diff --git a/src/components/feed/NoteActions.tsx b/src/components/feed/NoteActions.tsx
index f32dfeb..3307e15 100644
--- a/src/components/feed/NoteActions.tsx
+++ b/src/components/feed/NoteActions.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { NDKEvent, nip19 } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { useProfile } from "../../hooks/useProfile";
-import { useReactionCount } from "../../hooks/useReactionCount";
+import { useReactions } from "../../hooks/useReactions";
 import { useReplyCount } from "../../hooks/useReplyCount";
 import { useZapCount } from "../../hooks/useZapCount";
 import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
@@ -26,14 +26,8 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
   const { bookmarkedIds, addBookmark, removeBookmark } = useBookmarkStore();
   const isBookmarked = bookmarkedIds.includes(event.id!);
 
-  const likedKey = "wrystr_liked";
-  const getLiked = () => {
-    try { return new Set<string>(JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(likedKey) || "[]")); }
-    catch { return new Set<string>(); }
-  };
-  const [liked, setLiked] = useState(() => getLiked().has(event.id));
-  const [liking, setLiking] = useState(false);
-  const [reactionCount, adjustReactionCount] = useReactionCount(event.id);
+  const [reactionsData, addReaction] = useReactions(event.id);
+  const [reacting, setReacting] = useState(false);
   const [showEmojiPicker, setShowEmojiPicker] = useState(false);
   const [replyCount] = useReplyCount(event.id);
   const [copied, setCopied] = useState(false);
@@ -43,19 +37,17 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
   const [reposting, setReposting] = useState(false);
   const [reposted, setReposted] = useState(false);
 
-  const handleReact = async (emoji?: string) => {
-    if (!loggedIn || liked || liking) return;
-    setLiking(true);
+  const myReactions = reactionsData?.myReactions ?? new Set<string>();
+
+  const handleReact = async (emoji: string) => {
+    if (!loggedIn || reacting || myReactions.has(emoji)) return;
+    setReacting(true);
     setShowEmojiPicker(false);
     try {
-      await publishReaction(event.id, event.pubkey, emoji || "+");
-      const likedSet = getLiked();
-      likedSet.add(event.id);
-      localStorage.setItem(likedKey, JSON.stringify(Array.from(likedSet)));
-      setLiked(true);
-      adjustReactionCount(1);
+      await publishReaction(event.id, event.pubkey, emoji);
+      addReaction(emoji);
     } finally {
-      setLiking(false);
+      setReacting(false);
     }
   };
 
@@ -77,9 +69,14 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
     }
   };
 
+  // Sort emoji groups: most popular first
+  const sortedGroups = reactionsData
+    ? Array.from(reactionsData.groups.entries()).sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1])
+    : [];
+
   return (
     <>
-      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-4 gap-y-1 mt-2">
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-3 gap-y-1 mt-2">
         <button
           onClick={onReplyToggle}
           className={`text-[11px] transition-colors ${
@@ -88,25 +85,38 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
         >
           reply{replyCount !== null && replyCount > 0 ? ` ${replyCount}` : ""}
         </button>
-        <div className="relative flex items-center gap-1">
-          <button
-            onClick={() => handleReact("❤️")}
-            disabled={liked || liking}
-            className={`text-[11px] transition-colors ${
-              liked ? "text-accent" : "text-text-dim hover:text-accent"
-            } disabled:cursor-default`}
-          >
-            {liked ? "♥" : "♡"}{reactionCount !== null && reactionCount > 0 ? ` ${reactionCount}` : liked ? " liked" : " like"}
-          </button>
-          {!liked && !liking && (
+
+        {/* Emoji reaction pills */}
+        <div className="relative flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1">
+          {sortedGroups.map(([emoji, count]) => (
+            <button
+              key={emoji}
+              onClick={() => handleReact(emoji)}
+              disabled={reacting || myReactions.has(emoji)}
+              className={`inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[11px] rounded-sm border transition-colors ${
+                myReactions.has(emoji)
+                  ? "border-accent/40 bg-accent/10 text-accent"
+                  : "border-border hover:border-accent/40 hover:bg-accent/5 text-text-dim"
+              } disabled:cursor-default`}
+            >
+              <span className="text-[13px] leading-none">{emoji}</span>
+              <span>{count}</span>
+            </button>
+          ))}
+
+          {/* Add reaction button */}
+          {loggedIn && (
             <button
               onClick={() => setShowEmojiPicker((v) => !v)}
-              className="text-[10px] text-text-dim hover:text-accent transition-colors opacity-0 group-hover/card:opacity-100"
+              disabled={reacting}
+              className="inline-flex items-center px-1 py-0.5 text-[11px] text-text-dim hover:text-accent border border-transparent hover:border-border rounded-sm transition-colors opacity-0 group-hover/card:opacity-100 disabled:opacity-30"
               title="React with emoji"
             >
               +
             </button>
           )}
+
+          {/* Emoji picker popover */}
           {showEmojiPicker && (
             <>
               <div className="fixed inset-0 z-[9]" onClick={() => setShowEmojiPicker(false)} />
@@ -115,7 +125,10 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
                   <button
                     key={emoji}
                     onClick={() => handleReact(emoji)}
-                    className="text-[16px] hover:scale-125 transition-transform px-0.5"
+                    disabled={myReactions.has(emoji)}
+                    className={`text-[16px] hover:scale-125 transition-transform px-0.5 ${
+                      myReactions.has(emoji) ? "opacity-30 cursor-default" : ""
+                    }`}
                   >
                     {emoji}
                   </button>
@@ -124,6 +137,7 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
             </>
           )}
         </div>
+
         <button
           onClick={handleRepost}
           disabled={reposting || reposted}
@@ -188,7 +202,7 @@ export function NoteActions({ event, onReplyToggle, showReply }: NoteActionsProp
 }
 
 export function LoggedOutStats({ event }: { event: NDKEvent }) {
-  const [reactionCount] = useReactionCount(event.id);
+  const [reactionsData] = useReactions(event.id);
   const [replyCount] = useReplyCount(event.id);
   const zapData = useZapCount(event.id);
   const [copied, setCopied] = useState(false);
@@ -200,14 +214,21 @@ export function LoggedOutStats({ event }: { event: NDKEvent }) {
     setTimeout(() => setCopied(false), 2000);
   };
 
+  const sortedGroups = reactionsData
+    ? Array.from(reactionsData.groups.entries()).sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1])
+    : [];
+
   return (
-    <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mt-1.5">
+    <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2 mt-1.5">
       {replyCount !== null && replyCount > 0 && (
         <span className="text-text-dim text-[11px]">↩ {replyCount}</span>
       )}
-      {reactionCount !== null && reactionCount > 0 && (
-        <span className="text-text-dim text-[11px]">♥ {reactionCount}</span>
-      )}
+      {sortedGroups.map(([emoji, count]) => (
+        <span key={emoji} className="inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 text-text-dim text-[11px]">
+          <span className="text-[13px] leading-none">{emoji}</span>
+          <span>{count}</span>
+        </span>
+      ))}
       {zapData !== null && zapData.totalSats > 0 && (
         <span className="text-zap text-[11px]">⚡ {zapData.totalSats.toLocaleString()} sats</span>
       )}
diff --git a/src/components/search/SearchView.tsx b/src/components/search/SearchView.tsx
index 5fd7bf5..2459cb5 100644
--- a/src/components/search/SearchView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/search/SearchView.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useRef, useEffect } from "react";
-import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
+import { NDKEvent, nip19 } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { fetchFollowSuggestions, fetchProfile, advancedSearch, fetchTrendingHashtags } from "../../lib/nostr";
 import { parseSearchQuery, describeSearch } from "../../lib/search";
 import { useUserStore } from "../../stores/user";
@@ -202,6 +202,19 @@ export function SearchView() {
     const q = (overrideQuery ?? query).trim();
     if (!q) return;
     if (overrideQuery) setQuery(overrideQuery);
+
+    // Bare npub/nprofile → navigate directly to profile
+    if (/^(npub1|nprofile1)[a-z0-9]+$/i.test(q)) {
+      try {
+        const decoded = nip19.decode(q);
+        const pubkey = decoded.type === "npub" ? decoded.data
+          : decoded.type === "nprofile" ? decoded.data.pubkey : null;
+        if (pubkey) {
+          useUIStore.getState().openProfile(pubkey);
+          return;
+        }
+      } catch { /* not valid, fall through to normal search */ }
+    }
     setLoading(true);
     setSearched(false);
     setSearchHint(null);
diff --git a/src/hooks/useReactions.ts b/src/hooks/useReactions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc652b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/hooks/useReactions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { fetchReactions } from "../lib/nostr";
+import type { GroupedReactions } from "../lib/nostr";
+import { useUserStore } from "../stores/user";
+
+const cache = new Map<string, GroupedReactions>();
+
+// Queue to throttle parallel relay queries — too many at once causes timeouts
+const pending = new Map<string, Promise<GroupedReactions>>();
+let activeCount = 0;
+const MAX_CONCURRENT = 4;
+const queue: Array<() => void> = [];
+
+function runNext() {
+  if (queue.length > 0 && activeCount < MAX_CONCURRENT) {
+    const next = queue.shift()!;
+    next();
+  }
+}
+
+function throttledFetch(eventId: string, pubkey?: string): Promise<GroupedReactions> {
+  if (pending.has(eventId)) return pending.get(eventId)!;
+
+  const promise = new Promise<GroupedReactions>((resolve) => {
+    const doFetch = () => {
+      activeCount++;
+      fetchReactions(eventId, pubkey).then((result) => {
+        activeCount--;
+        pending.delete(eventId);
+        resolve(result);
+        runNext();
+      });
+    };
+
+    if (activeCount < MAX_CONCURRENT) {
+      doFetch();
+    } else {
+      queue.push(doFetch);
+    }
+  });
+
+  pending.set(eventId, promise);
+  return promise;
+}
+
+export function useReactions(eventId: string): [GroupedReactions | null, (emoji: string) => void] {
+  const [data, setData] = useState<GroupedReactions | null>(() => cache.get(eventId) ?? null);
+  const pubkeyRef = useRef(useUserStore.getState().pubkey);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    pubkeyRef.current = useUserStore.getState().pubkey;
+  });
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (cache.has(eventId)) {
+      setData(cache.get(eventId)!);
+      return;
+    }
+    let cancelled = false;
+    throttledFetch(eventId, pubkeyRef.current ?? undefined).then((result) => {
+      if (!cancelled) {
+        cache.set(eventId, result);
+        setData(result);
+      }
+    });
+    return () => { cancelled = true; };
+  }, [eventId]);
+
+  const addReaction = (emoji: string) => {
+    setData((prev) => {
+      const groups = new Map(prev?.groups ?? []);
+      groups.set(emoji, (groups.get(emoji) ?? 0) + 1);
+      const myReactions = new Set(prev?.myReactions ?? []);
+      myReactions.add(emoji);
+      const total = (prev?.total ?? 0) + 1;
+      const next: GroupedReactions = { groups, myReactions, total };
+      cache.set(eventId, next);
+      return next;
+    });
+  };
+
+  return [data, addReaction];
+}
+
+/** Seed the cache from batch engagement data (avoids per-note refetching). */
+export function seedReactionsCache(eventId: string, groups: Map<string, number>, myReactions: Set<string>) {
+  const total = Array.from(groups.values()).reduce((sum, n) => sum + n, 0);
+  cache.set(eventId, { groups, myReactions, total });
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/debug.ts b/src/lib/debug.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..965ad04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/debug.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+/** Dev-only logger — all output is stripped in production builds. */
+const isDev = import.meta.env.DEV;
+
+export const debug = {
+  log: (...args: unknown[]) => { if (isDev) console.log("[Wrystr]", ...args); },
+  warn: (...args: unknown[]) => { if (isDev) console.warn("[Wrystr]", ...args); },
+  error: (...args: unknown[]) => { if (isDev) console.error("[Wrystr]", ...args); },
+};
diff --git a/src/lib/nostr/engagement.ts b/src/lib/nostr/engagement.ts
index ee44dd7..be93cca 100644
--- a/src/lib/nostr/engagement.ts
+++ b/src/lib/nostr/engagement.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,45 @@ export async function fetchReactionCount(eventId: string): Promise<number> {
   return events.size;
 }
 
+export interface GroupedReactions {
+  groups: Map<string, number>;
+  myReactions: Set<string>;
+  total: number;
+}
+
+/** Normalize reaction content: "+" and empty → "❤️", ignore "-" */
+function normalizeEmoji(content: string): string | null {
+  if (content === "-") return null; // downvote — ignore
+  if (!content || content === "+") return "❤️";
+  return content;
+}
+
+/** Group reaction events by emoji. Pass myPubkey to track which emojis the user sent. */
+export function groupReactions(events: Iterable<NDKEvent>, myPubkey?: string): GroupedReactions {
+  const groups = new Map<string, number>();
+  const myReactions = new Set<string>();
+  let total = 0;
+
+  for (const event of events) {
+    const emoji = normalizeEmoji(event.content);
+    if (!emoji) continue;
+    groups.set(emoji, (groups.get(emoji) ?? 0) + 1);
+    total++;
+    if (myPubkey && event.pubkey === myPubkey) {
+      myReactions.add(emoji);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { groups, myReactions, total };
+}
+
+export async function fetchReactions(eventId: string, myPubkey?: string): Promise<GroupedReactions> {
+  const instance = getNDK();
+  const filter: NDKFilter = { kinds: [NDKKind.Reaction], "#e": [eventId] };
+  const events = await fetchWithTimeout(instance, filter, SINGLE_TIMEOUT);
+  return groupReactions(events, myPubkey);
+}
+
 export async function fetchReplyCount(eventId: string): Promise<number> {
   const instance = getNDK();
   const filter: NDKFilter = { kinds: [NDKKind.Text], "#e": [eventId] };
@@ -47,11 +86,19 @@ export async function fetchZapCount(eventId: string): Promise<{ count: number; t
   return { count: events.size, totalSats };
 }
 
-export async function fetchBatchEngagement(eventIds: string[]): Promise<Map<string, { reactions: number; replies: number; zapSats: number }>> {
+export interface BatchEngagement {
+  reactions: number;
+  replies: number;
+  zapSats: number;
+  reactionGroups: Map<string, number>;
+  myReactions: Set<string>;
+}
+
+export async function fetchBatchEngagement(eventIds: string[], myPubkey?: string): Promise<Map<string, BatchEngagement>> {
   const instance = getNDK();
-  const result = new Map<string, { reactions: number; replies: number; zapSats: number }>();
+  const result = new Map<string, BatchEngagement>();
   for (const id of eventIds) {
-    result.set(id, { reactions: 0, replies: 0, zapSats: 0 });
+    result.set(id, { reactions: 0, replies: 0, zapSats: 0, reactionGroups: new Map(), myReactions: new Set() });
   }
 
   // Batch in chunks to avoid oversized filters
@@ -65,13 +112,23 @@ export async function fetchBatchEngagement(eventIds: string[]): Promise<Map<stri
         fetchWithTimeout(instance, { kinds: [NDKKind.Text], "#e": chunk }, FEED_TIMEOUT),
         fetchWithTimeout(instance, { kinds: [NDKKind.Zap], "#e": chunk }, FEED_TIMEOUT),
       ]),
-      FEED_TIMEOUT + 2000, // outer timeout slightly longer than inner
+      FEED_TIMEOUT + 2000,
       [new Set<NDKEvent>(), new Set<NDKEvent>(), new Set<NDKEvent>()],
     );
 
     for (const event of reactions) {
       const eTag = event.tags.find((t) => t[0] === "e")?.[1];
-      if (eTag && result.has(eTag)) result.get(eTag)!.reactions++;
+      if (eTag && result.has(eTag)) {
+        const entry = result.get(eTag)!;
+        const emoji = normalizeEmoji(event.content);
+        if (emoji) {
+          entry.reactions++;
+          entry.reactionGroups.set(emoji, (entry.reactionGroups.get(emoji) ?? 0) + 1);
+          if (myPubkey && event.pubkey === myPubkey) {
+            entry.myReactions.add(emoji);
+          }
+        }
+      }
     }
 
     for (const event of replies) {
diff --git a/src/lib/nostr/index.ts b/src/lib/nostr/index.ts
index 5e88947..1062b8d 100644
--- a/src/lib/nostr/index.ts
+++ b/src/lib/nostr/index.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ export { getNDK, getNDKUptimeMs, connectToRelays, ensureConnected, resetNDK, get
 export { fetchGlobalFeed, fetchFollowFeed, fetchUserNotes, fetchUserNotesNIP65, fetchNoteById, fetchReplies, publishNote, publishReply, publishRepost, publishQuote, fetchHashtagFeed, fetchThreadEvents, fetchAncestors } from "./notes";
 export { publishProfile, publishContactList, fetchProfile, fetchFollowSuggestions, fetchMentions, fetchFollowers, fetchNewFollowers } from "./social";
 export { publishArticle, fetchArticle, fetchAuthorArticles, fetchArticleFeed, searchArticles, fetchByAddr } from "./articles";
-export { publishReaction, fetchReactionCount, fetchReplyCount, fetchZapCount, fetchBatchEngagement, fetchZapsReceived, fetchZapsSent } from "./engagement";
+export { publishReaction, fetchReactionCount, fetchReplyCount, fetchZapCount, fetchReactions, groupReactions, fetchBatchEngagement, fetchZapsReceived, fetchZapsSent } from "./engagement";
+export type { GroupedReactions, BatchEngagement } from "./engagement";
 export { fetchDMConversations, fetchDMThread, sendDM, decryptDM } from "./dms";
 export { fetchBookmarkList, publishBookmarkList, fetchBookmarkListFull, publishBookmarkListFull } from "./bookmarks";
 export { fetchMuteList, publishMuteList } from "./muting";
diff --git a/src/lib/notificationPoller.ts b/src/lib/notificationPoller.ts
index d3d6efc..a18f2b4 100644
--- a/src/lib/notificationPoller.ts
+++ b/src/lib/notificationPoller.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-import { fetchMentions, fetchZapsReceived, fetchNewFollowers, fetchProfile } from "./nostr";
+import { fetchMentions, fetchZapsReceived, fetchNewFollowers, fetchProfile, ensureConnected } from "./nostr";
 import { notifyMention, notifyZap, notifyFollower } from "./notifications";
 import { useNotificationsStore } from "../stores/notifications";
+import { debug } from "./debug";
 
 const POLL_INTERVAL = 60_000; // 60 seconds
 const POLL_TS_KEY = "wrystr_notif_poll_ts";
@@ -42,6 +43,15 @@ async function getProfileName(pubkey: string): Promise<string> {
 }
 
 async function pollOnce(pubkey: string) {
+  // Skip polling if no relays are connected — avoids empty results
+  try {
+    const connected = await ensureConnected();
+    if (!connected) {
+      debug.warn("notif:poll skipped — no relays connected");
+      return;
+    }
+  } catch { return; }
+
   const ts = loadPollTimestamps();
   const now = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000);
 
@@ -109,10 +119,17 @@ async function pollOnce(pubkey: string) {
 
 export function startNotificationPoller(pubkey: string) {
   stopNotificationPoller();
-  // Fetch notification counts immediately (before full poll)
-  useNotificationsStore.getState().fetchNotifications(pubkey).catch(() => {});
-  // Run first full poll after a short delay (let relays connect)
-  setTimeout(() => pollOnce(pubkey).catch(() => {}), 5000);
+  // Wait for relay connection before first fetch — avoids empty results on startup
+  (async () => {
+    try {
+      const connected = await ensureConnected();
+      debug.log("notif:poller ensureConnected →", connected);
+    } catch { /* continue anyway */ }
+    debug.log("notif:poller initial fetch for", pubkey.slice(0, 8));
+    useNotificationsStore.getState().fetchNotifications(pubkey).catch(() => {});
+  })();
+  // Run first full poll after a longer delay (give relays more time)
+  setTimeout(() => pollOnce(pubkey).catch(() => {}), 8000);
   intervalId = setInterval(() => pollOnce(pubkey).catch(() => {}), POLL_INTERVAL);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/stores/feed.test.ts b/src/stores/feed.test.ts
index 53093cb..3d8992d 100644
--- a/src/stores/feed.test.ts
+++ b/src/stores/feed.test.ts
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ describe("useFeedStore - loadTrendingFeed", () => {
     ];
 
     const engagement = new Map([
-      ["a", { reactions: 10, replies: 0, zapSats: 0 }],  // score: 10
-      ["b", { reactions: 0, replies: 5, zapSats: 0 }],   // score: 15
-      ["c", { reactions: 1, replies: 1, zapSats: 100 }],  // score: 5
+      ["a", { reactions: 10, replies: 0, zapSats: 0, reactionGroups: new Map<string, number>(), myReactions: new Set<string>() }],  // score: 10
+      ["b", { reactions: 0, replies: 5, zapSats: 0, reactionGroups: new Map<string, number>(), myReactions: new Set<string>() }],   // score: 15
+      ["c", { reactions: 1, replies: 1, zapSats: 100, reactionGroups: new Map<string, number>(), myReactions: new Set<string>() }],  // score: 5
     ]);
 
     vi.mocked(fetchTrendingCandidates).mockResolvedValue(notes);
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ describe("useFeedStore - loadTrendingFeed", () => {
     ];
 
     const engagement = new Map([
-      ["a", { reactions: 5, replies: 0, zapSats: 0 }],
-      ["b", { reactions: 0, replies: 0, zapSats: 0 }],
+      ["a", { reactions: 5, replies: 0, zapSats: 0, reactionGroups: new Map<string, number>(), myReactions: new Set<string>() }],
+      ["b", { reactions: 0, replies: 0, zapSats: 0, reactionGroups: new Map<string, number>(), myReactions: new Set<string>() }],
     ]);
 
     vi.mocked(fetchTrendingCandidates).mockResolvedValue(notes);
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ describe("useFeedStore - loadTrendingFeed", () => {
     const now = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000);
     const notes = Array.from({ length: 60 }, (_, i) => makeMockNote(`n${i}`, now - i));
     const engagement = new Map(
-      notes.map((n) => [n.id, { reactions: 10, replies: 1, zapSats: 0 }])
+      notes.map((n) => [n.id, { reactions: 10, replies: 1, zapSats: 0, reactionGroups: new Map<string, number>(), myReactions: new Set<string>() }])
     );
 
     vi.mocked(fetchTrendingCandidates).mockResolvedValue(notes);
diff --git a/src/stores/notifications.ts b/src/stores/notifications.ts
index 599aa05..1e2f180 100644
--- a/src/stores/notifications.ts
+++ b/src/stores/notifications.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { create } from "zustand";
 import { NDKEvent } from "@nostr-dev-kit/ndk";
 import { fetchMentions } from "../lib/nostr";
+import { debug } from "../lib/debug";
 
 const NOTIF_READ_KEY = "wrystr_notif_read_ids";
 const DM_SEEN_KEY = "wrystr_dm_last_seen";
@@ -71,18 +72,19 @@ export const useNotificationsStore = create<NotificationsState>((set, get) => ({
       const since = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000) - 7 * 86400;
       // Fetch more than we need since we filter out own events
       const events = await fetchMentions(pubkey, since, MAX_NOTIFICATIONS * 3);
-      // Filter out own events — your replies shouldn't be notifications
       const others = events.filter((e) => e.pubkey !== pubkey);
       const sorted = others.sort((a, b) => (b.created_at ?? 0) - (a.created_at ?? 0)).slice(0, MAX_NOTIFICATIONS);
+      debug.log("notif:fetch", events.length, "raw →", others.length, "others →", sorted.length, "kept");
 
       // Don't overwrite existing notifications with empty results (relay timeout/disconnect)
       const { readIds, notifications: existing } = get();
       if (sorted.length === 0 && existing.length > 0) {
-        // Keep existing notifications — relay probably timed out
+        debug.warn("notif:fetch empty result, keeping", existing.length, "existing");
         return;
       }
 
       const unreadCount = sorted.filter((e) => !readIds.has(e.id!)).length;
+      debug.log("notif:set", sorted.length, "notifications,", unreadCount, "unread");
       set({ notifications: sorted, unreadCount });
     } catch {
       // Non-critical — keep existing notifications on error