feat: implement packet store eviction/aging to prevent OOM (#273)

## Summary

The in-memory `PacketStore` had **no eviction or aging** — it grew
unbounded until OOM killed the process. At ~3K packets/hour and ~5KB per
packet (not the 450 bytes previously estimated), an 8GB VM would OOM in
a few days.

## Changes

### Time-based eviction
- Configurable via `config.json`: `"packetStore": { "retentionHours": 24
}`
- Packets older than the retention window are evicted from the head of
the sorted slice

### Memory-based cap
- Configurable via `"packetStore": { "maxMemoryMB": 1024 }`
- Hard ceiling — evicts oldest packets when estimated memory exceeds the
cap

### Index cleanup
When a `StoreTx` is evicted, ALL associated data is removed from:
- `byHash`, `byTxID`, `byObsID`, `byObserver`, `byNode`, `byPayloadType`
- `nodeHashes`, `distHops`, `distPaths`, `spIndex`

### Periodic execution
- Background ticker runs eviction every 60 seconds
- Analytics caches and hash size cache are invalidated after eviction

### Stats fixes
- `estimatedMB` now uses ~5KB/packet + ~500B/observation (was 430B +
200B)
- `evicted` counter reflects actual evictions (was hardcoded to 0)
- Removed fake `maxPackets: 2386092` and `maxMB: 1024` from stats

### Config example
```json
{
  "packetStore": {
    "retentionHours": 24,
    "maxMemoryMB": 1024
  }
}
```

Both values default to 0 (unlimited) for backward compatibility.

## Tests
- 7 new tests in `eviction_test.go` covering time-based, memory-based,
index cleanup, thread safety, config parsing, and no-op when disabled
- All existing tests pass unchanged

Co-authored-by: Kpa-clawbot <kpabap+clawdbot@gmail.com>

cmd/server/config.go

@@ -45,6 +45,14 @@ type Config struct {
 	CacheTTL map[string]interface{} `json:"cacheTTL"`
 
 	Retention *RetentionConfig `json:"retention,omitempty"`
+
+	PacketStore *PacketStoreConfig `json:"packetStore,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// PacketStoreConfig controls in-memory packet store limits.
+type PacketStoreConfig struct {
+	RetentionHours float64 `json:"retentionHours"` // max age of packets in hours (0 = unlimited)
+	MaxMemoryMB    int     `json:"maxMemoryMB"`     // hard memory ceiling in MB (0 = unlimited)
 }
 
 type RetentionConfig struct {

cmd/server/coverage_test.go

@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ func TestStoreQueryMultiNodePackets(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	t.Run("empty pubkeys", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ func TestIngestNewFromDB(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	initialMax := store.MaxTransmissionID()
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ func TestIngestNewFromDBv2(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDBv2(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedV2Data(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	initialMax := store.MaxTransmissionID()
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ func TestMaxTransmissionID(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	maxID := store.MaxTransmissionID()
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ func TestMaxTransmissionID(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	t.Run("empty store", func(t *testing.T) {
-		emptyStore := NewPacketStore(db)
+		emptyStore := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 		if emptyStore.MaxTransmissionID() != 0 {
 			t.Error("expected 0 for empty store")
 		}
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ func TestTransmissionsForObserverIndex(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Query packets for an observer — hits the byObserver index
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ func TestGetChannelMessagesFromStore(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Test channel should exist from seed data
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ func TestGetChannelMessagesDedupe(t *testing.T) {
 	db.conn.Exec(`INSERT INTO observations (transmission_id, observer_idx, snr, rssi, path_json, timestamp)
 		VALUES (4, 2, 9.0, -93, '[]', ?)`, epoch)
 
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	msgs, total := store.GetChannelMessages("#test", 100, 0)
@@ -692,7 +692,7 @@ func TestGetChannelsFromStore(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	channels := store.GetChannels("")
@@ -872,7 +872,7 @@ func TestPickBestObservation(t *testing.T) {
 func TestIndexByNode(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 
 	t.Run("empty decoded_json", func(t *testing.T) {
 		tx := &StoreTx{Hash: "h1"}
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ func TestPollerStartWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
 	hub := NewHub()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	poller := NewPoller(db, hub, 50*time.Millisecond)
@@ -1000,7 +1000,7 @@ func TestPerfMiddlewareSlowQuery(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 
@@ -1339,7 +1339,7 @@ func TestStoreQueryPacketsEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	t.Run("hash filter", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1654,7 +1654,7 @@ func TestStorePerfAndCacheStats(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	stats := store.GetPerfStoreStats()
@@ -1674,7 +1674,7 @@ func TestEnrichObs(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Find an observation from the loaded store
@@ -1928,7 +1928,7 @@ func TestStoreGetTimestamps(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	ts := store.GetTimestamps("2000-01-01")
@@ -1983,7 +1983,7 @@ func setupRichTestDB(t *testing.T) *DB {
 func TestStoreGetBulkHealthWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	results := store.GetBulkHealth(50, "")
@@ -2009,7 +2009,7 @@ func TestStoreGetBulkHealthWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetAnalyticsHashSizes(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.GetAnalyticsHashSizes("")
@@ -2031,7 +2031,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsHashSizes(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetAnalyticsSubpaths(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.GetAnalyticsSubpaths("", 2, 8, 100)
@@ -2048,7 +2048,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsSubpaths(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSubpathPrecomputedIndex(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// After Load(), the precomputed index must be populated.
@@ -2102,7 +2102,7 @@ func TestSubpathPrecomputedIndex(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetAnalyticsRFCacheHit(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// First call — cache miss
@@ -2128,7 +2128,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsRFCacheHit(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetAnalyticsTopology(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.GetAnalyticsTopology("")
@@ -2158,7 +2158,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsTopology(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetAnalyticsChannels(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.GetAnalyticsChannels("")
@@ -2205,7 +2205,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsChannelsNumericHash(t *testing.T) {
 	db.conn.Exec(`INSERT INTO observations (transmission_id, observer_idx, snr, rssi, path_json, timestamp)
 		VALUES (6, 1, 12.0, -88, '[]', ?)`, recentEpoch)
 
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	result := store.GetAnalyticsChannels("")
 
@@ -2250,7 +2250,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsChannelsNumericHash(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetAnalyticsDistance(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.GetAnalyticsDistance("")
@@ -2267,7 +2267,7 @@ func TestStoreGetAnalyticsDistance(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreGetSubpathDetail(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.GetSubpathDetail([]string{"aabb", "ccdd"})
@@ -2287,7 +2287,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsRFWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2318,7 +2318,7 @@ func TestHandleBulkHealthWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2338,7 +2338,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsSubpathsWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2358,7 +2358,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsSubpathDetailWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2378,7 +2378,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsDistanceWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2398,7 +2398,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsHashSizesWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2418,7 +2418,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsTopologyWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2438,7 +2438,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsChannelsWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2457,7 +2457,7 @@ func TestHandleAnalyticsChannelsWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 func TestGetChannelMessagesRichData(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	messages, total := store.GetChannelMessages("#test", 100, 0)
@@ -2502,7 +2502,7 @@ func TestHandleChannelMessagesWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2524,7 +2524,7 @@ func TestHandleChannelsWithStore(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -2556,7 +2556,7 @@ func TestStoreGetStoreStats(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	stats, err := store.GetStoreStats()
@@ -2574,7 +2574,7 @@ func TestStoreQueryGroupedPackets(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.QueryGroupedPackets(PacketQuery{Limit: 50, Order: "DESC"})
@@ -2589,7 +2589,7 @@ func TestStoreGetPacketByHash(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	pkt := store.GetPacketByHash("abc123def4567890")
@@ -2630,7 +2630,7 @@ func TestResolvePayloadTypeNameUnknown(t *testing.T) {
 func TestCacheHitTopology(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// First call — cache miss
@@ -2655,7 +2655,7 @@ func TestCacheHitTopology(t *testing.T) {
 func TestCacheHitHashSizes(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	r1 := store.GetAnalyticsHashSizes("")
@@ -2678,7 +2678,7 @@ func TestCacheHitHashSizes(t *testing.T) {
 func TestCacheHitChannels(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	r1 := store.GetAnalyticsChannels("")
@@ -2701,7 +2701,7 @@ func TestCacheHitChannels(t *testing.T) {
 func TestGetChannelMessagesEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Channel not found — empty result
@@ -2735,7 +2735,7 @@ func TestFilterPacketsEmptyRegion(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Region with no observers → empty result
@@ -2749,7 +2749,7 @@ func TestFilterPacketsSinceUntil(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Since far future → empty
@@ -2776,7 +2776,7 @@ func TestFilterPacketsHashOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Single hash fast-path — found
@@ -2796,7 +2796,7 @@ func TestFilterPacketsObserverWithType(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Observer + type filter (takes non-indexed path)
@@ -2809,7 +2809,7 @@ func TestFilterPacketsNodeFilter(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Node filter — exercises DecodedJSON containment check
@@ -2892,7 +2892,7 @@ func TestGetNodeHashSizeInfoEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
 	db.conn.Exec(`INSERT INTO observations (transmission_id, observer_idx, snr, rssi, path_json, timestamp)
 		VALUES (10, 1, 10.0, -90, '[]', ?)`, recentEpoch)
 
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	info := store.GetNodeHashSizeInfo()
 
@@ -3054,7 +3054,7 @@ func TestGetChannelMessagesDedupeRepeats(t *testing.T) {
 	db.conn.Exec(`INSERT INTO observations (transmission_id, observer_idx, snr, rssi, path_json, timestamp)
 		VALUES (3, 1, 10.0, -90, '[]', ?)`, recentEpoch)
 
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	msgs, total := store.GetChannelMessages("#general", 10, 0)
@@ -3080,7 +3080,7 @@ func TestTransmissionsForObserverFromSlice(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Test with from=nil (index path) — for non-existent observer
@@ -3100,7 +3100,7 @@ func TestTransmissionsForObserverFromSlice(t *testing.T) {
 func TestGetPerfStoreStatsPublicKeyField(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupRichTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	stats := store.GetPerfStoreStats()
@@ -3142,7 +3142,7 @@ func TestStoreGetTransmissionByID(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	pkt := store.GetTransmissionByID(1)
@@ -3162,7 +3162,7 @@ func TestStoreGetPacketByID(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Get an observation ID from the store
@@ -3194,7 +3194,7 @@ func TestStoreGetObservationsForHash(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	obs := store.GetObservationsForHash("abc123def4567890")
@@ -3366,7 +3366,7 @@ func TestIngestNewFromDBDuplicateObs(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	initialMax := store.MaxTransmissionID()
@@ -3397,7 +3397,7 @@ func TestIngestNewObservations(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	// Get initial observation count for transmission 1 (hash abc123def4567890)
@@ -3475,7 +3475,7 @@ func TestIngestNewObservationsV2(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDBv2(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedV2Data(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	tx := store.byHash["abc123def4567890"]
@@ -3546,7 +3546,7 @@ func TestHandleNodeAnalyticsNameless(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 	srv.store = store
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
@@ -3588,7 +3588,7 @@ func TestStoreQueryPacketsRegionFilter(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	result := store.QueryPackets(PacketQuery{Region: "SJC", Limit: 50, Order: "DESC"})
@@ -3676,7 +3676,7 @@ func TestGetChannelMessagesAfterIngest(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	store.Load()
 
 	initialMax := store.MaxTransmissionID()

cmd/server/eviction_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,252 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// makeTestStore creates a PacketStore with fake packets for eviction testing.
+// It does NOT use a DB — indexes are populated manually.
+func makeTestStore(count int, startTime time.Time, intervalMin int) *PacketStore {
+	store := &PacketStore{
+		packets:       make([]*StoreTx, 0, count),
+		byHash:        make(map[string]*StoreTx, count),
+		byTxID:        make(map[int]*StoreTx, count),
+		byObsID:       make(map[int]*StoreObs, count*2),
+		byObserver:    make(map[string][]*StoreObs),
+		byNode:        make(map[string][]*StoreTx),
+		nodeHashes:    make(map[string]map[string]bool),
+		byPayloadType: make(map[int][]*StoreTx),
+		spIndex:       make(map[string]int),
+		distHops:      make([]distHopRecord, 0),
+		distPaths:     make([]distPathRecord, 0),
+		rfCache:       make(map[string]*cachedResult),
+		topoCache:     make(map[string]*cachedResult),
+		hashCache:     make(map[string]*cachedResult),
+		chanCache:     make(map[string]*cachedResult),
+		distCache:     make(map[string]*cachedResult),
+		subpathCache:  make(map[string]*cachedResult),
+		rfCacheTTL:    15 * time.Second,
+	}
+
+	obsID := 1000
+	for i := 0; i < count; i++ {
+		ts := startTime.Add(time.Duration(i*intervalMin) * time.Minute)
+		hash := fmt.Sprintf("hash%04d", i)
+		txID := i + 1
+		pt := 4 // ADVERT
+		decodedJSON := fmt.Sprintf(`{"pubKey":"pk%04d"}`, i)
+
+		tx := &StoreTx{
+			ID:          txID,
+			Hash:        hash,
+			FirstSeen:   ts.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339),
+			PayloadType: &pt,
+			DecodedJSON: decodedJSON,
+			PathJSON:    `["aa","bb","cc"]`,
+		}
+
+		// Add 2 observations per tx
+		for j := 0; j < 2; j++ {
+			obsID++
+			obsIDStr := fmt.Sprintf("obs%d", j)
+			obs := &StoreObs{
+				ID:             obsID,
+				TransmissionID: txID,
+				ObserverID:     obsIDStr,
+				ObserverName:   fmt.Sprintf("Observer%d", j),
+				Timestamp:      ts.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339),
+			}
+			tx.Observations = append(tx.Observations, obs)
+			tx.ObservationCount++
+			store.byObsID[obsID] = obs
+			store.byObserver[obsIDStr] = append(store.byObserver[obsIDStr], obs)
+			store.totalObs++
+		}
+
+		store.packets = append(store.packets, tx)
+		store.byHash[hash] = tx
+		store.byTxID[txID] = tx
+		store.byPayloadType[pt] = append(store.byPayloadType[pt], tx)
+
+		// Index by node
+		pk := fmt.Sprintf("pk%04d", i)
+		if store.nodeHashes[pk] == nil {
+			store.nodeHashes[pk] = make(map[string]bool)
+		}
+		store.nodeHashes[pk][hash] = true
+		store.byNode[pk] = append(store.byNode[pk], tx)
+
+		// Add to distance index
+		store.distHops = append(store.distHops, distHopRecord{tx: tx, Hash: hash})
+		store.distPaths = append(store.distPaths, distPathRecord{tx: tx, Hash: hash})
+
+		// Subpath index
+		addTxToSubpathIndex(store.spIndex, tx)
+	}
+
+	return store
+}
+
+func TestEvictStale_TimeBasedEviction(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	// 100 packets: first 50 are 48h old, last 50 are 1h old
+	store := makeTestStore(100, now.Add(-48*time.Hour), 0)
+	// Override: set first 50 to 48h ago, last 50 to 1h ago
+	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
+		store.packets[i].FirstSeen = now.Add(-48 * time.Hour).Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+	for i := 50; i < 100; i++ {
+		store.packets[i].FirstSeen = now.Add(-1 * time.Hour).Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+
+	store.retentionHours = 24
+
+	evicted := store.EvictStale()
+	if evicted != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 50 evicted, got %d", evicted)
+	}
+	if len(store.packets) != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 50 remaining, got %d", len(store.packets))
+	}
+	if len(store.byHash) != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 50 in byHash, got %d", len(store.byHash))
+	}
+	if len(store.byTxID) != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 50 in byTxID, got %d", len(store.byTxID))
+	}
+	// 50 remaining * 2 obs each = 100 obs
+	if store.totalObs != 100 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 100 obs remaining, got %d", store.totalObs)
+	}
+	if len(store.byObsID) != 100 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 100 in byObsID, got %d", len(store.byObsID))
+	}
+	if atomic.LoadInt64(&store.evicted) != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected evicted counter=50, got %d", atomic.LoadInt64(&store.evicted))
+	}
+
+	// Verify evicted hashes are gone
+	if _, ok := store.byHash["hash0000"]; ok {
+		t.Fatal("hash0000 should have been evicted")
+	}
+	// Verify remaining hashes exist
+	if _, ok := store.byHash["hash0050"]; !ok {
+		t.Fatal("hash0050 should still exist")
+	}
+
+	// Verify distance indexes cleaned
+	if len(store.distHops) != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 50 distHops, got %d", len(store.distHops))
+	}
+	if len(store.distPaths) != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 50 distPaths, got %d", len(store.distPaths))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvictStale_NoEvictionWhenDisabled(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	store := makeTestStore(10, now.Add(-48*time.Hour), 60)
+	// No retention set (defaults to 0)
+
+	evicted := store.EvictStale()
+	if evicted != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 evicted, got %d", evicted)
+	}
+	if len(store.packets) != 10 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 10 remaining, got %d", len(store.packets))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvictStale_MemoryBasedEviction(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	// Create enough packets to exceed a small memory limit
+	// 1000 packets * 5KB + 2000 obs * 500B ≈ 6MB
+	store := makeTestStore(1000, now.Add(-1*time.Hour), 0)
+	// All packets are recent (1h old) so time-based won't trigger
+	store.retentionHours = 24
+	store.maxMemoryMB = 3 // ~3MB limit, should evict roughly half
+
+	evicted := store.EvictStale()
+	if evicted == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("expected some evictions for memory cap")
+	}
+	// After eviction, estimated memory should be <= 3MB
+	estMB := store.estimatedMemoryMB()
+	if estMB > 3.5 { // small tolerance
+		t.Fatalf("expected <=3.5MB after eviction, got %.1fMB", estMB)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvictStale_CleansNodeIndexes(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	store := makeTestStore(10, now.Add(-48*time.Hour), 0)
+	store.retentionHours = 24
+
+	// Verify node indexes exist before eviction
+	if len(store.byNode) != 10 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 10 nodes indexed, got %d", len(store.byNode))
+	}
+	if len(store.nodeHashes) != 10 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 10 nodeHashes, got %d", len(store.nodeHashes))
+	}
+
+	evicted := store.EvictStale()
+	if evicted != 10 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 10 evicted, got %d", evicted)
+	}
+
+	// All should be cleaned
+	if len(store.byNode) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 nodes, got %d", len(store.byNode))
+	}
+	if len(store.nodeHashes) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 nodeHashes, got %d", len(store.nodeHashes))
+	}
+	if len(store.byPayloadType) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 payload types, got %d", len(store.byPayloadType))
+	}
+	if len(store.byObserver) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 observers, got %d", len(store.byObserver))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvictStale_RunEvictionThreadSafe(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	store := makeTestStore(20, now.Add(-48*time.Hour), 0)
+	store.retentionHours = 24
+
+	evicted := store.RunEviction()
+	if evicted != 20 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 20 evicted, got %d", evicted)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStartEvictionTicker_NoopWhenDisabled(t *testing.T) {
+	store := &PacketStore{}
+	stop := store.StartEvictionTicker()
+	stop() // should not panic
+}
+
+func TestNewPacketStoreWithConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := &PacketStoreConfig{
+		RetentionHours: 48,
+		MaxMemoryMB:    512,
+	}
+	store := NewPacketStore(nil, cfg)
+	if store.retentionHours != 48 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected retentionHours=48, got %f", store.retentionHours)
+	}
+	if store.maxMemoryMB != 512 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected maxMemoryMB=512, got %d", store.maxMemoryMB)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewPacketStoreNilConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	store := NewPacketStore(nil, nil)
+	if store.retentionHours != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected retentionHours=0, got %f", store.retentionHours)
+	}
+}

cmd/server/main.go

@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func main() {
 	}
 
 	// In-memory packet store
-	store := NewPacketStore(database)
+	store := NewPacketStore(database, cfg.PacketStore)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("[store] failed to load: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -164,6 +164,10 @@ func main() {
 	poller.store = store
 	go poller.Start()
 
+	// Start periodic eviction
+	stopEviction := store.StartEvictionTicker()
+	defer stopEviction()
+
 	// Graceful shutdown
 	httpServer := &http.Server{
 		Addr:         fmt.Sprintf(":%d", cfg.Port),

cmd/server/parity_test.go

@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ func TestParityWSMultiObserverGolden(t *testing.T) {
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
 	hub := NewHub()
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("store load failed: %v", err)
 	}

cmd/server/routes_test.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func setupTestServer(t *testing.T) (*Server, *mux.Router) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("store.Load failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1259,7 +1259,7 @@ func TestNodeAnalyticsNoNameNode(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("store.Load failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1295,7 +1295,7 @@ func TestNodeHealthForNoNameNode(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := &Config{Port: 3000}
 	hub := NewHub()
 	srv := NewServer(db, cfg, hub)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("store.Load failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1890,7 +1890,7 @@ t.Error("hash_sizes_seen should not be set for single size")
 func TestGetNodeHashSizeInfoFlipFlop(t *testing.T) {
 db := setupTestDB(t)
 seedTestData(t, db)
-store := NewPacketStore(db)
+store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 	t.Fatalf("store.Load failed: %v", err)
 }

cmd/server/store.go

@@ -103,6 +103,11 @@ type PacketStore struct {
 	hashSizeInfoMu    sync.Mutex
 	hashSizeInfoCache map[string]*hashSizeNodeInfo
 	hashSizeInfoAt    time.Time
+
+	// Eviction config and stats
+	retentionHours float64 // 0 = unlimited
+	maxMemoryMB    int     // 0 = unlimited
+	evicted        int64   // total packets evicted
 }
 
 // Precomputed distance records for fast analytics aggregation.
@@ -143,8 +148,8 @@ type cachedResult struct {
 }
 
 // NewPacketStore creates a new empty packet store backed by db.
-func NewPacketStore(db *DB) *PacketStore {
-	return &PacketStore{
+func NewPacketStore(db *DB, cfg *PacketStoreConfig) *PacketStore {
+	ps := &PacketStore{
 		db:            db,
 		packets:       make([]*StoreTx, 0, 65536),
 		byHash:        make(map[string]*StoreTx, 65536),
@@ -163,6 +168,11 @@ func NewPacketStore(db *DB) *PacketStore {
 		rfCacheTTL:    15 * time.Second,
 		spIndex:       make(map[string]int, 4096),
 	}
+	if cfg != nil {
+		ps.retentionHours = cfg.RetentionHours
+		ps.maxMemoryMB = cfg.MaxMemoryMB
+	}
+	return ps
 }
 
 // Load reads all transmissions + observations from SQLite into memory.
@@ -293,7 +303,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) Load() error {
 
 	s.loaded = true
 	elapsed := time.Since(t0)
-	estMB := (len(s.packets)*450 + s.totalObs*100) / (1024 * 1024)
+	estMB := (len(s.packets)*5120 + s.totalObs*500) / (1024 * 1024)
 	log.Printf("[store] Loaded %d transmissions (%d observations) in %v (~%dMB est)",
 		len(s.packets), s.totalObs, elapsed, estMB)
 	return nil
@@ -542,20 +552,22 @@ func (s *PacketStore) GetPerfStoreStats() map[string]interface{} {
 	}
 	s.mu.RUnlock()
 
-	// Rough estimate: ~430 bytes per packet + ~200 per observation
-	estimatedMB := math.Round(float64(totalLoaded*430+totalObs*200)/1048576*10) / 10
+	// Realistic estimate: ~5KB per packet + ~500 bytes per observation
+	estimatedMB := math.Round(float64(totalLoaded*5120+totalObs*500)/1048576*10) / 10
+
+	evicted := atomic.LoadInt64(&s.evicted)
 
 	return map[string]interface{}{
 		"totalLoaded":       totalLoaded,
 		"totalObservations": totalObs,
-		"evicted":           0,
+		"evicted":           evicted,
 		"inserts":           atomic.LoadInt64(&s.insertCount),
 		"queries":           atomic.LoadInt64(&s.queryCount),
 		"inMemory":          totalLoaded,
 		"sqliteOnly":        false,
-		"maxPackets":        2386092,
+		"retentionHours":    s.retentionHours,
+		"maxMemoryMB":       s.maxMemoryMB,
 		"estimatedMB":       estimatedMB,
-		"maxMB":             1024,
 		"indexes": map[string]interface{}{
 			"byHash":           hashIdx,
 			"byTxID":           txIdx,
@@ -648,12 +660,12 @@ func (s *PacketStore) GetPerfStoreStatsTyped() PerfPacketStoreStats {
 	}
 	s.mu.RUnlock()
 
-	estimatedMB := math.Round(float64(totalLoaded*430+totalObs*200)/1048576*10) / 10
+	estimatedMB := math.Round(float64(totalLoaded*5120+totalObs*500)/1048576*10) / 10
 
 	return PerfPacketStoreStats{
 		TotalLoaded:       totalLoaded,
 		TotalObservations: totalObs,
-		Evicted:           0,
+		Evicted:           int(atomic.LoadInt64(&s.evicted)),
 		Inserts:           atomic.LoadInt64(&s.insertCount),
 		Queries:           atomic.LoadInt64(&s.queryCount),
 		InMemory:          totalLoaded,
@@ -1699,6 +1711,218 @@ func (s *PacketStore) buildDistanceIndex() {
 		len(s.distHops), len(s.distPaths))
 }
 
+// estimatedMemoryMB returns estimated memory usage of the packet store.
+func (s *PacketStore) estimatedMemoryMB() float64 {
+	return float64(len(s.packets)*5120+s.totalObs*500) / 1048576.0
+}
+
+// EvictStale removes packets older than the retention window and/or exceeding
+// the memory cap. Must be called with s.mu held (Lock). Returns the number of
+// packets evicted.
+func (s *PacketStore) EvictStale() int {
+	if s.retentionHours <= 0 && s.maxMemoryMB <= 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	cutoffIdx := 0
+
+	// Time-based eviction: find how many packets from the head are too old
+	if s.retentionHours > 0 {
+		cutoff := time.Now().UTC().Add(-time.Duration(s.retentionHours*3600) * time.Second).Format(time.RFC3339)
+		for cutoffIdx < len(s.packets) && s.packets[cutoffIdx].FirstSeen < cutoff {
+			cutoffIdx++
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Memory-based eviction: if still over budget, trim more from head
+	if s.maxMemoryMB > 0 {
+		for cutoffIdx < len(s.packets) && s.estimatedMemoryMB() > float64(s.maxMemoryMB) {
+			// Estimate how many more to evict: rough binary approach
+			overMB := s.estimatedMemoryMB() - float64(s.maxMemoryMB)
+			// ~5KB per packet, so overMB * 1024*1024 / 5120 packets
+			extra := int(overMB * 1048576.0 / 5120.0)
+			if extra < 100 {
+				extra = 100
+			}
+			cutoffIdx += extra
+			if cutoffIdx > len(s.packets) {
+				cutoffIdx = len(s.packets)
+			}
+			// Recalculate estimated memory with fewer packets
+			// (we haven't actually removed yet, so simulate)
+			remainingPkts := len(s.packets) - cutoffIdx
+			remainingObs := s.totalObs
+			for _, tx := range s.packets[:cutoffIdx] {
+				remainingObs -= len(tx.Observations)
+			}
+			estMB := float64(remainingPkts*5120+remainingObs*500) / 1048576.0
+			if estMB <= float64(s.maxMemoryMB) {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if cutoffIdx == 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+	if cutoffIdx > len(s.packets) {
+		cutoffIdx = len(s.packets)
+	}
+
+	evicting := s.packets[:cutoffIdx]
+	evictedObs := 0
+
+	// Remove from all indexes
+	for _, tx := range evicting {
+		delete(s.byHash, tx.Hash)
+		delete(s.byTxID, tx.ID)
+
+		// Remove observations from indexes
+		for _, obs := range tx.Observations {
+			delete(s.byObsID, obs.ID)
+			// Remove from byObserver
+			if obs.ObserverID != "" {
+				obsList := s.byObserver[obs.ObserverID]
+				for i, o := range obsList {
+					if o.ID == obs.ID {
+						s.byObserver[obs.ObserverID] = append(obsList[:i], obsList[i+1:]...)
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				if len(s.byObserver[obs.ObserverID]) == 0 {
+					delete(s.byObserver, obs.ObserverID)
+				}
+			}
+			evictedObs++
+		}
+
+		// Remove from byPayloadType
+		if tx.PayloadType != nil {
+			pt := *tx.PayloadType
+			ptList := s.byPayloadType[pt]
+			for i, t := range ptList {
+				if t.ID == tx.ID {
+					s.byPayloadType[pt] = append(ptList[:i], ptList[i+1:]...)
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if len(s.byPayloadType[pt]) == 0 {
+				delete(s.byPayloadType, pt)
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Remove from byNode and nodeHashes
+		if tx.DecodedJSON != "" {
+			var decoded map[string]interface{}
+			if json.Unmarshal([]byte(tx.DecodedJSON), &decoded) == nil {
+				for _, field := range []string{"pubKey", "destPubKey", "srcPubKey"} {
+					if v, ok := decoded[field].(string); ok && v != "" {
+						if hashes, ok := s.nodeHashes[v]; ok {
+							delete(hashes, tx.Hash)
+							if len(hashes) == 0 {
+								delete(s.nodeHashes, v)
+							}
+						}
+						// Remove tx from byNode
+						nodeList := s.byNode[v]
+						for i, t := range nodeList {
+							if t.ID == tx.ID {
+								s.byNode[v] = append(nodeList[:i], nodeList[i+1:]...)
+								break
+							}
+						}
+						if len(s.byNode[v]) == 0 {
+							delete(s.byNode, v)
+						}
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Remove from subpath index
+		removeTxFromSubpathIndex(s.spIndex, tx)
+	}
+
+	// Remove from distance indexes — filter out records referencing evicted txs
+	evictedTxSet := make(map[*StoreTx]bool, cutoffIdx)
+	for _, tx := range evicting {
+		evictedTxSet[tx] = true
+	}
+	newDistHops := s.distHops[:0]
+	for i := range s.distHops {
+		if !evictedTxSet[s.distHops[i].tx] {
+			newDistHops = append(newDistHops, s.distHops[i])
+		}
+	}
+	s.distHops = newDistHops
+
+	newDistPaths := s.distPaths[:0]
+	for i := range s.distPaths {
+		if !evictedTxSet[s.distPaths[i].tx] {
+			newDistPaths = append(newDistPaths, s.distPaths[i])
+		}
+	}
+	s.distPaths = newDistPaths
+
+	// Trim packets slice
+	n := copy(s.packets, s.packets[cutoffIdx:])
+	s.packets = s.packets[:n]
+	s.totalObs -= evictedObs
+
+	evictCount := cutoffIdx
+	atomic.AddInt64(&s.evicted, int64(evictCount))
+	freedMB := float64(evictCount*5120+evictedObs*500) / 1048576.0
+	log.Printf("[store] Evicted %d packets older than %.0fh (freed ~%.1fMB estimated)",
+		evictCount, s.retentionHours, freedMB)
+
+	// Invalidate analytics caches
+	s.cacheMu.Lock()
+	s.rfCache = make(map[string]*cachedResult)
+	s.topoCache = make(map[string]*cachedResult)
+	s.hashCache = make(map[string]*cachedResult)
+	s.chanCache = make(map[string]*cachedResult)
+	s.distCache = make(map[string]*cachedResult)
+	s.subpathCache = make(map[string]*cachedResult)
+	s.cacheMu.Unlock()
+
+	// Invalidate hash size cache
+	s.hashSizeInfoMu.Lock()
+	s.hashSizeInfoCache = nil
+	s.hashSizeInfoMu.Unlock()
+
+	return evictCount
+}
+
+// RunEviction acquires the write lock and runs eviction. Safe to call from
+// a goroutine. Returns evicted count.
+func (s *PacketStore) RunEviction() int {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.EvictStale()
+}
+
+// StartEvictionTicker starts a background goroutine that runs eviction every
+// minute. Returns a stop function.
+func (s *PacketStore) StartEvictionTicker() func() {
+	if s.retentionHours <= 0 && s.maxMemoryMB <= 0 {
+		return func() {} // no-op
+	}
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(1 * time.Minute)
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		for {
+			select {
+			case <-ticker.C:
+				s.RunEviction()
+			case <-done:
+				ticker.Stop()
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	return func() { close(done) }
+}
+
 // computeDistancesForTx computes distance records for a single transmission.
 func computeDistancesForTx(tx *StoreTx, nodeByPk map[string]*nodeInfo, repeaterSet map[string]bool, resolveHop func(string) *nodeInfo) ([]distHopRecord, *distPathRecord) {
 	pathHops := txGetParsedPath(tx)

cmd/server/websocket_test.go

@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ func TestPollerBroadcastsMultipleObservations(t *testing.T) {
 	}()
 
 	poller := NewPoller(db, hub, 50*time.Millisecond)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("store load failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ func TestIngestNewObservationsBroadcast(t *testing.T) {
 	db := setupTestDB(t)
 	defer db.Close()
 	seedTestData(t, db)
-	store := NewPacketStore(db)
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
 	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("store load failed: %v", err)
 	}