Bump to v0.12.11 — read-only mode write-action guards

The app now behaves coherently for users without a signer (fully logged
out, or signed in with an npub). No broken Publish buttons, no dead-end
"Not logged in" toasts.

- Add useCanSign() hook in src/stores/user.ts as the single source of
  truth for write-capability. Captures both "no pubkey" and
  "npub-only login" states.
- ReadOnlyBanner now fires for both states (was only "no pubkey" before).
- Hide account-bound sidebar entries (Bookmarks, Messages, Notifications,
  Zaps, V4V) in read-only mode. Read-only-OK views (Feed, Articles, Media,
  Podcasts, Search, Follows, Relays, Settings, Support) stay visible.
- Guard every write surface, two patterns:
  - Hide inline UI: ComposeBox, InlineReplyBox, NoteActions row, NoteCard
    context menu, ArticleFeed "Write article", FollowsView per-row
    follow/unfollow, ThreadView root reply, PollWidget vote controls,
    RelaysView "Publish list", PodcastPlayerBar ShareButton.
  - "Sign in to X" CTA: ArticleEditor publish, QuoteModal post, ZapModal,
    EditProfileForm save. CTAs open LoginModal.
- ProfileView edit/follow/mute/zap/DM buttons each gated by canSign.
- ArticleView like/repost/comment/bookmark/zap each gated by canSign.
- Belt-and-suspenders runtime guards in user store follow/unfollow.

Bookmark / mute stores already swallow publish errors via .catch(() => {}),
so they don't need explicit runtime guards.

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -69,6 +69,15 @@ jobs:
 
             > **Windows note:** The installer is not yet code-signed. Windows SmartScreen will show an "Unknown publisher" warning — click "More info → Run anyway" to install.
 
+            ### v0.12.11 — Read-only mode polish
+
+            If you haven't created a key yet, or you're signed in with just an `npub` (view-only), the app now behaves correctly throughout: no broken Publish buttons, no dead-end "Not logged in" errors.
+
+            - **Sidebar shows only the views that work without a signer** — Feed, Articles, Media, Podcasts, Search, Follows, Relays, Settings, Support. Account-bound entries (Bookmarks, Messages, Notifications, Zaps, V4V) are hidden until you sign in.
+            - **Write surfaces are guarded everywhere.** Compose box, reply box, reactions, repost, quote, zap, bookmark, follow/unfollow, mute, profile edit, article publish, poll vote, relay-list publish — all properly hidden or replaced with a "Sign in" CTA that opens the login dialog.
+            - **Read-only banner now fires for npub-only logins too**, not just fully logged-out state.
+            - **The original bug:** in v0.12.10 and earlier, opening the article editor without a signer and clicking Publish raised `Failed to publish: Error: Not logged in`. That path no longer exists.
+
             ### v0.12.10 — Security update
 
             Dependency security bumps only. No functional changes.

PKGBUILD

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Maintainer: hoornet <hoornet@users.noreply.github.com>
 pkgname=vega-nostr
-pkgver=0.12.10
+pkgver=0.12.11
 pkgrel=1
 pkgdesc="Cross-platform Nostr desktop client with Lightning integration"
 arch=('x86_64')

package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "vega",
-  "version": "0.12.10",
+  "version": "0.12.11",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "vega",
-      "version": "0.12.10",
+      "version": "0.12.11",
       "dependencies": {
         "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk": "^3.0.3",
         "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.2.1",

package.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "vega",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "0.12.10",
+  "version": "0.12.11",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",

src-tauri/Cargo.lock

@@ -5429,7 +5429,7 @@ checksum = "accd4ea62f7bb7a82fe23066fb0957d48ef677f6eeb8215f372f52e48bb32426"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vega"
-version = "0.12.10"
+version = "0.12.11"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-util",
  "hex",

src-tauri/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "vega"
-version = "0.12.10"
+version = "0.12.11"
 description = "Cross-platform Nostr desktop client with Lightning integration"
 authors = ["hoornet"]
 edition = "2021"

src-tauri/tauri.conf.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://schema.tauri.app/config/2",
   "productName": "Vega",
-  "version": "0.12.10",
+  "version": "0.12.11",
   "identifier": "com.hoornet.vega",
   "build": {
     "beforeDevCommand": "npm run dev",

src/App.tsx

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const V4VView = lazy(() => import("./components/v4v/V4VView").then(m => ({ defau
 const DebugPanel = lazy(() => import("./components/shared/DebugPanel").then(m => ({ default: m.DebugPanel })));
 const HelpModal = lazy(() => import("./components/shared/HelpModal").then(m => ({ default: m.HelpModal })));
 import { useUIStore } from "./stores/ui";
-import { useUserStore } from "./stores/user";
+import { useCanSign } from "./stores/user";
 import { getTheme, applyTheme } from "./lib/themes";
 import { useUpdater } from "./hooks/useUpdater";
 import { useKeyboardShortcuts } from "./hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts";
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ function UpdateBanner() {
 }
 
 function ReadOnlyBanner() {
-  const loggedIn = useUserStore((s) => s.loggedIn);
-  if (loggedIn) return null;
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
+  if (canSign) return null;
   return (
     <div className="flex items-center justify-center gap-2 px-4 py-1.5 bg-warning/10 border-b border-warning/30 text-[11px] shrink-0">
       <span className="text-warning">Read-only mode — sign in to post, react, and zap</span>

src/components/article/ArticleEditor.tsx

@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback, useMemo } from "react";
 import { renderMarkdown } from "../../lib/markdown";
 import { publishArticle } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { MarkdownToolbar, handleEditorKeyDown } from "./MarkdownToolbar";
 import { useDraftStore, type ArticleDraft } from "../../stores/drafts";
+import { LoginModal } from "../shared/LoginModal";
 import { open } from "@tauri-apps/plugin-dialog";
 import { readFile } from "@tauri-apps/plugin-fs";
 import { uploadBytes, uploadImage } from "../../lib/upload";
@@ -31,9 +33,11 @@ function formatSavedAgo(elapsedMs: number): string {
 }
 
 export function ArticleEditor() {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { goBack } = useUIStore();
   const { activeDraftId, drafts, updateDraft, deleteDraft, setActiveDraft, createDraft } = useDraftStore();
   const textareaRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
+  const [showLoginModal, setShowLoginModal] = useState(false);
 
   // If no active draft, show draft list
   const activeDraft = activeDraftId ? drafts.find((d) => d.id === activeDraftId) : null;
@@ -336,13 +340,22 @@ export function ArticleEditor() {
             Meta
           </button>
 
-          <button
-            onClick={handlePublish}
-            disabled={!canPublish || publishing || published}
-            className="px-4 py-1 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-accent-text transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
-          >
-            {published ? "Published ✓" : publishing ? "Publishing…" : "Publish"}
-          </button>
+          {canSign ? (
+            <button
+              onClick={handlePublish}
+              disabled={!canPublish || publishing || published}
+              className="px-4 py-1 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-accent-text transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+            >
+              {published ? "Published ✓" : publishing ? "Publishing…" : "Publish"}
+            </button>
+          ) : (
+            <button
+              onClick={() => setShowLoginModal(true)}
+              className="px-4 py-1 text-[11px] border border-accent/60 text-accent hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-text transition-colors"
+            >
+              Sign in to publish
+            </button>
+          )}
         </div>
       </header>
 
@@ -498,6 +511,7 @@ export function ArticleEditor() {
           )}
         </div>
       </div>
+      {showLoginModal && <LoginModal onClose={() => setShowLoginModal(false)} />}
     </div>
   );
 }

src/components/article/ArticleFeed.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { useState, useEffect } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { fetchArticleFeed, getNDK } from "../../lib/nostr";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
 import { dbLoadArticles, dbSaveNotes } from "../../lib/db";
 import { ArticleCard } from "./ArticleCard";
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { ArticleCard } from "./ArticleCard";
 type ArticleTab = "latest" | "following";
 
 export function ArticleFeed() {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { loggedIn, follows } = useUserStore();
   const { setView } = useUIStore();
   const [tab, setTab] = useState<ArticleTab>("latest");
@@ -66,12 +67,14 @@ export function ArticleFeed() {
       {/* Header */}
       <header className="border-b border-border px-4 py-2.5 flex items-center justify-between shrink-0">
         <h1 className="text-text text-sm font-medium">Articles</h1>
-        <button
-          onClick={() => setView("article-editor")}
-          className="text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border border-accent/60 text-accent hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-text transition-colors"
-        >
-          Write article
-        </button>
+        {canSign && (
+          <button
+            onClick={() => setView("article-editor")}
+            className="text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border border-accent/60 text-accent hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-text transition-colors"
+          >
+            Write article
+          </button>
+        )}
       </header>
 
       {/* Tabs */}

src/components/article/ArticleView.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { renderMarkdown } from "../../lib/markdown";
 import { useAutoResize } from "../../hooks/useAutoResize";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useBookmarkStore } from "../../stores/bookmark";
 import { fetchArticle, publishReaction, publishRepost, publishNote } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { nip19 } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ function AuthorRow({ pubkey, publishedAt, readingTime }: { pubkey: string; publi
 
 export function ArticleView() {
   const { pendingArticleNaddr, pendingArticleEvent, goBack } = useUIStore();
-  const { loggedIn } = useUserStore();
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
 
   const [event, setEvent] = useState<NDKEvent | null>(null);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
           ← Back
         </button>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          {event && loggedIn && (
+          {event && canSign && (
             <button
               onClick={handleBookmark}
               className={`text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border transition-colors ${
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
               {bookmarked ? "▪ Saved" : "▫ Save"}
             </button>
           )}
-          {event && loggedIn && (
+          {event && canSign && (
             <button
               onClick={() => setShowZap(true)}
               className="text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border border-border text-zap hover:border-zap/40 hover:bg-zap/5 transition-colors"
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
               ⚡ zap {authorName}
             </button>
           )}
-          {event && loggedIn && (
+          {event && canSign && (
             <button
               onClick={handleRepost}
               disabled={reposted}
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
               {reposted ? "Reposted" : "Repost"}
             </button>
           )}
-          {event && loggedIn && (
+          {event && canSign && (
             <button
               onClick={() => setShowComment(!showComment)}
               className={`text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border transition-colors ${
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
                   ← Back
                 </button>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  {loggedIn && (
+                  {canSign && (
                     <button
                       onClick={handleReaction}
                       disabled={reacted}
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
                       {reacted ? "♥ Liked" : "♡ Like"}
                     </button>
                   )}
-                  {loggedIn && (
+                  {canSign && (
                     <button
                       onClick={handleBookmark}
                       className={`text-[11px] px-3 py-1.5 border transition-colors ${
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
                       {bookmarked ? "▪ Saved" : "▫ Save"}
                     </button>
                   )}
-                  {loggedIn && (
+                  {canSign && (
                     <button
                       onClick={handleRepost}
                       disabled={reposted}
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
                       {reposted ? "Reposted" : "Repost"}
                     </button>
                   )}
-                  {loggedIn && (
+                  {canSign && (
                     <button
                       onClick={() => { setShowComment(true); scrollRef.current?.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: "smooth" }); }}
                       className="text-[11px] px-3 py-1.5 border border-border text-text-muted hover:text-accent hover:border-accent/40 transition-colors"
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ export function ArticleView() {
                       Comment
                     </button>
                   )}
-                  {loggedIn && (
+                  {canSign && (
                     <button
                       onClick={() => setShowZap(true)}
                       className="text-[11px] px-4 py-1.5 bg-zap hover:bg-zap/90 text-zap-text transition-colors"

src/components/feed/ComposeBox.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { publishNote, publishPoll } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { uploadImage, uploadBytes } from "../../lib/upload";
 import { PollCompose } from "../poll/PollCompose";
 import { useAutoResize } from "../../hooks/useAutoResize";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useFeedStore } from "../../stores/feed";
 import { shortenPubkey, profileName } from "../../lib/utils";
 import { open } from "@tauri-apps/plugin-dialog";
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { EmojiPicker } from "../shared/EmojiPicker";
 const COMPOSE_DRAFT_KEY = "wrystr_compose_draft";
 
 export function ComposeBox({ onPublished, onNoteInjected }: { onPublished?: () => void; onNoteInjected?: (event: import("@nostr-dev-kit/ndk").NDKEvent) => void }) {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const [text, setText] = useState(() => {
     try { return localStorage.getItem(COMPOSE_DRAFT_KEY) || ""; }
     catch { return ""; }
@@ -43,6 +44,8 @@ export function ComposeBox({ onPublished, onNoteInjected }: { onPublished?: () =
     return () => clearTimeout(t);
   }, [text]);
 
+  if (!canSign) return null;
+
   const charCount = text.length;
   const warnLimit = charCount > 3500;
   const overLimit = charCount > 4000;

src/components/feed/InlineReplyBox.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useState, useRef } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { publishReply } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { uploadImage, uploadBytes } from "../../lib/upload";
 import { useAutoResize } from "../../hooks/useAutoResize";
 import { useReplyCount } from "../../hooks/useReplyCount";
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ interface InlineReplyBoxProps {
 }
 
 export function InlineReplyBox({ event, name, rootEvent }: InlineReplyBoxProps) {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const [replyText, setReplyText] = useState("");
   const [attachments, setAttachments] = useState<string[]>([]);
   const [replying, setReplying] = useState(false);
@@ -27,6 +29,8 @@ export function InlineReplyBox({ event, name, rootEvent }: InlineReplyBoxProps)
   const replyRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
   const [, adjustReplyCount] = useReplyCount(event.id);
 
+  if (!canSign) return null;
+
   const insertAtCursor = (str: string) => {
     const ta = replyRef.current;
     if (ta) {

src/components/feed/NoteActions.tsx

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { useProfile } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
 import { useReactions } from "../../hooks/useReactions";
 import { useReplyCount } from "../../hooks/useReplyCount";
 import { useZapCount } from "../../hooks/useZapCount";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useBookmarkStore } from "../../stores/bookmark";
 import { publishReaction, publishRepost } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { profileName } from "../../lib/utils";
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply, enabled = true }:
   const profile = useProfile(event.pubkey);
   const name = profileName(profile, event.pubkey.slice(0, 8) + "…");
   const avatar = typeof profile?.picture === "string" ? profile.picture : undefined;
-  const { loggedIn } = useUserStore();
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { bookmarkedIds, addBookmark, removeBookmark } = useBookmarkStore();
   const isBookmarked = bookmarkedIds.includes(event.id!);
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply, enabled = true }:
   const myReactions = reactionsData?.myReactions ?? new Set<string>();
 
   const handleReact = async (emoji: string) => {
-    if (!loggedIn || reacting || myReactions.has(emoji)) return;
+    if (!canSign || reacting || myReactions.has(emoji)) return;
     setReacting(true);
     setShowEmojiPicker(false);
     try {
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply, enabled = true }:
           ))}
 
           {/* Add reaction button */}
-          {loggedIn && (
+          {canSign && (
             <button
               onClick={() => setShowEmojiPicker((v) => !v)}
               disabled={reacting}
@@ -145,58 +145,62 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply, enabled = true }:
           )}
         </div>
 
-        <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
-
-        <button
-          onClick={handleRepost}
-          disabled={reposting || reposted}
-          title="Repost"
-          className={`text-[14px] transition-colors disabled:cursor-default ${
-            reposted ? "text-accent" : "text-text hover:text-accent"
-          }`}
-        >
-          ⟳{reposted ? <span className="text-[11px] ml-0.5">✓</span> : reposting ? <span className="text-[11px] ml-0.5">…</span> : ""}
-        </button>
-
-        <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
-
-        <button
-          onClick={() => setShowQuote(true)}
-          title="Quote"
-          className="text-[14px] text-text hover:text-accent transition-colors"
-        >
-          ❝
-        </button>
-
-        {(profile?.lud16 || profile?.lud06) && (
+        {canSign && (
           <>
             <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
+
             <button
-              onClick={() => setShowZap(true)}
-              title="Zap"
-              className="text-[11px] text-text hover:text-zap transition-colors"
+              onClick={handleRepost}
+              disabled={reposting || reposted}
+              title="Repost"
+              className={`text-[14px] transition-colors disabled:cursor-default ${
+                reposted ? "text-accent" : "text-text hover:text-accent"
+              }`}
             >
-              {zapData && zapData.totalSats > 0
-                ? `⚡ ${zapData.totalSats.toLocaleString()} sats`
-                : "⚡"}
+              ⟳{reposted ? <span className="text-[11px] ml-0.5">✓</span> : reposting ? <span className="text-[11px] ml-0.5">…</span> : ""}
             </button>
+
+            <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
+
+            <button
+              onClick={() => setShowQuote(true)}
+              title="Quote"
+              className="text-[14px] text-text hover:text-accent transition-colors"
+            >
+              ❝
+            </button>
+
+            {(profile?.lud16 || profile?.lud06) && (
+              <>
+                <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
+                <button
+                  onClick={() => setShowZap(true)}
+                  title="Zap"
+                  className="text-[11px] text-text hover:text-zap transition-colors"
+                >
+                  {zapData && zapData.totalSats > 0
+                    ? `⚡ ${zapData.totalSats.toLocaleString()} sats`
+                    : "⚡"}
+                </button>
+              </>
+            )}
+
+            <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
+
+            <button
+              onClick={() => isBookmarked ? removeBookmark(event.id!) : addBookmark(event.id!)}
+              title={isBookmarked ? "Remove bookmark" : "Bookmark"}
+              className={`text-[14px] transition-colors ${
+                isBookmarked ? "text-accent" : "text-text hover:text-accent"
+              }`}
+            >
+              {isBookmarked ? "★" : "☆"}
+            </button>
+
+            <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
           </>
         )}
 
-        <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
-
-        <button
-          onClick={() => isBookmarked ? removeBookmark(event.id!) : addBookmark(event.id!)}
-          title={isBookmarked ? "Remove bookmark" : "Bookmark"}
-          className={`text-[14px] transition-colors ${
-            isBookmarked ? "text-accent" : "text-text hover:text-accent"
-          }`}
-        >
-          {isBookmarked ? "★" : "☆"}
-        </button>
-
-        <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] select-none">·</span>
-
         <button
           onClick={handleShare}
           title="Copy link"

src/components/feed/NoteCard.tsx

@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@ import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { useProfile } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
 import { useNip05Verified } from "../../hooks/useNip05Verified";
 import { useInView } from "../../hooks/useInView";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useMuteStore } from "../../stores/mute";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
 import { timeAgo, shortenPubkey } from "../../lib/utils";
-import { getNDK, fetchNoteById, ensureConnected } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { fetchNoteById, ensureConnected } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { getParentEventId } from "../../lib/threadTree";
 import { NoteContent } from "./NoteContent";
 import { NoteActions, LoggedOutStats } from "./NoteActions";
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ export const NoteCard = memo(function NoteCard({ event, focused, onReplyInThread
   const verified = useNip05Verified(event.pubkey, nip05, inView);
   const time = event.created_at ? timeAgo(event.created_at) : "";
 
-  const loggedIn = useUserStore((s) => s.loggedIn);
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const ownPubkey = useUserStore((s) => s.pubkey);
   const follows = useUserStore((s) => s.follows);
   const follow = useUserStore((s) => s.follow);
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ export const NoteCard = memo(function NoteCard({ event, focused, onReplyInThread
             )}
             <span className="text-text-dim text-[11px] shrink-0">{time}</span>
             {/* Context menu — hidden until card hover, not shown for own notes */}
-            {loggedIn && event.pubkey !== ownPubkey && (
+            {canSign && event.pubkey !== ownPubkey && (
               <div className="relative ml-auto">
                 <button
                   onClick={() => setMenuOpen((v) => !v)}
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ export const NoteCard = memo(function NoteCard({ event, focused, onReplyInThread
           {event.kind === 1068 && <PollWidget event={event} />}
 
           {/* Actions */}
-          {loggedIn && !!getNDK().signer && (
+          {canSign && (
             <NoteActions
               event={event}
               onReplyToggle={() => {
@@ -204,8 +204,8 @@ export const NoteCard = memo(function NoteCard({ event, focused, onReplyInThread
             />
           )}
 
-          {/* Stats visible when logged out */}
-          {!loggedIn && <LoggedOutStats event={event} enabled={inView} />}
+          {/* Stats visible in read-only mode (logged out or npub-only) */}
+          {!canSign && <LoggedOutStats event={event} enabled={inView} />}
 
           {/* Inline reply box */}
           {showReply && <InlineReplyBox event={event} name={name} />}

src/components/feed/QuoteModal.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import { useState, useRef, useEffect } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { publishQuote } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
+import { LoginModal } from "../shared/LoginModal";
 
 interface QuoteModalProps {
   event: NDKEvent;
@@ -11,9 +13,11 @@ interface QuoteModalProps {
 }
 
 export function QuoteModal({ event, authorName, authorAvatar, onClose, onPublished }: QuoteModalProps) {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const [text, setText] = useState("");
   const [publishing, setPublishing] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [showLogin, setShowLogin] = useState(false);
   const textareaRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -89,17 +93,27 @@ export function QuoteModal({ event, authorName, authorAvatar, onClose, onPublish
           {error && <p className="text-danger text-[11px] mt-2">{error}</p>}
 
           <div className="flex items-center justify-between mt-3">
-            <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px]">Ctrl+Enter to post</span>
-            <button
-              onClick={handlePublish}
-              disabled={!canPublish}
-              className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-accent-text transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
-            >
-              {publishing ? "Posting…" : "Quote & post"}
-            </button>
+            <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px]">{canSign ? "Ctrl+Enter to post" : ""}</span>
+            {canSign ? (
+              <button
+                onClick={handlePublish}
+                disabled={!canPublish}
+                className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-accent-text transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+              >
+                {publishing ? "Posting…" : "Quote & post"}
+              </button>
+            ) : (
+              <button
+                onClick={() => setShowLogin(true)}
+                className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] border border-accent/60 text-accent hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-text transition-colors"
+              >
+                Sign in to post
+              </button>
+            )}
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
+      {showLogin && <LoginModal onClose={() => setShowLogin(false)} />}
     </div>
   );
 }

src/components/follows/FollowsView.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useNotificationsStore } from "../../stores/notifications";
 import { useProfile } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
 import { useNip05Verified } from "../../hooks/useNip05Verified";
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ function FollowRow({
   const nip05 = typeof profile?.nip05 === "string" ? profile.nip05 : undefined;
   const verified = useNip05Verified(pubkey, nip05);
 
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { follows, follow, unfollow, pubkey: ownPubkey } = useUserStore();
   const { openProfile } = useUIStore();
   const isFollowing = follows.includes(pubkey);
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ function FollowRow({
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      {!isSelf && (
+      {!isSelf && canSign && (
         <button
           onClick={() => isFollowing ? unfollow(pubkey) : follow(pubkey)}
           className={`shrink-0 px-3 py-1 text-[11px] transition-colors ${

src/components/podcast/PodcastPlayerBar.tsx

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useRef, useEffect, useCallback, useState } from "react";
 import type { PodcastEpisode } from "../../types/podcast";
 import { usePodcastStore } from "../../stores/podcast";
 import { publishNote } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { stopStreaming } from "../../lib/podcast/v4v";
 import { V4VIndicator } from "./V4VIndicator";
 
@@ -15,8 +16,11 @@ function formatTime(seconds: number): string {
 }
 
 function ShareButton({ episode }: { episode: PodcastEpisode | null }) {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const [state, setState] = useState<"idle" | "confirm" | "shared">("idle");
 
+  if (!canSign) return null;
+
   const handleClick = useCallback(() => {
     if (!episode) return;
     if (state === "idle") {

src/components/poll/PollWidget.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { memo } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { usePollVotes } from "../../hooks/usePollVotes";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { publishPollResponse } from "../../lib/nostr";
 
 interface PollOption {
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ function getPollClosedAt(event: NDKEvent): number | null {
 export const PollWidget = memo(function PollWidget({ event }: { event: NDKEvent }) {
   const options = parsePollOptions(event);
   const [pollData, addVote] = usePollVotes(event.id!);
-  const loggedIn = useUserStore((s) => s.loggedIn);
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const myPubkey = useUserStore((s) => s.pubkey);
 
   if (options.length === 0) return null;
@@ -36,11 +36,11 @@ export const PollWidget = memo(function PollWidget({ event }: { event: NDKEvent
   const isExpired = closedAt !== null && closedAt <= now;
   const isAuthor = myPubkey === event.pubkey;
   const hasVoted = pollData?.myVote !== null && pollData?.myVote !== undefined;
-  const showResults = hasVoted || isExpired || isAuthor || !loggedIn;
+  const showResults = hasVoted || isExpired || isAuthor || !canSign;
   const total = pollData?.total ?? 0;
 
   const handleVote = async (optionIndex: number) => {
-    if (showResults || !loggedIn) return;
+    if (showResults || !canSign) return;
     addVote(optionIndex);
     try {
       await publishPollResponse(event.id!, event.pubkey, optionIndex);
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ export const PollWidget = memo(function PollWidget({ event }: { event: NDKEvent
         {closedAt && !isExpired && (
           <span>&#183; Ends {new Date(closedAt * 1000).toLocaleDateString()}</span>
         )}
-        {!hasVoted && !isExpired && !isAuthor && loggedIn && total === 0 && pollData && (
+        {!hasVoted && !isExpired && !isAuthor && canSign && total === 0 && pollData && (
           <span>&#183; Be the first to vote</span>
         )}
       </div>

src/components/profile/EditProfileForm.tsx

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
+import { LoginModal } from "../shared/LoginModal";
 import { invalidateProfileCache } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
 import { publishProfile } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { ImageField } from "./ImageField";
 import { Nip05Field } from "./Nip05Field";
 
 export function EditProfileForm({ pubkey, onSaved }: { pubkey: string; onSaved: () => void }) {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { profile, fetchOwnProfile } = useUserStore();
   const safeStr = (v: unknown) => (typeof v === "string" ? v : "");
   const [name, setName] = useState(safeStr(profile?.name));
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ export function EditProfileForm({ pubkey, onSaved }: { pubkey: string; onSaved:
   const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [saved, setSaved] = useState(false);
+  const [showLoginModal, setShowLoginModal] = useState(false);
 
   const handleSave = async () => {
     setSaving(true);
@@ -84,14 +87,24 @@ export function EditProfileForm({ pubkey, onSaved }: { pubkey: string; onSaved:
       </div>
       {error && <p className="text-danger text-[11px] mb-2">{error}</p>}
       <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-        <button
-          onClick={handleSave}
-          disabled={saving || saved}
-          className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-accent-text transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
-        >
-          {saved ? "Saved ✓" : saving ? "Saving…" : "Save profile"}
-        </button>
+        {canSign ? (
+          <button
+            onClick={handleSave}
+            disabled={saving || saved}
+            className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] bg-accent hover:bg-accent-hover text-accent-text transition-colors disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+          >
+            {saved ? "Saved ✓" : saving ? "Saving…" : "Save profile"}
+          </button>
+        ) : (
+          <button
+            onClick={() => setShowLoginModal(true)}
+            className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] border border-accent/60 text-accent hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-text transition-colors"
+          >
+            Sign in to save
+          </button>
+        )}
       </div>
+      {showLoginModal && <LoginModal onClose={() => setShowLoginModal(false)} />}
     </div>
   );
 }

src/components/profile/ProfileView.tsx

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent, nip19 } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useMuteStore } from "../../stores/mute";
 import { useProfile } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
 import { useReputation } from "../../hooks/useReputation";
-import { fetchUserNotesNIP65, fetchAuthorArticles, getNDK } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { fetchUserNotesNIP65, fetchAuthorArticles } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { shortenPubkey, profileName } from "../../lib/utils";
 import { NoteCard } from "../feed/NoteCard";
 import { ArticleCard } from "../article/ArticleCard";
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ function TopFollowerAvatar({ pubkey }: { pubkey: string }) {
 
 export function ProfileView() {
   const { selectedPubkey, goBack, openDM } = useUIStore();
-  const { pubkey: ownPubkey, profile: ownProfile, loggedIn, follows, follow, unfollow } = useUserStore();
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
+  const { pubkey: ownPubkey, profile: ownProfile, follows, follow, unfollow } = useUserStore();
   const pubkey = selectedPubkey!;
   const isOwn = pubkey === ownPubkey;
 
@@ -150,13 +151,13 @@ export function ProfileView() {
             ← {editing ? "Cancel" : "Back"}
           </button>
           <h1 className="text-text text-sm font-medium">{isOwn ? "Your Profile" : "Profile"}</h1>
-          {isOwn && !getNDK().signer && (
+          {isOwn && !canSign && (
             <span className="text-text-dim text-[10px] border border-border px-2 py-0.5">
               read-only
             </span>
           )}
         </div>
-        {isOwn && !editing && !!getNDK().signer && (
+        {isOwn && !editing && canSign && (
           <button
             onClick={() => setEditing(true)}
             className="text-[11px] px-3 py-1 border border-border text-text-muted hover:text-accent hover:border-accent/40 transition-colors"
@@ -164,7 +165,7 @@ export function ProfileView() {
             Edit profile
           </button>
         )}
-        {!isOwn && loggedIn && (
+        {!isOwn && canSign && (
           <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
             {(lud16 || profile?.lud06) && (
               <button

src/components/shared/RelaysView.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import { getNDK, getStoredRelayUrls, addRelay, removeRelay, publishRelayList, fetchRelayRecommendations, normalizeRelayUrl } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { useRelayHealthStore } from "../../stores/relayHealth";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useUserStore, useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import type { RelayHealthResult } from "../../lib/nostr/relayHealth";
 
 function statusColor(status: RelayHealthResult["status"]): string {
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ function RelayPoolRow({ url, connected, onRemove }: { url: string; connected: bo
 
 export function RelaysView() {
   const { results, checking, lastChecked, checkAll } = useRelayHealthStore();
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { loggedIn } = useUserStore();
   const ndk = getNDK();
   const poolRelays = Array.from(ndk.pool?.relays?.values() ?? []);
@@ -279,7 +280,7 @@ export function RelaysView() {
           >
             Add
           </button>
-          {loggedIn && !!getNDK().signer && (
+          {canSign && (
             <button
               onClick={handleRepublish}
               disabled={republishing}

src/components/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx

@@ -1,24 +1,25 @@
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useNotificationsStore } from "../../stores/notifications";
 import { useDraftStore } from "../../stores/drafts";
 import { useBookmarkStore } from "../../stores/bookmark";
-import { getNDK } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { AccountSwitcher } from "./AccountSwitcher";
 import pkg from "../../../package.json";
 
+// Items marked `requiresSigner: true` are hidden in read-only mode
+// because they're account-bound and have no useful content without a signer.
 const NAV_ITEMS = [
   { id: "feed" as const, label: "feed", icon: "◈" },
   { id: "articles" as const, label: "articles", icon: "☰" },
   { id: "media" as const, label: "media", icon: "▶" },
   { id: "podcasts" as const, label: "podcasts", icon: "🎙" },
   { id: "search" as const, label: "search", icon: "⌕" },
-  { id: "bookmarks" as const, label: "bookmarks", icon: "★" },
-  { id: "dm" as const, label: "messages", icon: "✉" },
-  { id: "notifications" as const, label: "notifications", icon: "🔔" },
+  { id: "bookmarks" as const, label: "bookmarks", icon: "★", requiresSigner: true },
+  { id: "dm" as const, label: "messages", icon: "✉", requiresSigner: true },
+  { id: "notifications" as const, label: "notifications", icon: "🔔", requiresSigner: true },
   { id: "follows" as const, label: "follows", icon: "👥" },
-  { id: "zaps" as const, label: "zaps", icon: "⚡" },
-  { id: "v4v" as const, label: "v4v", icon: "📡" },
+  { id: "zaps" as const, label: "zaps", icon: "⚡", requiresSigner: true },
+  { id: "v4v" as const, label: "v4v", icon: "📡", requiresSigner: true },
   { id: "relays" as const, label: "relays", icon: "⟐" },
   { id: "settings" as const, label: "settings", icon: "⚙" },
   { id: "about" as const, label: "support", icon: "♥" },
@@ -26,10 +27,11 @@ const NAV_ITEMS = [
 
 export function Sidebar() {
   const { currentView, setView, sidebarCollapsed, toggleSidebar } = useUIStore();
-  const { loggedIn } = useUserStore();
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { unreadCount: notifUnread, dmUnreadCount, newFollowersCount } = useNotificationsStore();
   const draftCount = useDraftStore((s) => s.drafts.length);
   const bookmarkUnread = useBookmarkStore((s) => s.unreadArticleCount());
+  const visibleNav = NAV_ITEMS.filter((item) => !("requiresSigner" in item && item.requiresSigner) || canSign);
 
   const c = sidebarCollapsed;
 
@@ -73,7 +75,7 @@ export function Sidebar() {
       {/* Nav */}
       <nav className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-2">
         {/* Write article — show icon even when collapsed */}
-        {loggedIn && !!getNDK().signer && (
+        {canSign && (
           <button
             onClick={() => setView("article-editor")}
             title="Write article"
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@ export function Sidebar() {
           </button>
         )}
 
-        {NAV_ITEMS.map((item) => {
+        {visibleNav.map((item) => {
           const badge = item.id === "dm" ? dmUnreadCount : item.id === "notifications" ? notifUnread : item.id === "bookmarks" ? bookmarkUnread : item.id === "follows" ? newFollowersCount : 0;
           return (
             <button

src/components/thread/ThreadView.tsx

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { useAutoResize } from "../../hooks/useAutoResize";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
-import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
 import { useMuteStore } from "../../stores/mute";
-import { fetchNoteById, fetchThreadEvents, fetchAncestors, publishReply, getNDK, ensureConnected } from "../../lib/nostr";
+import { fetchNoteById, fetchThreadEvents, fetchAncestors, publishReply, ensureConnected } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { buildThreadTree, getRootEventId } from "../../lib/threadTree";
 import type { ThreadNode } from "../../lib/threadTree";
 import { debug } from "../../lib/debug";
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { EmojiPicker } from "../shared/EmojiPicker";
 
 export function ThreadView() {
   const { selectedNote, goBack } = useUIStore();
-  const { loggedIn } = useUserStore();
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { mutedPubkeys, contentMatchesMutedKeyword } = useMuteStore();
 
   const [rootEvent, setRootEvent] = useState<NDKEvent | null>(null);
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ export function ThreadView() {
             </div>
 
             {/* Root reply box (inline, right below root) */}
-            {showRootReply && loggedIn && !!getNDK().signer && (
+            {showRootReply && canSign && (
               <div className="border-b border-border border-l-2 border-l-accent/40 ml-3 px-3 py-2">
                 <textarea
                   ref={replyRef}

src/components/zap/ZapModal.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { useLightningStore, ZapTargetSpec } from "../../stores/lightning";
 import { useUIStore } from "../../stores/ui";
+import { useCanSign } from "../../stores/user";
+import { LoginModal } from "../shared/LoginModal";
 
 const AMOUNT_PRESETS = [21, 100, 500, 1000, 5000];
 
@@ -13,6 +15,7 @@ interface ZapModalProps {
 }
 
 export function ZapModal({ target, recipientName, onClose }: ZapModalProps) {
+  const canSign = useCanSign();
   const { nwcUri, zap } = useLightningStore();
   const { setView } = useUIStore();
   const [amountSats, setAmountSats] = useState(21);
@@ -21,6 +24,7 @@ export function ZapModal({ target, recipientName, onClose }: ZapModalProps) {
   const [comment, setComment] = useState("");
   const [state, setState] = useState<ZapState>("idle");
   const [errorMsg, setErrorMsg] = useState("");
+  const [showLogin, setShowLogin] = useState(false);
 
   const effectiveAmount = useCustom ? (parseInt(customAmount) || 0) : amountSats;
 
@@ -60,8 +64,23 @@ export function ZapModal({ target, recipientName, onClose }: ZapModalProps) {
           <button onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close" className="text-text-dim hover:text-text text-[11px] transition-colors">✕</button>
         </div>
 
+        {/* Sign-in required state */}
+        {!canSign && (
+          <div className="px-4 py-5 text-center">
+            <p className="text-text-dim text-[12px] mb-3">
+              Sign in with a private key or remote signer to send zaps.
+            </p>
+            <button
+              onClick={() => setShowLogin(true)}
+              className="px-4 py-1.5 text-[11px] border border-accent/60 text-accent hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-text transition-colors"
+            >
+              Sign in
+            </button>
+          </div>
+        )}
+
         {/* No wallet state */}
-        {!nwcUri && (
+        {canSign && !nwcUri && (
           <div className="px-4 py-5 text-center">
             <p className="text-text-dim text-[12px] mb-3">
               Connect a Lightning wallet using a Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) URI to send zaps.
@@ -76,7 +95,7 @@ export function ZapModal({ target, recipientName, onClose }: ZapModalProps) {
         )}
 
         {/* Zap form */}
-        {nwcUri && state === "idle" && (
+        {canSign && nwcUri && state === "idle" && (
           <div className="px-4 py-4 space-y-4">
             {/* Amount presets */}
             <div>
@@ -131,7 +150,7 @@ export function ZapModal({ target, recipientName, onClose }: ZapModalProps) {
         )}
 
         {/* Paying state */}
-        {nwcUri && state === "paying" && (
+        {canSign && nwcUri && state === "paying" && (
           <div className="px-4 py-8 text-center">
             <div className="text-zap text-2xl mb-2">⚡</div>
             <p className="text-text-dim text-[12px]">Sending {effectiveAmount} sats…</p>
@@ -160,6 +179,7 @@ export function ZapModal({ target, recipientName, onClose }: ZapModalProps) {
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
+      {showLogin && <LoginModal onClose={() => setShowLogin(false)} />}
     </div>
   );
 }

src/stores/user.ts

@@ -68,6 +68,15 @@ interface UserState {
   unfollow: (pubkey: string) => Promise<void>;
 }
 
+/** Returns true iff the active account can sign events (has a signer attached). */
+export function useCanSign(): boolean {
+  return useUserStore((s) => {
+    if (!s.loggedIn || !s.pubkey) return false;
+    const account = s.accounts.find((a) => a.pubkey === s.pubkey);
+    return account?.loginType !== "pubkey";
+  });
+}
+
 export const useUserStore = create<UserState>((set, get) => ({
   pubkey: null,
   npub: null,
@@ -471,6 +480,8 @@ export const useUserStore = create<UserState>((set, get) => ({
   },
 
   follow: async (pubkey: string) => {
+    // Runtime guard — UI should already prevent this, but belt-and-suspenders
+    if (!getNDK().signer) return;
     const { follows } = get();
     if (follows.includes(pubkey)) return;
     const updated = [...follows, pubkey];
@@ -479,6 +490,8 @@ export const useUserStore = create<UserState>((set, get) => ({
   },
 
   unfollow: async (pubkey: string) => {
+    // Runtime guard — UI should already prevent this, but belt-and-suspenders
+    if (!getNDK().signer) return;
     const { follows } = get();
     const updated = follows.filter((pk) => pk !== pubkey);
     set({ follows: updated });