diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index afe9101..276cd73 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { ArticleEditor } from "./components/article/ArticleEditor";
 import { OnboardingFlow } from "./components/onboarding/OnboardingFlow";
 import { AboutView } from "./components/shared/AboutView";
 import { ZapHistoryView } from "./components/zap/ZapHistoryView";
+import { DMView } from "./components/dm/DMView";
 import { useUIStore } from "./stores/ui";
 
 function App() {
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ function App() {
         {currentView === "article-editor" && <ArticleEditor />}
         {currentView === "about" && <AboutView />}
         {currentView === "zaps" && <ZapHistoryView />}
+        {currentView === "dm" && <DMView />}
       </main>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/dm/DMView.tsx b/src/components/dm/DMView.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0638bb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/dm/DMView.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,383 @@
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { NDKEvent, nip19 } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
+import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
+import { fetchDMConversations, fetchDMThread, sendDM, decryptDM, getNDK } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { useProfile } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
+import { timeAgo, shortenPubkey } from "../../lib/utils";
+
+// ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function partnerOf(event: NDKEvent, myPubkey: string): string {
+  return event.pubkey === myPubkey
+    ? (event.tags.find((t) => t[0] === "p")?.[1] ?? "")
+    : event.pubkey;
+}
+
+function groupConversations(events: NDKEvent[], myPubkey: string): Map<string, NDKEvent[]> {
+  const map = new Map<string, NDKEvent[]>();
+  for (const e of events) {
+    const partner = partnerOf(e, myPubkey);
+    if (!partner) continue;
+    const list = map.get(partner) ?? [];
+    list.push(e);
+    map.set(partner, list);
+  }
+  // Sort each conversation newest-first
+  for (const [k, list] of map) {
+    map.set(k, list.sort((a, b) => (b.created_at ?? 0) - (a.created_at ?? 0)));
+  }
+  return map;
+}
+
+// ── Conversation list row ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function ConvRow({
+  partnerPubkey,
+  lastEvent,
+  selected,
+  onSelect,
+}: {
+  partnerPubkey: string;
+  lastEvent: NDKEvent;
+  selected: boolean;
+  onSelect: () => void;
+}) {
+  const profile = useProfile(partnerPubkey);
+  const name = profile?.displayName || profile?.name || shortenPubkey(partnerPubkey);
+  const time = lastEvent.created_at ? timeAgo(lastEvent.created_at) : "";
+
+  return (
+    <button
+      onClick={onSelect}
+      className={`w-full flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2.5 text-left transition-colors ${
+        selected ? "bg-accent/10 border-l-2 border-accent" : "hover:bg-bg-hover border-l-2 border-transparent"
+      }`}
+    >
+      {profile?.picture ? (
+        <img src={profile.picture} alt="" className="w-8 h-8 rounded-sm object-cover shrink-0"
+          onError={(e) => { (e.target as HTMLImageElement).style.display = "none"; }} />
+      ) : (
+        <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-sm bg-bg-raised border border-border flex items-center justify-center text-text-dim text-xs shrink-0">
+          {name.charAt(0).toUpperCase()}
+        </div>
+      )}
+      <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+        <div className="flex items-baseline justify-between gap-1">
+          <span className="text-text text-[12px] font-medium truncate">{name}</span>
+          <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] shrink-0">{time}</span>
+        </div>
+        <div className="text-text-dim text-[11px] truncate">🔒 encrypted</div>
+      </div>
+    </button>
+  );
+}
+
+// ── Message bubble ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function MessageBubble({ event, myPubkey }: { event: NDKEvent; myPubkey: string }) {
+  const isMine = event.pubkey === myPubkey;
+  const [text, setText] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [error, setError] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    decryptDM(event, myPubkey)
+      .then(setText)
+      .catch(() => setError(true));
+  }, [event.id]);
+
+  const time = event.created_at ? timeAgo(event.created_at) : "";
+
+  return (
+    <div className={`flex ${isMine ? "justify-end" : "justify-start"} mb-1.5`}>
+      <div
+        className={`max-w-[75%] px-3 py-2 text-[12px] leading-relaxed break-words ${
+          isMine
+            ? "bg-accent/15 text-text"
+            : "bg-bg-raised border border-border text-text"
+        }`}
+      >
+        {error ? (
+          <span className="text-text-dim italic">Could not decrypt</span>
+        ) : text === null ? (
+          <span className="text-text-dim">…</span>
+        ) : (
+          text
+        )}
+        <div className={`text-[10px] mt-1 ${isMine ? "text-accent/60" : "text-text-dim"}`}>
+          {time}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+// ── Thread panel ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function ThreadPanel({
+  partnerPubkey,
+  myPubkey,
+}: {
+  partnerPubkey: string;
+  myPubkey: string;
+}) {
+  const { openProfile } = useUIStore();
+  const profile = useProfile(partnerPubkey);
+  const name = profile?.displayName || profile?.name || shortenPubkey(partnerPubkey);
+
+  const [messages, setMessages] = useState<NDKEvent[]>([]);
+  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
+  const [text, setText] = useState("");
+  const [sending, setSending] = useState(false);
+  const [sendError, setSendError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const bottomRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const textareaRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setLoading(true);
+    setMessages([]);
+    fetchDMThread(myPubkey, partnerPubkey)
+      .then(setMessages)
+      .finally(() => setLoading(false));
+  }, [partnerPubkey, myPubkey]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    bottomRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth" });
+  }, [messages]);
+
+  const handleSend = async () => {
+    const content = text.trim();
+    if (!content || sending) return;
+    setSending(true);
+    setSendError(null);
+    try {
+      await sendDM(partnerPubkey, content);
+      setText("");
+      // Re-fetch thread to include the sent message
+      const updated = await fetchDMThread(myPubkey, partnerPubkey);
+      setMessages(updated);
+      textareaRef.current?.focus();
+    } catch (err) {
+      setSendError(String(err));
+    } finally {
+      setSending(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
+    if (e.key === "Enter" && (e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey)) handleSend();
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-w-0">
+      {/* Header */}
+      <div className="border-b border-border px-4 py-2.5 flex items-center gap-3 shrink-0">
+        {profile?.picture && (
+          <img src={profile.picture} alt="" className="w-7 h-7 rounded-sm object-cover" />
+        )}
+        <button
+          onClick={() => openProfile(partnerPubkey)}
+          className="text-text text-[13px] font-medium hover:text-accent transition-colors"
+        >
+          {name}
+        </button>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Messages */}
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-4 py-3">
+        {loading && (
+          <div className="text-text-dim text-[12px] text-center py-8">Loading messages…</div>
+        )}
+        {!loading && messages.length === 0 && (
+          <div className="text-text-dim text-[12px] text-center py-8">
+            No messages yet. Say hello!
+          </div>
+        )}
+        {messages.map((e) => (
+          <MessageBubble key={e.id} event={e} myPubkey={myPubkey} />
+        ))}
+        <div ref={bottomRef} />
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Compose */}
+      <div className="border-t border-border px-4 py-3 shrink-0">
+        {sendError && <p className="text-danger text-[11px] mb-2">{sendError}</p>}
+        <div className="flex gap-2">
+          <textarea
+            ref={textareaRef}
+            value={text}
+            onChange={(e) => setText(e.target.value)}
+            onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
+            placeholder={`Message ${name}…`}
+            rows={2}
+            className="flex-1 bg-bg border border-border px-3 py-2 text-text text-[12px] resize-none focus:outline-none focus:border-accent/50 placeholder:text-text-dim"
+            style={{ WebkitUserSelect: "text", userSelect: "text" } as React.CSSProperties}
+          />
+          <button
+            onClick={handleSend}
+            disabled={!text.trim() || sending}
+            className="px-3 self-end py-2 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-white transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed shrink-0"
+          >
+            {sending ? "…" : "send"}
+          </button>
+        </div>
+        <p className="text-text-dim text-[10px] mt-1">Ctrl+Enter to send · NIP-04 encrypted</p>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+// ── New conversation input ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function NewConvInput({ onStart }: { onStart: (pubkey: string) => void }) {
+  const [input, setInput] = useState("");
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+
+  const handleStart = () => {
+    const raw = input.trim();
+    if (!raw) return;
+    try {
+      if (raw.startsWith("npub1")) {
+        const decoded = nip19.decode(raw);
+        if (decoded.type !== "npub") throw new Error("Not an npub");
+        onStart(decoded.data as string);
+      } else if (/^[0-9a-f]{64}$/.test(raw)) {
+        onStart(raw);
+      } else {
+        setError("Enter an npub1… or hex pubkey");
+      }
+    } catch {
+      setError("Invalid public key");
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="px-3 py-3 border-t border-border">
+      <div className="flex gap-1.5">
+        <input
+          value={input}
+          onChange={(e) => { setInput(e.target.value); setError(null); }}
+          onKeyDown={(e) => e.key === "Enter" && handleStart()}
+          placeholder="npub1… or hex pubkey"
+          className="flex-1 bg-bg border border-border px-2 py-1.5 text-text text-[11px] font-mono focus:outline-none focus:border-accent/50 placeholder:text-text-dim"
+          style={{ WebkitUserSelect: "text", userSelect: "text" } as React.CSSProperties}
+        />
+        <button
+          onClick={handleStart}
+          disabled={!input.trim()}
+          className="px-2 py-1.5 text-[10px] border border-border text-text-dim hover:text-accent hover:border-accent/40 transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 shrink-0"
+        >
+          start
+        </button>
+      </div>
+      {error && <p className="text-danger text-[10px] mt-1">{error}</p>}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+// ── Main view ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export function DMView() {
+  const { pubkey, loggedIn } = useUserStore();
+  const { pendingDMPubkey } = useUIStore();
+
+  const [conversations, setConversations] = useState<Map<string, NDKEvent[]>>(new Map());
+  const [selectedPubkey, setSelectedPubkey] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
+  const hasSigner = !!getNDK().signer;
+
+  // Handle navigation from ProfileView
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (pendingDMPubkey) {
+      setSelectedPubkey(pendingDMPubkey);
+      useUIStore.setState({ pendingDMPubkey: null });
+    }
+  }, [pendingDMPubkey]);
+
+  // Load conversations
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!pubkey || !hasSigner) return;
+    setLoading(true);
+    fetchDMConversations(pubkey)
+      .then((events) => {
+        const grouped = groupConversations(events, pubkey);
+        setConversations(grouped);
+        // Auto-select first if none chosen and no pending
+        if (!selectedPubkey && !pendingDMPubkey && grouped.size > 0) {
+          setSelectedPubkey(Array.from(grouped.keys())[0]);
+        }
+      })
+      .finally(() => setLoading(false));
+  }, [pubkey, hasSigner]);
+
+  if (!loggedIn || !pubkey) {
+    return (
+      <div className="h-full flex items-center justify-center text-text-dim text-[12px]">
+        Log in to send and receive direct messages.
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (!hasSigner) {
+    return (
+      <div className="h-full flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 px-8 text-center">
+        <p className="text-text-dim text-[12px]">Direct messages require a private key login.</p>
+        <p className="text-text-dim text-[11px] opacity-70">Read-only (npub) accounts cannot encrypt or decrypt DMs.</p>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  // Build sorted conversation list (newest first)
+  const sortedPartners = Array.from(conversations.entries())
+    .sort((a, b) => (b[1][0]?.created_at ?? 0) - (a[1][0]?.created_at ?? 0));
+
+  return (
+    <div className="h-full flex">
+      {/* Left: conversation list */}
+      <div className="w-56 border-r border-border flex flex-col shrink-0">
+        <div className="border-b border-border px-3 py-2.5 shrink-0">
+          <h2 className="text-text text-[12px] font-medium">Messages</h2>
+        </div>
+
+        <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
+          {loading && (
+            <div className="px-3 py-6 text-text-dim text-[11px] text-center">Loading…</div>
+          )}
+          {!loading && conversations.size === 0 && (
+            <div className="px-3 py-6 text-text-dim text-[11px] text-center">
+              No messages yet.
+            </div>
+          )}
+          {sortedPartners.map(([partner, events]) => (
+            <ConvRow
+              key={partner}
+              partnerPubkey={partner}
+              lastEvent={events[0]}
+              selected={selectedPubkey === partner}
+              onSelect={() => setSelectedPubkey(partner)}
+            />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+
+        <NewConvInput
+          onStart={(pk) => {
+            setSelectedPubkey(pk);
+            // Add to conversations map if not already there
+            if (!conversations.has(pk)) {
+              setConversations((prev) => new Map(prev).set(pk, []));
+            }
+          }}
+        />
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Right: thread or empty state */}
+      {selectedPubkey ? (
+        <ThreadPanel partnerPubkey={selectedPubkey} myPubkey={pubkey} />
+      ) : (
+        <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-text-dim text-[12px]">
+          Select a conversation or start a new one.
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/profile/ProfileView.tsx b/src/components/profile/ProfileView.tsx
index 7c463a2..52d37d2 100644
--- a/src/components/profile/ProfileView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/profile/ProfileView.tsx
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ function EditProfileForm({ pubkey, onSaved }: { pubkey: string; onSaved: () => v
 }
 
 export function ProfileView() {
-  const { selectedPubkey, goBack } = useUIStore();
+  const { selectedPubkey, goBack, openDM } = useUIStore();
   const { pubkey: ownPubkey, profile: ownProfile, loggedIn, follows, follow, unfollow } = useUserStore();
   const pubkey = selectedPubkey!;
   const isOwn = pubkey === ownPubkey;
@@ -310,6 +310,12 @@ export function ProfileView() {
             >
               {isMuted ? "unmute" : "mute"}
             </button>
+            <button
+              onClick={() => openDM(pubkey)}
+              className="text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border border-border text-text-muted hover:text-accent hover:border-accent/40 transition-colors"
+            >
+              ✉ message
+            </button>
           </div>
         )}
       </header>
diff --git a/src/components/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx b/src/components/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
index f966b16..ee381e9 100644
--- a/src/components/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { AccountSwitcher } from "./AccountSwitcher";
 const NAV_ITEMS = [
   { id: "feed" as const, label: "feed", icon: "◈" },
   { id: "search" as const, label: "search", icon: "⌕" },
+  { id: "dm" as const, label: "messages", icon: "✉" },
   { id: "zaps" as const, label: "zaps", icon: "⚡" },
   { id: "relays" as const, label: "relays", icon: "⟐" },
   { id: "settings" as const, label: "settings", icon: "⚙" },
diff --git a/src/lib/nostr/client.ts b/src/lib/nostr/client.ts
index b6c9f91..5c4351a 100644
--- a/src/lib/nostr/client.ts
+++ b/src/lib/nostr/client.ts
@@ -305,6 +305,66 @@ export async function publishContactList(pubkeys: string[]): Promise<void> {
   await event.publish();
 }
 
+// ── Direct Messages (NIP-04) ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export async function fetchDMConversations(myPubkey: string): Promise<NDKEvent[]> {
+  const instance = getNDK();
+  const [received, sent] = await Promise.all([
+    instance.fetchEvents(
+      { kinds: [NDKKind.EncryptedDirectMessage], "#p": [myPubkey], limit: 500 },
+      { cacheUsage: NDKSubscriptionCacheUsage.ONLY_RELAY }
+    ),
+    instance.fetchEvents(
+      { kinds: [NDKKind.EncryptedDirectMessage], authors: [myPubkey], limit: 500 },
+      { cacheUsage: NDKSubscriptionCacheUsage.ONLY_RELAY }
+    ),
+  ]);
+  const seen = new Set<string>();
+  return [...Array.from(received), ...Array.from(sent)]
+    .filter((e) => { if (seen.has(e.id!)) return false; seen.add(e.id!); return true; })
+    .sort((a, b) => (b.created_at ?? 0) - (a.created_at ?? 0));
+}
+
+export async function fetchDMThread(myPubkey: string, theirPubkey: string): Promise<NDKEvent[]> {
+  const instance = getNDK();
+  const [fromThem, fromMe] = await Promise.all([
+    instance.fetchEvents(
+      { kinds: [NDKKind.EncryptedDirectMessage], "#p": [myPubkey], authors: [theirPubkey], limit: 200 },
+      { cacheUsage: NDKSubscriptionCacheUsage.ONLY_RELAY }
+    ),
+    instance.fetchEvents(
+      { kinds: [NDKKind.EncryptedDirectMessage], "#p": [theirPubkey], authors: [myPubkey], limit: 200 },
+      { cacheUsage: NDKSubscriptionCacheUsage.ONLY_RELAY }
+    ),
+  ]);
+  return [...Array.from(fromThem), ...Array.from(fromMe)]
+    .sort((a, b) => (a.created_at ?? 0) - (b.created_at ?? 0));
+}
+
+export async function sendDM(recipientPubkey: string, content: string): Promise<void> {
+  const instance = getNDK();
+  if (!instance.signer) throw new Error("Not logged in");
+  const recipient = instance.getUser({ pubkey: recipientPubkey });
+  const encrypted = await instance.signer.encrypt(recipient, content, "nip04");
+  const event = new NDKEvent(instance);
+  event.kind = NDKKind.EncryptedDirectMessage;
+  event.content = encrypted;
+  event.tags = [["p", recipientPubkey]];
+  await event.publish();
+}
+
+export async function decryptDM(event: NDKEvent, myPubkey: string): Promise<string> {
+  const instance = getNDK();
+  if (!instance.signer) throw new Error("No signer");
+  // ECDH shared secret is symmetric — always pass the OTHER party
+  const otherPubkey =
+    event.pubkey === myPubkey
+      ? (event.tags.find((t) => t[0] === "p")?.[1] ?? "")
+      : event.pubkey;
+  const otherUser = instance.getUser({ pubkey: otherPubkey });
+  return instance.signer.decrypt(otherUser, event.content, "nip04");
+}
+
 export async function fetchZapsReceived(pubkey: string, limit = 50): Promise<NDKEvent[]> {
   const instance = getNDK();
   const filter: NDKFilter = { kinds: [NDKKind.Zap], "#p": [pubkey], limit };
diff --git a/src/lib/nostr/index.ts b/src/lib/nostr/index.ts
index 8b5596b..ea38f5b 100644
--- a/src/lib/nostr/index.ts
+++ b/src/lib/nostr/index.ts
@@ -1 +1 @@
-export { getNDK, connectToRelays, fetchGlobalFeed, fetchFollowFeed, fetchReplies, publishNote, publishArticle, publishProfile, publishReaction, publishRepost, publishQuote, publishReply, publishContactList, fetchReactionCount, fetchUserNotes, fetchProfile, fetchZapsReceived, fetchZapsSent, fetchMuteList, publishMuteList, getStoredRelayUrls, addRelay, removeRelay, searchNotes, searchUsers } from "./client";
+export { getNDK, connectToRelays, fetchGlobalFeed, fetchFollowFeed, fetchReplies, publishNote, publishArticle, publishProfile, publishReaction, publishRepost, publishQuote, publishReply, publishContactList, fetchReactionCount, fetchUserNotes, fetchProfile, fetchZapsReceived, fetchZapsSent, fetchDMConversations, fetchDMThread, sendDM, decryptDM, fetchMuteList, publishMuteList, getStoredRelayUrls, addRelay, removeRelay, searchNotes, searchUsers } from "./client";
diff --git a/src/stores/ui.ts b/src/stores/ui.ts
index 89e24ae..7efc309 100644
--- a/src/stores/ui.ts
+++ b/src/stores/ui.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { create } from "zustand";
 
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 
-type View = "feed" | "search" | "relays" | "settings" | "profile" | "thread" | "article-editor" | "about" | "zaps";
+type View = "feed" | "search" | "relays" | "settings" | "profile" | "thread" | "article-editor" | "about" | "zaps" | "dm";
 
 interface UIState {
   currentView: View;
@@ -11,10 +11,12 @@ interface UIState {
   selectedNote: NDKEvent | null;
   previousView: View;
   pendingSearch: string | null;
+  pendingDMPubkey: string | null;
   setView: (view: View) => void;
   openProfile: (pubkey: string) => void;
   openThread: (note: NDKEvent, from: View) => void;
   openSearch: (query: string) => void;
+  openDM: (pubkey: string) => void;
   goBack: () => void;
   toggleSidebar: () => void;
 }
@@ -28,10 +30,12 @@ export const useUIStore = create<UIState>((set, _get) => ({
   selectedNote: null,
   previousView: "feed",
   pendingSearch: null,
+  pendingDMPubkey: null,
   setView: (currentView) => set({ currentView }),
   openProfile: (pubkey) => set((s) => ({ currentView: "profile", selectedPubkey: pubkey, previousView: s.currentView as View })),
   openThread: (note, from) => set({ currentView: "thread", selectedNote: note, previousView: from }),
   openSearch: (query) => set({ currentView: "search", pendingSearch: query }),
+  openDM: (pubkey) => set({ currentView: "dm", pendingDMPubkey: pubkey }),
   goBack: () => set((s) => ({
     currentView: s.previousView !== s.currentView ? s.previousView : "feed",
     selectedNote: null,