diff --git a/docs/path-command-config.md b/docs/path-command-config.md
index 274901f..36a188a 100644
--- a/docs/path-command-config.md
+++ b/docs/path-command-config.md
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 
 This document explains all configuration parameters for the Path Command, which decodes hex path data to identify repeaters in message routing paths.
 
+## Multi-byte path support
+
+The path command supports **1-, 2-, and 3-byte-per-hop** paths (2, 4, or 6 hex characters per node).
+
+- **`path` with no arguments**: Uses the current message’s decoded path when available (from routing info). No re-parsing; node list and hop size come from the packet.
+- **`path <hex>` with arguments**:
+  - **Comma-separated** (e.g. `path 0102,5f7e`): Hop size is inferred from token length. All tokens must be the same length (2, 4, or 6 hex chars). Example: `0102,5f7e` → two 2-byte hops.
+  - **Continuous hex** (e.g. `path 01025f7e`): The bot’s [Bot] **`prefix_bytes`** is used (2 hex chars = 1 byte, 4 = 2 bytes, 6 = 3 bytes). Use comma-separated input to force a multi-byte interpretation when the bot is in 1-byte mode.
+
 ## Quick Start: Presets
 
 The Path Command supports three presets that configure multiple related settings:
diff --git a/modules/commands/base_command.py b/modules/commands/base_command.py
index 0a84d10..5526258 100644
--- a/modules/commands/base_command.py
+++ b/modules/commands/base_command.py
@@ -825,25 +825,32 @@ class BaseCommand(ABC):
         """Check if this command can execute right now (permissions, cooldown, etc.)"""
         return self.can_execute(message)
     
+    def get_path_display_string(self, message: MeshMessage) -> str:
+        """Get path string for display (test/ack placeholders). Prefers message.routing_info for multi-byte and direct."""
+        routing_info = getattr(message, 'routing_info', None)
+        if routing_info is not None:
+            path_length = routing_info.get('path_length', 0)
+            if path_length == 0:
+                return "Direct"
+            path_nodes = routing_info.get('path_nodes', [])
+            if path_nodes:
+                path_str = ','.join(str(n).lower() for n in path_nodes)
+                return f"{path_str} ({len(path_nodes)} hops)"
+        if not message.path:
+            return "Unknown"
+        path_string = message.path
+        if " via ROUTE_TYPE_" in path_string:
+            path_string = path_string.split(" via ROUTE_TYPE_")[0]
+        return path_string.strip() or "Unknown"
+
     def build_enhanced_connection_info(self, message: MeshMessage) -> str:
-        """Build enhanced connection info with SNR, RSSI, and parsed route information"""
-        # Extract just the hops and path info without the route type
-        routing_info = message.path or "Unknown routing"
-        
-        # Clean up the routing info to remove the "via ROUTE_TYPE_*" part
-        if "via ROUTE_TYPE_" in routing_info:
-            # Extract just the hops and path part
-            parts = routing_info.split(" via ROUTE_TYPE_")
-            if len(parts) > 0:
-                routing_info = parts[0]
-        
-        # Add SNR and RSSI
+        """Build enhanced connection info with SNR, RSSI, and parsed route information.
+        Uses message.routing_info when present (multi-byte path, direct) for path part.
+        """
+        path_part = self.get_path_display_string(message)
         snr_info = f"SNR: {message.snr or 'Unknown'} dB"
         rssi_info = f"RSSI: {message.rssi or 'Unknown'} dBm"
-        
-        # Build enhanced connection info
-        connection_info = f"{routing_info} | {snr_info} | {rssi_info}"
-        
+        connection_info = f"{path_part} | {snr_info} | {rssi_info}"
         return connection_info
     
     def format_timestamp(self, message: MeshMessage) -> str:
diff --git a/modules/commands/multitest_command.py b/modules/commands/multitest_command.py
index 8782751..1454f52 100644
--- a/modules/commands/multitest_command.py
+++ b/modules/commands/multitest_command.py
@@ -5,12 +5,13 @@ Listens for a period of time and collects all unique paths from incoming message
 """
 
 import asyncio
+import re
 import time
 from typing import Set, Optional, Dict
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from .base_command import BaseCommand
 from ..models import MeshMessage
-from ..utils import calculate_packet_hash
+from ..utils import calculate_packet_hash, parse_path_string
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -113,80 +114,109 @@ class MultitestCommand(BaseCommand):
         return False
     
     def extract_path_from_rf_data(self, rf_data: dict) -> Optional[str]:
-        """Extract path in prefix string format from RF data routing_info"""
+        """Extract path in prefix string format from RF data routing_info.
+        Supports 1-, 2-, and 3-byte-per-hop (2, 4, or 6 hex chars per node).
+        """
         try:
             routing_info = rf_data.get('routing_info')
             if not routing_info:
                 return None
-            
+
             path_nodes = routing_info.get('path_nodes', [])
             if not path_nodes:
-                # Try to extract from path_hex if path_nodes not available
+                # Fallback: build from path_hex using bytes_per_hop from packet
                 path_hex = routing_info.get('path_hex', '')
                 if path_hex:
-                    n = getattr(self.bot, 'prefix_hex_chars', 2)
+                    bytes_per_hop = routing_info.get('bytes_per_hop')
+                    n = (bytes_per_hop * 2) if bytes_per_hop and bytes_per_hop >= 1 else getattr(self.bot, 'prefix_hex_chars', 2)
                     if n <= 0:
                         n = 2
-                    path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i+n] for i in range(0, len(path_hex), n)]
+                    path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i + n] for i in range(0, len(path_hex), n)]
                     if (len(path_hex) % n) != 0:
-                        path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i+2] for i in range(0, len(path_hex), 2)]
-            
+                        path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i + 2] for i in range(0, len(path_hex), 2)]
+
             if path_nodes:
-                # Validate and format path nodes
-                valid_len = getattr(self.bot, 'prefix_hex_chars', 2)
-                if valid_len <= 0:
-                    valid_len = 2
+                # Validate: each node 2, 4, or 6 hex chars
                 valid_parts = []
                 for node in path_nodes:
                     node_str = str(node).lower().strip()
-                    if len(node_str) in (2, valid_len) and all(c in '0123456789abcdef' for c in node_str):
+                    if len(node_str) in (2, 4, 6) and all(c in '0123456789abcdef' for c in node_str):
                         valid_parts.append(node_str)
-                
                 if valid_parts:
                     return ','.join(valid_parts)
-            
             return None
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.debug(f"Error extracting path from RF data: {e}")
             return None
     
     def extract_path_from_message(self, message: MeshMessage) -> Optional[str]:
-        """Extract path in prefix string format from a message"""
+        """Extract path in prefix string format from a message.
+        Prefers message.routing_info.path_nodes when present (multi-byte).
+        When routing_info has bytes_per_hop, uses it instead of inferring hop size.
+        Otherwise parses message.path: comma-separated tokens infer (2/4/6 hex);
+        continuous hex uses bot.prefix_hex_chars via parse_path_string().
+        """
+        routing_info = getattr(message, 'routing_info', None)
+        bytes_per_hop = routing_info.get('bytes_per_hop') if routing_info else None
+        hex_chars_per_node = (bytes_per_hop * 2) if (bytes_per_hop and bytes_per_hop >= 1) else None
+
+        # Prefer routing_info when present (same as path command; no re-parse)
+        if routing_info is not None:
+            if routing_info.get('path_length', 0) == 0:
+                return None
+            path_nodes = routing_info.get('path_nodes', [])
+            if not path_nodes and hex_chars_per_node:
+                # Build from path_hex when path_nodes missing but bytes_per_hop known
+                path_hex = routing_info.get('path_hex', '')
+                if path_hex:
+                    n = hex_chars_per_node
+                    path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i + n] for i in range(0, len(path_hex), n)]
+                    if (len(path_hex) % n) != 0:
+                        path_nodes = [path_hex[i:i + 2] for i in range(0, len(path_hex), 2)]
+            if path_nodes:
+                valid = [str(n).lower().strip() for n in path_nodes
+                         if len(str(n).strip()) in (2, 4, 6) and all(c in '0123456789abcdef' for c in str(n).lower().strip())]
+                if valid:
+                    return ','.join(valid)
         if not message.path:
             return None
-        
-        # Check if it's a direct connection
         if "Direct" in message.path or "0 hops" in message.path:
             return None
-        
-        # Try to extract path nodes from the path string
-        # Path strings are typically in format: "node1,node2,node3 via ROUTE_TYPE_*"
-        # or just "node1,node2,node3"
+
         path_string = message.path
-        
-        # Remove route type suffix if present
         if " via ROUTE_TYPE_" in path_string:
             path_string = path_string.split(" via ROUTE_TYPE_")[0]
-        
-        # Check if it looks like a comma-separated path
+        path_string = re.sub(r'\s*\([^)]*hops?[^)]*\)', '', path_string, flags=re.IGNORECASE).strip()
+
+        # When bytes_per_hop is known, use it; otherwise infer from commas or use bot.prefix_hex_chars
+        expected_n = hex_chars_per_node or getattr(self.bot, 'prefix_hex_chars', 2)
+        if expected_n <= 0:
+            expected_n = 2
+
         if ',' in path_string:
-            # Clean up any extra info (like hop counts in parentheses)
-            # Example: "01,7e,55,86 (4 hops)" -> "01,7e,55,86"
-            if '(' in path_string:
-                path_string = path_string.split('(')[0].strip()
-            
-            # Validate that all parts are 2-character hex values
-            parts = path_string.split(',')
-            valid_parts = []
-            for part in parts:
-                part = part.strip()
-                # Check if it's a 2-character hex value
-                if len(part) == 2 and all(c in '0123456789abcdefABCDEF' for c in part):
-                    valid_parts.append(part.lower())
-            
-            if valid_parts:
-                return ','.join(valid_parts)
-        
+            tokens = [t.strip() for t in path_string.split(',') if t.strip()]
+            if tokens:
+                if hex_chars_per_node:
+                    # Use known hop size: all tokens must be that length
+                    valid_hex = all(
+                        len(t) == expected_n and all(c in '0123456789aAbBcCdDeEfF' for c in t)
+                        for t in tokens
+                    )
+                    if valid_hex:
+                        return ','.join(t.lower() for t in tokens)
+                else:
+                    # Infer from token length (2, 4, or 6, all same)
+                    lengths = {len(t) for t in tokens}
+                    valid_hex = all(
+                        len(t) in (2, 4, 6) and all(c in '0123456789aAbBcCdDeEfF' for c in t)
+                        for t in tokens
+                    )
+                    if valid_hex and len(lengths) == 1 and next(iter(lengths)) in (2, 4, 6):
+                        return ','.join(t.lower() for t in tokens)
+        # Continuous hex: use bytes_per_hop when known, else bot.prefix_hex_chars
+        node_ids = parse_path_string(path_string, prefix_hex_chars=expected_n)
+        if node_ids:
+            return ','.join(n.lower() for n in node_ids)
         return None
     
     def get_rf_data_for_message(self, message: MeshMessage) -> Optional[dict]:
diff --git a/modules/commands/path_command.py b/modules/commands/path_command.py
index 7f67519..2c0b52d 100644
--- a/modules/commands/path_command.py
+++ b/modules/commands/path_command.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import asyncio
 from typing import List, Optional, Dict, Any, Tuple, Callable
 from .base_command import BaseCommand
 from ..models import MeshMessage
-from ..utils import calculate_distance
+from ..utils import calculate_distance, parse_path_string
 
 
 class PathCommand(BaseCommand):
@@ -217,39 +217,39 @@ class PathCommand(BaseCommand):
         return True
     
     async def _decode_path(self, path_input: str) -> str:
-        """Decode hex path data to repeater names"""
+        """Decode hex path data to repeater names.
+        Comma-separated tokens infer hop size (2, 4, or 6 hex chars per node).
+        Otherwise uses bot.prefix_hex_chars via parse_path_string().
+        """
         try:
-            # Parse the path input - handle various formats
-            # Examples: "11,98,a4,49,cd,5f,01" or "11 98 a4 49 cd 5f 01" or "1198a449cd5f01"
-            path_input = path_input.replace(',', ' ').replace(':', ' ')
-            
-            # Extract hex values using regex
-            # Try configured width first
-            n = getattr(self.bot, "prefix_hex_chars", 2)
-            hex_pattern = rf'[0-9a-fA-F]{{{n}}}'
-            hex_matches = re.findall(hex_pattern, path_input)
+            # Strip hop-count suffix if present (e.g. "01,5f (2 hops)")
+            path_input = re.sub(r'\s*\([^)]*hops?[^)]*\)', '', path_input, flags=re.IGNORECASE)
+            path_input = path_input.strip()
 
-            # Backward compatibility:
-            # if no matches and we're expecting >2 chars, try legacy 2-char paths
-            if not hex_matches and n > 2:
-                legacy_pattern = r'[0-9a-fA-F]{2}'
-                hex_matches = re.findall(legacy_pattern, path_input)
-            
-            if not hex_matches:
+            node_ids = None
+            # Comma-separated: infer hex chars per node from token length (2, 4, or 6)
+            if ',' in path_input:
+                tokens = [t.strip() for t in path_input.split(',') if t.strip()]
+                if tokens:
+                    lengths = {len(t) for t in tokens}
+                    valid_hex = all(
+                        len(t) in (2, 4, 6) and all(c in '0123456789aAbBcCdDeEfF' for c in t)
+                        for t in tokens
+                    )
+                    if valid_hex and len(lengths) == 1 and next(iter(lengths)) in (2, 4, 6):
+                        node_ids = [t.upper() for t in tokens]
+
+            if node_ids is None:
+                prefix_hex_chars = getattr(self.bot, 'prefix_hex_chars', 2)
+                node_ids = parse_path_string(path_input, prefix_hex_chars=prefix_hex_chars)
+
+            if not node_ids:
                 return self.translate('commands.path.no_valid_hex')
-            
-            # Convert to uppercase for consistency
-            # hex_matches preserves the order from the original path
-            node_ids = [match.upper() for match in hex_matches]
-            
+
             self.logger.info(f"Decoding path with {len(node_ids)} nodes: {','.join(node_ids)}")
-            
-            # Look up repeater names for each node ID (order preserved)
             repeater_info = await self._lookup_repeater_names(node_ids)
-            
-            # Format the response
             return self._format_path_response(node_ids, repeater_info)
-            
+
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.error(f"Error decoding path: {e}")
             return self.translate('commands.path.error_decoding', error=str(e))
@@ -1418,24 +1418,28 @@ class PathCommand(BaseCommand):
                     if stored_paths:
                         # Build the path we're decoding (full path context)
                         decoded_path_hex = ''.join([node.lower() for node in path_context])
-                        
+                        path_n = len(path_context[0]) if path_context else 0  # hex chars per node in current path
+
                         # Check if any stored path shares common segments with decoded path
-                        # This is useful for prefix collision resolution
                         for stored_path in stored_paths:
                             stored_hex = stored_path.get('path_hex', '').lower()
                             obs_count = stored_path.get('observation_count', 1)
-                            
-                            if stored_hex:
-                                # Chunk using stored bytes_per_hop (multi-byte path support)
-                                n = (stored_path.get('bytes_per_hop') or 1) * 2
-                                if n <= 0:
-                                    n = 2
-                                stored_nodes = [stored_hex[i:i+n] for i in range(0, len(stored_hex), n)]
-                                if (len(stored_hex) % n) != 0:
-                                    stored_nodes = [stored_hex[i:i+2] for i in range(0, len(stored_hex), 2)]
-                                decoded_nodes = [decoded_path_hex[i:i+n] for i in range(0, len(decoded_path_hex), n)]
-                                if (len(decoded_path_hex) % n) != 0:
-                                    decoded_nodes = [decoded_path_hex[i:i+2] for i in range(0, len(decoded_path_hex), 2)]
+
+                            if not stored_hex:
+                                continue
+                            # Chunk stored path by its bytes_per_hop
+                            stored_n = (stored_path.get('bytes_per_hop') or 1) * 2
+                            if stored_n <= 0:
+                                stored_n = 2
+                            # Only compare when same hop size (otherwise 1-byte vs 2-byte would mismatch)
+                            if path_n != stored_n:
+                                continue
+                            stored_nodes = [stored_hex[i:i+stored_n] for i in range(0, len(stored_hex), stored_n)]
+                            if (len(stored_hex) % stored_n) != 0:
+                                stored_nodes = [stored_hex[i:i+2] for i in range(0, len(stored_hex), 2)]
+                            decoded_nodes = [decoded_path_hex[i:i+path_n] for i in range(0, len(decoded_path_hex), path_n)]
+                            if (len(decoded_path_hex) % path_n) != 0:
+                                decoded_nodes = [decoded_path_hex[i:i+2] for i in range(0, len(decoded_path_hex), 2)]
                                 
                                 # Count how many nodes appear in both paths (in order)
                                 common_segments = 0
@@ -1717,42 +1721,48 @@ class PathCommand(BaseCommand):
                 await self.send_response(message, current_message, skip_user_rate_limit=True)
     
     async def _extract_path_from_recent_messages(self) -> str:
-        """Extract path from the current message's path information (same as test command)"""
+        """Extract path from the current message's path information (same as test command).
+        Prefers already-extracted routing_info.path_nodes when present (multi-byte path support).
+        """
         try:
-            # Use the path information from the current message being processed
-            # This is the same reliable source that the test command uses
-            if hasattr(self, '_current_message') and self._current_message and self._current_message.path:
-                path_string = self._current_message.path
-                
-                # Check if it's a direct connection
-                if "Direct" in path_string or "0 hops" in path_string:
-                    return self.translate('commands.path.direct_connection')
-                
-                # Try to extract path nodes from the path string
-                # Path strings are typically in format: "node1,node2,node3 via ROUTE_TYPE_*"
-                if " via ROUTE_TYPE_" in path_string:
-                    # Extract just the path part before the route type
-                    path_part = path_string.split(" via ROUTE_TYPE_")[0]
-                else:
-                    path_part = path_string
-                
-                # Check if it looks like a comma-separated path
-                if ',' in path_part:
-                    path_input = path_part
-                    return await self._decode_path(path_input)
-                else:
-                    # Try to decode even single nodes (e.g., "01" should be decoded to a repeater name)
-                    # Check if path_part looks like it contains hex values
-                    hex_pattern = rf'[0-9a-fA-F]{{{self.bot.prefix_hex_chars}}}'
-                    if re.search(hex_pattern, path_part):
-                        # Looks like hex values, try to decode
-                        return await self._decode_path(path_part)
-                    else:
-                        # Unknown format - just show the raw path string
-                        return self.translate('commands.path.path_prefix', path_string=path_string)
-            else:
+            if not hasattr(self, '_current_message') or not self._current_message:
                 return self.translate('commands.path.no_path')
-                
+
+            msg = self._current_message
+
+            # Prefer routing_info when present (no re-parsing; preserves bytes_per_hop)
+            routing_info = getattr(msg, 'routing_info', None)
+            if routing_info is not None:
+                path_length = routing_info.get('path_length', 0)
+                if path_length == 0:
+                    return self.translate('commands.path.direct_connection')
+                path_nodes = routing_info.get('path_nodes', [])
+                if path_nodes:
+                    node_ids = [n.upper() for n in path_nodes]
+                    self.logger.info(f"Decoding path from routing_info with {len(node_ids)} nodes: {','.join(node_ids)}")
+                    repeater_info = await self._lookup_repeater_names(node_ids)
+                    return self._format_path_response(node_ids, repeater_info)
+
+            # Fallback: parse message.path string (e.g. no routing_info or legacy path)
+            if not msg.path:
+                return self.translate('commands.path.no_path')
+
+            path_string = msg.path
+            if "Direct" in path_string or "0 hops" in path_string:
+                return self.translate('commands.path.direct_connection')
+
+            if " via ROUTE_TYPE_" in path_string:
+                path_part = path_string.split(" via ROUTE_TYPE_")[0]
+            else:
+                path_part = path_string
+
+            if ',' in path_part:
+                return await self._decode_path(path_part)
+            hex_pattern = rf'[0-9a-fA-F]{{{getattr(self.bot, "prefix_hex_chars", 2)}}}'
+            if re.search(hex_pattern, path_part):
+                return await self._decode_path(path_part)
+            return self.translate('commands.path.path_prefix', path_string=path_string)
+
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.error(f"Error extracting path from current message: {e}")
             return self.translate('commands.path.error_extracting', error=str(e))
diff --git a/modules/commands/test_command.py b/modules/commands/test_command.py
index c763f9a..0812873 100644
--- a/modules/commands/test_command.py
+++ b/modules/commands/test_command.py
@@ -145,48 +145,30 @@ class TestCommand(BaseCommand):
         return None
     
     def _extract_path_node_ids(self, message: MeshMessage) -> List[str]:
-        """Extract path node IDs from message path string.
+        """Extract path node IDs from message. Prefers routing_info.path_nodes (multi-byte); else parses message.path.
         
-        Args:
-            message: The message object containing the path.
-            
         Returns:
-            List[str]: List of valid 2-character hex node IDs.
+            List[str]: List of node IDs (2, 4, or 6 hex chars per node, uppercase).
         """
-        if not message.path:
+        routing_info = getattr(message, 'routing_info', None)
+        if routing_info is not None and routing_info.get('path_length', 0) == 0:
             return []
-        
-        # Check if it's a direct connection
-        if "Direct" in message.path or "0 hops" in message.path:
+        if routing_info and routing_info.get('path_nodes'):
+            return [str(n).upper().strip() for n in routing_info['path_nodes']]
+        if not message.path or "Direct" in message.path or "0 hops" in message.path:
             return []
-        
-        # Extract path nodes from the path string
-        # Path strings are typically in format: "node1,node2,node3 via ROUTE_TYPE_*"
-        # or just "node1,node2,node3"
         path_string = message.path
-        
-        # Remove route type suffix if present
         if " via ROUTE_TYPE_" in path_string:
             path_string = path_string.split(" via ROUTE_TYPE_")[0]
-        
-        # Check if it looks like a comma-separated path
+        if '(' in path_string:
+            path_string = path_string.split('(')[0].strip()
         if ',' in path_string:
-            # Clean up any extra info (like hop counts in parentheses)
-            # Example: "01,7e,55,86 (4 hops)" -> "01,7e,55,86"
-            if '(' in path_string:
-                path_string = path_string.split('(')[0].strip()
-            
-            # Validate that all parts are 2-character hex values
-            parts = path_string.split(',')
-            valid_parts = []
-            for part in parts:
-                part = part.strip()
-                # Check if it's a 2-character hex value
-                if len(part) == 2 and all(c in '0123456789abcdefABCDEF' for c in part):
-                    valid_parts.append(part.upper())
-            
-            return valid_parts
-        
+            parts = [p.strip() for p in path_string.split(',') if p.strip()]
+            if parts and all(
+                len(p) in (2, 4, 6) and all(c in '0123456789aAbBcCdDeEfF' for c in p)
+                for p in parts
+            ):
+                return [p.upper() for p in parts]
         return []
     
     
@@ -576,8 +558,14 @@ class TestCommand(BaseCommand):
         """
         node_ids = self._extract_path_node_ids(message)
         if len(node_ids) < 2:
-            # Check if it's a direct connection
-            if not message.path or "Direct" in message.path or "0 hops" in message.path:
+            routing_info = getattr(message, 'routing_info', None)
+            is_direct = (
+                (routing_info is not None and routing_info.get('path_length', 0) == 0)
+                or not message.path
+                or "Direct" in (message.path or "")
+                or "0 hops" in (message.path or "")
+            )
+            if is_direct:
                 return "N/A"  # Direct connection, no path to calculate
             return ""  # Path exists but insufficient nodes
         
@@ -628,8 +616,14 @@ class TestCommand(BaseCommand):
         """
         node_ids = self._extract_path_node_ids(message)
         if len(node_ids) < 2:
-            # Check if it's a direct connection
-            if not message.path or "Direct" in message.path or "0 hops" in message.path:
+            routing_info = getattr(message, 'routing_info', None)
+            is_direct = (
+                (routing_info is not None and routing_info.get('path_length', 0) == 0)
+                or not message.path
+                or "Direct" in (message.path or "")
+                or "0 hops" in (message.path or "")
+            )
+            if is_direct:
                 return "N/A"  # Direct connection, no path to calculate
             return ""  # Path exists but insufficient nodes
         
@@ -686,20 +680,35 @@ class TestCommand(BaseCommand):
             connection_info = self.build_enhanced_connection_info(message)
             timestamp = self.format_timestamp(message)
             elapsed = self.format_elapsed(message)
-            
-            # Calculate distance placeholders
+            path_display = self.get_path_display_string(message)
+            # Hops: from message.hops, or routing_info.path_length, or len(path_nodes)
+            routing_info = getattr(message, 'routing_info', None)
+            if getattr(message, 'hops', None) is not None:
+                hops_val = message.hops
+            elif routing_info is not None:
+                hops_val = routing_info.get('path_length')
+                if hops_val is None and routing_info.get('path_nodes'):
+                    hops_val = len(routing_info['path_nodes'])
+            else:
+                hops_val = None
+            hops_str = str(hops_val) if hops_val is not None else "?"
+            if hops_val is None:
+                hops_label = "?"
+            elif hops_val == 1:
+                hops_label = "1 hop"
+            else:
+                hops_label = f"{hops_val} hops"
             path_distance = self._calculate_path_distance(message)
             firstlast_distance = self._calculate_firstlast_distance(message)
-            
-            # Format phrase part - add colon and space if phrase exists
             phrase_part = f": {phrase}" if phrase else ""
-            
             return response_format.format(
                 sender=message.sender_id or self.translate('common.unknown_sender'),
                 phrase=phrase,
                 phrase_part=phrase_part,
                 connection_info=connection_info,
-                path=message.path or self.translate('common.unknown_path'),
+                path=path_display,
+                hops=hops_str,
+                hops_label=hops_label,
                 timestamp=timestamp,
                 elapsed=elapsed,
                 snr=message.snr or self.translate('common.unknown'),
diff --git a/modules/message_handler.py b/modules/message_handler.py
index 7655ab1..1aa4cfa 100644
--- a/modules/message_handler.py
+++ b/modules/message_handler.py
@@ -371,6 +371,7 @@ class MessageHandler:
             # If we have RF data with routing information, update the path with that instead
             if recent_rf_data and recent_rf_data.get('routing_info'):
                 rf_routing = recent_rf_data['routing_info']
+                message.routing_info = rf_routing  # Path command uses this for multi-byte path (no re-parse)
                 if rf_routing.get('path_length', 0) > 0:
                     path_nodes = rf_routing.get('path_nodes', [])
                     route_type = rf_routing.get('route_type', 'Unknown')
@@ -763,13 +764,39 @@ class MessageHandler:
                                 'payload_type': decoded_packet.get('payload_type_name', 'Unknown'),
                                 'packet_hash': packet_hash  # Store hash for packet tracking
                             }
-                            
+                            # Validate path consistency (path_byte_length, path_hex, path_nodes, bytes_per_hop)
+                            path_len = routing_info['path_length']
+                            path_byte_len = routing_info.get('path_byte_length')
+                            path_hex_str = routing_info.get('path_hex', '')
+                            path_nodes_list = routing_info.get('path_nodes') or []
+                            bph = routing_info.get('bytes_per_hop', 1) or 1
+                            expected_hex_len = (path_byte_len * 2) if path_byte_len is not None else (path_len * bph * 2)
+                            if path_len > 0 and path_hex_str:
+                                if len(path_hex_str) != expected_hex_len:
+                                    self.logger.warning(
+                                        "Path length mismatch: path_hex has %d hex chars, expected %d (path_byte_length=%s, path_length=%s, bytes_per_hop=%s)",
+                                        len(path_hex_str), expected_hex_len, path_byte_len, path_len, bph
+                                    )
+                                if path_nodes_list and len(path_nodes_list) != path_len:
+                                    self.logger.warning(
+                                        "Path nodes count mismatch: %d nodes, path_length=%d",
+                                        len(path_nodes_list), path_len
+                                    )
+                                if path_nodes_list and bph >= 1 and any(len(str(n)) != bph * 2 for n in path_nodes_list):
+                                    self.logger.warning(
+                                        "Path node width mismatch: bytes_per_hop=%d expects %d hex chars per node, nodes=%s",
+                                        bph, bph * 2, path_nodes_list[:5]
+                                    )
                             # Log the routing information for analysis
                             if routing_info['path_length'] > 0:
-                                # Format path with configured node length (match decode layer)
-                                path_hex = routing_info['path_hex']
-                                path_nodes_fmt = self._path_hex_to_nodes(path_hex)
-                                formatted_path = ','.join(path_nodes_fmt)
+                                # Use path_nodes when present (multi-byte); else chunk path_hex
+                                path_nodes_list = routing_info.get('path_nodes') or []
+                                if path_nodes_list:
+                                    formatted_path = ','.join(str(n).lower() for n in path_nodes_list)
+                                else:
+                                    path_hex = routing_info['path_hex']
+                                    path_nodes_fmt = self._path_hex_to_nodes(path_hex)
+                                    formatted_path = ','.join(path_nodes_fmt)
                                 path_bytes_str = decoded_packet.get('path_byte_length', routing_info['path_length'])
                                 log_message = f"🛣️  ROUTING INFO: {routing_info['route_type']} | Path: {formatted_path} ({routing_info['path_length']} hops, {path_bytes_str} bytes) | Payload: {routing_info['payload_length']} bytes | Type: {routing_info['payload_type']}"
                                 self.logger.info(log_message)
@@ -1375,6 +1402,55 @@ class MessageHandler:
             nodes = [path_hex[i:i + 2].lower() for i in range(0, len(path_hex), 2)]
         return nodes
 
+    def _get_path_from_rf_data(
+        self,
+        rf_data: Dict[str, Any],
+        payload_hex: Optional[str] = None,
+        packet_info: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+    ) -> Tuple[Optional[str], Optional[List[str]], int]:
+        """Get path string, path nodes, and hop count from RF data (single source for path extraction).
+        
+        Prefers routing_info.path_nodes when present (no re-decode; correct multi-byte).
+        Otherwise decodes (or uses provided packet_info) and gets path from decoder's 'path'
+        or chunks path_hex using bytes_per_hop from the packet.
+        
+        Returns:
+            (path_string, path_nodes, hops). path_nodes is a list for mesh graph; hops is path_length or 255.
+        """
+        routing_info = rf_data.get('routing_info') or {}
+        path_nodes_list = routing_info.get('path_nodes')
+        if path_nodes_list:
+            path_str = ','.join(str(n).lower() for n in path_nodes_list)
+            return (path_str, list(path_nodes_list), len(path_nodes_list))
+        raw_hex = rf_data.get('raw_hex')
+        if not raw_hex:
+            return (None, None, 255)
+        if packet_info is None:
+            payload = payload_hex or rf_data.get('payload')
+            packet_info = self.decode_meshcore_packet(raw_hex, payload)
+        if not packet_info:
+            return (None, None, 255)
+        hops = packet_info.get('path_len', 255)
+        path_nodes_list = packet_info.get('path_nodes') or packet_info.get('path') or []
+        if path_nodes_list:
+            path_str = ','.join(str(n).lower() for n in path_nodes_list)
+            return (path_str, list(path_nodes_list), len(path_nodes_list))
+        path_hex = packet_info.get('path_hex', '')
+        if path_hex and len(path_hex) >= 2:
+            bytes_per_hop = packet_info.get('bytes_per_hop', 1)
+            n = (bytes_per_hop * 2) if bytes_per_hop and bytes_per_hop >= 1 else 2
+            path_nodes_list = [path_hex[i:i + n].lower() for i in range(0, len(path_hex), n)]
+            if (len(path_hex) % n) != 0:
+                path_nodes_list = [path_hex[i:i + 2].lower() for i in range(0, len(path_hex), 2)]
+            if path_nodes_list:
+                return (','.join(path_nodes_list), path_nodes_list, len(path_nodes_list))
+        path_info = packet_info.get('path_info') or {}
+        path_nodes_list = path_info.get('path') or []
+        if path_nodes_list:
+            path_str = ','.join(str(n).lower() for n in path_nodes_list)
+            return (path_str, list(path_nodes_list), len(path_nodes_list))
+        return (None, None, hops)
+
     def _process_packet_path(self, path_bytes: bytes, payload: bytes, 
                              route_type: RouteType, payload_type: PayloadType) -> dict:
         """
@@ -1637,96 +1713,45 @@ class MessageHandler:
                     rssi = recent_rf_data['rssi']
                     self.logger.debug(f"Using RSSI from RF data: {rssi}")
                 
-                # Try to extract path information from raw hex directly
+                # Single path source: prefer routing_info, else decode/fallback via helper
                 path_string = None
                 hops = payload.get('path_len', 255)
-                
-                # First try the packet decoder
-                # Use payload field if available, otherwise use raw_hex
                 payload_hex = recent_rf_data.get('payload')
                 packet_info = self.decode_meshcore_packet(raw_hex, payload_hex)
-                
-                # Get packet_hash from recent_rf_data if available (for trace correlation)
                 packet_hash = recent_rf_data.get('packet_hash')
                 if packet_hash and packet_info:
                     packet_info['packet_hash'] = packet_hash
-                
                 if packet_info and packet_info.get('path_len') is not None:
-                    # Valid packet decoded - use the results even if path is empty (0 hops = direct)
                     hops = packet_info.get('path_len', 0)
-                    
-                    # Check if this is a TRACE packet with SNR data
                     if packet_info.get('payload_type') == 9:  # TRACE packet
-                        # For TRACE packets, extract routing path from payload pathHashes
-                        # The path field contains SNR data, but the actual routing path is in payload
                         path_info = packet_info.get('path_info', {})
                         path_hashes = path_info.get('path_hashes') or path_info.get('path', [])
-                        
                         if path_hashes:
-                            # Convert pathHashes to path string
                             path_string = ','.join(path_hashes)
-                            self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM TRACE PACKET: {path_string} ({len(path_hashes)} hops)")
-                            
-                            # Update mesh graph with trace path - bot is the destination, so we can confirm these edges
-                            # Since the bot received this trace packet, it's the destination node
+                            self.logger.debug(f"Path from TRACE packet: {path_string} ({len(path_hashes)} hops)")
                             if hasattr(self.bot, 'mesh_graph') and self.bot.mesh_graph and self.bot.mesh_graph.capture_enabled:
                                 self._update_mesh_graph_from_trace(path_hashes, packet_info)
                         else:
                             path_string = "Direct" if hops == 0 else f"Unknown routing ({hops} hops)"
-                            self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM TRACE PACKET: {path_string}")
+                            self.logger.debug(f"Path from TRACE packet: {path_string}")
                     else:
-                        # For all other packet types, try multiple methods to get the path
-                        path_string = None
-                        
-                        # Method 1: Try path_nodes field first
-                        path_nodes = packet_info.get('path_nodes', [])
-                        if path_nodes:
-                            path_string = ','.join(path_nodes)
-                            self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM PACKET: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
-                            # Update mesh graph with path edges
-                            if hasattr(self.bot, 'mesh_graph') and self.bot.mesh_graph and self.bot.mesh_graph.capture_enabled:
-                                self._update_mesh_graph(path_nodes, packet_info)
-                        else:
-                            # Method 2: Try path_hex field
-                            path_hex = packet_info.get('path_hex', '')
-                            if path_hex and len(path_hex) >= 2:
-                                path_nodes = self._path_hex_to_nodes(path_hex)
-                                path_string = ','.join(path_nodes)
-                                self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM PACKET HEX: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
-                                # Update mesh graph with path edges
-                                if hasattr(self.bot, 'mesh_graph') and self.bot.mesh_graph and self.bot.mesh_graph.capture_enabled:
-                                    self._update_mesh_graph(path_nodes, packet_info)
-                            else:
-                                # Method 3: Try path_info.path field
-                                path_info = packet_info.get('path_info', {})
-                                if path_info and path_info.get('path'):
-                                    path_nodes = path_info['path']
-                                    path_string = ','.join(path_nodes)
-                                    self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM PATH_INFO: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
-                                    # Update mesh graph with path edges
-                                    if hasattr(self.bot, 'mesh_graph') and self.bot.mesh_graph and self.bot.mesh_graph.capture_enabled:
-                                        self._update_mesh_graph(path_nodes, packet_info)
-                                else:
-                                    # No path found - this is truly unknown
-                                    path_string = "Direct" if hops == 0 else "Unknown routing"
-                                    self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM PACKET: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
+                        had_routing_nodes = bool((recent_rf_data.get('routing_info') or {}).get('path_nodes'))
+                        path_string, path_nodes, hops = self._get_path_from_rf_data(
+                            recent_rf_data, payload_hex=payload_hex, packet_info=packet_info
+                        )
+                        if path_string and path_nodes and hasattr(self.bot, 'mesh_graph') and self.bot.mesh_graph and self.bot.mesh_graph.capture_enabled:
+                            self._update_mesh_graph(path_nodes, packet_info)
+                        if path_string and not had_routing_nodes:
+                            self.logger.debug(f"Path from fallback decode: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
                 else:
-                    # Packet decoding failed - try to extract path directly from raw hex
-                    self.logger.debug("Packet decoding failed, trying direct hex parsing")
+                    self.logger.debug("Packet decoding failed, trying direct hex or routing_info fallback")
                     path_string = self.extract_path_from_raw_hex(raw_hex, hops)
-                    if path_string:
-                        self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM RAW HEX: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
-                    else:
-                        # Try to use routing info from RF data as fallback
-                        if recent_rf_data.get('routing_info') and recent_rf_data['routing_info'].get('path_nodes'):
-                            routing_info = recent_rf_data['routing_info']
-                            hops = len(routing_info['path_nodes'])
-                            path_string = ','.join(routing_info['path_nodes'])
-                            self.logger.info(f"🎯 EXTRACTED PATH FROM RF ROUTING INFO: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
-                        else:
-                            # Final fallback to basic path info
-                            self.logger.debug("No path info available, using basic path info")
-                            path_string = None
+                    if not path_string and recent_rf_data.get('routing_info') and recent_rf_data['routing_info'].get('path_nodes'):
+                        routing_info = recent_rf_data['routing_info']
+                        path_nodes = routing_info['path_nodes']
+                        hops = len(path_nodes)
+                        path_string = ','.join(str(n).lower() for n in path_nodes)
+                        self.logger.debug(f"Path from RF routing_info fallback: {path_string} ({hops} hops)")
             else:
                 self.logger.warning("❌ NO RF DATA found for channel message after all correlation attempts")
                 hops = payload.get('path_len', 255)
@@ -1760,6 +1785,8 @@ class MessageHandler:
                 elapsed=_elapsed,
                 is_dm=False
             )
+            if recent_rf_data and recent_rf_data.get('routing_info'):
+                message.routing_info = recent_rf_data['routing_info']
             
             # Path information is now set directly in the MeshMessage constructor from RF data
             # No need for additional path extraction since we're using the actual routing data
diff --git a/modules/models.py b/modules/models.py
index 740c2e4..c3bbb74 100644
--- a/modules/models.py
+++ b/modules/models.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Contains shared data structures used across modules
 """
 
 from dataclasses import dataclass
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -22,3 +22,5 @@ class MeshMessage:
     snr: Optional[float] = None
     rssi: Optional[int] = None
     elapsed: Optional[str] = None
+    # When set from RF routing: path_nodes, path_hex, bytes_per_hop, path_length, route_type, etc.
+    routing_info: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 75af6b3..d7b7e9e 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "maidenhead>=1.4.0",
     "pytz>=2023.3",
     "aiohttp>=3.8.0",
-    "meshcore>=2.1.6",
+    "meshcore>=2.2.14",
     "openmeteo-requests>=1.7.2",
     "requests-cache>=1.1.1",
     "retry-requests>=1.0.0",
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index d4be2dd..9a1c109 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ pytz>=2023.3
 aiohttp>=3.8.0
 cryptography>=41.0.0
 pynacl>=1.5.0
-meshcore>=2.1.6
+meshcore>=2.2.14
 openmeteo-requests>=1.7.2
 requests-cache>=1.1.1
 retry-requests>=1.0.0
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_path_command_multibyte.py b/tests/unit/test_path_command_multibyte.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b530b09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/test_path_command_multibyte.py
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Unit tests for PathCommand multi-byte path support: routing_info usage and comma/prefix parsing.
+"""
+
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+from modules.commands.path_command import PathCommand
+from modules.models import MeshMessage
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+class TestPathCommandDecodePathMultibyte:
+    """Test _decode_path parsing: comma-separated inference and parse_path_string fallback."""
+
+    @pytest.fixture
+    def path_command(self, mock_bot):
+        """Create a PathCommand instance."""
+        return PathCommand(mock_bot)
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_comma_separated_two_byte_infers_four_char_nodes(self, path_command, mock_bot):
+        """path 0102,5f7e -> 2 nodes (0102, 5F7E) even when prefix_hex_chars=2 would give 4 nodes for continuous."""
+        mock_bot.prefix_hex_chars = 2
+        captured = []
+
+        async def capture_lookup(node_ids, lookup_func=None):
+            captured.append(node_ids)
+            return {nid: {'found': True, 'name': nid} for nid in node_ids}
+
+        path_command._lookup_repeater_names = capture_lookup
+        await path_command._decode_path("0102,5f7e")
+        assert len(captured) == 1
+        assert captured[0] == ['0102', '5F7E']
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_comma_separated_one_byte_two_nodes(self, path_command, mock_bot):
+        """path 01,5f -> 2 nodes (01, 5F)."""
+        mock_bot.prefix_hex_chars = 2
+        captured = []
+
+        async def capture_lookup(node_ids, lookup_func=None):
+            captured.append(node_ids)
+            return {nid: {'found': True, 'name': nid} for nid in node_ids}
+
+        path_command._lookup_repeater_names = capture_lookup
+        await path_command._decode_path("01,5f")
+        assert len(captured) == 1
+        assert captured[0] == ['01', '5F']
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_continuous_hex_uses_prefix_hex_chars(self, path_command, mock_bot):
+        """path 01025f7e: prefix_hex_chars=2 -> 4 nodes (1-byte); prefix_hex_chars=4 -> 2 nodes (2-byte)."""
+        captured = []
+
+        async def capture_lookup(node_ids, lookup_func=None):
+            captured.append(list(node_ids))
+            return {nid: {'found': True, 'name': nid} for nid in node_ids}
+
+        path_command._lookup_repeater_names = capture_lookup
+
+        mock_bot.prefix_hex_chars = 2  # 2 hex chars per node = 1 byte per hop
+        captured.clear()
+        await path_command._decode_path("01025f7e")
+        assert len(captured) == 1
+        assert captured[0] == ['01', '02', '5F', '7E']
+
+        mock_bot.prefix_hex_chars = 4  # 4 hex chars per node = 2 bytes per hop
+        captured.clear()
+        await path_command._decode_path("01025f7e")
+        assert len(captured) == 1
+        assert captured[0] == ['0102', '5F7E']
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_strips_hop_count_suffix(self, path_command, mock_bot):
+        """path 01,5f (2 hops) -> 2 nodes."""
+        mock_bot.prefix_hex_chars = 2
+        captured = []
+
+        async def capture_lookup(node_ids, lookup_func=None):
+            captured.append(node_ids)
+            return {nid: {'found': True, 'name': nid} for nid in node_ids}
+
+        path_command._lookup_repeater_names = capture_lookup
+        await path_command._decode_path("01,5f (2 hops)")
+        assert len(captured) == 1
+        assert captured[0] == ['01', '5F']
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+class TestPathCommandExtractPathUsesRoutingInfo:
+    """Test _extract_path_from_recent_messages prefers routing_info.path_nodes when present."""
+
+    @pytest.fixture
+    def path_command(self, mock_bot):
+        """Create a PathCommand instance."""
+        return PathCommand(mock_bot)
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_uses_routing_info_path_nodes_when_present(self, path_command, mock_bot):
+        """When message has routing_info with path_nodes, use them directly (no _decode_path)."""
+        path_command._current_message = MeshMessage(
+            content="path",
+            path="0102,5f7e (2 hops via FLOOD)",
+            routing_info={
+                'path_length': 2,
+                'path_nodes': ['0102', '5f7e'],
+                'path_hex': '01025f7e',
+                'bytes_per_hop': 2,
+                'route_type': 'FLOOD',
+            },
+        )
+        captured = []
+
+        async def capture_lookup(node_ids, lookup_func=None):
+            captured.append(list(node_ids))
+            return {nid: {'found': True, 'name': nid} for nid in node_ids}
+
+        path_command._lookup_repeater_names = capture_lookup
+        decode_path_called = []
+
+        async def track_decode(path_input):
+            decode_path_called.append(path_input)
+            return "decode_path_result"
+
+        path_command._decode_path = track_decode
+        path_command.translate = lambda key, **kwargs: f"msg:{kwargs.get('node_id', kwargs.get('name', key))}"
+
+        result = await path_command._extract_path_from_recent_messages()
+
+        assert len(captured) == 1
+        assert captured[0] == ['0102', '5F7E']
+        assert len(decode_path_called) == 0, "Should not call _decode_path when routing_info.path_nodes present"
+        assert '0102' in result and '5F7E' in result
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_direct_connection_when_routing_info_path_length_zero(self, path_command, mock_bot):
+        """When routing_info.path_length is 0, return direct connection message."""
+        path_command._current_message = MeshMessage(
+            content="path",
+            path="Direct via FLOOD",
+            routing_info={'path_length': 0, 'path_nodes': [], 'route_type': 'FLOOD'},
+        )
+        path_command.translate = lambda key, **kwargs: "Direct connection" if "direct" in key.lower() else key
+        result = await path_command._extract_path_from_recent_messages()
+        assert "direct" in result.lower()