diff --git a/cmd/server/db.go b/cmd/server/db.go
index 90b1a918..99a0ff4d 100644
--- a/cmd/server/db.go
+++ b/cmd/server/db.go
@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@ import (
 
 // DB wraps a read-only connection to the MeshCore SQLite database.
 type DB struct {
-	conn *sql.DB
-	path string // filesystem path to the database file
-	isV3 bool   // v3 schema: observer_idx in observations (vs observer_id in v2)
+	conn             *sql.DB
+	path             string // filesystem path to the database file
+	isV3             bool   // v3 schema: observer_idx in observations (vs observer_id in v2)
+	hasResolvedPath  bool   // observations table has resolved_path column
 }
 
 // OpenDB opens a read-only SQLite connection with WAL mode.
@@ -61,9 +62,13 @@ func (db *DB) detectSchema() {
 		var colType sql.NullString
 		var notNull, pk int
 		var dflt sql.NullString
-		if rows.Scan(&cid, &colName, &colType, &notNull, &dflt, &pk) == nil && colName == "observer_idx" {
-			db.isV3 = true
-			return
+		if rows.Scan(&cid, &colName, &colType, &notNull, &dflt, &pk) == nil {
+			if colName == "observer_idx" {
+				db.isV3 = true
+			}
+			if colName == "resolved_path" {
+				db.hasResolvedPath = true
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/cmd/server/main.go b/cmd/server/main.go
index a1abc4f2..0aac9c73 100644
--- a/cmd/server/main.go
+++ b/cmd/server/main.go
@@ -144,6 +144,48 @@ func main() {
 		log.Fatalf("[store] failed to load: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	// Initialize persisted neighbor graph
+	dbPath = database.path
+	if err := ensureNeighborEdgesTable(dbPath); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] warning: could not create neighbor_edges table: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Add resolved_path column if missing.
+	// NOTE on startup ordering (review item #10): ensureResolvedPathColumn runs AFTER
+	// OpenDB/detectSchema, so db.hasResolvedPath will be false on first run with a
+	// pre-existing DB. This means Load() won't SELECT resolved_path from SQLite.
+	// That's OK: backfillResolvedPaths (below) computes and persists them in-memory
+	// AND to SQLite. On next restart, detectSchema finds the column and Load() reads it.
+	if err := ensureResolvedPathColumn(dbPath); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[store] warning: could not add resolved_path column: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Load or build neighbor graph
+	if neighborEdgesTableExists(database.conn) {
+		store.graph = loadNeighborEdgesFromDB(database.conn)
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] loaded persisted neighbor graph")
+	} else {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] no persisted edges found, building from store...")
+		rw, rwErr := openRW(dbPath)
+		if rwErr == nil {
+			edgeCount := buildAndPersistEdges(store, rw)
+			rw.Close()
+			log.Printf("[neighbor] persisted %d edges", edgeCount)
+		}
+		store.graph = BuildFromStore(store)
+	}
+
+	// Backfill resolved_path for observations that don't have it yet
+	if backfilled := backfillResolvedPaths(store, dbPath); backfilled > 0 {
+		log.Printf("[store] backfilled resolved_path for %d observations", backfilled)
+	}
+
+	// Re-pick best observation now that resolved paths are populated
+	store.mu.Lock()
+	for _, tx := range store.packets {
+		pickBestObservation(tx)
+	}
+	store.mu.Unlock()
+
 	// WebSocket hub
 	hub := NewHub()
 
diff --git a/cmd/server/neighbor_persist.go b/cmd/server/neighbor_persist.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..94f8dc1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/server/neighbor_persist.go
@@ -0,0 +1,531 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"database/sql"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// persistSem limits concurrent async persistence goroutines to 1.
+// Without this, each ingest cycle spawns a goroutine that opens a new
+// SQLite RW connection; under sustained load goroutines pile up with
+// no backpressure, causing contention and busy-timeout cascades.
+var persistSem = make(chan struct{}, 1)
+
+// ─── neighbor_edges table ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// ensureNeighborEdgesTable creates the neighbor_edges table if it doesn't exist.
+// Uses a separate read-write connection since the main DB is read-only.
+func ensureNeighborEdgesTable(dbPath string) error {
+	rw, err := openRW(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("open rw for neighbor_edges: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer rw.Close()
+
+	_, err = rw.Exec(`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS neighbor_edges (
+		node_a TEXT NOT NULL,
+		node_b TEXT NOT NULL,
+		count INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
+		last_seen TEXT,
+		PRIMARY KEY (node_a, node_b)
+	)`)
+	return err
+}
+
+// loadNeighborEdgesFromDB loads all edges from the neighbor_edges table
+// and builds an in-memory NeighborGraph.
+func loadNeighborEdgesFromDB(conn *sql.DB) *NeighborGraph {
+	g := NewNeighborGraph()
+
+	rows, err := conn.Query("SELECT node_a, node_b, count, last_seen FROM neighbor_edges")
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] failed to load neighbor_edges: %v", err)
+		return g
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	count := 0
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var a, b string
+		var cnt int
+		var lastSeen sql.NullString
+		if err := rows.Scan(&a, &b, &cnt, &lastSeen); err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		ts := time.Time{}
+		if lastSeen.Valid {
+			ts = parseTimestamp(lastSeen.String)
+		}
+		// Build edge directly (both nodes are full pubkeys from persisted data)
+		key := makeEdgeKey(a, b)
+		g.mu.Lock()
+		e, exists := g.edges[key]
+		if !exists {
+			e = &NeighborEdge{
+				NodeA:     key.A,
+				NodeB:     key.B,
+				Observers: make(map[string]bool),
+				FirstSeen: ts,
+				LastSeen:  ts,
+				Count:     cnt,
+			}
+			g.edges[key] = e
+			g.byNode[key.A] = append(g.byNode[key.A], e)
+			g.byNode[key.B] = append(g.byNode[key.B], e)
+		} else {
+			e.Count += cnt
+			if ts.After(e.LastSeen) {
+				e.LastSeen = ts
+			}
+		}
+		g.mu.Unlock()
+		count++
+	}
+
+	if count > 0 {
+		g.mu.Lock()
+		g.builtAt = time.Now()
+		g.mu.Unlock()
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] loaded %d edges from neighbor_edges table", count)
+	}
+
+	return g
+}
+
+// ─── shared async persistence helper ───────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// persistObsUpdate holds data for a resolved_path SQLite update.
+type persistObsUpdate struct {
+	obsID        int
+	resolvedPath string
+}
+
+// persistEdgeUpdate holds data for a neighbor_edges SQLite upsert.
+type persistEdgeUpdate struct {
+	a, b, ts string
+}
+
+// asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges writes resolved_path updates and neighbor
+// edge upserts to SQLite in a background goroutine. Shared between
+// IngestNewFromDB and IngestNewObservations to avoid DRY violation.
+func asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges(dbPath string, obsUpdates []persistObsUpdate, edgeUpdates []persistEdgeUpdate, logPrefix string) {
+	if len(obsUpdates) == 0 && len(edgeUpdates) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	// Try-acquire semaphore BEFORE spawning goroutine. If another
+	// persistence operation is already running, drop this batch —
+	// data lives in memory and will be backfilled on restart.
+	select {
+	case persistSem <- struct{}{}:
+		// Acquired — spawn goroutine to do the work.
+	default:
+		log.Printf("[store] %s skipped: persistence already in progress", logPrefix)
+		return
+	}
+	go func() {
+		defer func() { <-persistSem }()
+
+		rw, err := openRW(dbPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("[store] %s rw open error: %v", logPrefix, err)
+			return
+		}
+		defer rw.Close()
+
+		if len(obsUpdates) > 0 {
+			sqlTx, err := rw.Begin()
+			if err == nil {
+				stmt, err := sqlTx.Prepare("UPDATE observations SET resolved_path = ? WHERE id = ?")
+				if err == nil {
+					var firstErr error
+					for _, u := range obsUpdates {
+						if _, err := stmt.Exec(u.resolvedPath, u.obsID); err != nil && firstErr == nil {
+							firstErr = err
+						}
+					}
+					stmt.Close()
+					if firstErr != nil {
+						log.Printf("[store] %s resolved_path error (first): %v", logPrefix, firstErr)
+					}
+				} else {
+					log.Printf("[store] %s resolved_path prepare error: %v", logPrefix, err)
+				}
+				sqlTx.Commit()
+			}
+		}
+
+		if len(edgeUpdates) > 0 {
+			sqlTx, err := rw.Begin()
+			if err == nil {
+				stmt, err := sqlTx.Prepare(`INSERT INTO neighbor_edges (node_a, node_b, count, last_seen)
+					VALUES (?, ?, 1, ?)
+					ON CONFLICT(node_a, node_b) DO UPDATE SET
+					count = count + 1, last_seen = MAX(last_seen, excluded.last_seen)`)
+				if err == nil {
+					var firstErr error
+					for _, e := range edgeUpdates {
+						if _, err := stmt.Exec(e.a, e.b, e.ts); err != nil && firstErr == nil {
+							firstErr = err
+						}
+					}
+					stmt.Close()
+					if firstErr != nil {
+						log.Printf("[store] %s edge error (first): %v", logPrefix, firstErr)
+					}
+				} else {
+					log.Printf("[store] %s edge prepare error: %v", logPrefix, err)
+				}
+				sqlTx.Commit()
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+}
+
+// neighborEdgesTableExists checks if the neighbor_edges table has any data.
+func neighborEdgesTableExists(conn *sql.DB) bool {
+	var cnt int
+	err := conn.QueryRow("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM neighbor_edges").Scan(&cnt)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false // table doesn't exist
+	}
+	return cnt > 0
+}
+
+// buildAndPersistEdges scans all packets in the store, extracts edges per
+// ADVERT/non-ADVERT rules, and persists them to SQLite.
+func buildAndPersistEdges(store *PacketStore, rw *sql.DB) int {
+	store.mu.RLock()
+	packets := make([]*StoreTx, len(store.packets))
+	copy(packets, store.packets)
+	store.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	_, pm := store.getCachedNodesAndPM()
+
+	tx, err := rw.Begin()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] begin tx error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+	defer tx.Rollback()
+
+	stmt, err := tx.Prepare(`INSERT INTO neighbor_edges (node_a, node_b, count, last_seen)
+		VALUES (?, ?, 1, ?)
+		ON CONFLICT(node_a, node_b) DO UPDATE SET
+		count = count + 1, last_seen = MAX(last_seen, excluded.last_seen)`)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] prepare stmt error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+	defer stmt.Close()
+
+	edgeCount := 0
+	var firstErr error
+	for _, pkt := range packets {
+		for _, obs := range pkt.Observations {
+			for _, ec := range extractEdgesFromObs(obs, pkt, pm) {
+				if _, err := stmt.Exec(ec.A, ec.B, ec.Timestamp); err != nil && firstErr == nil {
+					firstErr = err
+				}
+				edgeCount++
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if firstErr != nil {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] edge exec error (first): %v", firstErr)
+	}
+
+	if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[neighbor] commit error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+	return edgeCount
+}
+
+// ─── resolved_path column ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// ensureResolvedPathColumn adds the resolved_path column to observations if missing.
+func ensureResolvedPathColumn(dbPath string) error {
+	rw, err := openRW(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer rw.Close()
+
+	// Check if column already exists
+	rows, err := rw.Query("PRAGMA table_info(observations)")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var cid int
+		var colName string
+		var colType sql.NullString
+		var notNull, pk int
+		var dflt sql.NullString
+		if rows.Scan(&cid, &colName, &colType, &notNull, &dflt, &pk) == nil && colName == "resolved_path" {
+			return nil // already exists
+		}
+	}
+
+	_, err = rw.Exec("ALTER TABLE observations ADD COLUMN resolved_path TEXT")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add resolved_path column: %w", err)
+	}
+	log.Println("[store] Added resolved_path column to observations")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// resolvePathForObs resolves hop prefixes to full pubkeys for an observation.
+// Returns nil if path is empty.
+func resolvePathForObs(pathJSON, observerID string, tx *StoreTx, pm *prefixMap, graph *NeighborGraph) []*string {
+	hops := parsePathJSON(pathJSON)
+	if len(hops) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Build context pubkeys: observer + originator (if known)
+	contextPKs := make([]string, 0, 3)
+	if observerID != "" {
+		contextPKs = append(contextPKs, strings.ToLower(observerID))
+	}
+	fromNode := extractFromNode(tx)
+	if fromNode != "" {
+		contextPKs = append(contextPKs, strings.ToLower(fromNode))
+	}
+
+	resolved := make([]*string, len(hops))
+	for i, hop := range hops {
+		// Add adjacent hops as context for disambiguation
+		ctx := make([]string, len(contextPKs), len(contextPKs)+2)
+		copy(ctx, contextPKs)
+		// Add previously resolved hops as context
+		if i > 0 && resolved[i-1] != nil {
+			ctx = append(ctx, *resolved[i-1])
+		}
+
+		node, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, ctx, graph)
+		if node != nil {
+			pk := strings.ToLower(node.PublicKey)
+			resolved[i] = &pk
+		}
+	}
+
+	return resolved
+}
+
+// marshalResolvedPath converts []*string to JSON for storage.
+func marshalResolvedPath(rp []*string) string {
+	if len(rp) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	b, err := json.Marshal(rp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return string(b)
+}
+
+// unmarshalResolvedPath parses a resolved_path JSON string.
+func unmarshalResolvedPath(s string) []*string {
+	if s == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var result []*string
+	if json.Unmarshal([]byte(s), &result) != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+// backfillResolvedPaths resolves paths for all observations that have NULL resolved_path.
+func backfillResolvedPaths(store *PacketStore, dbPath string) int {
+	// Collect pending observations and snapshot immutable fields under read lock.
+	// graph is set in main.go before backfill is called; nil-safe throughout (review item #6).
+	type obsRef struct {
+		obsID      int
+		pathJSON   string
+		observerID string
+		txJSON     string // snapshot of DecodedJSON for extractFromNode
+		payloadType *int
+	}
+	store.mu.RLock()
+	pm := store.nodePM
+	graph := store.graph
+	var pending []obsRef
+	for _, tx := range store.packets {
+		for _, obs := range tx.Observations {
+			if obs.ResolvedPath == nil && obs.PathJSON != "" && obs.PathJSON != "[]" {
+				pending = append(pending, obsRef{
+					obsID:       obs.ID,
+					pathJSON:    obs.PathJSON,
+					observerID:  obs.ObserverID,
+					txJSON:      tx.DecodedJSON,
+					payloadType: tx.PayloadType,
+				})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	store.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	if len(pending) == 0 || pm == nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	// Resolve paths outside the lock — resolvePathForObs only reads pm and graph.
+	type resolved struct {
+		obsID  int
+		rp     []*string
+		rpJSON string
+	}
+	var results []resolved
+	for _, ref := range pending {
+		// Build a minimal StoreTx for extractFromNode (only needs DecodedJSON + PayloadType).
+		fakeTx := &StoreTx{DecodedJSON: ref.txJSON, PayloadType: ref.payloadType}
+		rp := resolvePathForObs(ref.pathJSON, ref.observerID, fakeTx, pm, graph)
+		if len(rp) > 0 {
+			rpJSON := marshalResolvedPath(rp)
+			if rpJSON != "" {
+				results = append(results, resolved{ref.obsID, rp, rpJSON})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(results) == 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	// Persist to SQLite (no lock needed — separate RW connection).
+	rw, err := openRW(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[store] backfill: open rw error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+	defer rw.Close()
+
+	sqlTx, err := rw.Begin()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[store] backfill: begin tx error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+	defer sqlTx.Rollback()
+
+	stmt, err := sqlTx.Prepare("UPDATE observations SET resolved_path = ? WHERE id = ?")
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[store] backfill: prepare error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+	defer stmt.Close()
+
+	var firstErr error
+	for _, r := range results {
+		if _, err := stmt.Exec(r.rpJSON, r.obsID); err != nil && firstErr == nil {
+			firstErr = err
+		}
+	}
+	if firstErr != nil {
+		log.Printf("[store] backfill resolved_path exec error (first): %v", firstErr)
+	}
+
+	if err := sqlTx.Commit(); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("[store] backfill: commit error: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	// Update in-memory state under write lock.
+	store.mu.Lock()
+	count := 0
+	for _, r := range results {
+		if obs, ok := store.byObsID[r.obsID]; ok {
+			obs.ResolvedPath = r.rp
+			count++
+		}
+	}
+	store.mu.Unlock()
+
+	return count
+}
+
+// ─── Shared helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// edgeCandidate represents an extracted edge to be persisted.
+type edgeCandidate struct {
+	A, B, Timestamp string
+}
+
+// extractEdgesFromObs extracts neighbor edge candidates from a single observation.
+// For ADVERTs: originator↔path[0] (if unambiguous). For ALL types: observer↔path[last] (if unambiguous).
+// Also handles zero-hop ADVERTs (originator↔observer direct link).
+func extractEdgesFromObs(obs *StoreObs, tx *StoreTx, pm *prefixMap) []edgeCandidate {
+	isAdvert := tx.PayloadType != nil && *tx.PayloadType == 4
+	fromNode := extractFromNode(tx)
+	path := parsePathJSON(obs.PathJSON)
+	observerPK := strings.ToLower(obs.ObserverID)
+	ts := obs.Timestamp
+	var edges []edgeCandidate
+
+	if len(path) == 0 {
+		if isAdvert && fromNode != "" {
+			fromLower := strings.ToLower(fromNode)
+			if fromLower != observerPK {
+				a, b := fromLower, observerPK
+				if a > b {
+					a, b = b, a
+				}
+				edges = append(edges, edgeCandidate{a, b, ts})
+			}
+		}
+		return edges
+	}
+
+	// Edge 1: originator ↔ path[0] — ADVERTs only (resolve prefix to full pubkey)
+	if isAdvert && fromNode != "" && pm != nil {
+		firstHop := strings.ToLower(path[0])
+		fromLower := strings.ToLower(fromNode)
+		candidates := pm.m[firstHop]
+		if len(candidates) == 1 {
+			resolved := strings.ToLower(candidates[0].PublicKey)
+			if resolved != fromLower {
+				a, b := fromLower, resolved
+				if a > b {
+					a, b = b, a
+				}
+				edges = append(edges, edgeCandidate{a, b, ts})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Edge 2: observer ↔ path[last] — ALL packet types
+	if pm != nil {
+		lastHop := strings.ToLower(path[len(path)-1])
+		candidates := pm.m[lastHop]
+		if len(candidates) == 1 {
+			resolved := strings.ToLower(candidates[0].PublicKey)
+			if resolved != observerPK {
+				a, b := observerPK, resolved
+				if a > b {
+					a, b = b, a
+				}
+				edges = append(edges, edgeCandidate{a, b, ts})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return edges
+}
+
+// openRW opens a read-write SQLite connection (same pattern as PruneOldPackets).
+func openRW(dbPath string) (*sql.DB, error) {
+	dsn := fmt.Sprintf("file:%s?_journal_mode=WAL&_busy_timeout=10000", dbPath)
+	rw, err := sql.Open("sqlite", dsn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	rw.SetMaxOpenConns(1)
+	return rw, nil
+}
diff --git a/cmd/server/neighbor_persist_test.go b/cmd/server/neighbor_persist_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..66fe35ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/server/neighbor_persist_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,534 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"database/sql"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	_ "modernc.org/sqlite"
+)
+
+// createTestDBWithSchema creates a temp SQLite DB with the standard schema + resolved_path column.
+func createTestDBWithSchema(t *testing.T) (*DB, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.db")
+
+	conn, err := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?_journal_mode=WAL")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// Create tables
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE transmissions (
+		id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+		raw_hex TEXT, hash TEXT UNIQUE, first_seen TEXT,
+		route_type INTEGER, payload_type INTEGER, payload_version INTEGER,
+		decoded_json TEXT
+	)`)
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE observers (
+		id TEXT PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT, iata TEXT
+	)`)
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE observations (
+		id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+		transmission_id INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES transmissions(id),
+		observer_id TEXT, observer_name TEXT, direction TEXT,
+		snr REAL, rssi REAL, score INTEGER,
+		path_json TEXT, timestamp TEXT,
+		resolved_path TEXT
+	)`)
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE nodes (
+		public_key TEXT PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT, role TEXT,
+		lat REAL, lon REAL, last_seen TEXT, first_seen TEXT,
+		advert_count INTEGER DEFAULT 0
+	)`)
+
+	conn.Close()
+
+	db, err := OpenDB(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return db, dbPath
+}
+
+func TestResolvePathForObs(t *testing.T) {
+	// Build a prefix map with known nodes
+	nodes := []nodeInfo{
+		{PublicKey: "aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabb", Name: "Node-AA"},
+		{PublicKey: "bbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabb11", Name: "Node-BB"},
+	}
+	pm := buildPrefixMap(nodes)
+	graph := NewNeighborGraph()
+
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		DecodedJSON: `{"pubKey": "originator1234567890"}`,
+		PayloadType: intPtr(4),
+	}
+
+	// Unambiguous prefixes should resolve
+	rp := resolvePathForObs(`["aa","bb"]`, "observer1", tx, pm, graph)
+	if len(rp) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 resolved hops, got %d", len(rp))
+	}
+	if rp[0] == nil || !strings.HasPrefix(*rp[0], "aabbcc") {
+		t.Errorf("expected first hop to resolve to Node-AA, got %v", rp[0])
+	}
+	if rp[1] == nil || !strings.HasPrefix(*rp[1], "bbccdd") {
+		t.Errorf("expected second hop to resolve to Node-BB, got %v", rp[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePathForObs_EmptyPath(t *testing.T) {
+	pm := buildPrefixMap(nil)
+	rp := resolvePathForObs(`[]`, "", &StoreTx{}, pm, nil)
+	if rp != nil {
+		t.Errorf("expected nil for empty path, got %v", rp)
+	}
+
+	rp = resolvePathForObs("", "", &StoreTx{}, pm, nil)
+	if rp != nil {
+		t.Errorf("expected nil for empty string, got %v", rp)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePathForObs_Unresolvable(t *testing.T) {
+	nodes := []nodeInfo{
+		{PublicKey: "aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabb", Name: "Node-AA"},
+	}
+	pm := buildPrefixMap(nodes)
+
+	// "zz" prefix doesn't match any node
+	rp := resolvePathForObs(`["zz"]`, "", &StoreTx{}, pm, nil)
+	if len(rp) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 hop, got %d", len(rp))
+	}
+	if rp[0] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("expected nil for unresolvable hop, got %v", *rp[0])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMarshalUnmarshalResolvedPath(t *testing.T) {
+	pk1 := "aabbccdd"
+	var rp []*string
+	rp = append(rp, &pk1, nil)
+
+	j := marshalResolvedPath(rp)
+	if j == "" {
+		t.Fatal("expected non-empty JSON")
+	}
+
+	parsed := unmarshalResolvedPath(j)
+	if len(parsed) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 elements, got %d", len(parsed))
+	}
+	if parsed[0] == nil || *parsed[0] != "aabbccdd" {
+		t.Errorf("first element wrong: %v", parsed[0])
+	}
+	if parsed[1] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("second element should be nil, got %v", *parsed[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMarshalResolvedPath_Empty(t *testing.T) {
+	if marshalResolvedPath(nil) != "" {
+		t.Error("expected empty for nil")
+	}
+	if marshalResolvedPath([]*string{}) != "" {
+		t.Error("expected empty for empty slice")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUnmarshalResolvedPath_Invalid(t *testing.T) {
+	if unmarshalResolvedPath("") != nil {
+		t.Error("expected nil for empty string")
+	}
+	if unmarshalResolvedPath("not json") != nil {
+		t.Error("expected nil for invalid JSON")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEnsureNeighborEdgesTable(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.db")
+
+	// Create initial DB
+	conn, _ := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?_journal_mode=WAL")
+	conn.Exec("CREATE TABLE test (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY)")
+	conn.Close()
+
+	if err := ensureNeighborEdgesTable(dbPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify table exists
+	conn, _ = sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?mode=ro")
+	defer conn.Close()
+	var cnt int
+	if err := conn.QueryRow("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM neighbor_edges").Scan(&cnt); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("neighbor_edges table not created: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadNeighborEdgesFromDB(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.db")
+
+	conn, _ := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?_journal_mode=WAL")
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE neighbor_edges (
+		node_a TEXT NOT NULL, node_b TEXT NOT NULL,
+		count INTEGER DEFAULT 1, last_seen TEXT,
+		PRIMARY KEY (node_a, node_b)
+	)`)
+	conn.Exec("INSERT INTO neighbor_edges VALUES ('aaa', 'bbb', 5, '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z')")
+	conn.Exec("INSERT INTO neighbor_edges VALUES ('ccc', 'ddd', 3, '2024-01-02T00:00:00Z')")
+
+	g := loadNeighborEdgesFromDB(conn)
+	conn.Close()
+
+	// Should have 2 edges
+	edges := g.AllEdges()
+	if len(edges) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 2 edges, got %d", len(edges))
+	}
+
+	// Check neighbors
+	n := g.Neighbors("aaa")
+	if len(n) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 neighbor for aaa, got %d", len(n))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStoreObsResolvedPathInBroadcast(t *testing.T) {
+	// Verify resolved_path appears in broadcast maps
+	pk := "aabbccdd"
+	obs := &StoreObs{
+		ID:           1,
+		ObserverID:   "obs1",
+		ObserverName: "Observer 1",
+		PathJSON:     `["aa"]`,
+		ResolvedPath: []*string{&pk},
+		Timestamp:    "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+	}
+
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		ID:   1,
+		Hash: "abc123",
+		Observations: []*StoreObs{obs},
+	}
+	pickBestObservation(tx)
+
+	if tx.ResolvedPath == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected ResolvedPath to be set on tx after pickBestObservation")
+	}
+	if *tx.ResolvedPath[0] != "aabbccdd" {
+		t.Errorf("expected resolved path to be aabbccdd, got %s", *tx.ResolvedPath[0])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvedPathInTxToMap(t *testing.T) {
+	pk := "aabbccdd"
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		ID:           1,
+		Hash:         "abc123",
+		PathJSON:     `["aa"]`,
+		ResolvedPath: []*string{&pk},
+		obsKeys:      make(map[string]bool),
+	}
+
+	m := txToMap(tx)
+	rp, ok := m["resolved_path"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("resolved_path not in txToMap output")
+	}
+	rpSlice, ok := rp.([]*string)
+	if !ok || len(rpSlice) != 1 || *rpSlice[0] != "aabbccdd" {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected resolved_path: %v", rp)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvedPathOmittedWhenNil(t *testing.T) {
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		ID:      1,
+		Hash:    "abc123",
+		obsKeys: make(map[string]bool),
+	}
+
+	m := txToMap(tx)
+	if _, ok := m["resolved_path"]; ok {
+		t.Error("resolved_path should not be in map when nil")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEnsureResolvedPathColumn(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.db")
+
+	conn, _ := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?_journal_mode=WAL")
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE observations (
+		id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, transmission_id INTEGER,
+		observer_id TEXT, path_json TEXT, timestamp TEXT
+	)`)
+	conn.Close()
+
+	if err := ensureResolvedPathColumn(dbPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify column exists
+	conn, _ = sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?mode=ro")
+	defer conn.Close()
+	rows, _ := conn.Query("PRAGMA table_info(observations)")
+	found := false
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var cid int
+		var colName string
+		var colType sql.NullString
+		var notNull, pk int
+		var dflt sql.NullString
+		rows.Scan(&cid, &colName, &colType, &notNull, &dflt, &pk)
+		if colName == "resolved_path" {
+			found = true
+		}
+	}
+	rows.Close()
+	if !found {
+		t.Error("resolved_path column not added")
+	}
+
+	// Running again should be idempotent
+	if err := ensureResolvedPathColumn(dbPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal("second call should be idempotent:", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDBDetectsResolvedPathColumn(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(dir, "test.db")
+
+	// Create DB without resolved_path
+	conn, _ := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?_journal_mode=WAL")
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE observations (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, observer_idx INTEGER)`)
+	conn.Exec(`CREATE TABLE transmissions (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY)`)
+	conn.Close()
+
+	db, err := OpenDB(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if db.hasResolvedPath {
+		t.Error("should not detect resolved_path when column missing")
+	}
+	db.Close()
+
+	// Add resolved_path column
+	conn, _ = sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+dbPath+"?_journal_mode=WAL")
+	conn.Exec("ALTER TABLE observations ADD COLUMN resolved_path TEXT")
+	conn.Close()
+
+	db, err = OpenDB(dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !db.hasResolvedPath {
+		t.Error("should detect resolved_path when column exists")
+	}
+	db.Close()
+}
+
+func TestLoadWithResolvedPath(t *testing.T) {
+	db, dbPath := createTestDBWithSchema(t)
+	defer db.Close()
+
+	// Insert test data
+	rw, _ := openRW(dbPath)
+	rw.Exec(`INSERT INTO transmissions (id, hash, first_seen, payload_type, decoded_json)
+		VALUES (1, 'hash1', '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z', 4, '{"pubKey":"origpk"}')`)
+	rw.Exec(`INSERT INTO observations (id, transmission_id, observer_id, observer_name, path_json, timestamp, resolved_path)
+		VALUES (1, 1, 'obs1', 'Observer1', '["aa"]', '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z', '["aabbccdd"]')`)
+	rw.Close()
+
+	store := NewPacketStore(db, nil)
+	if err := store.Load(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if len(store.packets) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 packet, got %d", len(store.packets))
+	}
+
+	tx := store.packets[0]
+	if len(tx.Observations) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 observation, got %d", len(tx.Observations))
+	}
+
+	obs := tx.Observations[0]
+	if obs.ResolvedPath == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected ResolvedPath to be loaded")
+	}
+	if len(obs.ResolvedPath) != 1 || *obs.ResolvedPath[0] != "aabbccdd" {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected ResolvedPath: %v", obs.ResolvedPath)
+	}
+
+	// Check that pickBestObservation propagated resolved_path to tx
+	if tx.ResolvedPath == nil || len(tx.ResolvedPath) != 1 {
+		t.Error("expected ResolvedPath to be propagated to tx")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvedPathInAPIResponse(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test that TransmissionResp properly marshals resolved_path
+	pk := "aabbccddee"
+	resp := TransmissionResp{
+		ID:           1,
+		Hash:         "test",
+		ResolvedPath: []*string{&pk, nil},
+	}
+
+	data, err := json.Marshal(resp)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	var m map[string]interface{}
+	json.Unmarshal(data, &m)
+
+	rp, ok := m["resolved_path"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("resolved_path missing from JSON")
+	}
+	rpArr, ok := rp.([]interface{})
+	if !ok || len(rpArr) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected resolved_path shape: %v", rp)
+	}
+	if rpArr[0] != "aabbccddee" {
+		t.Errorf("first element wrong: %v", rpArr[0])
+	}
+	if rpArr[1] != nil {
+		t.Errorf("second element should be null: %v", rpArr[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvedPathOmittedWhenEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	resp := TransmissionResp{
+		ID:   1,
+		Hash: "test",
+	}
+
+	data, _ := json.Marshal(resp)
+	var m map[string]interface{}
+	json.Unmarshal(data, &m)
+
+	if _, ok := m["resolved_path"]; ok {
+		t.Error("resolved_path should be omitted when nil")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExtractEdgesFromObs_AdvertNoPath(t *testing.T) {
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		DecodedJSON: `{"pubKey":"aaaa1111"}`,
+		PayloadType: intPtr(4),
+	}
+	obs := &StoreObs{
+		ObserverID: "bbbb2222",
+		PathJSON:   "",
+		Timestamp:  "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+	}
+
+	edges := extractEdgesFromObs(obs, tx, nil)
+	if len(edges) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 edge for zero-hop advert, got %d", len(edges))
+	}
+	// Canonical ordering: aaaa < bbbb
+	if edges[0].A != "aaaa1111" || edges[0].B != "bbbb2222" {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected edge: %+v", edges[0])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExtractEdgesFromObs_NonAdvertNoPath(t *testing.T) {
+	tx := &StoreTx{PayloadType: intPtr(1)}
+	obs := &StoreObs{ObserverID: "obs1", PathJSON: ""}
+	edges := extractEdgesFromObs(obs, tx, nil)
+	if len(edges) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 0 edges for non-advert without path, got %d", len(edges))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExtractEdgesFromObs_WithPath(t *testing.T) {
+	nodes := []nodeInfo{
+		{PublicKey: "aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabb", Name: "Node-AA"},
+		{PublicKey: "ffgghhii1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabbccddee1234567890aabb11", Name: "Node-FF"},
+	}
+	pm := buildPrefixMap(nodes)
+
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		DecodedJSON: `{"pubKey":"originator00"}`,
+		PayloadType: intPtr(4),
+	}
+	obs := &StoreObs{
+		ObserverID: "observer00",
+		PathJSON:   `["aa","ff"]`,
+		Timestamp:  "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+	}
+
+	edges := extractEdgesFromObs(obs, tx, pm)
+	// Should get: originator↔aa (advert), observer↔ff (last hop)
+	if len(edges) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 edges, got %d", len(edges))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExtractEdgesFromObs_SameNodeNoEdge(t *testing.T) {
+	tx := &StoreTx{
+		DecodedJSON: `{"pubKey":"same1234"}`,
+		PayloadType: intPtr(4),
+	}
+	obs := &StoreObs{
+		ObserverID: "same1234",
+		PathJSON:   "",
+		Timestamp:  "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+	}
+	edges := extractEdgesFromObs(obs, tx, nil)
+	if len(edges) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 0 edges when originator == observer, got %d", len(edges))
+	}
+}
+
+
+
+func TestPersistSemaphoreTryAcquireSkipsBatch(t *testing.T) {
+	// Verify that persistSem is a buffered channel of size 1.
+	if cap(persistSem) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("persistSem capacity = %d, want 1", cap(persistSem))
+	}
+	// Acquire the semaphore to simulate an in-progress persistence.
+	persistSem <- struct{}{}
+
+	// asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges should skip (not block, not
+	// spawn a goroutine) when the semaphore is already held.
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges(
+			"/nonexistent/path.db",
+			[]persistObsUpdate{{obsID: 1, resolvedPath: "x"}},
+			nil,
+			"test",
+		)
+		close(done)
+	}()
+
+	// If the function blocks on the semaphore instead of skipping,
+	// this select will hit the timeout.
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		// Expected: returned immediately because semaphore was busy.
+	case <-time.After(500 * time.Millisecond):
+		<-persistSem
+		t.Fatal("asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges blocked instead of skipping when semaphore was held")
+	}
+
+	<-persistSem // release
+}
diff --git a/cmd/server/routes.go b/cmd/server/routes.go
index 98bef917..ef0b579e 100644
--- a/cmd/server/routes.go
+++ b/cmd/server/routes.go
@@ -1088,7 +1088,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleNodePaths(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		if cached, ok := hopCache[hop]; ok {
 			return cached
 		}
-		r := pm.resolve(hop)
+		r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, nil, s.store.graph)
 		hopCache[hop] = r
 		return r
 	}
@@ -1997,6 +1997,9 @@ func mapSliceToTransmissions(maps []map[string]interface{}) []TransmissionResp {
 		tx.PathJSON = m["path_json"]
 		tx.Direction = m["direction"]
 		tx.Score = m["score"]
+		if rp, ok := m["resolved_path"].([]*string); ok {
+			tx.ResolvedPath = rp
+		}
 		result = append(result, tx)
 	}
 	return result
@@ -2018,6 +2021,9 @@ func mapSliceToObservations(maps []map[string]interface{}) []ObservationResp {
 		obs.RSSI = m["rssi"]
 		obs.PathJSON = m["path_json"]
 		obs.Timestamp = m["timestamp"]
+		if rp, ok := m["resolved_path"].([]*string); ok {
+			obs.ResolvedPath = rp
+		}
 		result = append(result, obs)
 	}
 	return result
diff --git a/cmd/server/store.go b/cmd/server/store.go
index 90b4abed..5b9b4eb3 100644
--- a/cmd/server/store.go
+++ b/cmd/server/store.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ type StoreTx struct {
 	RSSI         *float64
 	PathJSON     string
 	Direction    string
+	ResolvedPath []*string // resolved path from best observation
 	LatestSeen string // max observation timestamp (or FirstSeen if no observations)
 	// Cached parsed fields (set once, read many)
 	parsedPath []string // cached parsePathJSON result
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ type StoreObs struct {
 	RSSI           *float64
 	Score          *int
 	PathJSON       string
+	ResolvedPath   []*string // resolved full pubkeys, parallel to path_json; nil elements = unresolved
 	Timestamp      string
 }
 
@@ -133,6 +135,9 @@ type PacketStore struct {
 	// Updated incrementally during Load/Ingest/Evict — avoids JSON parsing in GetPerfStoreStats.
 	advertPubkeys map[string]int // pubkey → number of advert packets referencing it
 
+	// Persisted neighbor graph for hop resolution at ingest time.
+	graph *NeighborGraph
+
 	// Eviction config and stats
 	retentionHours float64 // 0 = unlimited
 	maxMemoryMB    int     // 0 = unlimited
@@ -217,11 +222,15 @@ func (s *PacketStore) Load() error {
 	t0 := time.Now()
 
 	var loadSQL string
+	rpCol := ""
+	if s.db.hasResolvedPath {
+		rpCol = ",\n\t\t\t\to.resolved_path"
+	}
 	if s.db.isV3 {
 		loadSQL = `SELECT t.id, t.raw_hex, t.hash, t.first_seen, t.route_type,
 				t.payload_type, t.payload_version, t.decoded_json,
 				o.id, obs.id, obs.name, o.direction,
-				o.snr, o.rssi, o.score, o.path_json, strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%fZ', o.timestamp, 'unixepoch')
+				o.snr, o.rssi, o.score, o.path_json, strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%fZ', o.timestamp, 'unixepoch')` + rpCol + `
 			FROM transmissions t
 			LEFT JOIN observations o ON o.transmission_id = t.id
 			LEFT JOIN observers obs ON obs.rowid = o.observer_idx
@@ -230,7 +239,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) Load() error {
 		loadSQL = `SELECT t.id, t.raw_hex, t.hash, t.first_seen, t.route_type,
 				t.payload_type, t.payload_version, t.decoded_json,
 				o.id, o.observer_id, o.observer_name, o.direction,
-				o.snr, o.rssi, o.score, o.path_json, o.timestamp
+				o.snr, o.rssi, o.score, o.path_json, o.timestamp` + rpCol + `
 			FROM transmissions t
 			LEFT JOIN observations o ON o.transmission_id = t.id
 			ORDER BY t.first_seen ASC, o.timestamp DESC`
@@ -250,11 +259,16 @@ func (s *PacketStore) Load() error {
 		var observerID, observerName, direction, pathJSON, obsTimestamp sql.NullString
 		var snr, rssi sql.NullFloat64
 		var score sql.NullInt64
+		var resolvedPathStr sql.NullString
 
-		if err := rows.Scan(&txID, &rawHex, &hash, &firstSeen, &routeType, &payloadType,
+		scanArgs := []interface{}{&txID, &rawHex, &hash, &firstSeen, &routeType, &payloadType,
 			&payloadVersion, &decodedJSON,
 			&obsID, &observerID, &observerName, &direction,
-			&snr, &rssi, &score, &pathJSON, &obsTimestamp); err != nil {
+			&snr, &rssi, &score, &pathJSON, &obsTimestamp}
+		if s.db.hasResolvedPath {
+			scanArgs = append(scanArgs, &resolvedPathStr)
+		}
+		if err := rows.Scan(scanArgs...); err != nil {
 			log.Printf("[store] scan error: %v", err)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -305,6 +319,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) Load() error {
 				RSSI:           nullFloatPtr(rssi),
 				Score:          nullIntPtr(score),
 				PathJSON:       obsPJ,
+				ResolvedPath:   unmarshalResolvedPath(nullStrVal(resolvedPathStr)),
 				Timestamp:      normalizeTimestamp(nullStrVal(obsTimestamp)),
 			}
 
@@ -366,6 +381,7 @@ func pickBestObservation(tx *StoreTx) {
 	tx.RSSI = best.RSSI
 	tx.PathJSON = best.PathJSON
 	tx.Direction = best.Direction
+	tx.ResolvedPath = best.ResolvedPath
 	tx.pathParsed = false // invalidate cached parsed path
 }
 
@@ -990,6 +1006,9 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewFromDB(sinceID, limit int) ([]map[string]interfac
 		limit = 100
 	}
 
+	// NOTE: The SQL query intentionally does NOT select resolved_path from the DB.
+	// New ingests always resolve fresh using the current prefix map and neighbor graph.
+	// On restart, Load() handles reading persisted resolved_path values. (review item #7)
 	var querySQL string
 	if s.db.isV3 {
 		querySQL = `SELECT t.id, t.raw_hex, t.hash, t.first_seen, t.route_type,
@@ -1094,6 +1113,10 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewFromDB(sinceID, limit int) ([]map[string]interfac
 	broadcastTxs := make(map[int]*StoreTx) // track new transmissions for broadcast
 	var broadcastOrder []int
 
+	// Hoist getCachedNodesAndPM() once before the observation loop to avoid
+	// per-observation function calls (review item #1).
+	_, cachedPM := s.getCachedNodesAndPM()
+
 	for _, r := range tempRows {
 		if r.txID > newMaxID {
 			newMaxID = r.txID
@@ -1153,6 +1176,13 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewFromDB(sinceID, limit int) ([]map[string]interfac
 				PathJSON:       r.pathJSON,
 				Timestamp:      normalizeTimestamp(r.obsTS),
 			}
+
+			// Resolve path at ingest time using neighbor graph
+			// (cachedPM is hoisted before the observation loop to avoid per-obs function calls)
+			if r.pathJSON != "" && r.pathJSON != "[]" && cachedPM != nil {
+				obs.ResolvedPath = resolvePathForObs(r.pathJSON, r.observerID, tx, cachedPM, s.graph)
+			}
+
 			tx.Observations = append(tx.Observations, obs)
 			tx.obsKeys[dk] = true
 			tx.ObservationCount++
@@ -1196,7 +1226,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewFromDB(sinceID, limit int) ([]map[string]interfac
 			if cached, ok := hopCache[hop]; ok {
 				return cached
 			}
-			r := pm.resolve(hop)
+			r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, nil, s.graph)
 			hopCache[hop] = r
 			return r
 		}
@@ -1246,6 +1276,9 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewFromDB(sinceID, limit int) ([]map[string]interfac
 				"direction":         strOrNil(obs.Direction),
 				"observation_count": tx.ObservationCount,
 			}
+			if obs.ResolvedPath != nil {
+				pkt["resolved_path"] = obs.ResolvedPath
+			}
 			// Broadcast map: top-level fields for live.js + nested packet for packets.js
 			broadcastMap := make(map[string]interface{}, len(pkt)+2)
 			for k, v := range pkt {
@@ -1280,6 +1313,36 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewFromDB(sinceID, limit int) ([]map[string]interfac
 		s.invalidateCachesFor(inv)
 	}
 
+	// Persist resolved paths and neighbor edges asynchronously (don't block ingest).
+	if len(broadcastTxs) > 0 && s.db != nil {
+		dbPath := s.db.path
+		var obsUpdates []persistObsUpdate
+		var edgeUpdates []persistEdgeUpdate
+
+		_, pm := s.getCachedNodesAndPM()
+		// Read graph ref under lock (it's set during startup and not replaced after,
+		// but reading under lock is safer — review item #5).
+		graphRef := s.graph
+		for _, tx := range broadcastTxs {
+			for _, obs := range tx.Observations {
+				if obs.ResolvedPath != nil {
+					rpJSON := marshalResolvedPath(obs.ResolvedPath)
+					if rpJSON != "" {
+						obsUpdates = append(obsUpdates, persistObsUpdate{obs.ID, rpJSON})
+					}
+				}
+				for _, ec := range extractEdgesFromObs(obs, tx, pm) {
+					edgeUpdates = append(edgeUpdates, persistEdgeUpdate{ec.A, ec.B, ec.Timestamp})
+					if graphRef != nil {
+						graphRef.upsertEdge(ec.A, ec.B, "", obs.ObserverID, obs.SNR, parseTimestamp(ec.Timestamp))
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges(dbPath, obsUpdates, edgeUpdates, "persist")
+	}
+
 	return result, newMaxID
 }
 
@@ -1363,6 +1426,13 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewObservations(sinceObsID, limit int) []map[string]
 
 	updatedTxs := make(map[int]*StoreTx)
 	broadcastMaps := make([]map[string]interface{}, 0, len(obsRows))
+	// Track newly created observations for persistence — only these should be
+	// persisted, not all observations of each updated tx (fixes edge count inflation).
+	var newObs []*StoreObs
+
+	// Hoist getCachedNodesAndPM() before the loop — same pattern as IngestNewFromDB (review fix #1).
+	_, pm := s.getCachedNodesAndPM()
+	graphRef := s.graph
 
 	for _, r := range obsRows {
 		// Already ingested (e.g. by IngestNewFromDB in same cycle)
@@ -1396,9 +1466,18 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewObservations(sinceObsID, limit int) []map[string]
 			PathJSON:       r.pathJSON,
 			Timestamp:      normalizeTimestamp(r.timestamp),
 		}
+
+		// Resolve path at ingest time for late-arriving observations (review item #2).
+		if r.pathJSON != "" && r.pathJSON != "[]" {
+			if pm != nil {
+				obs.ResolvedPath = resolvePathForObs(r.pathJSON, r.observerID, tx, pm, s.graph)
+			}
+		}
+
 		tx.Observations = append(tx.Observations, obs)
 		tx.obsKeys[dk] = true
 		tx.ObservationCount++
+		newObs = append(newObs, obs)
 		if obs.Timestamp > tx.LatestSeen {
 			tx.LatestSeen = obs.Timestamp
 		}
@@ -1438,6 +1517,9 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewObservations(sinceObsID, limit int) []map[string]
 			"direction":         strOrNil(obs.Direction),
 			"observation_count": tx.ObservationCount,
 		}
+		if obs.ResolvedPath != nil {
+			pkt["resolved_path"] = obs.ResolvedPath
+		}
 		broadcastMap := make(map[string]interface{}, len(pkt)+2)
 		for k, v := range pkt {
 			broadcastMap[k] = v
@@ -1506,6 +1588,36 @@ func (s *PacketStore) IngestNewObservations(sinceObsID, limit int) []map[string]
 		})
 	}
 
+	// Persist resolved paths and neighbor edges asynchronously (review fix #3).
+	// Only process NEW observations — not all observations of each updated tx —
+	// to avoid edge count inflation and unnecessary UPDATEs for pre-existing data.
+	if len(newObs) > 0 && s.db != nil {
+		dbPath := s.db.path
+		var obsUpdates []persistObsUpdate
+		var edgeUpdates []persistEdgeUpdate
+
+		for _, obs := range newObs {
+			tx := s.byTxID[obs.TransmissionID]
+			if tx == nil {
+				continue
+			}
+			if obs.ResolvedPath != nil {
+				rpJSON := marshalResolvedPath(obs.ResolvedPath)
+				if rpJSON != "" {
+					obsUpdates = append(obsUpdates, persistObsUpdate{obs.ID, rpJSON})
+				}
+			}
+			for _, ec := range extractEdgesFromObs(obs, tx, pm) {
+				edgeUpdates = append(edgeUpdates, persistEdgeUpdate{ec.A, ec.B, ec.Timestamp})
+				if graphRef != nil {
+					graphRef.upsertEdge(ec.A, ec.B, "", obs.ObserverID, obs.SNR, parseTimestamp(ec.Timestamp))
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		asyncPersistResolvedPathsAndEdges(dbPath, obsUpdates, edgeUpdates, "obs-persist")
+	}
+
 	return broadcastMaps
 }
 
@@ -1686,6 +1798,9 @@ func (s *PacketStore) enrichObs(obs *StoreObs) map[string]interface{} {
 		"score":         intPtrOrNil(obs.Score),
 		"path_json":     strOrNil(obs.PathJSON),
 	}
+	if obs.ResolvedPath != nil {
+		m["resolved_path"] = obs.ResolvedPath
+	}
 
 	if tx != nil {
 		m["hash"] = strOrNil(tx.Hash)
@@ -1719,6 +1834,9 @@ func txToMap(tx *StoreTx) map[string]interface{} {
 		"path_json":         strOrNil(tx.PathJSON),
 		"direction":         strOrNil(tx.Direction),
 	}
+	if tx.ResolvedPath != nil {
+		m["resolved_path"] = tx.ResolvedPath
+	}
 	// Include parsed path array to match Node.js output shape
 	if hops := txGetParsedPath(tx); len(hops) > 0 {
 		m["_parsedPath"] = hops
@@ -1728,7 +1846,7 @@ func txToMap(tx *StoreTx) map[string]interface{} {
 	// Include observations for expand=observations support (stripped by handler when not requested)
 	obs := make([]map[string]interface{}, 0, len(tx.Observations))
 	for _, o := range tx.Observations {
-		obs = append(obs, map[string]interface{}{
+		om := map[string]interface{}{
 			"id":            o.ID,
 			"observer_id":   strOrNil(o.ObserverID),
 			"observer_name": strOrNil(o.ObserverName),
@@ -1737,7 +1855,11 @@ func txToMap(tx *StoreTx) map[string]interface{} {
 			"path_json":     strOrNil(o.PathJSON),
 			"timestamp":     strOrNil(o.Timestamp),
 			"direction":     strOrNil(o.Direction),
-		})
+		}
+		if o.ResolvedPath != nil {
+			om["resolved_path"] = o.ResolvedPath
+		}
+		obs = append(obs, om)
 	}
 	m["observations"] = obs
 	return m
@@ -1884,7 +2006,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) buildDistanceIndex() {
 		if cached, ok := hopCache[hop]; ok {
 			return cached
 		}
-		r := pm.resolve(hop)
+		r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, nil, s.graph)
 		hopCache[hop] = r
 		return r
 	}
@@ -3545,7 +3667,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) computeAnalyticsTopology(region string) map[string]interfa
 		if cached, ok := hopCache[hop]; ok {
 			return cached
 		}
-		r := pm.resolve(hop)
+		r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, nil, s.graph)
 		hopCache[hop] = r
 		return r
 	}
@@ -5536,7 +5658,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) computeAnalyticsSubpaths(region string, minLen, maxLen, li
 			}
 			return hop
 		}
-		r := pm.resolve(hop)
+		r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, nil, s.graph)
 		hopCache[hop] = r
 		if r != nil {
 			return r.Name
@@ -5673,7 +5795,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) GetSubpathDetail(rawHops []string) map[string]interface{}
 	// Resolve the requested hops
 	nodes := make([]map[string]interface{}, len(rawHops))
 	for i, hop := range rawHops {
-		r := pm.resolve(hop)
+		r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(hop, nil, s.graph)
 		entry := map[string]interface{}{"hop": hop, "name": hop, "lat": nil, "lon": nil, "pubkey": nil}
 		if r != nil {
 			entry["name"] = r.Name
@@ -5752,7 +5874,7 @@ func (s *PacketStore) GetSubpathDetail(rawHops []string) map[string]interface{}
 		// Full parent path (resolved)
 		resolved := make([]string, len(hops))
 		for i, h := range hops {
-			r := pm.resolve(h)
+			r, _, _ := pm.resolveWithContext(h, nil, s.graph)
 			if r != nil {
 				resolved[i] = r.Name
 			} else {
diff --git a/cmd/server/types.go b/cmd/server/types.go
index 1a7812e1..6b6fbceb 100644
--- a/cmd/server/types.go
+++ b/cmd/server/types.go
@@ -240,6 +240,7 @@ type TransmissionResp struct {
 	SNR              interface{}      `json:"snr"`
 	RSSI             interface{}      `json:"rssi"`
 	PathJSON         interface{}      `json:"path_json"`
+	ResolvedPath     []*string        `json:"resolved_path,omitempty"`
 	Direction        interface{}      `json:"direction"`
 	Score            interface{}      `json:"score,omitempty"`
 	Observations     []ObservationResp `json:"observations,omitempty"`
@@ -254,6 +255,7 @@ type ObservationResp struct {
 	SNR            interface{} `json:"snr"`
 	RSSI           interface{} `json:"rssi"`
 	PathJSON       interface{} `json:"path_json"`
+	ResolvedPath   []*string   `json:"resolved_path,omitempty"`
 	Timestamp      interface{} `json:"timestamp"`
 }