truncated/corrupt-but-present param is rejected instead of failing later on a shielded op. A `<params_dir>/.sapling_verified` marker keyed on `size:mtime` skips re-hashing ~48 MB on every startup. Logic extracted to the injectable `verifySaplingParamsIn(dir, digests)`; new `testVerifySaplingParams` unit test (valid / marker fast-path / wrong-hash / truncated / missing). Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing.
+- **F5** — ☑ landed: `startEmbeddedDaemon()` now checks `extractEmbeddedResources()`'s return (abort with `sb_daemon_extract_failed` on failure) and the previously-dropped `copy_file` `error_code` in the daemon-binary fallback loop (abort with `sb_daemon_files_failed` incl. the dir), so a disk-full / truncated `dragonxd` write is surfaced up front instead of failing opaquely at spawn. An absent source file stays non-fatal. Two i18n keys added to `i18n.cpp`. Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing.
+- **F7** — ☑ landed: new non-throwing `Platform::ensureDirectory(dir, outError)` in `util/platform.{h,cpp}` with one consistent message. Replaces the unchecked/throwing directory-create sites at `main.cpp:730` (pre-init: now logs + `MessageBoxA` on Windows + `return 1`), `connection.cpp:216` (autoDetectConfig now uses the ec overload — **no more uncaught `filesystem_error`** — and sets the new `ConnectionConfig::dir_error`), and both `app.cpp` daemon-dir sites (surface via `daemon_status_` + `return false`). Primary connect path (`app_network.cpp:243`) checks `dir_error` and bails to the status line instead of mislabelling it "waiting for config". `embedded_resources.cpp:270` left as-is (already correct). New `testPlatformEnsureDirectory` unit test (existing-dir / fresh-nested / empty / parent-is-file). Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing.
+- **F4** — ☑ landed: `start()` now gates on a lingering datadir lock after the port bail. When `!skip_port_check_ && override_datadir_.empty()`, it polls `isDaemonProcessRunning()` with a bounded ~300 ms wait (3 × 100 ms, breaks early), then a pure header-inline `evaluateDatadirLockGate()` decides: if a sibling `dragonxd` is still alive it bails with a distinct **non-crash** `State::Error` ("…holding the data directory lock. Retrying shortly…") that never touches `crash_count_`, so the 3-strike cap can't trip; the connect loop's retry resumes once the lock clears. Isolated migrate-to-seed starts are exempt. New `testDatadirLockGate` unit test (5 assertions, proceed/bail/2× exempt) added to `test_phase4.cpp`. Clean build; `ctest` 1/1 passing.

res/lang/de.json

@@ -734,6 +734,9 @@
     "lite_working": "In Arbeit…",
     "loading": "Laden...",
     "loading_addresses": "Adressen werden geladen...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "Der Daemon initialisiert seit %.0f s. Das kann nach einem Update oder beim ersten Start normal sein (Laden des Blockindex oder erneutes Scannen) – die Verbindung wird automatisch hergestellt, sobald er bereit ist.",
+    "loading_stall_hint": "Hängt es noch? Öffne die Einstellungen und nutze „Daemon neu starten“ oder sieh in der Konsole nach Details.",
+    "loading_stall_title": "Dauert länger als erwartet",
     "loading_transactions": "Transaktionen werden geladen",
     "local_hashrate": "Lokale Hashrate",
     "low_spec_mode": "Energiesparmodus",
@@ -1154,6 +1157,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "Verbindung zu externem Daemon...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "Verbindung zum Daemon...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "Daemon ist %d mal abgestürzt",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "Daemon-Dateien konnten nicht geschrieben werden – prüfe freien Speicherplatz und Berechtigungen.",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "Daemon-Dateien konnten nicht nach %s geschrieben werden – prüfe freien Speicherplatz und Berechtigungen.",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "Daemon nicht gefunden",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "dragonxd konnte nicht gestartet werden",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd läuft",
@@ -1169,6 +1174,7 @@
     "sb_net_mhs": "Netz: %.2f MH/s",
     "sb_no_conf": "DRAGONX.conf nicht gefunden",
     "sb_peers": "Peers: %zu",
+    "sb_plaintext_remote_blocked": "RPC-Anmeldedaten werden nicht im Klartext an einen entfernten Host gesendet. Füge rpcallowplaintext=1 zu DRAGONX.conf hinzu, um dies zu erlauben, oder aktiviere TLS mit rpctls=1.",
     "sb_rescanning": "Neuscan",
     "sb_rescanning_pct": "Neuscan %.0f%%",
     "sb_restarting_daemon": "Daemon wird neu gestartet...",

res/lang/es.json

@@ -734,6 +734,9 @@
     "lite_working": "Trabajando…",
     "loading": "Cargando...",
     "loading_addresses": "Cargando direcciones...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "El daemon lleva %.0f s inicializándose. Esto puede ser normal tras una actualización o en el primer inicio (cargando el índice de bloques o reescaneando); se conectará automáticamente cuando esté listo.",
+    "loading_stall_hint": "¿Sigue bloqueado? Abre Ajustes y usa Reiniciar daemon, o revisa la Consola para más detalles.",
+    "loading_stall_title": "Está tardando más de lo esperado",
     "loading_transactions": "Cargando transacciones",
     "local_hashrate": "Tasa Hash Local",
     "low_spec_mode": "Modo bajo rendimiento",
@@ -1154,6 +1157,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "Conectando a daemon externo...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "Conectando al daemon...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "El daemon se bloqueó %d veces",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "No se pudieron escribir los archivos del daemon: comprueba el espacio libre en disco y los permisos.",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "No se pudieron escribir los archivos del daemon en %s: comprueba el espacio libre en disco y los permisos.",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "Daemon no encontrado",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "No se pudo iniciar dragonxd",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd ejecutándose",
@@ -1169,6 +1174,7 @@
     "sb_net_mhs": "Red: %.2f MH/s",
     "sb_no_conf": "DRAGONX.conf no encontrado",
     "sb_peers": "Pares: %zu",
+    "sb_plaintext_remote_blocked": "Se rechaza enviar credenciales RPC en texto plano a un host remoto. Añade rpcallowplaintext=1 a DRAGONX.conf para permitirlo, o habilita TLS con rpctls=1.",
     "sb_rescanning": "Reescaneando",
     "sb_rescanning_pct": "Reescaneando %.0f%%",
     "sb_restarting_daemon": "Reiniciando daemon...",

res/lang/fr.json

@@ -734,6 +734,9 @@
     "lite_working": "En cours…",
     "loading": "Chargement...",
     "loading_addresses": "Chargement des adresses...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "Le démon s'initialise depuis %.0f s. Cela peut être normal après une mise à jour ou au premier lancement (chargement de l'index des blocs ou nouvelle analyse) — la connexion se fera automatiquement une fois prêt.",
+    "loading_stall_hint": "Toujours bloqué ? Ouvrez les Paramètres et utilisez Redémarrer le démon, ou consultez la Console pour plus de détails.",
+    "loading_stall_title": "Cela prend plus de temps que prévu",
     "loading_transactions": "Chargement des transactions",
     "local_hashrate": "Hashrate local",
     "low_spec_mode": "Mode économie",
@@ -1154,6 +1157,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "Connexion au daemon externe...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "Connexion au daemon...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "Le daemon a planté %d fois",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "Échec de l'écriture des fichiers du démon — vérifiez l'espace disque libre et les permissions.",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "Échec de l'écriture des fichiers du démon dans %s — vérifiez l'espace disque libre et les permissions.",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "Daemon introuvable",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "Impossible de démarrer dragonxd",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd en cours",
@@ -1169,6 +1174,7 @@
     "sb_net_mhs": "Rés: %.2f MH/s",
     "sb_no_conf": "DRAGONX.conf introuvable",
     "sb_peers": "Pairs : %zu",
+    "sb_plaintext_remote_blocked": "Refus d'envoyer les identifiants RPC en clair vers un hôte distant. Ajoutez rpcallowplaintext=1 à DRAGONX.conf pour l'autoriser, ou activez TLS avec rpctls=1.",
     "sb_rescanning": "Rescan",
     "sb_rescanning_pct": "Rescan %.0f%%",
     "sb_restarting_daemon": "Redémarrage du daemon...",

res/lang/ja.json

@@ -734,6 +734,9 @@
     "lite_working": "処理中…",
     "loading": "読み込み中...",
     "loading_addresses": "アドレスを読み込み中...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "デーモンは %.0f 秒間初期化しています。アップデート後や初回起動時（ブロックインデックスの読み込みや再スキャン）は正常な場合があります。準備ができ次第、自動的に接続します。",
+    "loading_stall_hint": "まだ動かない場合は、設定を開いて「デーモンを再起動」を使うか、コンソールで詳細を確認してください。",
+    "loading_stall_title": "予想より時間がかかっています",
     "loading_transactions": "トランザクションを読み込み中",
     "local_hashrate": "ローカルハッシュレート",
     "low_spec_mode": "省電力モード",

res/lang/ko.json

@@ -734,6 +734,8 @@
     "lite_working": "작업 중…",
     "loading": "로딩 중...",
     "loading_addresses": "주소 로딩 중...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "데몬이 %.0f초 동안 초기화 중입니다. 업데이트 후나 첫 실행 시(블록 인덱스 로드 또는 재스캔)에는 정상일 수 있습니다. 준비되면 자동으로 연결됩니다.",
+    "loading_stall_title": "예상보다 오래 걸리고 있습니다",
     "loading_transactions": "거래를 불러오는 중",
     "local_hashrate": "로컬 해시레이트",
     "low_spec_mode": "저사양 모드",
@@ -1154,6 +1156,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "외부 데몬에 연결 중...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "데몬에 연결 중...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "데몬이 %d회 충돌함",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "데몬 파일을 쓰지 못했습니다. 디스크 여유 공간과 권한을 확인하세요.",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "%s에 데몬 파일을 쓰지 못했습니다. 디스크 여유 공간과 권한을 확인하세요.",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "데몬을 찾을 수 없음",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "dragonxd를 시작할 수 없습니다",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd 실행 중",
@@ -1169,6 +1173,7 @@
     "sb_net_mhs": "네트: %.2f MH/s",
     "sb_no_conf": "DRAGONX.conf를 찾을 수 없음",
     "sb_peers": "피어: %zu",
+    "sb_plaintext_remote_blocked": "원격 호스트로 RPC 자격 증명을 평문으로 보내는 것을 거부했습니다. 허용하려면 DRAGONX.conf에 rpcallowplaintext=1을 추가하거나 rpctls=1로 TLS를 활성화하세요.",
     "sb_rescanning": "재스캔",
     "sb_rescanning_pct": "재스캔 %.0f%%",
     "sb_restarting_daemon": "데몬 재시작 중...",

res/lang/pt.json

@@ -734,6 +734,9 @@
     "lite_working": "Processando…",
     "loading": "Carregando...",
     "loading_addresses": "Carregando endereços...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "O daemon está inicializando há %.0f s. Isso pode ser normal após uma atualização ou no primeiro início (carregando o índice de blocos ou reescaneando) — ele se conectará automaticamente quando estiver pronto.",
+    "loading_stall_hint": "Ainda travado? Abra as Configurações e use Reiniciar daemon, ou verifique o Console para mais detalhes.",
+    "loading_stall_title": "Está demorando mais do que o esperado",
     "loading_transactions": "Carregando transações",
     "local_hashrate": "Hashrate Local",
     "low_spec_mode": "Modo econômico",
@@ -1154,6 +1157,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "Conectando ao daemon externo...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "Conectando ao daemon...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "O daemon travou %d vezes",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "Falha ao gravar os arquivos do daemon — verifique o espaço livre em disco e as permissões.",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "Falha ao gravar os arquivos do daemon em %s — verifique o espaço livre em disco e as permissões.",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "Daemon não encontrado",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "Não foi possível iniciar o dragonxd",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd em execução",
@@ -1169,6 +1174,7 @@
     "sb_net_mhs": "Rede: %.2f MH/s",
     "sb_no_conf": "DRAGONX.conf não encontrado",
     "sb_peers": "Pares: %zu",
+    "sb_plaintext_remote_blocked": "Recusando enviar credenciais RPC em texto simples para um host remoto. Adicione rpcallowplaintext=1 ao DRAGONX.conf para permitir, ou habilite TLS com rpctls=1.",
     "sb_rescanning": "Reescaneando",
     "sb_rescanning_pct": "Reescaneando %.0f%%",
     "sb_restarting_daemon": "Reiniciando daemon...",

res/lang/ru.json

@@ -734,6 +734,9 @@
     "lite_working": "Обработка…",
     "loading": "Загрузка...",
     "loading_addresses": "Загрузка адресов...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "Демон инициализируется уже %.0f с. Это может быть нормально после обновления или при первом запуске (загрузка индекса блоков или повторное сканирование) — соединение установится автоматически, когда он будет готов.",
+    "loading_stall_hint": "Всё ещё не отвечает? Откройте Настройки и нажмите «Перезапустить демон» или посмотрите подробности в Консоли.",
+    "loading_stall_title": "Занимает больше времени, чем ожидалось",
     "loading_transactions": "Загрузка транзакций",
     "local_hashrate": "Локальный хешрейт",
     "low_spec_mode": "Режим экономии",
@@ -1154,6 +1157,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "Подключение к внешнему демону...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "Подключение к демону...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "Демон упал %d раз",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "Не удалось записать файлы демона — проверьте свободное место на диске и права доступа.",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "Не удалось записать файлы демона в %s — проверьте свободное место на диске и права доступа.",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "Демон не найден",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "Не удалось запустить dragonxd",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd запущен",
@@ -1169,6 +1174,7 @@
     "sb_net_mhs": "Сеть: %.2f MH/s",
     "sb_no_conf": "DRAGONX.conf не найден",
     "sb_peers": "Пиры: %zu",
+    "sb_plaintext_remote_blocked": "Отправка учётных данных RPC открытым текстом на удалённый узел запрещена. Добавьте rpcallowplaintext=1 в DRAGONX.conf, чтобы разрешить, или включите TLS с помощью rpctls=1.",
     "sb_rescanning": "Пересканирование",
     "sb_rescanning_pct": "Пересканирование %.0f%%",
     "sb_restarting_daemon": "Перезапуск демона...",

res/lang/zh.json

@@ -734,6 +734,8 @@
     "lite_working": "处理中…",
     "loading": "加载中...",
     "loading_addresses": "正在加载地址...",
+    "loading_stall_body": "守护进程已初始化 %.0f 秒。更新后或首次启动时（加载区块索引或重新扫描）这可能是正常现象——就绪后会自动连接。",
+    "loading_stall_title": "耗时超出预期",
     "loading_transactions": "正在加载交易",
     "local_hashrate": "本地算力",
     "low_spec_mode": "低配模式",
@@ -1154,6 +1156,8 @@
     "sb_connecting_external": "正在连接外部守护进程...",
     "sb_connecting_generic": "正在连接守护进程...",
     "sb_daemon_crashed": "守护进程崩溃 %d 次",
+    "sb_daemon_extract_failed": "无法写入守护进程文件——请检查磁盘剩余空间和权限。",
+    "sb_daemon_files_failed": "无法将守护进程文件写入 %s——请检查磁盘剩余空间和权限。",
     "sb_daemon_not_found": "未找到守护进程",
     "sb_daemon_start_failed": "无法启动 dragonxd",
     "sb_dragonxd_running": "dragonxd 运行中",

res/themes/ui.toml

@@ -1503,6 +1503,7 @@ progress-bar      = { height = 6.0, radius = 3.0 }
 progress-width    = { size = 260.0 }
 backdrop-alpha    = { opacity = 0.80 }
 vertical-gap      = { size = 8.0 }
+stall-timeout-sec = { size = 45.0 }
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # First-Run Wizard Screens

src/app.cpp

@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@
 #include "ui/widgets/copy_field.h"
 #include "ui/notifications.h"
 #include "util/i18n.h"
+#include "util/connect_stall.h"
 #include "util/platform.h"
 #include "util/text_format.h"
 #include "util/payment_uri.h"
@@ -4149,7 +4150,11 @@ bool App::startEmbeddedDaemon()
         if (resources::hasEmbeddedResources()) {
             DEBUG_LOGF("Extracting embedded Sapling params...\n");
             daemon_status_ = TR("sb_extracting_sapling");
-            resources::extractEmbeddedResources();
+            if (!resources::extractEmbeddedResources()) {
+                daemon_status_ = TR("sb_daemon_extract_failed");
+                DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] extractEmbeddedResources() failed — disk full or permission denied?\n");
+                return false;
+            }
             
             // Check again after extraction
             if (!rpc::Connection::verifySaplingParams()) {
@@ -4168,8 +4173,13 @@ bool App::startEmbeddedDaemon()
             const char* paramFiles[] = { "sapling-spend.params", "sapling-output.params", "asmap.dat" };
             bool copied = false;
             if (!exe_dir.empty()) {
+                std::string dirErr;
+                if (!util::Platform::ensureDirectory(daemon_dir, &dirErr)) {
+                    daemon_status_ = dirErr;
+                    DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] %s\n", dirErr.c_str());
+                    return false;
+                }
                 std::error_code ec;
-                fs::create_directories(daemon_dir, ec);
 
                 // On macOS .app bundles, params are in Contents/Resources/
                 // while the executable is in Contents/MacOS/
@@ -4214,8 +4224,13 @@ bool App::startEmbeddedDaemon()
         std::string exe_dir = util::Platform::getExecutableDirectory();
         std::string daemon_dir = resources::getDaemonDirectory();
         if (!exe_dir.empty()) {
+            std::string dirErr;
+            if (!util::Platform::ensureDirectory(daemon_dir, &dirErr)) {
+                daemon_status_ = dirErr;
+                DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] %s\n", dirErr.c_str());
+                return false;
+            }
             std::error_code ec;
-            fs::create_directories(daemon_dir, ec);
 
             std::vector<std::string> searchDirs = { exe_dir };
 #ifdef __APPLE__
@@ -4226,18 +4241,31 @@ bool App::startEmbeddedDaemon()
             }
 #endif
             const char* extraFiles[] = { "asmap.dat", "dragonxd", "dragonx-cli", "dragonx-tx" };
+            bool copyFailed = false;
             for (const char* name : extraFiles) {
                 fs::path dst = fs::path(daemon_dir) / name;
                 if (fs::exists(dst)) continue;
                 for (const auto& dir : searchDirs) {
                     fs::path src = fs::path(dir) / name;
-                    if (fs::exists(src)) {
+                    if (fs::exists(src)) {   // an absent source is optional; only a real copy error counts
                         DEBUG_LOGF("Copying bundled %s from %s to %s\n", name, dir.c_str(), daemon_dir.c_str());
                         fs::copy_file(src, dst, ec);
+                        if (ec) {
+                            DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] Failed to copy %s: %s\n", name, ec.message().c_str());
+                            copyFailed = true;
+                            ec.clear();
+                        }
                         break;
                     }
                 }
             }
+            if (copyFailed) {
+                char buf[512];
+                snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), TR("sb_daemon_files_failed"), daemon_dir.c_str());
+                daemon_status_ = buf;
+                DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] One or more daemon files failed to copy to %s\n", daemon_dir.c_str());
+                return false;
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -5269,6 +5297,55 @@ void App::renderLoadingOverlay(float contentH)
         }
     }
 
+    // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // 3d. "Taking longer than expected" notice — the daemon is reachable/launching but
+    //     hasn't become ready within the stall threshold. The connect loop keeps retrying
+    //     underneath (this notice clears itself the instant it connects); it just stops the
+    //     user staring at a silent spinner forever. Guarded off while the daemon is in the
+    //     Error state — that case is owned by the crash block (3c) above.
+    // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+    if (connect_stall_since_ > 0.0 &&
+        !(daemon_controller_ &&
+          daemon_controller_->state() == daemon::EmbeddedDaemon::State::Error) &&
+        util::connectHasStalled(connect_stall_since_, ImGui::GetTime(),
+                                loadElem("stall-timeout-sec", util::kConnectStallDefaultSeconds))) {
+        curY += gap;
+        ImFont* bodyFont2 = Type().body2();
+        if (!bodyFont2) bodyFont2 = ImGui::GetFont();
+        ImFont* capFont = Type().caption();
+        if (!capFont) capFont = ImGui::GetFont();
+
+        // Title
+        const char* title = TR("loading_stall_title");
+        ImVec2 ts = bodyFont2->CalcTextSizeA(bodyFont2->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0.0f, title);
+        dl->AddText(bodyFont2, bodyFont2->LegacySize,
+                    ImVec2(wp.x + cx - ts.x * 0.5f, curY),
+                    IM_COL32(255, 210, 90, 235), title);
+        curY += ts.y + gap * 0.5f;
+
+        // Body (wrapped) — reassure + show elapsed seconds
+        char stallBody[256];
+        snprintf(stallBody, sizeof(stallBody), TR("loading_stall_body"),
+                 (float)(ImGui::GetTime() - connect_stall_since_));
+        float wrapW = ws.x * 0.8f;
+        if (wrapW > 640.0f) wrapW = 640.0f;
+        ImVec2 bs = capFont->CalcTextSizeA(capFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, wrapW, stallBody);
+        dl->AddText(capFont, capFont->LegacySize,
+                    ImVec2(wp.x + cx - wrapW * 0.5f, curY),
+                    IM_COL32(200, 200, 200, 210), stallBody, nullptr, wrapW);
+        curY += bs.y + gap * 0.5f;
+
+        // Actionable guidance (full-node only — lite has no daemon to restart)
+        if (supportsFullNodeLifecycleActions()) {
+            const char* hint = TR("loading_stall_hint");
+            ImVec2 hs = capFont->CalcTextSizeA(capFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0.0f, hint);
+            dl->AddText(capFont, capFont->LegacySize,
+                        ImVec2(wp.x + cx - hs.x * 0.5f, curY),
+                        IM_COL32(180, 180, 180, 190), hint);
+            curY += hs.y + gap;
+        }
+    }
+
     // -------------------------------------------------------------------
     // 4. Daemon output snippet (last few lines, if embedded)
     // -------------------------------------------------------------------

src/app.h

@@ -1023,6 +1023,7 @@ private:
     std::uint64_t clipboard_secret_hash_ = 0;
     double clipboard_clear_deadline_ = 0.0;
     float loading_timer_ = 0.0f;  // spinner animation for loading overlay
+    double connect_stall_since_ = 0.0;  // ImGui::GetTime() when the daemon first went "reachable but not ready"; 0 = not stalling (see util/connect_stall.h)
 
     // Current page (sidebar navigation)
     ui::NavPage current_page_ = ui::NavPage::Overview;

src/app_network.cpp

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #include "rpc/connection.h"
 #include "chat/chat_identity.h"  // deriveChatIdentityFromSecret for HushChat identity provisioning
 #include "ui/windows/chat_tab.h"  // ui::ResetChatTab — wipe chat UI plaintext on a wallet switch
+#include "ui/windows/mining_pool_panel.h"  // ui::resolveMiningUserAddress
 #include <sodium.h>              // sodium_memzero for wiping the fetched mnemonic
 #include <cctype>
 #include "config/settings.h"
@@ -241,6 +242,16 @@ void App::tryConnect()
     // Auto-detect configuration (file I/O — fast, safe on main thread)
     auto config = rpc::Connection::autoDetectConfig();
 
+    if (!config.dir_error.empty()) {
+        // The data directory could not be created (read-only home, permission denied,
+        // disk full). Retrying won't fix it, so surface it in the status line instead of
+        // mislabelling it as "waiting for config" below.
+        connection_in_progress_ = false;
+        connection_status_ = config.dir_error;
+        VERBOSE_LOGF("[connect #%d] data dir error: %s\n", connect_attempt, config.dir_error.c_str());
+        return;
+    }
+    
     if (config.rpcuser.empty() || config.rpcpassword.empty()) {
         connection_in_progress_ = false;
         std::string confPath = rpc::Connection::getDefaultConfPath();
@@ -310,11 +321,21 @@ void App::tryConnect()
     VERBOSE_LOGF("[connect #%d] Connecting to %s:%s (user=%s)\n",
                connect_attempt, config.host.c_str(), config.port.c_str(), config.rpcuser.c_str());
 
-    if (rpc::Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(config) && !remote_rpc_plaintext_warning_shown_) {
+    if (rpc::Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(config) &&
+        !rpc::Connection::allowsPlaintextRemote(config)) {
+        // Refuse to send Basic-auth credentials in cleartext to a remote host — a local-network
+        // MITM would otherwise capture rpcuser:rpcpassword. This is a deliberate behaviour change
+        // from the old warn-and-proceed: opt in explicitly with rpcallowplaintext=1 in
+        // DRAGONX.conf (or enable TLS with rpctls=1) if the plaintext link is intended.
+        connection_in_progress_ = false;
+        connection_status_ = TR("sb_plaintext_remote_blocked");
+        if (!remote_rpc_plaintext_warning_shown_) {
             remote_rpc_plaintext_warning_shown_ = true;
-        ui::Notifications::instance().warning(
+            ui::Notifications::instance().warning(TR("sb_plaintext_remote_blocked"), 20.0f);
-            "Remote RPC is using plaintext HTTP. Add rpctls=1 to DRAGONX.conf if your daemon supports TLS.",
+        }
-            10.0f);
+        VERBOSE_LOGF("[connect #%d] refusing plaintext-remote RPC to %s:%s (set rpcallowplaintext=1 to override)\n",
+                   connect_attempt, config.host.c_str(), config.port.c_str());
+        return;
     }
     
     // Run the blocking rpc_->connect() on the worker thread so the UI
@@ -385,6 +406,7 @@ void App::tryConnect()
                     // fail until warmup completes.  Set the warmup state so
                     // the UI shows status instead of a blocking overlay.
                     state_.warming_up = true;
+                    if (connect_stall_since_ <= 0.0) connect_stall_since_ = ImGui::GetTime();  // start the "taking too long" clock
                     auto wt = translateWarmup(warmupStatus);
                     state_.warmup_status = wt.title;
                     state_.warmup_description = wt.description;
@@ -526,6 +548,7 @@ void App::onConnected()
     }
     state_.daemon_initializing = false;  // RPC is answering now; clear the "initializing" overlay
     daemon_wait_attempts_ = 0;           // re-arm the port-busy / start-failure notifications
+    connect_stall_since_ = 0.0;          // connected — clear the "taking too long" clock
     daemon_start_error_shown_ = false;
     daemon_last_seen_crashes_ = 0;       // (onConnected resets the daemon's crash count too)
     connection_status_ = TR("connected");
@@ -606,6 +629,7 @@ void App::onDisconnected(const std::string& reason)
     state_.connected = false;
     state_.warming_up = false;
     state_.warmup_status.clear();
+    connect_stall_since_ = 0.0;  // reset the "taking too long" clock (App member, untouched by state_.clear())
     state_.clear();
     connection_status_ = reason;
 
@@ -660,6 +684,7 @@ void App::onDisconnected(const std::string& reason)
 std::string App::applyDaemonInitStatus(bool reachableButBusy)
 {
     state_.daemon_initializing = true;
+    if (connect_stall_since_ <= 0.0) connect_stall_since_ = ImGui::GetTime();  // start the "taking too long" clock
 
     // Find the most recent console line that names an init phase, so we can tell the user exactly
     // what the node is doing (loading the block index, verifying, activating best chain, …).
@@ -1488,6 +1513,7 @@ void App::refreshCoreData()
                     state_.warming_up = false;
                     state_.warmup_status.clear();
                     state_.warmup_description.clear();
+                    connect_stall_since_ = 0.0;  // warmup finished — clear the "taking too long" clock
                     connection_status_ = TR("connected");
                     VERBOSE_LOGF("[warmup] Daemon ready, warmup complete\n");
 
@@ -2288,27 +2314,23 @@ void App::startPoolMining(int threads)
     cfg.tls            = settings_->getPoolTls();
     cfg.hugepages      = settings_->getPoolHugepages();
 
-    // Use first shielded address as the mining wallet address, fall back to transparent
+    // xmrig "user" is the pool login the block rewards are credited to. The user's
+    // "Payout Address" field (cfg.worker_name = getPoolWorker) is exactly that, so it
+    // takes priority — otherwise a payout address that differs from the wallet's own
+    // first z-address is silently ignored and rewards go to the wrong address. Only when
+    // no payout address is set do we fall back to the wallet's own first shielded, then
+    // transparent, address (available even before the daemon is connected/synced).
+    std::string firstShielded, firstTransparent;
     for (const auto& addr : state_.z_addresses) {
-        if (!addr.address.empty()) {
+        if (!addr.address.empty()) { firstShielded = addr.address; break; }
-            cfg.wallet_address = addr.address;
-            break;
     }
-    }
-    if (cfg.wallet_address.empty()) {
     for (const auto& addr : state_.addresses) {
         if (addr.type == "transparent" && !addr.address.empty()) {
-                cfg.wallet_address = addr.address;
+            firstTransparent = addr.address;
             break;
         }
     }
-    }
+    cfg.wallet_address = ui::resolveMiningUserAddress(cfg.worker_name, firstShielded, firstTransparent);
-
-    // Fallback: use pool worker address from settings (available even before
-    // the daemon is connected or the blockchain is synced).
-    if (cfg.wallet_address.empty() && !cfg.worker_name.empty()) {
-        cfg.wallet_address = cfg.worker_name;
-    }
 
     if (cfg.wallet_address.empty()) {
         DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] Pool mining: No wallet address available\n");

src/daemon/embedded_daemon.cpp

@@ -489,6 +489,34 @@ bool EmbeddedDaemon::start(const std::string& binary_path)
     }
     external_daemon_detected_ = false;
 
+    // A previous dragonxd can release the RPC port well before it releases the datadir
+    // .lock — a graceful shutdown can take up to ~90s (see isDaemonProcessRunning). Starting
+    // into a still-held lock spawns a process that dies instantly with "Cannot obtain a lock
+    // on data directory"; the crash monitor reports that generically and, three times in
+    // ~12s, that is enough to trip the 3-strike restart cap before the lock's ~90s life
+    // elapses. Gate on the process actually still being alive, with a SHORT bounded wait
+    // (not the full ~90s — start() runs on the UI thread). Isolated starts (migrate-to-seed:
+    // skip_port_check_ / -datadir override) are exempt; they run their own datadir+port.
+    {
+        constexpr int kDatadirLockWaitPollMs   = 100;
+        constexpr int kDatadirLockWaitMaxPolls = 3;   // ~300ms total, breaks early on exit
+        bool stillRunning = false;
+        if (!skip_port_check_ && override_datadir_.empty()) {
+            stillRunning = isDaemonProcessRunning();
+            for (int i = 0; stillRunning && i < kDatadirLockWaitMaxPolls; ++i) {
+                std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(kDatadirLockWaitPollMs));
+                stillRunning = isDaemonProcessRunning();
+            }
+        }
+        const StartLockGateDecision gate =
+            evaluateDatadirLockGate(skip_port_check_, !override_datadir_.empty(), stillRunning);
+        if (!gate.proceed) {
+            VERBOSE_LOGF("[INFO] %s\n", gate.errorMessage);
+            setState(State::Error, gate.errorMessage);
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+    
     setState(State::Starting, "Looking for dragonxd binary...");
     
     std::string daemon_path = binary_path;
@@ -557,8 +585,14 @@ bool EmbeddedDaemon::start(const std::string& binary_path)
     override_extra_args_.clear();
 
     if (!startProcess(daemon_path, args)) {
-        DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] Failed to start dragonxd process: %s\\n", last_error_.c_str());
+        // startProcess() sets a precise last_error_ (e.g. "dragonxd could not be executed:
-        setState(State::Error, "Failed to start dragonxd process");
+        // ... not executable or wrong architecture"). Surface THAT via setState — which also
+        // stores the Error message into last_error_ — instead of clobbering it with a generic
+        // string that would then be all getLastError()/the UI ever sees.
+        std::string detail = last_error_.empty() ? std::string("Failed to start dragonxd process")
+                                                  : last_error_;
+        DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] %s\n", detail.c_str());
+        setState(State::Error, detail);
         return false;
     }
     
@@ -963,17 +997,37 @@ bool EmbeddedDaemon::startProcess(const std::string& binary_path, const std::vec
         return false;
     }
 
+    // Self-pipe used purely as an exec-success/failure handshake, separate from
+    // the stdout pipe above. Both ends are close-on-exec, so a successful execv()
+    // closes the write end for free (parent reads EOF); on execv() failure the
+    // child writes errno here, so the parent learns synchronously instead of
+    // reporting State::Running for a child that never became dragonxd. We use
+    // pipe()+FD_CLOEXEC (not pipe2) because this POSIX branch is shared with
+    // macOS, which has no pipe2().
+    int execpipe[2];
+    if (pipe(execpipe) == -1) {
+        last_error_ = "Failed to create exec-status pipe: " + std::string(strerror(errno));
+        close(pipefd[0]);
+        close(pipefd[1]);
+        return false;
+    }
+    fcntl(execpipe[0], F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC);
+    fcntl(execpipe[1], F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC);
+    
     pid_t pid = fork();
     if (pid == -1) {
         last_error_ = "Fork failed: " + std::string(strerror(errno));
         close(pipefd[0]);
         close(pipefd[1]);
+        close(execpipe[0]);
+        close(execpipe[1]);
         return false;
     }
     
     if (pid == 0) {
         // Child process
-        close(pipefd[0]);  // Close read end
+        close(pipefd[0]);   // Close read end of the stdout pipe
+        close(execpipe[0]); // Child only writes the exec-status pipe
         
         // Put child in its own process group so we can kill the entire
         // group later (including dragonxd spawned by a wrapper script).
@@ -1040,17 +1094,56 @@ bool EmbeddedDaemon::startProcess(const std::string& binary_path, const std::vec
             execv(binary_path.c_str(), argv.data());
         }
         
-        // If we get here, exec failed
+        // If we get here, execv() failed — the child never became dragonxd.
-        fprintf(stderr, "execv failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+        // Capture errno before fprintf/strerror can clobber it, report it to
+        // the parent over the exec-status pipe (EINTR-safe), then exit.
+        int exec_errno = errno;
+        fprintf(stderr, "execv failed: %s\n", strerror(exec_errno));
+        ssize_t w;
+        do {
+            w = write(execpipe[1], &exec_errno, sizeof(exec_errno));
+        } while (w < 0 && errno == EINTR);
         _exit(127);
     }
     
     // Parent process
-    close(pipefd[1]);  // Close write end
+    close(pipefd[1]);   // Close our copy of the stdout write end
+    close(execpipe[1]); // Must close our copy, or the read() below never sees EOF
+
+    // Exec-status handshake: EOF => execv() succeeded (its write end was closed
+    // on exec); a full sizeof(int) => execv() failed and the child sent errno.
+    int child_errno = 0;
+    size_t got = 0;
+    char* ep = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&child_errno);
+    for (;;) {
+        ssize_t n = read(execpipe[0], ep + got, sizeof(child_errno) - got);
+        if (n == 0) break;                                   // EOF: exec succeeded
+        if (n < 0) { if (errno == EINTR) continue; break; }  // other error: assume success
+        got += static_cast<size_t>(n);
+        if (got >= sizeof(child_errno)) break;               // full errno: exec failed
+    }
+    close(execpipe[0]);
+
+    if (got >= sizeof(child_errno)) {
+        // execv() never replaced the child; it fprintf'd and _exit(127)'d. Reap
+        // the already-dead zombie here — monitorProcess() is only started after
+        // this function returns true, so there is no competing reaper.
+        close(pipefd[0]);
+        int status;
+        waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+        last_error_ = "dragonxd could not be executed: " + std::string(strerror(child_errno)) +
+                      " — not executable or wrong architecture";
+        return false;
+    }
+
     stdout_fd_ = pipefd[0];
 
-    // Also set process group from parent side (race with child's setpgid)
+    // Best-effort: the child already calls setpgid(0, 0); this parent-side call
-    setpgid(pid, pid);
+    // just closes the fork/exec race window. A failure here is not fatal to
+    // startup, so we log rather than abort.
+    if (setpgid(pid, pid) != 0) {
+        DEBUG_LOGF("[WARN] setpgid(%d) from parent failed: %s\n", (int)pid, strerror(errno));
+    }
 
     // Set non-blocking
     int flags = fcntl(stdout_fd_, F_GETFL, 0);
@@ -1135,17 +1228,21 @@ double EmbeddedDaemon::getMemoryUsageMB() const
 
 bool EmbeddedDaemon::isRunning() const
 {
+    // Read the atomic state_ instead of calling waitpid() here. monitorProcess()
+    // is the sole thread allowed to waitpid() process_pid_ during normal operation.
+    // Calling waitpid() from this method too (as it used to, and this is invoked
+    // from the UI thread nearly every frame) meant whichever thread reaped the
+    // child's exit first consumed the status; if isRunning() won that race,
+    // monitorProcess() never saw the exit, so crash_count_ / the decoded exit
+    // code / the State::Error transition were all silently lost. Mirrors the
+    // fix already in XmrigManager::isRunning().
     if (process_pid_ <= 0) return false;
 
-    int status;
+    const State s = state_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
-    pid_t result = waitpid(process_pid_, &status, WNOHANG);
+    // State::Stopping is included: stop()'s graceful/SIGTERM wait loops poll
-    
+    // isRunning() while state_ == Stopping — before the process has actually
-    if (result == 0) {
+    // terminated — and must keep seeing "alive" to wait/escalate correctly.
-        // Still running
+    return (s == State::Running || s == State::Stopping);
-        return true;
-    }
-    
-    return false;
 }
 
 void EmbeddedDaemon::drainOutput()

src/daemon/embedded_daemon.h

@@ -235,6 +235,32 @@ public:
      */
     static bool isDaemonProcessRunning();
 
+    /** Decision returned by evaluateDatadirLockGate(): whether start() may spawn now. */
+    struct StartLockGateDecision {
+        bool proceed = true;             // false => bail before spawning
+        const char* errorMessage = "";   // set (a string literal) when proceed == false
+    };
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Pure decision for start(): bail because a previous dragonxd still holds the
+     *        shared datadir lock? Isolated instances (skip_port_check_ / an active -datadir
+     *        override) are exempt — they run their own throwaway datadir+port and can coexist
+     *        with the main daemon. Does no process/fs I/O itself (the caller does the probing),
+     *        so it is directly unit-testable; defined inline so tests need only this header.
+     */
+    static StartLockGateDecision evaluateDatadirLockGate(bool skipPortCheck,
+                                                         bool isolatedOverride,
+                                                         bool stillRunningAfterWait)
+    {
+        if (skipPortCheck || isolatedOverride) return {true, ""};
+        if (stillRunningAfterWait) {
+            return {false,
+                    "A previous dragonxd is still shutting down and holding the data "
+                    "directory lock. Retrying shortly…"};
+        }
+        return {true, ""};
+    }
+
     /** @brief Is an arbitrary TCP port currently in use on localhost? (used to pick a free port) */
     static bool tcpPortInUse(int port);
 

src/main.cpp

@@ -726,8 +726,16 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
     // Ensure ObsidianDragon config directory exists early (before any file I/O)
     {
         std::string odDir = dragonx::util::Platform::getObsidianDragonDir();
-        std::error_code ec;
+        std::string odErr;
-        std::filesystem::create_directories(odDir, ec);
+        if (!dragonx::util::Platform::ensureDirectory(odDir, &odErr)) {
+            // Pre-App-init: nothing (ini, logs, config) can persist if this fails, and the
+            // Windows log redirect below isn't set up yet — report loudly before any setup.
+            std::fprintf(stderr, "%s\n", odErr.c_str());
+#ifdef _WIN32
+            MessageBoxA(nullptr, odErr.c_str(), DRAGONX_APP_NAME, MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+#endif
+            return 1;
+        }
     }
 
 #ifdef _WIN32

src/rpc/connection.cpp

@@ -14,8 +14,12 @@
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cctype>
+#include <vector>
+#include <chrono>
 
 #include "../util/logger.h"
+#include "../util/platform.h"
+#include "../util/xmrig_updater.h"  // util::sha256Hex
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
 #include <shlobj.h>
@@ -120,30 +124,121 @@ std::string Connection::getSaplingParamsDir()
     return resources::getDaemonDirectory();
 }
 
-bool Connection::verifySaplingParams()
+namespace {
+
+std::string joinParamPath(const std::string& dir, const std::string& file) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    return dir + "\\" + file;
+#else
+    return dir + "/" + file;
+#endif
+}
+
+// "<size>:<mtime>" fingerprint used to skip re-hashing an unchanged file. Empty on error.
+std::string paramStatLine(const std::string& path) {
+    std::error_code ec;
+    auto sz = fs::file_size(path, ec);
+    if (ec) return {};
+    auto mtime = fs::last_write_time(path, ec);
+    long long ticks = ec ? 0 :
+        std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::seconds>(mtime.time_since_epoch()).count();
+    return std::to_string(static_cast<unsigned long long>(sz)) + ":" + std::to_string(ticks);
+}
+
+bool paramHashMatches(const std::string& path, const std::string& expectedHex) {
+    std::ifstream f(path, std::ios::binary | std::ios::ate);
+    if (!f) return false;
+    std::streamsize sz = f.tellg();
+    if (sz <= 0) return false;
+    f.seekg(0, std::ios::beg);
+    std::vector<char> buf(static_cast<size_t>(sz));
+    if (!f.read(buf.data(), sz)) return false;
+    std::string got = util::sha256Hex(buf.data(), buf.size());
+    return !got.empty() && got == expectedHex;
+}
+
+// The verification cache: <params_dir>/.sapling_verified holds one paramStatLine per param,
+// in list order, from the last successful hash check.
+bool saplingMarkerMatches(const std::string& markerPath, const std::vector<std::string>& expected) {
+    for (const auto& s : expected) if (s.empty()) return false;   // couldn't stat -> don't trust
+    std::ifstream f(markerPath);
+    if (!f) return false;
+    std::vector<std::string> lines;
+    std::string l;
+    while (std::getline(f, l)) lines.push_back(l);
+    return lines == expected;
+}
+
+void writeSaplingMarker(const std::string& markerPath, const std::vector<std::string>& lines) {
+    std::ofstream f(markerPath, std::ios::trunc);
+    if (!f) return;
+    for (const auto& l : lines) f << l << "\n";
+}
+
+// Canonical Zcash-family Sapling trusted-setup param digests — identical bytes across every
+// fork/platform. Source of truth: scripts/build-lite-backend-artifact.sh ensure_sapling_params().
+// Keep in sync if the params are ever rotated.
+const std::pair<std::string, std::string> kSaplingParamDigests[] = {
+    { "sapling-spend.params",  "8e48ffd23abb3a5fd9c5589204f32d9c31285a04b78096ba40a79b75677efc13" },
+    { "sapling-output.params", "2f0ebbcbb9bb0bcffe95a397e7eba89c29eb4dde6191c339db88570e3f3fb0e4" },
+};
+
+} // namespace
+
+bool Connection::verifySaplingParamsIn(
+    const std::string& dir,
+    const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>>& digests)
 {
-    std::string params_dir = getSaplingParamsDir();
+    if (dir.empty()) {
-    if (params_dir.empty()) {
         DEBUG_LOGF("verifySaplingParams: params dir is empty\n");
         return false;
     }
+    if (digests.empty()) return false;
 
-#ifdef _WIN32
+    // 1) Every param must exist.
-    std::string spend_path = params_dir + "\\sapling-spend.params";
+    std::vector<std::string> paths;
-    std::string output_path = params_dir + "\\sapling-output.params";
+    paths.reserve(digests.size());
-#else
+    for (const auto& d : digests) {
-    std::string spend_path = params_dir + "/sapling-spend.params";
+        std::string p = joinParamPath(dir, d.first);
-    std::string output_path = params_dir + "/sapling-output.params";
+        if (!fs::exists(p)) {
-#endif
+            DEBUG_LOGF("verifySaplingParams: %s MISSING\n", p.c_str());
+            return false;
+        }
+        paths.push_back(std::move(p));
+    }
 
-    bool spend_exists = fs::exists(spend_path);
+    // 2) Fast path: if the cached marker matches the current size:mtime of every param, trust
-    bool output_exists = fs::exists(output_path);
+    //    the previous successful hash instead of re-hashing ~48MB on every startup.
+    const std::string markerPath = joinParamPath(dir, ".sapling_verified");
+    std::vector<std::string> current;
+    current.reserve(paths.size());
+    for (const auto& p : paths) current.push_back(paramStatLine(p));
+    if (saplingMarkerMatches(markerPath, current)) {
+        return true;
+    }
 
-    DEBUG_LOGF("verifySaplingParams: dir=%s\n", params_dir.c_str());
+    // 3) Integrity-check each param against its pinned SHA-256. A truncated or corrupt param
-    DEBUG_LOGF("  spend: %s -> %s\n", spend_path.c_str(), spend_exists ? "found" : "MISSING");
+    //    (a partial extraction, or a Linux bundle where the file merely *exists*) is rejected
-    DEBUG_LOGF("  output: %s -> %s\n", output_path.c_str(), output_exists ? "found" : "MISSING");
+    //    here instead of being handed to the daemon and failing later on a shielded operation.
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < paths.size(); ++i) {
+        if (!paramHashMatches(paths[i], digests[i].second)) {
+            DEBUG_LOGF("verifySaplingParams: %s FAILED integrity check (truncated or corrupt)\n",
+                       paths[i].c_str());
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
 
-    return spend_exists && output_exists;
+    // 4) Record the verified state so later startups take the fast path.
+    writeSaplingMarker(markerPath, current);
+    DEBUG_LOGF("verifySaplingParams: %zu params verified (sha256)\n", paths.size());
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool Connection::verifySaplingParams()
+{
+    std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> digests;
+    for (const auto& d : kSaplingParamDigests) digests.emplace_back(d.first, d.second);
+    return verifySaplingParamsIn(getSaplingParamsDir(), digests);
 }
 
 ConnectionConfig Connection::parseConfFile(const std::string& path)
@@ -195,6 +290,8 @@ ConnectionConfig Connection::parseConfFile(const std::string& path)
             config.proxy = value;
         } else if (key == "rpctls" || key == "rpcssl" || key == "use_tls" || key == "rpcuse_tls") {
             config.use_tls = parseBoolValue(value);
+        } else if (key == "rpcallowplaintext") {
+            config.allow_plaintext_remote = parseBoolValue(value);
         }
     }
 
@@ -209,11 +306,14 @@ ConnectionConfig Connection::autoDetectConfig()
 {
     ConnectionConfig config;
     
-    // Ensure data directory exists
+    // Ensure the data directory exists. Use the non-throwing helper and report any failure
+    // via config.dir_error so callers can surface it — the old throwing create_directories()
+    // overload could raise an uncaught filesystem_error straight through autoDetectConfig()'s
+    // callers (read-only home, permission denied, etc.).
     std::string data_dir = getDefaultDataDir();
-    if (!fs::exists(data_dir)) {
+    if (!util::Platform::ensureDirectory(data_dir, &config.dir_error)) {
-        DEBUG_LOGF("Creating data directory: %s\n", data_dir.c_str());
+        DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] autoDetectConfig: %s\n", config.dir_error.c_str());
-        fs::create_directories(data_dir);
+        return config;  // data dir unusable — bail early with dir_error set
     }
     
     // Try to find DRAGONX.conf
@@ -268,6 +368,31 @@ bool Connection::buildCookieAuthConfig(const ConnectionConfig& base, ConnectionC
     return true;
 }
 
+// True only for a well-formed IPv4 loopback literal (127.0.0.0/8): exactly four dot-separated
+// 0-255 octets with the first == 127. Rejects "127.evil.com", "127.0.0.1.attacker",
+// "127.300.0.1", "1270.0.0.1", etc. — the old rfind("127.",0)==0 prefix matched all of those.
+static bool isExactIPv4Loopback(const std::string& host)
+{
+    int octets = 0, value = 0, digits = 0;
+    bool firstIs127 = false;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i <= host.size(); ++i) {
+        const char c = (i < host.size()) ? host[i] : '.';   // trailing sentinel flushes the last octet
+        if (c == '.') {
+            if (digits == 0 || digits > 3 || value > 255) return false;
+            if (octets == 0) firstIs127 = (value == 127);
+            ++octets;
+            value = 0;
+            digits = 0;
+        } else if (c >= '0' && c <= '9') {
+            value = value * 10 + (c - '0');
+            ++digits;
+        } else {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+    return octets == 4 && firstIs127;
+}
+
 bool Connection::isLocalHost(const std::string& host)
 {
     std::string lowered = lowercase(host);
@@ -277,7 +402,7 @@ bool Connection::isLocalHost(const std::string& host)
 
     return lowered == "localhost" || lowered == "localhost." ||
            lowered == "::1" || lowered == "0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1" ||
-           lowered == "127.0.0.1" || lowered.rfind("127.", 0) == 0;
+           isExactIPv4Loopback(lowered);
 }
 
 bool Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(const ConnectionConfig& config)
@@ -285,6 +410,13 @@ bool Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(const ConnectionConfig& config)
     return !config.use_tls && !isLocalHost(config.host);
 }
 
+bool Connection::allowsPlaintextRemote(const ConnectionConfig& config)
+{
+    // Explicit opt-in (DRAGONX.conf: rpcallowplaintext=1) to send credentials over a plaintext
+    // link to a remote host. Off by default — see usesPlaintextRemote().
+    return config.allow_plaintext_remote;
+}
+
 const char* Connection::authSourceName(AuthSource source)
 {
     switch (source) {

src/rpc/connection.h

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <utility>
 
 namespace dragonx {
 namespace rpc {
@@ -27,7 +29,11 @@ struct ConnectionConfig {
     std::string proxy;  // SOCKS5 proxy for Tor
     bool use_embedded = true;
     bool use_tls = false;
+    bool allow_plaintext_remote = false;  // rpcallowplaintext=1 — opt in to plaintext creds to a remote host
     AuthSource auth_source = AuthSource::Missing;
+    // Non-empty when autoDetectConfig() could not create the data directory; callers
+    // should surface it and abort the connect rather than proceeding blindly.
+    std::string dir_error;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -69,6 +75,14 @@ public:
      */
     static bool verifySaplingParams();
 
+    // Verify the Sapling params in `dir` against a { filename, expected-sha256-hex } list.
+    // Exposed with an injectable dir + digest list so the integrity + marker-cache logic is
+    // unit-testable without the real ~48MB params; verifySaplingParams() calls it with the
+    // pinned production digests and getSaplingParamsDir().
+    static bool verifySaplingParamsIn(
+        const std::string& dir,
+        const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>>& digests);
+
     /**
      * @brief Get the Sapling params directory
      */
@@ -119,6 +133,11 @@ public:
      */
     static bool usesPlaintextRemote(const ConnectionConfig& config);
 
+    // Whether plaintext credentials to a remote host are explicitly allowed (opt-in via the
+    // DRAGONX.conf rpcallowplaintext key). Off by default: usesPlaintextRemote() && !this
+    // means the connect is refused.
+    static bool allowsPlaintextRemote(const ConnectionConfig& config);
+
     static const char* authSourceName(AuthSource source);
 
 private:

src/ui/windows/mining_pool_panel.cpp

@@ -20,6 +20,17 @@ std::string defaultPoolWorkerAddress(const std::vector<AddressInfo>& addresses)
     return {};
 }
 
+std::string resolveMiningUserAddress(const std::string& payoutAddress,
+                                     const std::string& firstShieldedAddress,
+                                     const std::string& firstTransparentAddress)
+{
+    // The configured payout address is the pool login rewards go to, so it wins over
+    // the wallet's own addresses. "x" is the placeholder for an unset field.
+    if (!payoutAddress.empty() && payoutAddress != "x") return payoutAddress;
+    if (!firstShieldedAddress.empty()) return firstShieldedAddress;
+    return firstTransparentAddress;  // may be empty -> caller reports "no address"
+}
+
 bool miningValueAlreadySaved(const std::vector<std::string>& savedValues,
                              const std::string& value)
 {

src/ui/windows/mining_pool_panel.h

@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ namespace ui {
 
 bool shouldDefaultPoolWorker(const std::string& currentWorker, bool alreadyDefaulted);
 std::string defaultPoolWorkerAddress(const std::vector<AddressInfo>& addresses);
+
+// The xmrig "user" — the pool login block rewards are credited to. The user-entered
+// payout address wins; otherwise fall back to the wallet's own first shielded, then
+// transparent, address. "x" is the empty-field placeholder and counts as unset. The
+// result may be empty (no address anywhere), which the caller treats as an error.
+std::string resolveMiningUserAddress(const std::string& payoutAddress,
+                                     const std::string& firstShieldedAddress,
+                                     const std::string& firstTransparentAddress);
 bool miningValueAlreadySaved(const std::vector<std::string>& savedValues,
 							 const std::string& value);
 const char* defaultPoolUrl();

src/ui/windows/mining_stats.cpp

@@ -251,11 +251,15 @@ static void RenderLeftPoolCard(App* app, const WalletState& state, ImDrawList* d
     }
     y += gap * 0.5f;
 
+    // The pool list = official pools ∪ user-saved favorites ∪ the current custom pool.
+    const auto effective = util::effectivePools(app->settings()->getPoolUrl(),
+                                                app->settings()->getSavedPoolUrls());
+
     // --- POOLS (N) header + Refresh ---
     {
         char hdr[48];
         snprintf(hdr, sizeof(hdr), "%s (%d)", TR("mining_pools_header"),
-                 (int)util::knownPools().size());
+                 (int)effective.size());
         dl->AddText(ovFont, ovFont->LegacySize, ImVec2(x, y), OnSurfaceMedium(), hdr);
 
         float btnS = ovFont->LegacySize + 6 * dp;
@@ -278,11 +282,11 @@ static void RenderLeftPoolCard(App* app, const WalletState& state, ImDrawList* d
     {
         ImDrawList* cdl = ImGui::GetWindowDrawList();
         const auto snap = app->poolStatsSnapshot();
-        const util::KnownPool* current = util::findKnownPoolByUrl(app->settings()->getPoolUrl());
+        const util::KnownPool* current = util::findPoolByUrl(effective, app->settings()->getPoolUrl());
         const float childW = ImGui::GetContentRegionAvail().x;
         const float listRowH = capFont->LegacySize + 10 * dp;
 
-        for (const auto& kp : util::knownPools()) {
+        for (const auto& kp : effective) {
             ImGui::PushID(kp.id.c_str());
             const bool isCurrent = current && current->id == kp.id;
             const auto it = snap.byId.find(kp.id);
@@ -315,7 +319,17 @@ static void RenderLeftPoolCard(App* app, const WalletState& state, ImDrawList* d
 
             char right[64];
             std::string hrStr = haveHr ? FormatHashrate(it->second.hashrateHs) : std::string("—");
-            snprintf(right, sizeof(right), "%s  %.0f%% fee", hrStr.c_str(), kp.feePercent);
+            // Prefer the live fee the pool reports; fall back to the compile-time
+            // KnownPool.feePercent. A synthetic user pool has an unknown (<0) fee, so
+            // we show just its hashrate placeholder for it.
+            double feePct = (it != snap.byId.end() && it->second.feePercent >= 0.0)
+                                ? it->second.feePercent
+                                : kp.feePercent;
+            if (feePct >= 0.0)
+                snprintf(right, sizeof(right), "%s  %s%% fee", hrStr.c_str(),
+                         FormatFeePercent(feePct).c_str());
+            else
+                snprintf(right, sizeof(right), "%s", hrStr.c_str());
             ImVec2 rSz = capFont->CalcTextSizeA(capFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, right);
             cdl->AddText(capFont, capFont->LegacySize,
                          ImVec2(rMax.x - rSz.x - 6 * dp, textY), OnSurfaceMedium(), right);

src/ui/windows/mining_tab_helpers.cpp

@@ -41,6 +41,21 @@ std::string FormatHashrate(double hashrate)
     return std::string(buffer);
 }
 
+std::string FormatFeePercent(double feePercent)
+{
+    // Whole fees read "1"; fractional ones keep only their significant decimals
+    // ("1.5", "0.9", "1.25") with no trailing zeros. Capped at 2 dp — finer than
+    // any pool advertises, and the caller appends the "%".
+    char buffer[32];
+    snprintf(buffer, sizeof(buffer), "%.2f", feePercent);
+    std::string s(buffer);
+    if (s.find('.') != std::string::npos) {
+        s.erase(s.find_last_not_of('0') + 1);
+        if (!s.empty() && s.back() == '.') s.pop_back();
+    }
+    return s;
+}
+
 double EstimateHoursToBlock(double localHashrate, double networkHashrate, double difficulty)
 {
     (void)difficulty;

src/ui/windows/mining_tab_helpers.h

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ int GetMaxMiningThreads();
 int ClampMiningThreads(int requestedThreads, int maxThreads);
 bool IsPoolMiningActive(bool poolMode, bool xmrigRunning, bool soloMiningRunning);
 std::string FormatHashrate(double hashrate);
+std::string FormatFeePercent(double feePercent);
 double EstimateHoursToBlock(double localHashrate, double networkHashrate, double difficulty);
 std::string FormatEstTime(double estimatedHours);
 

src/util/connect_stall.h

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+// DragonX Wallet - ImGui Edition
+// Copyright 2024-2026 The Hush Developers
+// Released under the GPLv3
+
+#pragma once
+
+namespace dragonx {
+namespace util {
+
+// Default "taking longer than expected" threshold (seconds) for the daemon connect loop,
+// overridable via ui.toml [screens.loading].stall-timeout-sec. Kept as a free function with
+// no ImGui/App dependency so it is directly unit-testable from tests/test_phase4.cpp.
+constexpr float kConnectStallDefaultSeconds = 45.0f;
+
+// True once a daemon that is reachable-but-not-ready has stayed that way past the threshold.
+//   stallSince : timestamp (same clock as `now`) when the stall began; <= 0 means "not stalling".
+//   now        : current time in the same units as stallSince.
+//   thresholdSec: how long to wait before considering it stalled; <= 0 disables the feature.
+inline bool connectHasStalled(double stallSince, double now, float thresholdSec)
+{
+    if (stallSince <= 0.0) return false;        // not currently in a stall-tracked state
+    if (thresholdSec <= 0.0f) return false;     // 0/negative disables the notice defensively
+    return (now - stallSince) >= static_cast<double>(thresholdSec);
+}
+
+} // namespace util
+} // namespace dragonx

src/util/i18n.cpp

@@ -1316,6 +1316,12 @@ void I18n::loadBuiltinEnglish()
         strings_["sb_extracting_sapling"] = "Extracting Sapling parameters...";
         strings_["sb_sapling_failed"] = "Failed to extract Sapling parameters.";
         strings_["sb_sapling_not_found"] = "Sapling parameters not found.";
+        strings_["sb_daemon_extract_failed"] = "Failed to write daemon files — check free disk space and permissions.";
+        strings_["sb_daemon_files_failed"] = "Failed to write daemon files to %s — check free disk space and permissions.";
+        strings_["loading_stall_title"] = "Taking longer than expected";
+        strings_["loading_stall_body"] = "The daemon has been initializing for %.0fs. This can be normal after an update or on first launch (loading the block index or rescanning) — it will connect automatically once ready.";
+        strings_["loading_stall_hint"] = "Still stuck? Open Settings and use Restart Daemon, or check the Console for details.";
+        strings_["sb_plaintext_remote_blocked"] = "Refusing to send RPC credentials over plaintext to a remote host. Add rpcallowplaintext=1 to DRAGONX.conf to allow it, or enable TLS with rpctls=1.";
         strings_["sb_dragonxd_running"] = "dragonxd running";
         strings_["sb_dragonxd_stopping"] = "Stopping dragonxd...";
         strings_["sb_dragonxd_stopped"] = "dragonxd stopped";

src/util/platform.cpp

@@ -126,6 +126,27 @@ bool Platform::openUrl(const std::string& url)
 #endif
 }
 
+bool Platform::ensureDirectory(const std::string& dir, std::string* outError)
+{
+    if (dir.empty()) {
+        if (outError) *outError = "Cannot create directory: empty path.";
+        return false;
+    }
+    std::error_code ec;
+    if (std::filesystem::is_directory(dir, ec)) return true;
+    ec.clear();
+    std::filesystem::create_directories(dir, ec);
+    if (ec) {
+        if (outError) {
+            *outError = "Cannot create " + dir + ": " + ec.message() +
+                        ". Check permissions / free space.";
+        }
+        DEBUG_LOGF("[ERROR] ensureDirectory failed for %s: %s\n", dir.c_str(), ec.message().c_str());
+        return false;
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
 bool Platform::openFolder(const std::string& path, bool createIfMissing)
 {
     if (path.empty()) return false;

src/util/platform.h

@@ -128,6 +128,17 @@ public:
      */
     static void ensureObsidianDragonSetup();
 
+    /**
+     * @brief Create a directory (and parents) if missing, with a clear error on failure.
+     *
+     * Uses the non-throwing std::error_code overload internally. On failure sets *outError
+     * (when non-null) to one consistent, user-facing message:
+     *   "Cannot create <dir>: <reason>. Check permissions / free space."
+     *
+     * @return true if the directory exists (already did, or was just created).
+     */
+    static bool ensureDirectory(const std::string& dir, std::string* outError = nullptr);
+
     /**
      * @brief Get total system RAM in megabytes
      * @return Total physical RAM in MB, or 0 on failure

src/util/pool_registry.h

@@ -45,16 +45,30 @@ struct PoolHashrate {
     std::string id;
     double      hashrateHs = 0.0;
     bool        ok = false;
+    // Live pool fee (%) read from the same stats JSON. <0 means "not available" —
+    // callers fall back to the compile-time KnownPool.feePercent.
+    double      feePercent = -1.0;
 };
 
 // The built-in official pools (PPLNS only — never a SOLO pool, whose hashrate is
 // meaningless to balance against). Stable order.
 const std::vector<KnownPool>& knownPools();
 
-// The known pool whose stratum matches `url` (host, and port when both specify one),
+// The pool in `pools` whose stratum matches `url` (host, and port when both specify
-// or nullptr. `url` may be a bare host, host:port, or carry a scheme/userinfo/path.
+// one), or nullptr. `url` may be a bare host, host:port, or carry a scheme/path.
+const KnownPool* findPoolByUrl(const std::vector<KnownPool>& pools, const std::string& url);
+
+// Same, over the built-in official pools only.
 const KnownPool* findKnownPoolByUrl(const std::string& url);
 
+// The full list the UI should show: the official knownPools(), plus a row for every
+// user-saved pool URL and for `currentPoolUrl` when it isn't one of those — so a
+// custom/bookmarked pool is a first-class, selectable row. Synthetic (user) rows are
+// official=false and carry no statsUrl (feePercent<0, no live hashrate), and endpoints
+// are de-duplicated so a saved URL that equals an official pool isn't listed twice.
+std::vector<KnownPool> effectivePools(const std::string& currentPoolUrl,
+                                      const std::vector<std::string>& savedPoolUrls);
+
 // The algo xmrig must use for `url`: the matching known pool's algo, else `fallback`.
 std::string resolvePoolAlgo(const std::string& url, const std::string& fallback);
 
@@ -64,6 +78,13 @@ std::string resolvePoolAlgo(const std::string& url, const std::string& fallback)
 double parsePoolHashrate(PoolStatsSchema schema, const std::string& json,
                          const std::string& miningcorePoolId, bool& ok);
 
+// Parse a pool's advertised fee (%) out of the same stats JSON (DragonXIs:
+// pools.<name>.poolFee; Miningcore: pools[id].poolFeePercent). Selects the same
+// pool entry as parsePoolHashrate. Sets ok=false and returns 0 when the field is
+// absent / malformed, so the caller keeps the compile-time fallback.
+double parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema schema, const std::string& json,
+                    const std::string& miningcorePoolId, bool& ok);
+
 // Weighted-random pick among the usable (ok==true) pools: probability is inversely
 // proportional to hashrate (smaller pools favored), so miners spread out instead of
 // all stampeding to the single lowest pool. The current pool (`currentId`, may be

src/util/pool_registry_core.cpp

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const std::vector<KnownPool>& knownPools()
         KnownPool{
             "dragonx-is", "pool.dragonx.is", "pool.dragonx.is:3433", "rx/hush",
             "https://pool.dragonx.is/api/stats", PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs,
-            /*miningcorePoolId=*/"", /*feePercent=*/0.0, /*official=*/true,
+            /*miningcorePoolId=*/"", /*feePercent=*/1.0, /*official=*/true,
         },
     };
     return pools;
@@ -83,13 +83,62 @@ bool sameEndpoint(const std::string& a, const std::string& b)
     return pa == pb;
 }
 
+// Build a synthetic, selectable pool row for a user-supplied URL (a saved favorite
+// or the current custom pool). We don't know its stats API, so it carries no
+// statsUrl / live hashrate and an unknown (<0) fee — the UI falls back to "—".
+KnownPool makeUserPool(const std::string& url)
+{
+    KnownPool p;
+    const std::string hp = hostPortOf(url);
+    std::string host, port;
+    splitHostPort(hp, host, port);
+    p.id       = "user:" + trimmed(url);  // stable + unique (used as the ImGui id)
+    p.label    = host.empty() ? hp : host;
+    p.stratum  = trimmed(url);            // what the miner connects to / a row-click restores
+    p.algo     = "";                      // unknown; xmrig resolves via resolvePoolAlgo's fallback
+    p.statsUrl = "";                      // no known stats endpoint -> no live hashrate/fee
+    p.schema   = PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs;
+    p.miningcorePoolId = "";
+    p.feePercent = -1.0;                  // unknown fee
+    p.official = false;
+    return p;
+}
+
 } // namespace
 
+const KnownPool* findPoolByUrl(const std::vector<KnownPool>& pools, const std::string& url)
+{
+    for (const auto& p : pools)
+        if (sameEndpoint(p.stratum, url)) return &p;
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
 const KnownPool* findKnownPoolByUrl(const std::string& url)
 {
-    for (const auto& p : knownPools())
+    return findPoolByUrl(knownPools(), url);
-        if (sameEndpoint(p.stratum, url)) return &p;
+}
-    return nullptr;
+
+std::vector<KnownPool> effectivePools(const std::string& currentPoolUrl,
+                                      const std::vector<std::string>& savedPoolUrls)
+{
+    std::vector<KnownPool> pools = knownPools();
+
+    // Skip anything whose endpoint already appears (official or an earlier user row).
+    auto listed = [&](const std::string& url) {
+        return findPoolByUrl(pools, url) != nullptr;
+    };
+
+    for (const auto& url : savedPoolUrls) {
+        if (trimmed(url).empty() || listed(url)) continue;
+        pools.push_back(makeUserPool(url));
+    }
+
+    // The pool currently being mined, if not already shown, so the active pool is
+    // always visible even before it's bookmarked.
+    if (!trimmed(currentPoolUrl).empty() && !listed(currentPoolUrl))
+        pools.push_back(makeUserPool(currentPoolUrl));
+
+    return pools;
 }
 
 std::string resolvePoolAlgo(const std::string& url, const std::string& fallback)
@@ -159,6 +208,64 @@ double parsePoolHashrate(PoolStatsSchema schema, const std::string& jsonStr,
     return 0.0;
 }
 
+double parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema schema, const std::string& jsonStr,
+                    const std::string& miningcorePoolId, bool& ok)
+{
+    ok = false;
+    try {
+        const json j = json::parse(jsonStr);
+
+        if (schema == PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs) {
+            // { "pools": { "dragonx": { "poolFee": <num>, ... }, ... } }
+            if (j.contains("pools") && j["pools"].is_object()) {
+                const auto& pools = j["pools"];
+                auto readFee = [&](const json& pool, double& out) -> bool {
+                    if (pool.is_object() && pool.contains("poolFee") &&
+                        pool["poolFee"].is_number()) {
+                        out = pool["poolFee"].get<double>();
+                        return true;
+                    }
+                    return false;
+                };
+                double fee = 0.0;
+                if (pools.contains("dragonx") && readFee(pools["dragonx"], fee)) {
+                    ok = true;
+                    return fee;
+                }
+                for (auto it = pools.begin(); it != pools.end(); ++it) {
+                    if (readFee(it.value(), fee)) {
+                        ok = true;
+                        return fee;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        } else {  // Miningcore: pools[id].poolFeePercent
+            if (j.contains("pools") && j["pools"].is_array()) {
+                const json* chosen = nullptr;
+                for (const auto& pool : j["pools"]) {
+                    if (!pool.is_object()) continue;
+                    if (!miningcorePoolId.empty()) {
+                        if (pool.value("id", std::string{}) == miningcorePoolId) {
+                            chosen = &pool;
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    } else if (!chosen) {
+                        chosen = &pool;  // first pool when no id requested
+                    }
+                }
+                if (chosen && chosen->contains("poolFeePercent") &&
+                    (*chosen)["poolFeePercent"].is_number()) {
+                    ok = true;
+                    return (*chosen)["poolFeePercent"].get<double>();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    } catch (...) {
+        // fall through — ok stays false
+    }
+    return 0.0;
+}
+
 std::string chooseWeightedPool(const std::vector<PoolHashrate>& pools,
                                const std::string& currentId,
                                std::mt19937& rng)

src/util/pool_stats_service.cpp

@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ void PoolStatsService::run(std::vector<KnownPool> pools)
             const double v = parsePoolHashrate(p.schema, body, p.miningcorePoolId, ok);
             hr.ok = ok;
             hr.hashrateHs = ok ? v : 0.0;
+
+            bool feeOk = false;
+            const double fee = parsePoolFee(p.schema, body, p.miningcorePoolId, feeOk);
+            // Only trust a sane fee; anything else leaves feePercent < 0 so the UI
+            // falls back to the compile-time KnownPool.feePercent.
+            if (feeOk && fee >= 0.0 && fee <= 100.0) hr.feePercent = fee;
         }
         results[p.id] = hr;
     }

tests/test_phase4.cpp

@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 #include "chat/chat_service.h"
 #include "chat/chat_database.h"
 #include "daemon/daemon_controller.h"
+#include "daemon/embedded_daemon.h"
+#include "util/connect_stall.h"
 #include "data/transaction_history_cache.h"
 #include "data/address_book.h"
 #include "data/wallet_index.h"
@@ -2477,6 +2479,236 @@ void testDaemonShutdownPolicy()
     EXPECT_TRUE(bootstrap.disconnectRpc);
 }
 
+void testIsLocalHost()
+{
+    using dragonx::rpc::Connection;
+    // Genuine loopback / local hosts.
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::isLocalHost("127.0.0.1"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::isLocalHost("127.1.2.3"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::isLocalHost("localhost"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::isLocalHost("LocalHost"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::isLocalHost("::1"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::isLocalHost("[::1]"));
+    // The regression this fix targets: a hostname merely starting "127." is NOT loopback.
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::isLocalHost("127.evil.com"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::isLocalHost("127.0.0.1.attacker.example"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::isLocalHost("127.300.0.1"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::isLocalHost("1270.0.0.1"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::isLocalHost("10.0.0.5"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::isLocalHost("example.com"));
+}
+
+void testAllowsPlaintextRemote()
+{
+    using dragonx::rpc::Connection;
+    using dragonx::rpc::ConnectionConfig;
+
+    ConnectionConfig local;
+    local.host = "127.0.0.1";
+    local.use_tls = false;
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(local));    // local is never "plaintext remote"
+
+    ConnectionConfig remote;
+    remote.host = "10.0.0.5";
+    remote.use_tls = false;
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(remote));    // remote + no TLS
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::allowsPlaintextRemote(remote)); // blocked by default → connect refused
+
+    remote.allow_plaintext_remote = true;
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::allowsPlaintextRemote(remote));  // explicit opt-in
+
+    ConnectionConfig remoteTls;
+    remoteTls.host = "10.0.0.5";
+    remoteTls.use_tls = true;
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::usesPlaintextRemote(remoteTls)); // TLS → not plaintext, never refused
+}
+
+void testConnectHasStalled()
+{
+    using dragonx::util::connectHasStalled;
+    EXPECT_TRUE(connectHasStalled(100.0, 145.0, 45.0f));    // exactly at threshold
+    EXPECT_TRUE(connectHasStalled(100.0, 300.0, 45.0f));    // well over
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!connectHasStalled(100.0, 144.0, 45.0f));   // just under
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!connectHasStalled(0.0, 1000.0, 45.0f));    // sentinel: not stalling
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!connectHasStalled(-1.0, 1000.0, 45.0f));   // sentinel: not stalling
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!connectHasStalled(10.0, 20.0, 0.0f));      // disabled: threshold 0
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!connectHasStalled(10.0, 20.0, -5.0f));     // disabled: negative threshold
+}
+
+void testVerifySaplingParams()
+{
+    using dragonx::rpc::Connection;
+    namespace fsn = std::filesystem;
+
+    fsn::path dir = fsn::temp_directory_path() / "od_sapling_test";
+    std::error_code rmec;
+    fsn::remove_all(dir, rmec);
+    fsn::create_directories(dir);
+
+    auto writeFile = [](const fsn::path& p, const std::string& content) {
+        std::ofstream(p.string(), std::ios::binary) << content;
+    };
+    const std::string spendContent  = "fake-spend-params-contents";
+    const std::string outputContent = "fake-output-params-contents";
+    writeFile(dir / "sapling-spend.params",  spendContent);
+    writeFile(dir / "sapling-output.params", outputContent);
+
+    const std::string spendHash  = dragonx::util::sha256Hex(spendContent.data(),  spendContent.size());
+    const std::string outputHash = dragonx::util::sha256Hex(outputContent.data(), outputContent.size());
+    const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> good = {
+        { "sapling-spend.params",  spendHash },
+        { "sapling-output.params", outputHash },
+    };
+
+    // Valid params → pass, and a verification marker is written.
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::verifySaplingParamsIn(dir.string(), good));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(fsn::exists(dir / ".sapling_verified"));
+
+    // Second call → marker fast-path, still true (round-trips the cache).
+    EXPECT_TRUE(Connection::verifySaplingParamsIn(dir.string(), good));
+
+    // Wrong expected hash → integrity failure (fresh dir so no marker can short-circuit it).
+    fsn::path dir2 = fsn::temp_directory_path() / "od_sapling_test2";
+    fsn::remove_all(dir2, rmec);
+    fsn::create_directories(dir2);
+    writeFile(dir2 / "sapling-spend.params",  spendContent);
+    writeFile(dir2 / "sapling-output.params", outputContent);
+    const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> wrong = {
+        { "sapling-spend.params",  std::string(64, 'a') },
+        { "sapling-output.params", outputHash },
+    };
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::verifySaplingParamsIn(dir2.string(), wrong));
+
+    // Truncated content (size change) invalidates the marker AND fails the hash.
+    writeFile(dir / "sapling-spend.params", std::string("x"));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::verifySaplingParamsIn(dir.string(), good));
+
+    // A missing param → fail.
+    fsn::remove(dir / "sapling-output.params", rmec);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!Connection::verifySaplingParamsIn(dir.string(), good));
+
+    fsn::remove_all(dir, rmec);
+    fsn::remove_all(dir2, rmec);
+}
+
+void testPlatformEnsureDirectory()
+{
+    using dragonx::util::Platform;
+
+    // An existing directory → true (temp_directory_path always exists).
+    {
+        std::string err = "sentinel";
+        EXPECT_TRUE(Platform::ensureDirectory(std::filesystem::temp_directory_path().string(), &err));
+    }
+
+    // A fresh nested path → created, no error.
+    {
+        std::filesystem::path base = std::filesystem::temp_directory_path() / "od_ensuredir_test";
+        std::error_code rmec; std::filesystem::remove_all(base, rmec);
+        std::filesystem::path nested = base / "a" / "b" / "c";
+        std::string err;
+        EXPECT_TRUE(Platform::ensureDirectory(nested.string(), &err));
+        EXPECT_TRUE(std::filesystem::is_directory(nested));
+        EXPECT_TRUE(err.empty());
+        std::filesystem::remove_all(base, rmec);
+    }
+
+    // Empty path → false with a message.
+    {
+        std::string err;
+        EXPECT_TRUE(!Platform::ensureDirectory("", &err));
+        EXPECT_TRUE(!err.empty());
+    }
+
+    // A path whose parent component is a regular file cannot be created. This fails the
+    // same way for root and non-root, so it's a stable negative case across environments.
+    {
+        std::filesystem::path f = std::filesystem::temp_directory_path() / "od_ensuredir_file";
+        std::error_code rmec; std::filesystem::remove_all(f, rmec);
+        { std::ofstream(f.string()) << "x"; }
+        std::string err;
+        bool ok = Platform::ensureDirectory((f / "child").string(), &err);
+        std::filesystem::remove_all(f, rmec);
+        EXPECT_TRUE(!ok);
+        EXPECT_TRUE(err.find("Cannot create") != std::string::npos);
+    }
+}
+
+#ifndef _WIN32
+// Integration tests that drive the REAL EmbeddedDaemon fork/exec/waitpid paths (POSIX only).
+void testExecFailureReported()
+{
+    using dragonx::daemon::EmbeddedDaemon;
+    namespace fsn = std::filesystem;
+
+    // A present-but-non-executable file: execv() must fail, and the F2 self-pipe handshake
+    // must report it as a start FAILURE with a precise reason — not a transient "Running".
+    fsn::path bin = fsn::temp_directory_path() / "od_fake_daemon_bin";
+    { std::ofstream(bin.string(), std::ios::binary) << "this is not an executable"; }
+    fsn::permissions(bin, fsn::perms::owner_read, fsn::perm_options::replace);  // 0400, no +x
+
+    EmbeddedDaemon d;
+    d.setSkipPortCheck(true);   // bypass the port + datadir-lock gates so we reach startProcess()
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!d.start(bin.string()));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(d.getLastError().find("not executable or wrong architecture") != std::string::npos);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!d.isRunning());
+
+    std::error_code ec; fsn::remove(bin, ec);
+}
+
+void testDaemonCrashDetected()
+{
+    using dragonx::daemon::EmbeddedDaemon;
+    namespace fsn = std::filesystem;
+
+    // A tiny script that ignores the injected daemon args, lives briefly, then exits abnormally
+    // — standing in for a daemon that crashes. is_script detection runs it via /bin/bash.
+    fsn::path script = fsn::temp_directory_path() / "od_fake_daemon.sh";
+    { std::ofstream(script.string()) << "#!/bin/bash\nsleep 0.2\nexit 7\n"; }
+    fsn::permissions(script, fsn::perms::owner_all, fsn::perm_options::replace);  // +x
+
+    EmbeddedDaemon d;
+    d.setSkipPortCheck(true);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(d.start(script.string()));
+    EXPECT_TRUE(d.isRunning());              // reads the atomic state_, not a racy waitpid()
+
+    // Hammer isRunning() the way the UI thread does while the child exits and monitorProcess()
+    // reaps it. Pre-fix (F1), isRunning()'s own waitpid() could steal the reap and hide the
+    // crash; with the fix the monitor is the sole reaper and always sees it.
+    for (int i = 0; i < 400 && d.getCrashCount() == 0; ++i) {
+        (void)d.isRunning();
+        std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(5));
+    }
+    EXPECT_TRUE(d.getCrashCount() >= 1);     // the unexpected exit was detected and counted
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!d.isRunning());             // state_ flipped to Error
+
+    d.stop();                                // join the monitor thread cleanly
+    std::error_code ec; fsn::remove(script, ec);
+}
+#endif  // !_WIN32
+
+void testDatadirLockGate()
+{
+    using dragonx::daemon::EmbeddedDaemon;
+
+    // Normal start, no lingering daemon after the bounded wait → proceed.
+    auto clear = EmbeddedDaemon::evaluateDatadirLockGate(false, false, false);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(clear.proceed);
+
+    // A previous dragonxd still alive after the wait → bail with a distinct, non-crash msg.
+    auto locked = EmbeddedDaemon::evaluateDatadirLockGate(false, false, true);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(!locked.proceed);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(std::string(locked.errorMessage).find("data directory lock") != std::string::npos);
+
+    // Isolated instance via skip_port_check_ is exempt even if a sibling dragonxd is running.
+    auto skipPort = EmbeddedDaemon::evaluateDatadirLockGate(true, false, true);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(skipPort.proceed);
+
+    // Isolated instance via -datadir override is exempt even if a sibling is running.
+    auto isolated = EmbeddedDaemon::evaluateDatadirLockGate(false, true, true);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(isolated.proceed);
+}
+
 void testDaemonLifecycleExecution()
 {
     using dragonx::daemon::DaemonController;
@@ -3231,6 +3463,19 @@ void testRendererHelpers()
     EXPECT_EQ(dragonx::ui::defaultPoolWorkerAddress(poolAddresses), std::string("zs-default-worker"));
     EXPECT_TRUE(dragonx::ui::miningValueAlreadySaved({"pool-a", "pool-b"}, "pool-b"));
     EXPECT_FALSE(dragonx::ui::miningValueAlreadySaved({"pool-a"}, ""));
+
+    // resolveMiningUserAddress: the configured payout address is the xmrig "user"
+    // (where rewards go) and must win over the wallet's own addresses.
+    EXPECT_EQ(dragonx::ui::resolveMiningUserAddress("zs-payout", "zs-own", "R-own"),
+              std::string("zs-payout"));               // explicit payout wins
+    EXPECT_EQ(dragonx::ui::resolveMiningUserAddress("", "zs-own", "R-own"),
+              std::string("zs-own"));                  // unset -> own shielded
+    EXPECT_EQ(dragonx::ui::resolveMiningUserAddress("x", "zs-own", "R-own"),
+              std::string("zs-own"));                  // "x" placeholder counts as unset
+    EXPECT_EQ(dragonx::ui::resolveMiningUserAddress("x", "", "R-own"),
+              std::string("R-own"));                   // no shielded -> transparent
+    EXPECT_EQ(dragonx::ui::resolveMiningUserAddress("", "", ""),
+              std::string(""));                        // nothing anywhere -> caller errors
     EXPECT_EQ(std::string(dragonx::ui::defaultPoolUrl()), std::string("pool.dragonx.is:3433"));
 
     dragonx::TransactionInfo tx;
@@ -5828,6 +6073,94 @@ void testPoolHashrateParsing()
     EXPECT_FALSE(ok);
 }
 
+// Schema-aware pool fee parsing (fed to the mining-tab "N% fee" display).
+void testPoolFeeParsing()
+{
+    using namespace dragonx::util;
+    bool ok = false;
+
+    // pool.dragonx.is custom schema: pools.dragonx.poolFee (a whole-percent number).
+    const std::string isJson =
+        R"({"pools":{"dragonx":{"hashrate":27670.14,"poolFee":1,"soloFee":3}}})";
+    double fee = parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs, isJson, "", ok);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(ok);
+    EXPECT_NEAR(fee, 1.0, 0.001);
+
+    // Fractional fees survive (display rounds, but the parse must not).
+    const std::string isFrac = R"({"pools":{"dragonx":{"poolFee":1.5}}})";
+    fee = parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs, isFrac, "", ok);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(ok);
+    EXPECT_NEAR(fee, 1.5, 0.001);
+
+    // Miningcore schema: the requested pool id's poolFeePercent.
+    const std::string ccJson =
+        R"({"pools":[)"
+        R"({"id":"dragonx-solo","poolFeePercent":2.0,"poolStats":{"poolHashrate":88780.0}},)"
+        R"({"id":"dragonx-pplns","poolFeePercent":0.9,"poolStats":{"poolHashrate":1585.9}}]})";
+    fee = parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::Miningcore, ccJson, "dragonx-pplns", ok);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(ok);
+    EXPECT_NEAR(fee, 0.9, 0.001);
+
+    // Missing field / malformed / wrong-schema input all fail closed (caller keeps
+    // the compile-time fallback rather than showing a bogus 0%).
+    parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs, R"({"pools":{"dragonx":{"hashrate":1.0}}})", "", ok);
+    EXPECT_FALSE(ok);   // no poolFee key
+    parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs, "not json", "", ok);
+    EXPECT_FALSE(ok);
+    parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::Miningcore, ccJson, "does-not-exist", ok);
+    EXPECT_FALSE(ok);
+    parsePoolFee(PoolStatsSchema::DragonXIs, R"({"pools":{"dragonx":{"poolFee":"1"}}})", "", ok);
+    EXPECT_FALSE(ok);   // string, not number
+}
+
+// The effective pool list = official pools ∪ saved favorites ∪ current custom pool,
+// endpoint-deduped, with synthetic user rows flagged official=false.
+void testEffectivePools()
+{
+    using namespace dragonx::util;
+    const int base = (int)knownPools().size();
+
+    // Current pool is the official one, nothing saved -> just the official pools.
+    auto a = effectivePools("pool.dragonx.is:3433", {});
+    EXPECT_EQ((int)a.size(), base);
+
+    // A custom current pool (neither official nor saved) appears as an extra row.
+    auto b = effectivePools("my.pool.example:3333", {});
+    EXPECT_EQ((int)b.size(), base + 1);
+    const KnownPool* custom = findPoolByUrl(b, "my.pool.example:3333");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(custom != nullptr);
+    EXPECT_FALSE(custom->official);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(custom->feePercent < 0.0);   // unknown fee
+
+    // Saved pools are appended; an official one among them and a duplicate collapse.
+    auto c = effectivePools("pool.dragonx.is:3433",
+                            {"pool.dragonx.is:3433", "alt.pool:1", "alt.pool:1"});
+    EXPECT_EQ((int)c.size(), base + 1);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(findPoolByUrl(c, "alt.pool:1") != nullptr);
+
+    // Current pool equal to a saved one is not listed twice.
+    auto d = effectivePools("alt.pool:1", {"alt.pool:1"});
+    EXPECT_EQ((int)d.size(), base + 1);
+
+    // Blank/whitespace URLs are ignored (no phantom rows).
+    auto e = effectivePools("   ", {"", "  "});
+    EXPECT_EQ((int)e.size(), base);
+}
+
+// Fee formatting: whole numbers stay clean, fractional fees keep their decimals.
+void testFormatFeePercent()
+{
+    using dragonx::ui::FormatFeePercent;
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(1.0)  == "1");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(0.0)  == "0");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(3.0)  == "3");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(1.5)  == "1.5");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(0.9)  == "0.9");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(1.25) == "1.25");
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(2.50) == "2.5");   // trailing zero trimmed
+    EXPECT_TRUE(FormatFeePercent(100.0) == "100");
+}
+
 // Weighted-random pool selection: smaller pools favored, incumbent sticky, fails safe.
 void testPoolWeightedSelection()
 {
@@ -6518,6 +6851,16 @@ int main()
     testWalletSecurityWorkflow();
     testWalletSecurityWorkflowExecutor();
     testDaemonShutdownPolicy();
+    testDatadirLockGate();
+#ifndef _WIN32
+    testExecFailureReported();
+    testDaemonCrashDetected();
+#endif
+    testPlatformEnsureDirectory();
+    testVerifySaplingParams();
+    testConnectHasStalled();
+    testIsLocalHost();
+    testAllowsPlaintextRemote();
     testDaemonLifecycleExecution();
     testDaemonLifecycleAdapters();
     testConsoleTextLayout();
@@ -6590,6 +6933,9 @@ int main()
     testLiteOfficialServerDetection();
     testPoolRegistryLookup();
     testPoolHashrateParsing();
+    testPoolFeeParsing();
+    testEffectivePools();
+    testFormatFeePercent();
     testPoolWeightedSelection();
     testAtomicFileWrite();
     testHushChatCrypto();