diff --git a/src/db_sync.c b/src/db_sync.c
index 431ae87f..4b16bd12 100644
--- a/src/db_sync.c
+++ b/src/db_sync.c
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ struct DB_SYNC {
 
 #define SI_DB(si)   ((si)->db_sync->db)
 #define SI_TBL(si)  ((si)->table_name)
+#define SI_SHRT(si) ({ const char* _t = SI_TBL(si); const char* _u = strrchr(_t, '_'); _u ? _u + 1 : _t; })
 
 static void si_sql(char* buf, size_t sz, struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, const char* fmt)
 {
@@ -521,7 +522,7 @@ static int db_sync_send_hash(struct DB_SYNC* db, uint64_t node_id, uint64_t hash
     struct ll_entry* entry = queue_entry_new(0);
     if (!entry) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "queue_entry_new"); return -1; }
     uint8_t* buf = u_malloc(plen + 9);
-    if (!buf) { queue_entry_free(entry); return -1; }
+    if (!buf) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "db_sync_send_hash: u_malloc(%zu) failed for dst=%016llx", plen + 9, (unsigned long long)node_id); queue_entry_free(entry); return -1; }
     buf[0] = ETCP_RT_ID_DB_SYNC;
     uint64_t hb = htobe64(hash);
     memcpy(buf + 1, &hb, 8);
@@ -535,7 +536,8 @@ static int db_sync_send_hash(struct DB_SYNC* db, uint64_t node_id, uint64_t hash
         if (e) { struct conn_queue_entry* ce = (struct conn_queue_entry*)e->data; if (ce->conn->links_up) conn = ce->conn; }
     }
     if (!conn) {
-        DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "db_sync: no direct conn to %016llx, dropping", (unsigned long long)node_id);
+        DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync: send DROP — no direct conn to %04llX (hash=%016llx, type=%02x)",
+                   (unsigned long long)(node_id >> 16), hash, plen > 0 ? payload[0] : 0);
         queue_entry_free(entry);
         return -1;
     }
@@ -596,10 +598,14 @@ static void db_handle_error(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uin
     const char* what = (p[0] == DB_ERR_NOT_FOUND) ? "NOT_FOUND" :
                        (p[0] == DB_ERR_DISABLED)  ? "DISABLED" : "UNKNOWN";
     DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC,
-                "db_sync: ERROR from %016llx code=%u (%s) tbl=%s hash=%016llx",
-                (unsigned long long)src, p[0], what, SI_TBL(si), (unsigned long long)si->hash);
+                "sync [%s:%04llX] ← ERROR: code=%u (%s) — peer rejected our sync",
+                SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), p[0], what);
     struct SI_PEER* sp = si_peer_find(si, src);
-    if (sp) sp->sync_state = 0;
+    if (sp) {
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← ERROR: reset sync_state 2→0, synced_pos stays at %u",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), sp->synced_pos);
+        sp->sync_state = 0;
+    }
 }
 
 static void db_handle_init_sync(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint8_t* p, size_t len)
@@ -607,9 +613,15 @@ static void db_handle_init_sync(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
     if (len < 4) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "INIT_SYNC too short %zu from %016llx", len, (unsigned long long)src); return; }
     uint32_t pc = *(uint32_t*)p;
     uint32_t mc = db_count(si);
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "INIT_SYNC from=%016llx peer_cnt=%u my_cnt=%u tbl=%s → tp_offset=%u", (unsigned long long)src, pc, mc, SI_TBL(si), (pc < mc ? pc : mc));
     uint32_t tp = (pc < mc ? pc : mc);
     if (tp > 0) tp--;
+    uint64_t my_ch8_at_tp = 0;
+    if (mc > 0) db_chain_hash8_at(si, tp, &my_ch8_at_tp);
+    uint32_t min_pow2 = tp;
+    int sparse_cnt = 0;
+    { uint32_t s = 0; for (; s < 16; s++) { if (min_pow2 < (1u << s)) break; sparse_cnt++; } }
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← INIT_SYNC: peer=%u my=%u → tp=%u my_ch8_at_tp=%016llX, dispatching INIT_RESP (~%d sparse)",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), pc, mc, tp, my_ch8_at_tp, sparse_cnt);
 
     uint8_t resp[4096];
     uint32_t off = 0;
@@ -636,7 +648,6 @@ static void db_handle_init_sync(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
     }
     resp[sp] = (uint8_t)scnt;
     db_sync_send(si, src, resp, off);
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "INIT_RESP to %016llx tp=%u sparse=%d", (unsigned long long)src, tp, scnt);
 }
 
 static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint8_t* p, size_t len)
@@ -652,11 +663,11 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
 
     if (peer_ch8 == 0 && sc == 0) {
         uint32_t mc = db_count(si);
-        DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "→ peer empty, sending all %u records", mc);
         uint32_t batches = (mc + DB_SEND_DATA_MAX - 1) / DB_SEND_DATA_MAX;
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "peer %016llx empty, sending all %u records in %u batches",
-                   (unsigned long long)src, mc, batches);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← INIT_RESP: peer empty (0 records) — I'm the source, sending all %u records in %u batches",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), mc, batches);
         uint32_t sent = 0;
+        int batch_nr = 0;
         while (sent < mc) {
             uint32_t b = mc - sent; if (b > DB_SEND_DATA_MAX) b = DB_SEND_DATA_MAX;
             uint8_t sdbuf[8192];
@@ -665,6 +676,7 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
             memcpy(sdbuf + off, &sent, 4); off += 4;
             uint16_t rc = 0;
             uint16_t* rcp = (uint16_t*)(sdbuf + off); off += 2;
+            batch_nr++;
 
             sqlite3_stmt* stmt;
             si_prep(si, &stmt,
@@ -697,6 +709,8 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
             *rcp = rc;
             sent += rc;
             db_sync_send(si, src, sdbuf, off);
+            DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → SEND DATA: %u records from pos=%u (batch %d/%u, %u/%u sent)",
+                       SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), rc, sent - rc, batch_nr, batches, sent, mc);
             if (rc == 0) break;
         }
         return;
@@ -707,9 +721,12 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
         struct SI_PEER* sp = si_peer_find(si, src);
         uint32_t tail = tp + 1;
         if (mc > tail) {
-            DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "ch8 match at tp=%u my_mc=%u — sending tail [%u,%u) to %016llx",
-                       tp, mc, tail, mc, (unsigned long long)src);
+            DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← INIT_RESP: tp=%u hash MATCH (%016llX=%016llX) — chains agree up to %u, sending tail [%u..%u)",
+                       SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), tp, my_ch8, peer_ch8, tp, tail, mc);
             uint32_t sent = tail;
+            int btch = 0;
+            uint32_t tail_total = mc - tail;
+            uint32_t tail_batches = (tail_total + DB_SEND_DATA_MAX - 1) / DB_SEND_DATA_MAX;
             while (sent < mc) {
                 uint32_t b = mc - sent; if (b > DB_SEND_DATA_MAX) b = DB_SEND_DATA_MAX;
                 uint8_t sdbuf[8192];
@@ -718,6 +735,7 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
                 memcpy(sdbuf + off, &sent, 4); off += 4;
                 uint16_t rc = 0;
                 uint16_t* rcp = (uint16_t*)(sdbuf + off); off += 2;
+                btch++;
                 sqlite3_stmt* stmt;
                 si_prep(si, &stmt,
                         "SELECT id,timestamp,node_id,data,author_signature"
@@ -748,12 +766,14 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
                 *rcp = rc;
                 sent += rc;
                 db_sync_send(si, src, sdbuf, off);
+                DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → SEND DATA: %u records from pos=%u (batch %d/%u, %u/%u sent)",
+                           SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), rc, sent - rc, btch, tail_batches, sent - tail, tail_total);
                 if (rc == 0) break;
             }
         }
         if (sp) { sp->synced_pos = tp; sp->sync_state = 2; }
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync complete with %016llx tp=%u my_mc=%u",
-                   (unsigned long long)src, tp, mc);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← INIT_RESP: tp=%u hash MATCH — both have %u records, nothing to send → synced_pos=%u",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), tp, mc, tp);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -769,7 +789,8 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
         }
         spr += 12;
     }
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "divergence with %016llx range [%u,%u]", (unsigned long long)src, ds, de);
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← INIT_RESP: tp=%u hashes DIFFER (my=%016llX vs peer=%016llX) — sparse check: matched up to pos=%u, diverged from pos=%u → range [%u..%u]",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), tp, my_ch8, peer_ch8, ds > 0 ? ds - 1 : 0, de, ds, de);
 
     if (de - ds <= 1) {
         uint8_t ref[512];
@@ -779,6 +800,8 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
         memcpy(ref + roff, &de, 4); roff += 4;
         ref[roff++] = 0;
         db_sync_send(si, src, ref, roff);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → REFINE: range [%u..%u] small enough — requesting data directly",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), ds, de);
     } else {
         uint8_t ref[512];
         uint32_t roff = 0;
@@ -788,15 +811,19 @@ static void db_handle_init_resp(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
         uint32_t rng = de - ds;
         uint8_t cnt = rng < DB_REFINE_HASHES ? (uint8_t)rng : DB_REFINE_HASHES;
         ref[roff++] = cnt;
+        uint64_t first_id = 0, last_id = 0; int chk_cnt = 0;
         for (uint8_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
             uint32_t pos = ds + (rng * i / cnt);
             uint64_t ch8;
             if (db_chain_hash8_at(si, pos, &ch8) == 0) {
                 memcpy(ref + roff, &pos, 4); roff += 4;
                 memcpy(ref + roff, &ch8, 8); roff += 8;
+                if (chk_cnt == 0) first_id = pos; last_id = pos; chk_cnt++;
             }
         }
         db_sync_send(si, src, ref, roff);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → REFINE: probing range [%u..%u] (%u records) with %u checkpoints [%u..%u]",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), ds, de, de - ds, chk_cnt, (uint32_t)first_id, (uint32_t)last_id);
     }
 }
 
@@ -844,6 +871,8 @@ static void si_send_data_batch(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t dst, uint32
 
     *rcp = rc;
     db_sync_send(si, dst, buf, off);
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → SEND DATA: %u records from pos=%u",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(dst >> 16), rc, from);
     if (allocated_buf) u_free(buf);
 }
 
@@ -856,24 +885,32 @@ static void db_handle_refine(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const ui
     DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "from=%016llx range=[%u..%u] hc=%d", (unsigned long long)src, from, to, hc);
 
     if (hc == 0) {
-        DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "→ hc=0, sending data batch from %u", from);
         uint32_t mc = db_count(si);
         uint32_t scnt = (to - from + 1) < DB_SEND_DATA_MAX ? (to - from + 1) : DB_SEND_DATA_MAX;
-        if (from >= mc) return;
+        if (from >= mc) {
+            DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← REFINE: from=%u >= my_count=%u — peer asked for data beyond our range, ignoring",
+                       SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), from, mc);
+            return;
+        }
         si_send_data_batch(si, src, from, scnt, 1);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← REFINE: range narrowed to single pos → sending %u records from pos=%u",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), scnt, from);
         return;
     }
 
     uint32_t fm = to + 1;
     const uint8_t* hp = p + 9;
+    uint32_t last_match = from, first_diff = to + 1;
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < hc && hp + 12 <= p + len; i++) {
         uint32_t pos = *(uint32_t*)hp;
         uint64_t pch8 = *(uint64_t*)(hp + 4);
         uint64_t mch8;
         if (db_chain_hash8_at(si, pos, &mch8) == 0 && mch8 == pch8) {
             if (pos >= from && pos + 1 < fm) fm = pos + 1;
+            if (pos > last_match) last_match = pos;
         } else {
             if (pos < fm) fm = pos;
+            if (pos < first_diff) first_diff = pos;
         }
         hp += 12;
     }
@@ -881,7 +918,8 @@ static void db_handle_refine(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const ui
     uint32_t scnt = 4;
     if (fm > to || fm >= mc) scnt = 0;
     si_send_data_batch(si, src, fm, scnt, 0);
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "SEND_DATA to %016llx from=%u count=%u", (unsigned long long)src, fm, scnt);
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← REFINE: range [%u..%u] %u checkpoints → last MATCH at pos=%u, first DIFF at pos=%u → sending %u records from pos=%u",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), from, to, hc, last_match, first_diff, scnt, fm);
 }
 
 // ---- Parse one record from SEND_DATA/PUSH wire format ----
@@ -915,24 +953,28 @@ static int si_parse_record(const uint8_t** pp, const uint8_t* end,
 
 static void db_handle_send_data(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint8_t* p, size_t len)
 {
-    if (len < 6) return;
+    if (len < 6) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← SEND_DATA: truncated len=%zu (need >=6)", SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), len); return; }
     uint32_t from  = *(uint32_t*)p;
     uint16_t count = *(uint16_t*)(p + 4);
     DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "from=%016llx from=%u count=%u", (unsigned long long)src, from, count);
     const uint8_t* ptr = p + 6;
 
     struct SI_PEER* sp = si_peer_find(si, src);
-    uint32_t fix_from = sp ? sp->synced_pos : 0;
-    uint16_t received = 0;
+    uint32_t old_synced_pos = sp ? sp->synced_pos : 0;
+    uint32_t fix_from = old_synced_pos;
+    uint16_t received = 0, parse_fails = 0, duplicates = 0, bad_sigs = 0;
+    uint64_t first_id = 0, last_id = 0;
 
     for (uint16_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
         uint64_t rid, rts, rauthor;
         uint32_t rdlen;
         const uint8_t* rdata, *rsig;
         int rsiglen;
-        if (si_parse_record(&ptr, p + len, &rid, &rts, &rauthor, &rdlen, &rdata, &rsig, &rsiglen) != 0) break;
+        if (si_parse_record(&ptr, p + len, &rid, &rts, &rauthor, &rdlen, &rdata, &rsig, &rsiglen) != 0) { parse_fails++; break; }
         int ret = db_record_insert(si, rid, rts, rauthor, (const char*)rdata, rdlen, rsig, 0);
-        if (ret >= 0) received++;
+        if (ret >= 0) { if (received == 0) first_id = rid; last_id = rid; received++; }
+        if (ret == 1) duplicates++;
+        if (ret == -2) bad_sigs++;
         if (ret == 0 && si->on_insert)
             si->on_insert(si, rts, (const char*)rdata, rdlen, src, si->on_insert_arg);
     }
@@ -944,17 +986,40 @@ static void db_handle_send_data(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
     uint32_t mc = db_count(si);
     uint32_t pk = from + received;
 
+    if (received > 0) {
+        uint16_t dropped = count - received - parse_fails;
+        const char* extra = "";
+        char extra_buf[128] = "";
+        if (duplicates || bad_sigs || parse_fails || dropped) {
+            int pos = 0;
+            if (duplicates) pos += snprintf(extra_buf + pos, sizeof(extra_buf) - (size_t)pos, "%u dup", duplicates);
+            if (bad_sigs)   pos += snprintf(extra_buf + pos, sizeof(extra_buf) - (size_t)pos, "%s%u bad_sig", pos ? ", " : "", bad_sigs);
+            if (parse_fails)pos += snprintf(extra_buf + pos, sizeof(extra_buf) - (size_t)pos, "%s%u parse_err", pos ? ", " : "", parse_fails);
+            if (dropped)    pos += snprintf(extra_buf + pos, sizeof(extra_buf) - (size_t)pos, "%s%u unk", pos ? ", " : "", dropped);
+            extra = extra_buf;
+        }
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← DATA: from=%u count=%u → inserted %u records [id=%llu..%llu]%s%s, cascade from %u, synced_pos %u→%u",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), from, count, received,
+                   (unsigned long long)first_id, (unsigned long long)last_id,
+                   extra[0] ? " (" : "", extra,
+                   fix_from, old_synced_pos, sp ? sp->synced_pos : 0);
+    } else if (count > 0) {
+        DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← DATA: from=%u count=%u → inserted 0 records (%u dup, %u bad_sig, %u parse_err) — everything rejected",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), from, count, duplicates, bad_sigs, parse_fails);
+    }
+
     if (mc > pk && sp && sp->sync_state == 1) {
         uint32_t scnt = mc - pk; if (scnt > DB_SEND_DATA_MAX) scnt = DB_SEND_DATA_MAX;
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "db_sync SEND_DATA batch: %u records [%u..%u/%u] → still %u remaining",
-                   received, from, from + received - 1, mc, mc - pk);
         si_send_data_batch(si, src, pk, scnt, 1);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → DATA: requesting next %u records from pos=%u (%u remaining behind)",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), scnt, pk, mc - pk);
     } else if (mc > pk) {
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "db_sync SEND_DATA batch: %u records [%u..%u/%u] — stopping (state=%d)",
-                   received, from, from + received - 1, mc, sp ? sp->sync_state : -1);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← DATA: got %u records [%u..%u] but %u remaining — peer stopped sending (sync_state=%d)",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), received, from, from + received - 1, mc - pk,
+                   sp ? sp->sync_state : -1);
     } else {
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "db_sync SEND_DATA batch: %u records [%u..%u/%u] — all caught up (state=%d)",
-                   received, from, from + received - 1, mc, sp ? sp->sync_state : -1);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← DATA: all caught up at %u records — verifying final state",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), mc);
     }
 
     uint32_t nc = db_count(si);
@@ -966,14 +1031,13 @@ static void db_handle_send_data(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
     memcpy(sd + 5, &lch8, 8);
     db_sync_send(si, src, sd, 13);
     if (sp) sp->sync_state = 2;
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC,
-               "received %u/%u records from %016llx range=[%u,%u] → SYNC_DONE nc=%u ch8=%016llx",
-               received, count, (unsigned long long)src, from, from + received - 1, nc, (unsigned long long)lch8);
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → SYNC_DONE: count=%u last_ch8=%016llX — confirming sync complete",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), nc, lch8);
 }
 
 static void db_handle_sync_done(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint8_t* p, size_t len)
 {
-    if (len < 12) return;
+    if (len < 12) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← SYNC_DONE: truncated len=%zu (need >=12)", SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), len); return; }
     uint32_t pc = *(uint32_t*)p;
     uint64_t pch8; memcpy(&pch8, p + 4, 8);
     uint32_t mc = db_count(si);
@@ -985,30 +1049,33 @@ static void db_handle_sync_done(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
 
     if (mc != pc || mch8 != pch8) {
         struct SI_PEER* sp = si_peer_find(si, src);
+        uint32_t old_spos = sp ? sp->synced_pos : 0;
+        uint8_t old_retry = sp ? sp->sync_retry_count : 0;
         if (sp) sp->sync_retry_count++;
         if (sp && sp->sync_retry_count > 3) {
             DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC,
-                       "SYNC_DONE mismatch retry limit exceeded (%u/3) with %016llx — giving up",
-                       sp->sync_retry_count, (unsigned long long)src);
+                       "sync [%s:%04llX] ← SYNC_DONE: mismatch retry limit (%u/3) — giving up, accepting partial sync synced_pos %u→%u",
+                       SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), sp->sync_retry_count, old_spos, (mc > 0) ? mc - 1 : 0);
             sp->sync_state = 2; sp->synced_pos = (mc > 0) ? mc - 1 : 0;
             return;
         }
         DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC,
-                   "SYNC_DONE mismatch with %016llx my_count=%u peer_count=%u my_ch8=%016llx peer_ch8=%016llx — re-initiating (retry %u/3)",
-                   (unsigned long long)src, mc, pc, (unsigned long long)mch8, (unsigned long long)pch8,
-                   sp ? sp->sync_retry_count : 0);
+                   "sync [%s:%04llX] ← SYNC_DONE: MISMATCH my=%u/%016llX vs peer=%u/%016llX, synced_pos %u stays — re-initiating (retry %u→%u/3)",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), mc, mch8, pc, pch8, old_spos,
+                   old_retry, sp ? sp->sync_retry_count : 0);
         db_sync_initiate_sync(si, src);
         return;
     }
     struct SI_PEER* sp = si_peer_find(si, src);
+    uint32_t old_spos = sp ? sp->synced_pos : 0;
     if (sp) { sp->synced_pos = (mc > 0) ? mc - 1 : 0; sp->sync_state = 2; sp->sync_retry_count = 0; }
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync confirmed with %016llx count=%u ch8=%016llx",
-               (unsigned long long)src, mc, (unsigned long long)mch8);
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← SYNC_DONE: counts match (%u=%u), hashes match (%016llX=%016llX) ✓ synced_pos %u→%u",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), mc, pc, mch8, pch8, old_spos, mc > 0 ? mc - 1 : 0);
 }
 
 static void db_handle_ack_push(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint8_t* p, size_t len)
 {
-    if (len < 16) return;
+    if (len < 16) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← PUSH ACK: truncated len=%zu (need >=16)", SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), len); return; }
     uint64_t ts     = *(uint64_t*)p;
     uint64_t author = *(uint64_t*)(p + 8);
     DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "from=%016llx ts=%llu author=%016llx", (unsigned long long)src, (unsigned long long)ts, (unsigned long long)author);
@@ -1026,15 +1093,15 @@ static void db_handle_ack_push(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const
         int changed = sqlite3_changes(SI_DB(si));
         sqlite3_finalize(stmt);
         if (changed > 0)
-            DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "ACK_PUSH mark sent author=%016llx ts=%llu from %016llx",
-                       (unsigned long long)author, (unsigned long long)ts, (unsigned long long)src);
+            DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← PUSH ACK: ts=%llu — delivery confirmed by peer",
+                       SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), (unsigned long long)ts);
     }
     si_delivery_update(si, ts, author, src);
 }
 
 static void db_handle_push(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint8_t* p, size_t len)
 {
-    if (len < 30) return;
+    if (len < 30) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← PUSH: truncated len=%zu (need >=30)", SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), len); return; }
     const uint8_t* ptr = p;
     uint64_t rid, rts, rauthor;
     uint32_t rdlen;
@@ -1046,8 +1113,9 @@ static void db_handle_push(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint
     int ret = db_record_insert(si, rid, rts, rauthor, (const char*)rdata, rdlen, rsig, 0);
     if (ret == 0) {
         uint32_t ins_pos = si_find_pos(si, rts, rsig);
+        int adj_count = 0;
         for (int j = 0; j < si->peer_count; j++) {
-            if (si->peers[j].synced_pos >= ins_pos) si->peers[j].synced_pos = ins_pos > 0 ? ins_pos - 1 : 0;
+            if (si->peers[j].synced_pos >= ins_pos) { si->peers[j].synced_pos = ins_pos > 0 ? ins_pos - 1 : 0; adj_count++; }
         }
         if (si->on_insert) si->on_insert(si, rts, (const char*)rdata, rdlen, src, si->on_insert_arg);
         uint8_t ack[17];
@@ -1055,8 +1123,13 @@ static void db_handle_push(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t src, const uint
         memcpy(ack + 1, &rts, 8);
         memcpy(ack + 9, &rauthor, 8);
         db_sync_send(si, src, ack, 17);
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "PUSH inserted from %016llx id=%llu author=%016llx ts=%llu",
-                   (unsigned long long)src, (unsigned long long)rid, (unsigned long long)rauthor, (unsigned long long)rts);
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] ← PUSH: msg id=%llu author=%016llX ts=%llu → inserted at pos=%u (of %u total), ACK sent",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(src >> 16),
+                   (unsigned long long)rid, (unsigned long long)rauthor, (unsigned long long)rts, ins_pos, db_count(si));
+        if (adj_count > 0 && ins_pos < db_count(si) - 1) {
+            DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:----] PUSH: inserted at pos=%u NOT at tail → reset synced_pos of %d peers from ≥%u back to %u",
+                       SI_SHRT(si), ins_pos, adj_count, ins_pos, ins_pos > 0 ? ins_pos - 1 : 0);
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -1124,7 +1197,8 @@ static void db_sync_recv_cb(struct ETCP_CONN* conn, struct ll_entry* entry)
     case DB_MSG_SYNC_DONE: DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "→ handle SYNC_DONE"); db_handle_sync_done(si, src, payload, plen); break;
     case DB_MSG_ERROR:     DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "→ handle ERROR");     db_handle_error(si, src, payload, plen);     break;
     default:
-        DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "unknown msg type 0x%02x from %016llx", type, (unsigned long long)src);
+        DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync: unknown msg type 0x%02x from %04llX (hash=%016llx) — dropped",
+                   type, (unsigned long long)(src >> 16), hash);
         break;
     }
     queue_dgram_free(entry);
@@ -1165,24 +1239,24 @@ static void db_sync_on_conn_up(struct ETCP_CONN* conn, void* arg)
     DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "peer=%016llx init=%d links=%d", (unsigned long long)pid, conn->initialized, conn->links_up);
 
     db->last_connected_tb = get_time_tb();
-    int synced = 0, skipped_state = 0, skipped_not_ready = 0, skipped_no_edkey = 0;
+    int synced = 0;
+    char tbl_list[256] = "";
     for (int i = 0; i < db->instance_count; i++) {
         struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si = &db->instances[i];
         if (!si->enabled) continue;
         struct SI_PEER* p = si_peer_add(si, pid);
         if (!p) continue;
-        if (p->sync_state != 0) { skipped_state++; continue; }
-        if (!conn->initialized || !conn->links_up) { skipped_not_ready++; continue; }
-        { uint8_t ek[32]; if (db_get_ed25519_pubkey(db, pid, ek) != 0) { skipped_no_edkey++; continue; } }
+        if (p->sync_state != 0) continue;
+        if (!conn->initialized || !conn->links_up) continue;
+        { uint8_t ek[32]; if (db_get_ed25519_pubkey(db, pid, ek) != 0) continue; }
         p->sync_state = 1; p->sync_retry_count = 0;
         db_sync_initiate_sync(si, pid);
         synced++;
+        if (tbl_list[0]) { size_t tl = strlen(tbl_list); snprintf(tbl_list + tl, sizeof(tbl_list) - tl, ",%s", SI_SHRT(si)); }
+        else snprintf(tbl_list, sizeof(tbl_list), "%s", SI_SHRT(si));
     }
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC,
-               "conn_up peer=%016llx init=%d links=%d instances=%d synced=%d skipped_state=%d skipped_not_ready=%d skipped_no_edkey=%d tbls=[%s]",
-               (unsigned long long)pid, conn->initialized, conn->links_up,
-               db->instance_count, synced, skipped_state, skipped_not_ready, skipped_no_edkey,
-               (synced > 0 && db->instance_count > 0) ? db->instances[0].table_name : "none");
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync: CONN UP peer=%04llX → %d tables: [%s] — initiating sync for %d",
+               (unsigned long long)(pid >> 16), db->instance_count, synced > 0 ? tbl_list : "none", synced);
 }
 
 static void db_sync_on_conn_down(struct ETCP_CONN* conn, void* arg)
@@ -1208,7 +1282,8 @@ static void db_sync_on_conn_down(struct ETCP_CONN* conn, void* arg)
     }
 cd_done:
     if (!any) db->last_connected_tb = 0;
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "peer down %016llx", (unsigned long long)pid);
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync: CONN DOWN peer=%04llX → reset sync state for %d tables",
+               (unsigned long long)(pid >> 16), db->instance_count);
 }
 
 // ============================================================
@@ -1226,7 +1301,8 @@ static void db_sync_initiate_sync(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, uint64_t pid)
     msg[0] = DB_MSG_INIT_SYNC;
     memcpy(msg + 1, &mc, 4);
     db_sync_send(si, pid, msg, 5);
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "INIT_SYNC → %016llx my=%u tbl=%s", (unsigned long long)pid, mc, SI_TBL(si));
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:%04llX] → sent INIT_SYNC: my_count=%u — \"let's compare chains\"",
+               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(pid >> 16), mc);
 }
 
 static void db_verify_chain(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si)
@@ -1286,6 +1362,7 @@ static void db_sync_peer_check_cb(void* arg)
     }
 
     int total_synced = 0, total_skipped = 0, any_peers = 0;
+    char launched_list[256] = "";
     for (int i = 0; i < db->instance_count; i++) {
         struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si = &db->instances[i];
         if (!si->enabled) continue;
@@ -1313,6 +1390,10 @@ static void db_sync_peer_check_cb(void* arg)
             uint8_t ek[32];
             if (db_get_ed25519_pubkey(db, best->node_id, ek) == 0) {
                 best->sync_state = 1; db_sync_initiate_sync(si, best->node_id); total_synced++;
+                { size_t tl = strlen(launched_list);
+                  snprintf(launched_list + tl, sizeof(launched_list) - tl,
+                           "%s%s:%04llX[sp=%u]", tl ? "," : "",
+                           SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(best->node_id >> 16), min_pos); }
             } else {
                 DEBUG_DEBUG(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "peer_check skip peer=%016llx — no Ed25519 pubkey yet", (unsigned long long)best->node_id);
                 best = NULL; total_skipped++;
@@ -1331,18 +1412,18 @@ static void db_sync_peer_check_cb(void* arg)
                 struct SI_PEER* p = &si->peers[j];
                 if (p->sync_state == 1 && p->sync_start_tb > 0 && now - p->sync_start_tb > to_tb) {
                     DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC,
-                               "db_sync: no response for peer=%016llx tbl=%s elapsed=%llu ms, resetting sync_state",
-                               (unsigned long long)p->node_id, SI_TBL(si),
-                               (unsigned long long)((now - p->sync_start_tb) / 10));
+                               "sync [%s:%04llX] TIMEOUT: no response for %llu ms, sync_state 1→0 (synced_pos was %u)",
+                               SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)(p->node_id >> 16),
+                               (unsigned long long)((now - p->sync_start_tb) / 10), p->synced_pos);
                     p->sync_state = 0;
                 }
             }
         }
     }
 
-    if (any_peers) {
-        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "peer_check: instances=%d synced=%d skipped=%d",
-                   db->instance_count, total_synced, total_skipped);
+    if (total_synced > 0) {
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync: PEER CHECK → %d tables, launched sync for %d: %s",
+                   db->instance_count, total_synced, launched_list);
     }
 
     db->peer_check_timer = uasync_set_timeout(db->inst->ua, DB_SYNC_PEER_CHECK_INTERVAL * 10000u,
@@ -1592,10 +1673,9 @@ int db_sync_insert_signed(struct DB_SYNC_INSTANCE* si, const char* json_data, si
                 { si_delivery_update(si, ts, author_node_id, si->peers[i].node_id); push_count++; }
         }
     }
-    DEBUG_TRACE(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "→ pushed to %d synced peers", push_count);
-
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "insert id=%llu author=%016llx ts=%llu len=%zu",
-               (unsigned long long)id, (unsigned long long)author_node_id, (unsigned long long)ts, len);
+    if (push_count > 0)
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_DB_SYNC, "sync [%s:ME--] → PUSH out: new msg id=%llu ts=%llu → forwarded to %d synced peers",
+                   SI_SHRT(si), (unsigned long long)id, (unsigned long long)ts, push_count);
     return 0;
 }