diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 615db68..604bd78 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -207,11 +207,11 @@ Keyword responses support these template variables:
 
 ### Adding Newlines
 
-To add newlines in keyword responses, use `\\n` (double backslash + n):
+To add newlines in keyword responses, use `\n` (single backslash + n):
 
 ```ini
 [Keywords]
-test = "Line 1\\nLine 2\\nLine 3"
+test = "Line 1\nLine 2\nLine 3"
 ```
 
 This will output:
@@ -221,7 +221,8 @@ Line 2
 Line 3
 ```
 
-Other escape sequences: `\\t` (tab), `\\r` (carriage return), `\\\\` (literal backslash)
+To use a literal backslash + n, use `\\n` (double backslash + n).  
+Other escape sequences: `\t` (tab), `\r` (carriage return), `\\` (literal backslash)
 
 Example:
 ```ini
diff --git a/config.ini.example b/config.ini.example
index 2c4ce72..3669188 100644
--- a/config.ini.example
+++ b/config.ini.example
@@ -230,14 +230,15 @@ long_jokes = false
 # {firstlast_distance} - Distance between first and last repeater in path (e.g., "45.6km" or empty if locations missing)
 # {elapsed} - Message elapsed time
 #
-# To add newlines in responses, use \\n (double backslash + n):
-# Example: test = "Line 1\\nLine 2\\nLine 3"
+# To add newlines in responses, use \n (single backslash + n):
+# Example: test = "Line 1\nLine 2\nLine 3"
 # This will output:
 # Line 1
 # Line 2
 # Line 3
 #
-# Other escape sequences: \\t (tab), \\r (carriage return), \\\\ (literal backslash)
+# To use a literal backslash + n, use \\n (double backslash + n)
+# Other escape sequences: \t (tab), \r (carriage return), \\ (literal backslash)
 # 
 # Available placeholders (mesh network info - same as Scheduled_Messages):
 # Total counts (ever heard):
diff --git a/modules/command_manager.py b/modules/command_manager.py
index 53c49e8..2690773 100644
--- a/modules/command_manager.py
+++ b/modules/command_manager.py
@@ -181,7 +181,11 @@ class CommandManager:
         """Decode escape sequences in config strings.
         
         Processes common escape sequences like \\n (newline), \\t (tab), \\\\ (backslash).
-        This allows users to add newlines in keyword responses using \\n.
+        This allows users to add newlines in keyword responses using \n (single backslash).
+        
+        Behavior:
+        - \n in config file → newline character
+        - \\n in config file → literal backslash + n
         
         Args:
             text: The text string to process.
@@ -191,6 +195,7 @@ class CommandManager:
         """
         # Replace escape sequences
         # Order matters: \\ must be processed first to avoid double-processing
+        # This preserves literal backslashes (\\n becomes \n, not a newline)
         text = text.replace('\\\\', '\x00')  # Temporary placeholder for backslash
         text = text.replace('\\n', '\n')     # Newline
         text = text.replace('\\t', '\t')     # Tab
diff --git a/modules/commands/greeter_command.py b/modules/commands/greeter_command.py
index b33e8ea..7e2b637 100644
--- a/modules/commands/greeter_command.py
+++ b/modules/commands/greeter_command.py
@@ -123,7 +123,11 @@ class GreeterCommand(BaseCommand):
         """Decode escape sequences in config strings.
         
         Processes common escape sequences like \\n (newline), \\t (tab), \\\\ (backslash).
-        This allows users to add newlines in greeting messages using \\n.
+        This allows users to add newlines in greeting messages using \n (single backslash).
+        
+        Behavior:
+        - \n in config file → newline character
+        - \\n in config file → literal backslash + n
         
         Args:
             text: The text string to process.
@@ -133,6 +137,7 @@ class GreeterCommand(BaseCommand):
         """
         # Replace escape sequences
         # Order matters: \\ must be processed first to avoid double-processing
+        # This preserves literal backslashes (\\n becomes \n, not a newline)
         text = text.replace('\\\\', '\x00')  # Temporary placeholder for backslash
         text = text.replace('\\n', '\n')     # Newline
         text = text.replace('\\t', '\t')     # Tab
@@ -153,9 +158,13 @@ class GreeterCommand(BaseCommand):
                                                        fallback=True, value_type='bool')
         self.mesh_info_format = self.get_config_value('Greeter_Command', 'mesh_info_format',
                                                       fallback='\n\nMesh Info: {total_contacts} contacts, {repeaters} repeaters')
-        # Decode escape sequences (e.g., \\n for newlines)
+        # Decode escape sequences (e.g., \n for newlines)
         self.mesh_info_format = self._decode_escape_sequences(self.mesh_info_format)
         
+        # Log configuration for debugging
+        self.logger.debug(f"Greeter config loaded: include_mesh_info={self.include_mesh_info}, "
+                         f"mesh_info_format={repr(self.mesh_info_format)}")
+        
         self.per_channel_greetings = self.get_config_value('Greeter_Command', 'per_channel_greetings',
                                                            fallback=False, value_type='bool')
         self.auto_backfill = self.get_config_value('Greeter_Command', 'auto_backfill', 
@@ -1021,17 +1030,28 @@ class GreeterCommand(BaseCommand):
         
         # Add mesh info to the last part if enabled
         if self.include_mesh_info:
-            mesh_info_text = self.mesh_info_format.format(
-                total_contacts=mesh_info.get('total_contacts', 0),
-                repeaters=mesh_info.get('repeaters', 0),
-                companions=mesh_info.get('companions', 0),
-                recent_activity_24h=mesh_info.get('recent_activity_24h', 0)
-            )
-            # Append mesh info to the last greeting part
-            if formatted_parts:
-                formatted_parts[-1] += mesh_info_text
-            else:
-                formatted_parts.append(mesh_info_text)
+            self.logger.debug(f"Including mesh info. Format: {repr(self.mesh_info_format)}, Mesh info: {mesh_info}")
+            try:
+                mesh_info_text = self.mesh_info_format.format(
+                    total_contacts=mesh_info.get('total_contacts', 0),
+                    repeaters=mesh_info.get('repeaters', 0),
+                    companions=mesh_info.get('companions', 0),
+                    recent_activity_24h=mesh_info.get('recent_activity_24h', 0)
+                )
+                self.logger.debug(f"Formatted mesh info text: {repr(mesh_info_text)}")
+                # Append mesh info to the last greeting part
+                if formatted_parts:
+                    formatted_parts[-1] += mesh_info_text
+                else:
+                    formatted_parts.append(mesh_info_text)
+            except (KeyError, ValueError) as e:
+                self.logger.warning(f"Error formatting mesh info: {e}. Format string: {repr(self.mesh_info_format)}, Mesh info keys: {list(mesh_info.keys())}")
+                # Continue without mesh info rather than failing the entire greeting
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.logger.error(f"Unexpected error formatting mesh info: {e}", exc_info=True)
+                # Continue without mesh info rather than failing the entire greeting
+        else:
+            self.logger.debug("Mesh info not included (include_mesh_info is False)")
         
         return formatted_parts