diff --git a/db/queries/queries.sql b/db/queries/queries.sql
index ea02609..29900b1 100644
--- a/db/queries/queries.sql
+++ b/db/queries/queries.sql
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ SELECT * FROM channels ORDER BY last_seen DESC LIMIT $1;
 
 -- name: GetChannelsByHash :many
 -- Returns all channels for a given hash (may be multiple on hash collision).
-SELECT * FROM channels WHERE channel_hash = $1 ORDER BY last_seen DESC;
+SELECT * FROM channels WHERE channel_hash = $1 ORDER BY last_seen DESC LIMIT $2;
 
 -- name: GetChannelByHashAndFingerprint :one
 SELECT * FROM channels WHERE channel_hash = $1 AND key_fingerprint = $2;
@@ -253,20 +253,35 @@ SELECT * FROM channels WHERE channel_hash = $1 AND key_fingerprint = $2;
 -- name: GetChannelByHashtag :one
 SELECT * FROM channels WHERE hashtag = $1;
 
+-- name: GetChannelByID :one
+SELECT * FROM channels WHERE id = $1;
+
+
 -- ============================================================
 -- CHANNEL MESSAGES
 -- ============================================================
 
 -- name: InsertChannelMessage :exec
-INSERT INTO channel_messages (channel_id, packet_hash, sender_name, sender_pubkey, content, sent_at)
-VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6)
+INSERT INTO channel_messages (channel_id, packet_hash, sender_name, content, sent_at)
+VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5)
 ON CONFLICT (packet_hash) DO NOTHING;
 
 -- name: ListChannelMessages :many
-SELECT * FROM channel_messages
-WHERE channel_id = $1
-  AND ($2::timestamptz IS NULL OR sent_at >= $2)
-ORDER BY sent_at DESC
+SELECT cm.*, encode(p.packet_hash, 'hex') as packet_hash_hex, c.channel_hash
+FROM channel_messages cm
+JOIN packets p ON p.packet_hash = cm.packet_hash
+JOIN channels c ON c.id = cm.channel_id
+WHERE cm.channel_id = $1
+  AND ($2::timestamptz IS NULL OR cm.sent_at >= $2)
+ORDER BY cm.sent_at DESC
+LIMIT $3;
+
+-- name: ListChannelMessagesByHash :many
+SELECT cm.*, c.channel_hash FROM channel_messages cm
+JOIN channels c ON c.id = cm.channel_id
+WHERE c.channel_hash = $1
+  AND ($2::timestamptz IS NULL OR cm.sent_at >= $2)
+ORDER BY cm.sent_at DESC
 LIMIT $3;
 
 -- ============================================================
diff --git a/db/sqlc/queries.sql.go b/db/sqlc/queries.sql.go
index 7e42f30..eb9beab 100644
--- a/db/sqlc/queries.sql.go
+++ b/db/sqlc/queries.sql.go
@@ -63,13 +63,41 @@ func (q *Queries) GetChannelByHashtag(ctx context.Context, hashtag *string) (Cha
 	return i, err
 }
 
-const getChannelsByHash = `-- name: GetChannelsByHash :many
-SELECT id, channel_hash, key_fingerprint, name, hashtag, is_hashtag, is_public, key_known, first_seen, last_seen, message_count FROM channels WHERE channel_hash = $1 ORDER BY last_seen DESC
+const getChannelByID = `-- name: GetChannelByID :one
+SELECT id, channel_hash, key_fingerprint, name, hashtag, is_hashtag, is_public, key_known, first_seen, last_seen, message_count FROM channels WHERE id = $1
 `
 
+func (q *Queries) GetChannelByID(ctx context.Context, id int32) (Channel, error) {
+	row := q.db.QueryRow(ctx, getChannelByID, id)
+	var i Channel
+	err := row.Scan(
+		&i.ID,
+		&i.ChannelHash,
+		&i.KeyFingerprint,
+		&i.Name,
+		&i.Hashtag,
+		&i.IsHashtag,
+		&i.IsPublic,
+		&i.KeyKnown,
+		&i.FirstSeen,
+		&i.LastSeen,
+		&i.MessageCount,
+	)
+	return i, err
+}
+
+const getChannelsByHash = `-- name: GetChannelsByHash :many
+SELECT id, channel_hash, key_fingerprint, name, hashtag, is_hashtag, is_public, key_known, first_seen, last_seen, message_count FROM channels WHERE channel_hash = $1 ORDER BY last_seen DESC LIMIT $2
+`
+
+type GetChannelsByHashParams struct {
+	ChannelHash []byte `json:"channel_hash"`
+	Limit       int32  `json:"limit"`
+}
+
 // Returns all channels for a given hash (may be multiple on hash collision).
-func (q *Queries) GetChannelsByHash(ctx context.Context, channelHash []byte) ([]Channel, error) {
-	rows, err := q.db.Query(ctx, getChannelsByHash, channelHash)
+func (q *Queries) GetChannelsByHash(ctx context.Context, arg GetChannelsByHashParams) ([]Channel, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.Query(ctx, getChannelsByHash, arg.ChannelHash, arg.Limit)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -411,18 +439,17 @@ func (q *Queries) GetTopNodes(ctx context.Context, arg GetTopNodesParams) ([]MvT
 
 const insertChannelMessage = `-- name: InsertChannelMessage :exec
 
-INSERT INTO channel_messages (channel_id, packet_hash, sender_name, sender_pubkey, content, sent_at)
-VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6)
+INSERT INTO channel_messages (channel_id, packet_hash, sender_name, content, sent_at)
+VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5)
 ON CONFLICT (packet_hash) DO NOTHING
 `
 
 type InsertChannelMessageParams struct {
-	ChannelID    int32              `json:"channel_id"`
-	PacketHash   []byte             `json:"packet_hash"`
-	SenderName   *string            `json:"sender_name"`
-	SenderPubkey []byte             `json:"sender_pubkey"`
-	Content      *string            `json:"content"`
-	SentAt       pgtype.Timestamptz `json:"sent_at"`
+	ChannelID  int32              `json:"channel_id"`
+	PacketHash []byte             `json:"packet_hash"`
+	SenderName *string            `json:"sender_name"`
+	Content    *string            `json:"content"`
+	SentAt     pgtype.Timestamptz `json:"sent_at"`
 }
 
 // ============================================================
@@ -433,7 +460,6 @@ func (q *Queries) InsertChannelMessage(ctx context.Context, arg InsertChannelMes
 		arg.ChannelID,
 		arg.PacketHash,
 		arg.SenderName,
-		arg.SenderPubkey,
 		arg.Content,
 		arg.SentAt,
 	)
@@ -531,10 +557,13 @@ func (q *Queries) InsertObservation(ctx context.Context, arg InsertObservationPa
 }
 
 const listChannelMessages = `-- name: ListChannelMessages :many
-SELECT id, channel_id, packet_hash, sender_name, sender_pubkey, content, sent_at FROM channel_messages
-WHERE channel_id = $1
-  AND ($2::timestamptz IS NULL OR sent_at >= $2)
-ORDER BY sent_at DESC
+SELECT cm.id, cm.channel_id, cm.packet_hash, cm.sender_name, cm.sender_pubkey, cm.content, cm.sent_at, encode(p.packet_hash, 'hex') as packet_hash_hex, c.channel_hash
+FROM channel_messages cm
+JOIN packets p ON p.packet_hash = cm.packet_hash
+JOIN channels c ON c.id = cm.channel_id
+WHERE cm.channel_id = $1
+  AND ($2::timestamptz IS NULL OR cm.sent_at >= $2)
+ORDER BY cm.sent_at DESC
 LIMIT $3
 `
 
@@ -544,15 +573,27 @@ type ListChannelMessagesParams struct {
 	Limit     int32              `json:"limit"`
 }
 
-func (q *Queries) ListChannelMessages(ctx context.Context, arg ListChannelMessagesParams) ([]ChannelMessage, error) {
+type ListChannelMessagesRow struct {
+	ID            int64              `json:"id"`
+	ChannelID     int32              `json:"channel_id"`
+	PacketHash    []byte             `json:"packet_hash"`
+	SenderName    *string            `json:"sender_name"`
+	SenderPubkey  []byte             `json:"sender_pubkey"`
+	Content       *string            `json:"content"`
+	SentAt        pgtype.Timestamptz `json:"sent_at"`
+	PacketHashHex string             `json:"packet_hash_hex"`
+	ChannelHash   []byte             `json:"channel_hash"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) ListChannelMessages(ctx context.Context, arg ListChannelMessagesParams) ([]ListChannelMessagesRow, error) {
 	rows, err := q.db.Query(ctx, listChannelMessages, arg.ChannelID, arg.Column2, arg.Limit)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	defer rows.Close()
-	items := []ChannelMessage{}
+	items := []ListChannelMessagesRow{}
 	for rows.Next() {
-		var i ChannelMessage
+		var i ListChannelMessagesRow
 		if err := rows.Scan(
 			&i.ID,
 			&i.ChannelID,
@@ -561,6 +602,63 @@ func (q *Queries) ListChannelMessages(ctx context.Context, arg ListChannelMessag
 			&i.SenderPubkey,
 			&i.Content,
 			&i.SentAt,
+			&i.PacketHashHex,
+			&i.ChannelHash,
+		); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		items = append(items, i)
+	}
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return items, nil
+}
+
+const listChannelMessagesByHash = `-- name: ListChannelMessagesByHash :many
+SELECT cm.id, cm.channel_id, cm.packet_hash, cm.sender_name, cm.sender_pubkey, cm.content, cm.sent_at, c.channel_hash FROM channel_messages cm
+JOIN channels c ON c.id = cm.channel_id
+WHERE c.channel_hash = $1
+  AND ($2::timestamptz IS NULL OR cm.sent_at >= $2)
+ORDER BY cm.sent_at DESC
+LIMIT $3
+`
+
+type ListChannelMessagesByHashParams struct {
+	ChannelHash []byte             `json:"channel_hash"`
+	Column2     pgtype.Timestamptz `json:"column_2"`
+	Limit       int32              `json:"limit"`
+}
+
+type ListChannelMessagesByHashRow struct {
+	ID           int64              `json:"id"`
+	ChannelID    int32              `json:"channel_id"`
+	PacketHash   []byte             `json:"packet_hash"`
+	SenderName   *string            `json:"sender_name"`
+	SenderPubkey []byte             `json:"sender_pubkey"`
+	Content      *string            `json:"content"`
+	SentAt       pgtype.Timestamptz `json:"sent_at"`
+	ChannelHash  []byte             `json:"channel_hash"`
+}
+
+func (q *Queries) ListChannelMessagesByHash(ctx context.Context, arg ListChannelMessagesByHashParams) ([]ListChannelMessagesByHashRow, error) {
+	rows, err := q.db.Query(ctx, listChannelMessagesByHash, arg.ChannelHash, arg.Column2, arg.Limit)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	items := []ListChannelMessagesByHashRow{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var i ListChannelMessagesByHashRow
+		if err := rows.Scan(
+			&i.ID,
+			&i.ChannelID,
+			&i.PacketHash,
+			&i.SenderName,
+			&i.SenderPubkey,
+			&i.Content,
+			&i.SentAt,
+			&i.ChannelHash,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/db/store.go b/db/store.go
index 3fcaf24..7da812b 100644
--- a/db/store.go
+++ b/db/store.go
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ package db
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/binary"
+	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
+	"time"
 
 	sqlc "github.com/MeshCore-Tower/tower-server/db/sqlc"
 	"github.com/MeshCore-Tower/tower-server/internal/api"
@@ -32,7 +34,11 @@ func (s *Store) UpsertObserver(ctx context.Context, pubkey []byte) (uuid.UUID, s
 	if err != nil {
 		return uuid.Nil, "", err
 	}
-	return row.ID, *row.DisplayName, err
+	displayName := ""
+	if row.DisplayName != nil {
+		displayName = *row.DisplayName
+	}
+	return row.ID, displayName, err
 }
 
 // UpsertObserverBroker records that this observer was seen on brokerName.
@@ -348,3 +354,138 @@ func (s *Store) UpsertRegionIATA(ctx context.Context, regionID int32, iata strin
 		Iata:     iata,
 	})
 }
+
+// ListChannels returns a summary list of all known channels ordered by last seen.
+// Includes both hashtag-derived and explicit key channels.
+// Channels with unknown keys are included with KeyKnown=false.
+// Filters on hash if provided, this is the hex channel hash
+func (s *Store) ListChannels(ctx context.Context, limit int32, hash []byte) ([]api.ChannelSummary, error) {
+	var rows []sqlc.Channel
+	if hash != nil {
+		r, err := s.q.GetChannelsByHash(ctx, sqlc.GetChannelsByHashParams{
+			ChannelHash: hash,
+			Limit:       limit,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		rows = r
+	} else {
+		r, err := s.q.ListChannels(ctx, limit)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		rows = r
+	}
+	channels := make([]api.ChannelSummary, 0, len(rows))
+	for _, v := range rows {
+		channels = append(channels, api.ChannelSummary{
+			ID:          int(v.ID),
+			Name:        v.Name,
+			ChannelHash: hex.EncodeToString(v.ChannelHash),
+			LastSeen:    v.LastSeen.Time.Format(time.RFC3339),
+			IsHashtag:   v.IsHashtag != nil && *v.IsHashtag,
+			KeyKnown:    v.KeyKnown != nil && *v.KeyKnown,
+		})
+	}
+
+	return channels, nil
+}
+
+// GetChannel returns full detail for a single channel by its integer ID.
+// Returns nil, pgx.ErrNoRows if the channel is not found.
+func (s *Store) GetChannel(ctx context.Context, channelID int32) (*api.Channel, error) {
+	row, err := s.q.GetChannelByID(ctx, channelID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	channel := api.Channel{
+		ChannelSummary: api.ChannelSummary{
+			ID:          int(row.ID),
+			Name:        row.Name,
+			ChannelHash: hex.EncodeToString(row.ChannelHash),
+			LastSeen:    row.LastSeen.Time.Format(time.RFC3339),
+			IsHashtag:   row.IsHashtag != nil && *row.IsHashtag,
+			KeyKnown:    row.KeyKnown != nil && *row.KeyKnown,
+		},
+		Hashtag:      row.Hashtag,
+		MessageCount: 0,
+	}
+	if row.MessageCount != nil {
+		channel.MessageCount = *row.MessageCount
+	}
+	if row.IsHashtag != nil && *row.IsHashtag && row.KeyFingerprint != nil {
+		fp := hex.EncodeToString(row.KeyFingerprint)
+		channel.KeyFingerprint = &fp
+	}
+	return &channel, nil
+}
+
+// ListChannelMessages returns paginated messages for a channel identified by its integer ID.
+// Used by the /channels/{id}/messages endpoint.
+// Pass a zero time.Time for since to return all messages up to limit.
+func (s *Store) ListChannelMessages(ctx context.Context, channelID int32, since time.Time, limit int32) ([]api.ChannelMessage, error) {
+	rows, err := s.q.ListChannelMessages(ctx, sqlc.ListChannelMessagesParams{
+		ChannelID: channelID,
+		Column2:   pgtype.Timestamptz{Time: since, Valid: !since.IsZero()},
+		Limit:     limit,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	messages := make([]api.ChannelMessage, 0, len(rows))
+	for _, v := range rows {
+		senderName := ""
+		if v.SenderName != nil {
+			senderName = *v.SenderName
+		}
+		content := ""
+		if v.Content != nil {
+			content = *v.Content
+		}
+		messages = append(messages, api.ChannelMessage{
+			ID:          v.ID,
+			PacketHash:  v.PacketHashHex,
+			ChannelHash: hex.EncodeToString(v.ChannelHash),
+			SenderName:  senderName,
+			Content:     content,
+			SentAt:      v.SentAt.Time.Format(time.RFC3339),
+		})
+	}
+	return messages, nil
+}
+
+// ListChannelMessagesByHash returns paginated messages for all channels matching the given hash.
+// Used by the /messages?hash= endpoint. May return messages from multiple channels
+// if the hash collides across different keys.
+// Pass a zero time.Time for since to return all messages up to limit.
+func (s *Store) ListChannelMessagesByHash(ctx context.Context, hash []byte, since time.Time, limit int32) ([]api.ChannelMessage, error) {
+	rows, err := s.q.ListChannelMessagesByHash(ctx, sqlc.ListChannelMessagesByHashParams{
+		ChannelHash: hash,
+		Column2:     pgtype.Timestamptz{Time: since, Valid: !since.IsZero()},
+		Limit:       limit,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	messages := make([]api.ChannelMessage, 0, len(rows))
+	for _, v := range rows {
+		senderName := ""
+		if v.SenderName != nil {
+			senderName = *v.SenderName
+		}
+		content := ""
+		if v.Content != nil {
+			content = *v.Content
+		}
+		messages = append(messages, api.ChannelMessage{
+			ID:          v.ID,
+			ChannelHash: hex.EncodeToString(v.ChannelHash),
+			PacketHash:  hex.EncodeToString(v.PacketHash),
+			SenderName:  senderName,
+			Content:     content,
+			SentAt:      v.SentAt.Time.Format(time.RFC3339),
+		})
+	}
+	return messages, nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers/channels.go b/internal/api/handlers/channels.go
index e814f0a..2046119 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers/channels.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers/channels.go
@@ -1,59 +1,132 @@
 package handlers
 
 import (
+	"encoding/hex"
 	"net/http"
+	"strconv"
+	"time"
 
+	"github.com/MeshCore-Tower/tower-server/internal/api"
 	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
 )
 
 // ChannelsRouter mounts all /channels routes onto a subrouter.
 //
-// GET  /channels                             → ListChannels
-// GET  /channels/{channelHash}               → GetChannel
-// GET  /channels/{channelHash}/messages      → ListChannelMessages
-func ChannelsRouter() http.Handler {
+// GET  /channels                           → ListChannels
+// GET  /channels/{channelID}               → GetChannel
+// GET  /channels/{channelID}/messages      → ListChannelMessages
+func ChannelsRouter(reader api.Reader) http.Handler {
 	r := chi.NewRouter()
 
-	r.Get("/", ListChannels)
+	// ListChannels handles GET /api/v1/channels
+	//
+	// Query params (all optional):
+	//
+	//	hash=<hex>
+	//	limit=50
+	//	cursor=<opaque>
+	r.Get("/", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		var limit int64 = 50
+		if limitParam := r.URL.Query().Get("limit"); limitParam != "" {
+			l, err := strconv.ParseInt(limitParam, 10, 32)
+			if err != nil {
+				respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "limit must be an integer"})
+				return
+			} else {
+				limit = l
+			}
+		}
+		var channels []api.ChannelSummary
+		var err error
+		if hash := r.URL.Query().Get("hash"); hash != "" {
+			hashHex, decodeErr := hex.DecodeString(hash)
+			if decodeErr != nil {
+				respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "invalid channel hash"})
+				return
+			}
+			if len(hashHex) != 1 {
+				respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "hash must be a single hex byte"})
+				return
+			}
+			channels, err = reader.ListChannels(r.Context(), int32(limit), hashHex)
+		} else {
+			channels, err = reader.ListChannels(r.Context(), int32(limit), nil)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			respond(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, map[string]string{"error": "internal server error"})
+			return
+		}
+		respond(w, http.StatusOK, channels)
+	})
 
-	r.Route("/{channelHash}", func(r chi.Router) {
-		r.Get("/", GetChannel)
-		r.Get("/messages", ListChannelMessages)
+	r.Route("/{channelID}", func(r chi.Router) {
+		// GetChannel handles GET /api/v1/channels/{channelID}
+		//
+		// Returns channel detail including key for hashtag channels and message count.
+		// Other channel keys are server-side config; key material is never exposed via the API.
+		r.Get("/", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+			var id int64
+			if channelID := chi.URLParam(r, "channelID"); channelID != "" {
+				i, err := strconv.ParseInt(channelID, 10, 32)
+				if err != nil {
+					respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "channelID should be an int 32"})
+					return
+				}
+				id = i
+			}
+			channel, err := reader.GetChannel(r.Context(), int32(id))
+			if err != nil {
+				respond(w, http.StatusNotFound, map[string]string{"error": "channel not found"})
+				return
+			}
+			respond(w, http.StatusOK, channel)
+		})
+		// ListChannelMessages handles GET /api/v1/channels/{channelID}/messages
+		//
+		// Query params (all optional):
+		//
+		//	since=<epoch ms>
+		//	limit=50
+		//	cursor=<opaque>
+		//
+		// Returns paginated decrypted channel messages.
+		r.Get("/messages", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+			var id int64
+			if channelID := chi.URLParam(r, "channelID"); channelID != "" {
+				i, err := strconv.ParseInt(channelID, 10, 32)
+				if err != nil {
+					respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "channelID should be an int 32"})
+					return
+				}
+				id = i
+			}
+			var limit int64 = 50
+			if limitParam := r.URL.Query().Get("limit"); limitParam != "" {
+				l, err := strconv.ParseInt(limitParam, 10, 32)
+				if err != nil {
+					respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "limit must be an integer"})
+					return
+				} else {
+					limit = l
+				}
+			}
+			var since time.Time
+			if sinceParam := r.URL.Query().Get("since"); sinceParam != "" {
+				ms, err := strconv.ParseInt(sinceParam, 10, 64)
+				if err != nil {
+					respond(w, http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "since must be epoch milliseconds"})
+					return
+				}
+				since = time.UnixMilli(ms)
+			}
+			messages, err := reader.ListChannelMessages(r.Context(), int32(id), since, int32(limit))
+			if err != nil {
+				respond(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, map[string]string{"error": "internal server error"})
+				return
+			}
+			respond(w, http.StatusOK, messages)
+		})
 	})
 
 	return r
 }
-
-// ListChannels handles GET /api/v1/channels
-//
-// Query params (all optional):
-//   limit=50
-func ListChannels(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	// TODO: query channels ORDER BY last_seen DESC, write JSON response.
-	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotImplemented)
-}
-
-// GetChannel handles GET /api/v1/channels/{channelHash}
-//
-// Returns channel detail including key_known status and message count.
-// Channel keys are server-side config; key material is never exposed via the API.
-func GetChannel(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	// channelHash := chi.URLParam(r, "channelHash")
-	// TODO: fetch channel, write JSON response.
-	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotImplemented)
-}
-
-// ListChannelMessages handles GET /api/v1/channels/{channelHash}/messages
-//
-// Query params (all optional):
-//   since=<epoch ms>
-//   limit=50
-//   cursor=<opaque>
-//
-// Returns paginated decrypted channel messages. Messages where key_known=false
-// will have content=null.
-func ListChannelMessages(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	// channelHash := chi.URLParam(r, "channelHash")
-	// TODO: fetch channel_messages, paginate, write JSON response.
-	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotImplemented)
-}
diff --git a/internal/api/reader.go b/internal/api/reader.go
index 983661d..ddced6b 100644
--- a/internal/api/reader.go
+++ b/internal/api/reader.go
@@ -1,22 +1,58 @@
+// Package api defines the response types and read interface for the Tower REST API.
 package api
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"time"
 )
 
+// ChannelMessage represents a single decrypted channel message.
+// Only messages for channels with a known key are stored and returned.
+type ChannelMessage struct {
+	ID          int64  `json:"id"`
+	PacketHash  string `json:"packetHash"`  // hex-encoded packet hash for correlation with packet events
+	ChannelHash string `json:"channelHash"` // hex-encoded single-byte channel hash
+	SenderName  string `json:"senderName"`  // display name from the decrypted payload
+	Content     string `json:"content"`     // decrypted message text
+	SentAt      string `json:"sentAt"`      // RFC3339 timestamp from the packet payload
+}
+
+// ChannelSummary is the minimal channel representation used in list responses.
+type ChannelSummary struct {
+	ID          int     `json:"id"`
+	Name        *string `json:"name,omitempty"` // display name, nil if not set
+	ChannelHash string  `json:"channelHash"`    // hex-encoded single-byte hash
+	LastSeen    string  `json:"lastSeen"`       // ISO 8601 timestamp
+	IsHashtag   bool    `json:"isHashtag"`      // true if derived from a hashtag PSK
+	KeyKnown    bool    `json:"keyKnown"`       // true if Tower has a decryption key
+}
+
+// Channel is the full channel representation including decryption metadata.
+// KeyFingerprint is only populated for hashtag channels since their keys are
+// publicly derivable from the tag name.
+type Channel struct {
+	ChannelSummary
+	Hashtag        *string `json:"hashtag,omitempty"`        // tag name without # prefix
+	KeyFingerprint *string `json:"keyFingerprint,omitempty"` // first 8 bytes of SHA256(key), hex-encoded
+	MessageCount   int64   `json:"messageCount"`
+}
+
+// RegionSummary is the minimal region representation used in list responses.
 type RegionSummary struct {
 	ID   int    `json:"id"`
-	Slug string `json:"slug"`
+	Slug string `json:"slug"` // URL-safe identifier e.g. "western-canada"
 	Name string `json:"name"`
 }
 
+// Region is the full region representation including map display hints and
+// the list of IATA codes that are members of this region.
 type Region struct {
 	RegionSummary
 	Description *string  `json:"description,omitempty"`
-	CenterLat   *float64 `json:"centerLat,omitempty"`
-	CenterLng   *float64 `json:"centerLng,omitempty"`
-	ZoomLevel   *int     `json:"zoomLevel,omitempty"`
-	IATAs       []string `json:"iatas"`
+	CenterLat   *float64 `json:"centerLat,omitempty"` // map center latitude
+	CenterLng   *float64 `json:"centerLng,omitempty"` // map center longitude
+	ZoomLevel   *int     `json:"zoomLevel,omitempty"` // suggested map zoom level
+	IATAs       []string `json:"iatas"`               // member IATA codes
 }
 
 // IATA represents a known airport/location code used to group observers and packets.
@@ -42,4 +78,20 @@ type Reader interface {
 	// GetRegion returns full detail for a single region including its associated IATA codes.
 	// Returns nil, pgx.ErrNoRows if the region is not found.
 	GetRegion(ctx context.Context, regionID int32) (*Region, error)
+	// ListChannels returns a summary list of all known channels ordered by last seen.
+	// Includes both hashtag-derived and explicit key channels.
+	// Channels with unknown keys are included with KeyKnown=false.
+	ListChannels(ctx context.Context, limit int32, hash []byte) ([]ChannelSummary, error)
+	// GetChannel returns full detail for a single channel by its integer ID.
+	// Returns nil, pgx.ErrNoRows if the channel is not found.
+	GetChannel(ctx context.Context, channelID int32) (*Channel, error)
+	// ListChannelMessages returns paginated messages for a channel identified by its integer ID.
+	// Used by the /channels/{id}/messages endpoint.
+	// Pass a zero time.Time for since to return all messages up to limit.
+	ListChannelMessages(ctx context.Context, channelID int32, since time.Time, limit int32) ([]ChannelMessage, error)
+	// ListChannelMessagesByHash returns paginated messages for all channels matching the given hash.
+	// Used by the /messages?hash= endpoint. May return messages from multiple channels
+	// if the hash collides across different keys.
+	// Pass a zero time.Time for since to return all messages up to limit.
+	ListChannelMessagesByHash(ctx context.Context, hash []byte, since time.Time, limit int32) ([]ChannelMessage, error)
 }
diff --git a/internal/api/router/router.go b/internal/api/router/router.go
index 37926c6..bdae71f 100644
--- a/internal/api/router/router.go
+++ b/internal/api/router/router.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func New(h *hub.Hub, reader api.Reader) http.Handler {
 			r.Mount("/packets", handlers.PacketsRouter())
 			r.Mount("/nodes", handlers.NodesRouter())
 			r.Mount("/observers", handlers.ObserversRouter())
-			r.Mount("/channels", handlers.ChannelsRouter())
+			r.Mount("/channels", handlers.ChannelsRouter(reader))
 			r.Mount("/iatas", handlers.IATAsRouter(reader))
 			r.Mount("/regions", handlers.RegionsRouter(reader))
 			r.Mount("/stats", handlers.StatsRouter())