diff --git a/docs/cli_commands.md b/docs/cli_commands.md
index 920c0fd7..c838fd10 100644
--- a/docs/cli_commands.md
+++ b/docs/cli_commands.md
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ This document provides an overview of CLI commands that can be sent to MeshCore
 - If a full failure has no row yet, it first seeds the row at the active retry cutoff + `2.5 dB`, then applies the `0.25 dB` penalty.
 - Serial CLI page size is fixed at `128` rows; choose page with `get recent.repeater <page>`.
 - Over LoRa remote CLI, page size is fixed at `7` rows; choose page with `get recent.repeater <page>`.
+- Repeaters can use adjacent entries in this table to short-circuit non-TRACE direct packets when this node appears later in the direct path.
 
 ---
 
@@ -801,6 +802,8 @@ This document provides an overview of CLI commands that can be sent to MeshCore
 
 **Default:** `2` for `rooftop`, `1` for `infra` and `mobile`
 
+**Note:** Prefixes in `flood.retry.ignore` do not count toward this path length.
+
 ---
 
 #### View or change whether advert packets are flood-retried
@@ -900,6 +903,30 @@ This document provides an overview of CLI commands that can be sent to MeshCore
 
 ---
 
+#### View or set direct path overrides for the current remote client
+**Usage:**
+- `get outpath`
+- `set outpath <hop1_hex,hop2_hex,...>`
+- `set outpath clear`
+- `set outpath flood`
+- `get altpath`
+- `set altpath <hop1_hex,hop2_hex,...>`
+- `set altpath clear`
+
+**Parameters:**
+- `hopN_hex`: Hop hash, `2`, `4`, or `6` hex characters. All hops must use the same width.
+
+**Notes:**
+- These commands require remote client context; they target the caller's ACL entry.
+- The path hash size is inferred from the hop hash width.
+- `outpath` overrides the primary direct route used for replies to the caller.
+- `clear` forgets the current direct path and allows normal path discovery to repopulate it.
+- `flood` forces replies to use flood packets until the client logs in again.
+- `altpath` is an optional second direct route used for duplicate response attempts.
+- `set altpath clear` removes the duplicate route so only one reply is sent.
+
+---
+
 #### View or change this room server's 'read-only' flag
 **Usage:**
 - `get allow.read.only`
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
index d8e72cde..5071eb8c 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -529,6 +529,64 @@ void MyMesh::sendFloodReply(mesh::Packet* packet, unsigned long delay_millis, ui
   }
 }
 
+static bool pathsEqual(const uint8_t* a, uint8_t a_len, const uint8_t* b, uint8_t b_len) {
+  if (a == NULL || b == NULL || a_len != b_len || !mesh::Packet::isValidPathLen(a_len)) return false;
+
+  uint8_t hash_count = a_len & 63;
+  uint8_t hash_size = (a_len >> 6) + 1;
+  return memcmp(a, b, hash_count * hash_size) == 0;
+}
+
+static bool hasUsablePath(const uint8_t* path, uint8_t path_len) {
+  return path != NULL && mesh::Packet::isValidPathLen(path_len) && (path_len & 63) > 0;
+}
+
+mesh::Packet* MyMesh::createPacketCopy(const mesh::Packet* packet, const char* caller) {
+  if (packet == NULL) return NULL;
+
+  mesh::Packet* copy = obtainNewPacket();
+  if (copy == NULL) {
+    MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("%s %s: error, packet pool empty", getLogDateTime(), caller);
+    return NULL;
+  }
+  *copy = *packet;
+  return copy;
+}
+
+mesh::Packet* MyMesh::createAltPathCopy(const mesh::Packet* packet,
+                                        const uint8_t* primary_path, uint8_t primary_path_len,
+                                        const uint8_t* alt_path, uint8_t alt_path_len) {
+  if (!hasUsablePath(alt_path, alt_path_len)) return NULL;
+  if (hasUsablePath(primary_path, primary_path_len) && pathsEqual(primary_path, primary_path_len, alt_path, alt_path_len)) {
+    return NULL;
+  }
+  return createPacketCopy(packet, "MyMesh::createAltPathCopy()");
+}
+
+void MyMesh::sendFloodReplyWithAltPath(mesh::Packet* packet,
+                                       const uint8_t* direct_path, uint8_t direct_path_len,
+                                       const uint8_t* alt_path, uint8_t alt_path_len,
+                                       unsigned long delay_millis, uint8_t path_hash_size) {
+  mesh::Packet* direct = hasUsablePath(direct_path, direct_path_len)
+      ? createPacketCopy(packet, "MyMesh::sendFloodReplyWithAltPath(direct)")
+      : NULL;
+  mesh::Packet* alt = createAltPathCopy(packet, direct_path, direct_path_len, alt_path, alt_path_len);
+
+  sendFloodReply(packet, delay_millis, path_hash_size);
+  if (direct) sendDirect(direct, direct_path, direct_path_len, delay_millis);
+  if (alt) sendDirect(alt, alt_path, alt_path_len, delay_millis);
+}
+
+void MyMesh::sendDirectWithAltPath(mesh::Packet* packet,
+                                   const uint8_t* path, uint8_t path_len,
+                                   const uint8_t* alt_path, uint8_t alt_path_len,
+                                   uint32_t delay_millis) {
+  mesh::Packet* alt = createAltPathCopy(packet, path, path_len, alt_path, alt_path_len);
+
+  sendDirect(packet, path, path_len, delay_millis);
+  if (alt) sendDirect(alt, alt_path, alt_path_len, delay_millis);
+}
+
 bool MyMesh::allowPacketForward(const mesh::Packet *packet) {
   if (_prefs.disable_fwd) return false;
 
@@ -849,6 +907,54 @@ bool MyMesh::allowDirectRetry(const mesh::Packet* packet, const uint8_t* next_ho
 
   return true;
 }
+bool MyMesh::maybeShortCircuitDirect(mesh::Packet* packet) {
+  if (packet == NULL || !packet->isRouteDirect() || packet->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_TRACE) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t hash_count = packet->getPathHashCount();
+  uint8_t hash_size = packet->getPathHashSize();
+  if (hash_count < 2 || hash_size == 0 || hash_size > MAX_ROUTE_HASH_BYTES) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // Normal direct forwarding handles the first path entry. Short-circuit only when we are later in the route.
+  int self_idx = -1;
+  for (uint8_t i = 1; i < hash_count; i++) {
+    if (self_id.isHashMatch(&packet->path[i * hash_size], hash_size)) {
+      self_idx = i;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  if (self_idx < 0) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const SimpleMeshTables* tables = (const SimpleMeshTables*)getTables();
+  bool adjacent_recent = false;
+  if (self_idx > 0
+      && tables->findRecentRepeaterByHash(&packet->path[(self_idx - 1) * hash_size], hash_size) != NULL) {
+    adjacent_recent = true;
+  }
+  if (!adjacent_recent && self_idx + 1 < hash_count
+      && tables->findRecentRepeaterByHash(&packet->path[(self_idx + 1) * hash_size], hash_size) != NULL) {
+    adjacent_recent = true;
+  }
+  if (!adjacent_recent) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t remaining = hash_count - (uint8_t)self_idx;
+  memmove(packet->path, &packet->path[self_idx * hash_size], remaining * hash_size);
+  packet->setPathHashCount(remaining);
+
+  MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("%s direct short-circuit (type=%d, original_hop=%d, remaining_hops=%d)",
+                     getLogDateTime(),
+                     (uint32_t)packet->getPayloadType(),
+                     self_idx + 1,
+                     (uint32_t)remaining);
+  return true;
+}
 uint8_t MyMesh::getDirectRetryCodingRateForSNR(int8_t snr_x4) const {
   if (_prefs.direct_retry_cr4_snr_x4 == 0
       && _prefs.direct_retry_cr5_snr_x4 == 0
@@ -992,6 +1098,31 @@ bool MyMesh::floodRetryPrefixIgnored(const uint8_t* prefix, uint8_t prefix_len)
   }
   return false;
 }
+uint8_t MyMesh::floodRetryEffectivePathLength(const mesh::Packet* packet, uint8_t max_hops) const {
+  if (packet == NULL || !packet->isRouteFlood() || packet->getPathHashCount() == 0) {
+    return 0;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t hash_size = packet->getPathHashSize();
+  if (hash_size == 0 || hash_size > MAX_ROUTE_HASH_BYTES) {
+    return packet->getPathHashCount();
+  }
+
+  uint8_t hop_count = packet->getPathHashCount();
+  if (max_hops < hop_count) {
+    hop_count = max_hops;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t effective_len = 0;
+  const uint8_t* path = packet->path;
+  for (uint8_t hop = 0; hop < hop_count; hop++) {
+    if (!floodRetryPrefixIgnored(path, hash_size)) {
+      effective_len++;
+    }
+    path += hash_size;
+  }
+  return effective_len;
+}
 bool MyMesh::floodRetryPrefixFresh(const uint8_t* prefix, uint8_t prefix_len) const {
   const auto* recent = ((const SimpleMeshTables *)getTables())->findRecentRepeaterByHash(prefix, prefix_len);
   if (recent == NULL || recent->last_heard_millis == 0) {
@@ -1413,7 +1544,15 @@ uint8_t MyMesh::getFloodRetryMaxPathLength(const mesh::Packet* packet) const {
   if (gate == FLOOD_RETRY_PATH_GATE_DISABLED) {
     return FLOOD_RETRY_PATH_GATE_DISABLED;
   }
-  return gate <= 63 ? gate : 2;
+  if (gate > 63) {
+    gate = 2;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t raw_hops = packet != NULL ? packet->getPathHashCount() : 0;
+  uint8_t effective_hops = floodRetryEffectivePathLength(packet);
+  uint8_t ignored_hops = raw_hops > effective_hops ? raw_hops - effective_hops : 0;
+  uint16_t adjusted_gate = (uint16_t)gate + ignored_hops;
+  return adjusted_gate > 63 ? 63 : (uint8_t)adjusted_gate;
 }
 uint8_t MyMesh::getFloodRetryMaxAttempts(const mesh::Packet* packet) const {
   if (_prefs.disable_fwd) {
@@ -1447,7 +1586,7 @@ bool MyMesh::isFloodRetryEchoTarget(const mesh::Packet* packet, uint8_t progress
   if (hasFloodRetryPrefixes()) {
     return floodRetryLastHopMatches(packet);
   }
-  if (packet->getPathHashCount() <= progress_marker) {
+  if (floodRetryEffectivePathLength(packet) <= floodRetryEffectivePathLength(packet, progress_marker)) {
     return false;
   }
   return true;
@@ -1607,13 +1746,22 @@ void MyMesh::onPeerDataRecv(mesh::Packet *packet, uint8_t type, int sender_idx,
         // let this sender know path TO here, so they can use sendDirect(), and ALSO encode the response
         mesh::Packet *path = createPathReturn(client->id, secret, packet->path, packet->path_len,
                                               PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE, reply_data, reply_len);
-        if (path) sendFloodReply(path, SERVER_RESPONSE_DELAY, packet->getPathHashSize());
+        if (path) {
+          if (hasUsablePath(client->out_path, client->out_path_len)) {
+            sendFloodReplyWithAltPath(path, client->out_path, client->out_path_len,
+                                      client->alt_path, client->alt_path_len,
+                                      SERVER_RESPONSE_DELAY, packet->getPathHashSize());
+          } else {
+            sendFloodReply(path, SERVER_RESPONSE_DELAY, packet->getPathHashSize());
+          }
+        }
       } else {
         mesh::Packet *reply =
             createDatagram(PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE, client->id, secret, reply_data, reply_len);
         if (reply) {
-          if (client->out_path_len != OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN) { // we have an out_path, so send DIRECT
-            sendDirect(reply, client->out_path, client->out_path_len, SERVER_RESPONSE_DELAY);
+          if (hasUsablePath(client->out_path, client->out_path_len)) { // we have an out_path, so send DIRECT
+            sendDirectWithAltPath(reply, client->out_path, client->out_path_len,
+                                  client->alt_path, client->alt_path_len, SERVER_RESPONSE_DELAY);
           } else {
             sendFloodReply(reply, SERVER_RESPONSE_DELAY, packet->getPathHashSize());
           }
@@ -1645,10 +1793,11 @@ void MyMesh::onPeerDataRecv(mesh::Packet *packet, uint8_t type, int sender_idx,
 
         mesh::Packet *ack = createAck(ack_hash);
         if (ack) {
-          if (client->out_path_len == OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN) {
-            sendFloodReply(ack, TXT_ACK_DELAY, packet->getPathHashSize());
+          if (hasUsablePath(client->out_path, client->out_path_len)) {
+            sendDirectWithAltPath(ack, client->out_path, client->out_path_len,
+                                  client->alt_path, client->alt_path_len, TXT_ACK_DELAY);
           } else {
-            sendDirect(ack, client->out_path, client->out_path_len, TXT_ACK_DELAY);
+            sendFloodReply(ack, TXT_ACK_DELAY, packet->getPathHashSize());
           }
         }
       }
@@ -1659,7 +1808,7 @@ void MyMesh::onPeerDataRecv(mesh::Packet *packet, uint8_t type, int sender_idx,
       if (is_retry) {
         *reply = 0;
       } else {
-        handleCommand(sender_timestamp, command, reply);
+        handleCommand(sender_timestamp, client, command, reply);
       }
       int text_len = strlen(reply);
       if (text_len > 0) {
@@ -1673,10 +1822,11 @@ void MyMesh::onPeerDataRecv(mesh::Packet *packet, uint8_t type, int sender_idx,
 
         auto reply = createDatagram(PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG, client->id, secret, temp, 5 + text_len);
         if (reply) {
-          if (client->out_path_len == OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN) {
-            sendFloodReply(reply, CLI_REPLY_DELAY_MILLIS, packet->getPathHashSize());
+          if (hasUsablePath(client->out_path, client->out_path_len)) {
+            sendDirectWithAltPath(reply, client->out_path, client->out_path_len,
+                                  client->alt_path, client->alt_path_len, CLI_REPLY_DELAY_MILLIS);
           } else {
-            sendDirect(reply, client->out_path, client->out_path_len, CLI_REPLY_DELAY_MILLIS);
+            sendFloodReply(reply, CLI_REPLY_DELAY_MILLIS, packet->getPathHashSize());
           }
         }
       }
@@ -1696,7 +1846,9 @@ bool MyMesh::onPeerPathRecv(mesh::Packet *packet, int sender_idx, const uint8_t
     auto client = acl.getClientByIdx(i);
 
     // store a copy of path, for sendDirect()
-    client->out_path_len = mesh::Packet::copyPath(client->out_path, path, path_len);
+    if (client->out_path_len != OUT_PATH_FORCE_FLOOD) {
+      client->out_path_len = mesh::Packet::copyPath(client->out_path, path, path_len);
+    }
     client->last_activity = getRTCClock()->getCurrentTime();
   } else {
     MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("onPeerPathRecv: invalid peer idx: %d", i);
@@ -2127,7 +2279,100 @@ void MyMesh::clearStats() {
   ((SimpleMeshTables *)getTables())->resetStats();
 }
 
-void MyMesh::handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, char *command, char *reply) {
+static char* trimSpaces(char* s) {
+  while (*s == ' ') s++;
+  char* end = s + strlen(s);
+  while (end > s && end[-1] == ' ') end--;
+  *end = 0;
+  return s;
+}
+
+static bool parsePathCommand(char* raw, uint8_t* out_path, uint8_t& out_path_len, const char*& err) {
+  if (raw == NULL || out_path == NULL) {
+    err = "Err - bad params";
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  char* spec = trimSpaces(raw);
+  if (*spec == 0) {
+    err = "Err - missing path";
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (strcmp(spec, "clear") == 0 || strcmp(spec, "-") == 0 || strcmp(spec, "none") == 0) {
+    out_path_len = OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN;
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (strcmp(spec, "flood") == 0) {
+    out_path_len = OUT_PATH_FORCE_FLOOD;
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t hash_size = 0;
+  uint8_t hop_count = 0;
+  char* token = spec;
+  while (token && *token) {
+    char* comma = strchr(token, ',');
+    if (comma) *comma = 0;
+    token = trimSpaces(token);
+
+    int hex_len = strlen(token);
+    if (!(hex_len == 2 || hex_len == 4 || hex_len == 6)) {
+      err = "Err - each hop must be 1/2/3 bytes hex";
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    uint8_t hop_hash_size = (uint8_t)(hex_len / 2);
+    if (hash_size == 0) {
+      hash_size = hop_hash_size;
+    } else if (hash_size != hop_hash_size) {
+      err = "Err - mixed hash sizes in path";
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    if (hop_count >= 63 || (hop_count + 1) * hash_size > MAX_PATH_SIZE) {
+      err = "Err - path too long";
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (!mesh::Utils::fromHex(&out_path[hop_count * hash_size], hash_size, token)) {
+      err = "Err - bad hex";
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    hop_count++;
+    token = comma ? comma + 1 : NULL;
+  }
+
+  if (hash_size == 0 || hop_count == 0) {
+    err = "Err - missing path";
+    return false;
+  }
+  out_path_len = ((hash_size - 1) << 6) | (hop_count & 63);
+  return true;
+}
+
+static void formatPathReply(const uint8_t* path, uint8_t path_len, char* out, size_t out_len) {
+  if (path_len == OUT_PATH_FORCE_FLOOD) {
+    snprintf(out, out_len, "> flood");
+    return;
+  }
+  if (path_len == OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN) {
+    snprintf(out, out_len, "> unknown");
+    return;
+  }
+  if (!mesh::Packet::isValidPathLen(path_len)) {
+    snprintf(out, out_len, "> invalid");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  uint8_t hash_size = (path_len >> 6) + 1;
+  uint8_t hop_count = path_len & 63;
+  uint8_t byte_len = hop_count * hash_size;
+  char hex[(MAX_PATH_SIZE * 2) + 1];
+  mesh::Utils::toHex(hex, path, byte_len);
+  snprintf(out, out_len, "> hs=%u hops=%u hex=%s", (uint32_t)hash_size, (uint32_t)hop_count, hex);
+}
+
+void MyMesh::handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, ClientInfo* sender, char *command, char *reply) {
   if (region_load_active) {
     if (StrHelper::isBlank(command)) {  // empty/blank line, signal to terminate 'load' operation
       region_map = temp_map;  // copy over the temp instance as new current map
@@ -2204,6 +2449,53 @@ void MyMesh::handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, char *command, char *reply
       Serial.printf("\n");
     }
     reply[0] = 0;
+  } else if (strcmp(command, "get outpath") == 0
+          || strcmp(command, "set outpath") == 0
+          || strncmp(command, "set outpath ", 12) == 0
+          || strcmp(command, "get altpath") == 0
+          || strcmp(command, "set altpath") == 0
+          || strncmp(command, "set altpath ", 12) == 0) {
+    bool is_get = strncmp(command, "get ", 4) == 0;
+    bool is_alt = strstr(command, "altpath") != NULL;
+    if (sender == NULL) {
+      strcpy(reply, "Err - command needs remote client context");
+    } else if (is_get) {
+      formatPathReply(is_alt ? sender->alt_path : sender->out_path,
+                      is_alt ? sender->alt_path_len : sender->out_path_len,
+                      reply, 160);
+    } else {
+      char* spec = command + 11;  // length of "set outpath"/"set altpath"
+      if (*spec == ' ') spec++;
+
+      uint8_t path[MAX_PATH_SIZE];
+      uint8_t path_len = OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN;
+      const char* err = NULL;
+      if (!parsePathCommand(spec, path, path_len, err)) {
+        strcpy(reply, err ? err : "Err - invalid path");
+      } else if (is_alt && path_len == OUT_PATH_FORCE_FLOOD) {
+        strcpy(reply, "Err - bad params");
+      } else {
+        if (is_alt) {
+          if (path_len == OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN) {
+            memset(sender->alt_path, 0, sizeof(sender->alt_path));
+            sender->alt_path_len = OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN;
+          } else {
+            sender->alt_path_len = mesh::Packet::copyPath(sender->alt_path, path, path_len);
+          }
+        } else {
+          if (path_len == OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN || path_len == OUT_PATH_FORCE_FLOOD) {
+            memset(sender->out_path, 0, sizeof(sender->out_path));
+            sender->out_path_len = path_len;
+          } else {
+            sender->out_path_len = mesh::Packet::copyPath(sender->out_path, path, path_len);
+          }
+        }
+        dirty_contacts_expiry = futureMillis(LAZY_CONTACTS_WRITE_DELAY);
+        formatPathReply(is_alt ? sender->alt_path : sender->out_path,
+                        is_alt ? sender->alt_path_len : sender->out_path_len,
+                        reply, 160);
+      }
+    }
   } else if (strncmp(command, "get recent.repeater", 19) == 0
           || strncmp(command, "set recent.repeater", 19) == 0
           || strncmp(command, "clear recent.repeater", 21) == 0
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
index 73f80556..0e6c5f70 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
   bool floodRetryPrefixMatches(const mesh::Packet* packet) const;
   bool floodRetryLastHopMatches(const mesh::Packet* packet) const;
   bool floodRetryPrefixIgnored(const uint8_t* prefix, uint8_t prefix_len) const;
+  uint8_t floodRetryEffectivePathLength(const mesh::Packet* packet, uint8_t max_hops = 0xFF) const;
   bool floodRetryPrefixFresh(const uint8_t* prefix, uint8_t prefix_len) const;
   int floodRetryBucketForPrefix(const uint8_t* prefix, uint8_t prefix_len, bool require_fresh,
                                 bool include_other) const;
@@ -184,6 +185,7 @@ protected:
   uint32_t getDirectRetransmitDelay(const mesh::Packet* packet) override;
   uint8_t getDefaultTxCodingRate() const override { return active_cr; }
   bool allowDirectRetry(const mesh::Packet* packet, const uint8_t* next_hop_hash, uint8_t next_hop_hash_len) const override;
+  bool maybeShortCircuitDirect(mesh::Packet* packet) override;
   void configureDirectRetryPacket(mesh::Packet* retry, const mesh::Packet* original, uint8_t retry_attempt) override;
   uint32_t getDirectRetryEchoDelay(const mesh::Packet* packet) const override;
   uint8_t getDirectRetryMaxAttempts(const mesh::Packet* packet) const override;
@@ -223,6 +225,18 @@ protected:
   void onControlDataRecv(mesh::Packet* packet) override;
 
   void sendFloodReply(mesh::Packet* packet, unsigned long delay_millis, uint8_t path_hash_size);
+  mesh::Packet* createPacketCopy(const mesh::Packet* packet, const char* caller);
+  mesh::Packet* createAltPathCopy(const mesh::Packet* packet,
+                                  const uint8_t* primary_path, uint8_t primary_path_len,
+                                  const uint8_t* alt_path, uint8_t alt_path_len);
+  void sendFloodReplyWithAltPath(mesh::Packet* packet,
+                                 const uint8_t* direct_path, uint8_t direct_path_len,
+                                 const uint8_t* alt_path, uint8_t alt_path_len,
+                                 unsigned long delay_millis, uint8_t path_hash_size);
+  void sendDirectWithAltPath(mesh::Packet* packet,
+                             const uint8_t* path, uint8_t path_len,
+                             const uint8_t* alt_path, uint8_t alt_path_len,
+                             uint32_t delay_millis);
 
 public:
   MyMesh(mesh::MainBoard& board, mesh::Radio& radio, mesh::MillisecondClock& ms, mesh::RNG& rng, mesh::RTCClock& rtc, mesh::MeshTables& tables);
@@ -272,7 +286,10 @@ public:
   void saveIdentity(const mesh::LocalIdentity& new_id) override;
   void clearStats() override;
 
-  void handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, char* command, char* reply);
+  void handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, ClientInfo* sender, char* command, char* reply);
+  void handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, char* command, char* reply) {
+    handleCommand(sender_timestamp, NULL, command, reply);
+  }
   void loop();
 
 #if defined(WITH_BRIDGE)
diff --git a/src/Mesh.cpp b/src/Mesh.cpp
index 941c71a1..8b088b31 100644
--- a/src/Mesh.cpp
+++ b/src/Mesh.cpp
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ DispatcherAction Mesh::onRecvPacket(Packet* pkt) {
       }
     }
 
-    if (self_id.isHashMatch(pkt->path, pkt->getPathHashSize()) && allowPacketForward(pkt)) {
+    if ((self_id.isHashMatch(pkt->path, pkt->getPathHashSize()) || maybeShortCircuitDirect(pkt)) && allowPacketForward(pkt)) {
       if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_MULTIPART) {
         return forwardMultipartDirect(pkt);
       } else if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_ACK) {
diff --git a/src/Mesh.h b/src/Mesh.h
index 3f86653e..483d4826 100644
--- a/src/Mesh.h
+++ b/src/Mesh.h
@@ -135,6 +135,11 @@ protected:
    */
   virtual bool allowDirectRetry(const Packet* packet, const uint8_t* next_hop_hash, uint8_t next_hop_hash_len) const;
 
+  /**
+   * \brief  Allow subclasses to rewrite a non-TRACE DIRECT packet path when this node can safely skip ahead.
+   */
+  virtual bool maybeShortCircuitDirect(Packet* packet) { return false; }
+
   /**
    * \returns  milliseconds to wait for the next-hop echo before queueing one retry of the DIRECT packet.
    */
diff --git a/src/helpers/ClientACL.cpp b/src/helpers/ClientACL.cpp
index 12823827..1d880823 100644
--- a/src/helpers/ClientACL.cpp
+++ b/src/helpers/ClientACL.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #include "ClientACL.h"
 
+static const uint8_t CONTACT_RECORD_VERSION_ALT_PATH = 1;
+
 static File openWrite(FILESYSTEM* _fs, const char* filename) {
   #if defined(NRF52_PLATFORM) || defined(STM32_PLATFORM)
     _fs->remove(filename);
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ void ClientACL::load(FILESYSTEM* fs, const mesh::LocalIdentity& self_id) {
         uint8_t unused[2];
 
         memset(&c, 0, sizeof(c));
+        c.alt_path_len = OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN;
 
         bool success = (file.read(pub_key, 32) == 32);
         success = success && (file.read((uint8_t *) &c.permissions, 1) == 1);
@@ -36,6 +39,10 @@ void ClientACL::load(FILESYSTEM* fs, const mesh::LocalIdentity& self_id) {
         success = success && (file.read((uint8_t *)&c.out_path_len, 1) == 1);
         success = success && (file.read(c.out_path, 64) == 64);
         success = success && (file.read(c.shared_secret, PUB_KEY_SIZE) == PUB_KEY_SIZE); // will be recalculated below
+        if (success && unused[0] >= CONTACT_RECORD_VERSION_ALT_PATH) {
+          success = success && (file.read((uint8_t *)&c.alt_path_len, 1) == 1);
+          success = success && (file.read(c.alt_path, 64) == 64);
+        }
 
         if (!success) break; // EOF
 
@@ -57,7 +64,8 @@ void ClientACL::save(FILESYSTEM* fs, bool (*filter)(ClientInfo*)) {
   File file = openWrite(_fs, "/s_contacts");
   if (file) {
     uint8_t unused[2];
-    memset(unused, 0, sizeof(unused));
+    unused[0] = CONTACT_RECORD_VERSION_ALT_PATH;
+    unused[1] = 0;
 
     for (int i = 0; i < num_clients; i++) {
       auto c = &clients[i];
@@ -70,6 +78,8 @@ void ClientACL::save(FILESYSTEM* fs, bool (*filter)(ClientInfo*)) {
       success = success && (file.write((uint8_t *)&c->out_path_len, 1) == 1);
       success = success && (file.write(c->out_path, 64) == 64);
       success = success && (file.write(c->shared_secret, PUB_KEY_SIZE) == PUB_KEY_SIZE);
+      success = success && (file.write((uint8_t *)&c->alt_path_len, 1) == 1);
+      success = success && (file.write(c->alt_path, 64) == 64);
 
       if (!success) break; // write failed
     }
@@ -115,6 +125,7 @@ ClientInfo* ClientACL::putClient(const mesh::Identity& id, uint8_t init_perms) {
   c->permissions = init_perms;
   c->id = id;
   c->out_path_len = OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN;
+  c->alt_path_len = OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN;
   return c;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/helpers/ClientACL.h b/src/helpers/ClientACL.h
index b758f706..356574de 100644
--- a/src/helpers/ClientACL.h
+++ b/src/helpers/ClientACL.h
@@ -10,13 +10,16 @@
 #define PERM_ACL_READ_WRITE    2
 #define PERM_ACL_ADMIN         3
 
-#define OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN  0xFF
+#define OUT_PATH_FORCE_FLOOD  0xFE
+#define OUT_PATH_UNKNOWN      0xFF
 
 struct ClientInfo {
   mesh::Identity id;
   uint8_t permissions;
   uint8_t out_path_len;
   uint8_t out_path[MAX_PATH_SIZE];
+  uint8_t alt_path_len;
+  uint8_t alt_path[MAX_PATH_SIZE];
   uint8_t shared_secret[PUB_KEY_SIZE];
   uint32_t last_timestamp;   // by THEIR clock  (transient)
   uint32_t last_activity;    // by OUR clock    (transient)