feat(vault)!: implement full Shamir re-key flow and governance execution (§3.3–§3.5)

- Add `rekey.proto` with `ContributePassphrase` / `ContributeRecoveryPassphrase` / `RekeyResult`
- Wire `rekey` as a 4th vault stream payload in `vault.proto` and gRPC dispatch
- Add `RekeyRootKey` message to `Vault` actor: generates new random seal key, re-encrypts root key, writes new `root_key_history` row
- Add `StartRekey`, `ContributeRekey`, `ContributeRecoveryRekey` messages to `VaultCoordinator`; `finalize_rekey` uses threshold-1 fast path identical to bootstrap
- `execute_replace_operator` now UPDATEs `operator_identity.public_key` in-place (avoids FK constraint violation), deletes stale `operator` share row, then triggers `StartRekey`
- `execute_update_shamir_parameters` triggers `StartRekey` instead of warning stub
- `ProposalKind::ReplaceOperator` carries `old_operator_id`; encode/decode updated accordingly
- `GlobalActors::spawn` extracts `vault_coordinator` before `Ok(Self { … })` so it can be cloned into `ProposalManager::new`
- Add `handle_rekey` in session handlers forwarding passphrase contributions to `VaultCoordinator`
- Fix test: rename `replace_operator_inserts_identity_row` → `replace_operator_updates_pubkey_and_starts_rekey`, assert count stays 1 and pubkey is updated

protobufs/operator.proto

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ package arbiter.operator;
 
 import "operator/auth.proto";
 import "operator/evm.proto";
+import "operator/governance.proto";
 import "operator/sdk_client.proto";
 import "operator/vault/vault.proto";
 
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ message OperatorRequest {
     vault.Request           vault       = 2;
     evm.Request             evm         = 3;
     sdk_client.Request      sdk_client  = 4;
+    governance.Request      governance  = 5;
   }
 }
 
@@ -24,5 +26,6 @@ message OperatorResponse {
     vault.Response          vault       = 2;
     evm.Response            evm         = 3;
     sdk_client.Response     sdk_client  = 4;
+    governance.Response     governance  = 5;
   }
 }

protobufs/operator/governance.proto

@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+syntax = "proto3";
+
+package arbiter.operator.governance;
+
+message Request {
+  oneof payload {
+    CreateProposalRequest create = 1;
+    CastVoteRequest       vote   = 2;
+    QueryPendingRequest   query  = 3;
+  }
+}
+
+message CreateProposalRequest {
+  oneof kind {
+    ApproveSdkClientPayload         approve_sdk_client          = 1;
+    GrantWalletAccessPayload        grant_wallet_access         = 3;
+    ApproveServerUpdatePayload      approve_server_update       = 4;
+    ReplaceOperatorPayload          replace_operator            = 5;
+    UpdateShamirParametersPayload   update_shamir_parameters    = 6;
+    ApprovePersistentGrantPayload   approve_persistent_grant    = 7;
+    ApproveOneOffTransactionPayload approve_one_off_transaction = 8;
+  }
+  optional uint32 ttl_secs = 2;
+}
+
+message ReplaceOperatorPayload {
+  int32 old_operator_id = 1;
+  bytes new_pubkey      = 2;
+}
+
+message UpdateShamirParametersPayload {
+  uint32 new_n = 1;
+}
+
+message ApproveServerUpdatePayload {}
+
+message ApproveSdkClientPayload {
+  int32 client_id = 1;
+}
+
+message GrantWalletAccessPayload {
+  int32 wallet_id = 1;
+  int32 client_id = 2;
+}
+
+message CastVoteRequest {
+  int32 proposal_id = 1;
+  bool  approve     = 2;
+  bytes signature   = 3;
+}
+
+message QueryPendingRequest {}
+
+message Response {
+  oneof payload {
+    CreateProposalResponse created = 1;
+    VoteResponse           voted   = 2;
+    QueryPendingResponse   pending = 3;
+  }
+}
+
+message CreateProposalResponse {
+  int32 proposal_id = 1;
+}
+
+message VoteResponse {
+  VoteOutcome outcome = 1;
+}
+
+enum VoteOutcome {
+  VOTE_OUTCOME_UNSPECIFIED = 0;
+  VOTE_OUTCOME_PENDING     = 1;
+  VOTE_OUTCOME_APPROVED    = 2;
+  VOTE_OUTCOME_REJECTED    = 3;
+}
+
+message ProposalSummary {
+  int32  id            = 1;
+  string kind          = 2;
+  int32  initiator_id  = 3;
+  int64  expires_at    = 4;
+  int64  approve_count = 5;
+  int64  reject_count  = 6;
+}
+
+message QueryPendingResponse {
+  repeated ProposalSummary proposals = 1;
+}
+
+message TransactionRateLimitProto {
+  uint32 count       = 1;
+  int64  window_secs = 2;
+}
+
+message VolumeLimitProto {
+  bytes max_volume  = 1;
+  int64 window_secs = 2;
+}
+
+message EtherTransferSpecProto {
+  repeated bytes   targets = 1;
+  VolumeLimitProto limit   = 2;
+}
+
+message TokenTransferSpecProto {
+  bytes                     token_contract = 1;
+  optional bytes            target         = 2;
+  repeated VolumeLimitProto volume_limits  = 3;
+}
+
+message ApproveOneOffTransactionPayload {
+  int32  client_id                = 1;
+  bytes  wallet_address           = 2;
+  uint64 chain_id                 = 3;
+  uint64 nonce                    = 4;
+  uint64 gas_limit                = 5;
+  bytes  max_fee_per_gas          = 6;
+  bytes  max_priority_fee_per_gas = 7;
+  bytes  to                       = 8;
+  bytes  value                    = 9;
+  bytes  input                    = 10;
+}
+
+message ApprovePersistentGrantPayload {
+  int32                              wallet_access_id         = 1;
+  uint64                             chain_id                 = 2;
+  optional int64                     valid_from_secs          = 3;
+  optional int64                     valid_until_secs         = 4;
+  optional bytes                     max_gas_fee_per_gas      = 5;
+  optional bytes                     max_priority_fee_per_gas = 6;
+  optional TransactionRateLimitProto rate_limit               = 7;
+  oneof specific {
+    EtherTransferSpecProto ether_transfer = 8;
+    TokenTransferSpecProto token_transfer = 9;
+  }
+}

protobufs/operator/vault/bootstrap.proto

@@ -10,12 +10,18 @@ message BootstrapEncryptedKey {
 
 message DeclareCommittee {
   uint32 count          = 1;
+  uint32 recovery_count = 2;
 }
 
 message ContributePassphrase {
   bytes passphrase = 1;
 }
 
+message ContributeRecoveryPassphrase {
+  int32 recovery_operator_id = 1;
+  bytes passphrase            = 2;
+}
+
 enum BootstrapResult {
   BOOTSTRAP_RESULT_UNSPECIFIED = 0;
   BOOTSTRAP_RESULT_SUCCESS = 1;
@@ -29,6 +35,7 @@ message Request {
     BootstrapEncryptedKey        encrypted_key                    = 2;
     DeclareCommittee             declare_committee                = 3;
     ContributePassphrase         contribute_passphrase            = 4;
+    ContributeRecoveryPassphrase contribute_recovery_passphrase   = 5;
   }
 }
 

protobufs/operator/vault/rekey.proto

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+syntax = "proto3";
+
+package arbiter.operator.vault.rekey;
+
+message ContributePassphrase {
+  bytes passphrase = 1;
+}
+
+message ContributeRecoveryPassphrase {
+  int32 recovery_operator_id = 1;
+  bytes passphrase           = 2;
+}
+
+enum RekeyResult {
+  REKEY_RESULT_UNSPECIFIED            = 0;
+  REKEY_RESULT_SUCCESS                = 1;
+  REKEY_RESULT_AWAITING_CONTRIBUTIONS = 2;
+  REKEY_RESULT_NOT_IN_PROGRESS        = 3;
+}
+
+message Request {
+  oneof payload {
+    ContributePassphrase         contribute_passphrase          = 1;
+    ContributeRecoveryPassphrase contribute_recovery_passphrase = 2;
+  }
+}
+
+message Response {
+  RekeyResult result = 1;
+}

protobufs/operator/vault/unseal.proto

@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ message ContributePassphrase {
   bytes passphrase = 1;
 }
 
+message ContributeRecoveryPassphrase {
+  int32 recovery_operator_id = 1;
+  bytes passphrase            = 2;
+}
+
 enum UnsealResult {
   UNSEAL_RESULT_UNSPECIFIED = 0;
   UNSEAL_RESULT_SUCCESS = 1;
@@ -32,6 +37,7 @@ message Request {
     UnsealStart                  start                          = 1;
     UnsealEncryptedKey           encrypted_key                  = 2;
     ContributePassphrase         contribute_passphrase          = 3;
+    ContributeRecoveryPassphrase contribute_recovery_passphrase = 4;
   }
 }
 

protobufs/operator/vault/vault.proto

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package arbiter.operator.vault;
 import "google/protobuf/empty.proto";
 import "shared/vault.proto";
 import "operator/vault/bootstrap.proto";
+import "operator/vault/rekey.proto";
 import "operator/vault/unseal.proto";
 
 message Request {
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ message Request {
     google.protobuf.Empty query_state = 1;
     unseal.Request        unseal      = 2;
     bootstrap.Request     bootstrap   = 3;
+    rekey.Request         rekey       = 4;
   }
 }
 
@@ -20,5 +22,6 @@ message Response {
     arbiter.shared.VaultState state     = 1;
     unseal.Response           unseal    = 2;
     bootstrap.Response        bootstrap = 3;
+    rekey.Response            rekey     = 4;
   }
 }

server/Cargo.lock

@@ -769,6 +769,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "mutants",
  "pem",
  "proptest",
+ "prost",
  "prost-types",
  "rand 0.10.1",
  "rand_core 0.6.4",

server/clippy.toml

@@ -26,3 +26,5 @@ trait-assoc-item-kinds-order = [
     "type",
     "fn",
 ] # community tested standard
+
+too-many-lines-threshold = 150

server/crates/arbiter-crypto/src/authn/v1.rs

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ use rand::RngExt;
 
 pub static CLIENT_CONTEXT: &[u8] = b"arbiter_client";
 pub static OPERATOR_CONTEXT: &[u8] = b"arbiter_operator";
+pub static GOVERNANCE_CONTEXT: &[u8] = b"arbiter_governance_vote";
 
 const NONCE_SIZE: usize = 32;
 
@@ -90,6 +91,11 @@ impl PublicKey {
         self.0
             .verify_with_context(&challenge, context, &signature.0)
     }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn verify_message(&self, message: &[u8], context: &[u8], signature: &Signature) -> bool {
+        self.0.verify_with_context(message, context, &signature.0)
+    }
 }
 
 impl Signature {

server/crates/arbiter-proto/src/lib.rs

@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ pub mod proto {
             tonic::include_proto!("arbiter.operator.evm");
         }
 
+        pub mod governance {
+            tonic::include_proto!("arbiter.operator.governance");
+        }
+
         pub mod sdk_client {
             tonic::include_proto!("arbiter.operator.sdk_client");
         }
@@ -34,6 +38,10 @@ pub mod proto {
                 tonic::include_proto!("arbiter.operator.vault.bootstrap");
             }
 
+            pub mod rekey {
+                tonic::include_proto!("arbiter.operator.vault.rekey");
+            }
+
             pub mod unseal {
                 tonic::include_proto!("arbiter.operator.vault.unseal");
             }

server/crates/arbiter-server/Cargo.toml

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ pem = "3.0.6"
 sha2.workspace = true
 hmac.workspace = true
 alloy.workspace = true
+prost.workspace = true
 prost-types.workspace = true
 arbiter-tokens-registry.path = "../arbiter-tokens-registry"
 anyhow = "1.0.102"

server/crates/arbiter-server/migrations/2026-02-14-171124-0000_init/up.sql

@@ -216,3 +216,73 @@ create table if not exists integrity_envelope (
 ) STRICT;
 
 create unique index if not exists uniq_integrity_envelope_entity on integrity_envelope (entity_kind, entity_id);
+
+create table if not exists proposal (
+    id           integer not null primary key,
+    kind         text    not null,
+    payload      blob    not null,
+    initiator_id integer not null references operator_identity(id) on delete restrict,
+    created_at   integer not null default(unixepoch('now')),
+    expires_at   integer not null,
+    status       text    not null default 'pending'
+        check (status in ('pending', 'approved', 'rejected', 'expired'))
+) STRICT;
+
+create table if not exists proposal_vote (
+    id          integer not null primary key,
+    proposal_id integer not null references proposal(id) on delete cascade,
+    operator_id integer not null references operator_identity(id) on delete restrict,
+    approve     integer not null check (approve in (0, 1)),
+    signature   blob    not null,
+    voted_at    integer not null default(unixepoch('now')),
+    unique (proposal_id, operator_id)
+) STRICT;
+
+
+create table if not exists proposal_result (
+    proposal_id integer not null primary key references proposal(id) on delete cascade,
+    data        blob    not null,
+    created_at  integer not null default(unixepoch('now'))
+) STRICT;
+
+-- ===============================
+-- Recovery Operators (§3.4/§3.5/§3.6)
+-- ===============================
+
+-- Encrypted Shamir shares for recovery operators (mirrors the `operator` table).
+create table if not exists recovery_operator (
+    id          integer not null primary key references recovery_operator_identity(id) on delete restrict,
+    share       blob    not null,
+    share_nonce blob    not null,
+    share_salt  blob    not null,
+    created_at  integer not null default(unixepoch('now')),
+    updated_at  integer not null default(unixepoch('now'))
+) STRICT;
+
+create table if not exists recovery_operator_identity (
+    id         integer not null primary key,
+    public_key blob    not null unique,
+    created_at integer not null default(unixepoch('now')),
+    updated_at integer not null default(unixepoch('now'))
+) STRICT;
+
+-- One active wakeup request at a time. A request is pending when cancelled_at IS NULL
+-- and requested_at + 14 days > now. It becomes active (recovery live) after 14 days.
+create table if not exists recovery_wakeup_request (
+    id           integer not null primary key,
+    requested_by integer not null references operator_identity(id) on delete restrict,
+    requested_at integer not null default(unixepoch('now')),
+    cancelled_by integer references operator_identity(id) on delete restrict,
+    cancelled_at integer
+) STRICT;
+
+-- Votes cast by recovery operators; only allowed on replace_operator proposals.
+create table if not exists recovery_proposal_vote (
+    id                   integer not null primary key,
+    proposal_id          integer not null references proposal(id) on delete cascade,
+    recovery_operator_id integer not null references recovery_operator_identity(id) on delete restrict,
+    approve              integer not null check (approve in (0, 1)),
+    signature            blob    not null,
+    voted_at             integer not null default(unixepoch('now')),
+    unique (proposal_id, recovery_operator_id)
+) STRICT;

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/mod.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::{
     actors::{
         bootstrap::Bootstrapper, evm::EvmActor, flow_coordinator::FlowCoordinator,
-        operator_registry::OperatorRegistry, vault::Vault,
+        operator_registry::OperatorRegistry, proposal_manager::ProposalManager, vault::Vault,
         vault_coordinator::VaultCoordinator,
     },
     db,
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ pub mod bootstrap;
 pub mod evm;
 pub mod flow_coordinator;
 pub mod operator_registry;
+pub mod proposal_manager;
 pub mod vault;
 pub mod vault_coordinator;
 
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ pub struct GlobalActors {
     pub flow_coordinator: ActorRef<FlowCoordinator>,
     pub operator_registry: ActorRef<OperatorRegistry>,
     pub evm: ActorRef<EvmActor>,
+    pub proposal_manager: ActorRef<ProposalManager>,
     pub events: ActorRef<MessageBus>,
 }
 
@@ -48,19 +50,27 @@ impl GlobalActors {
         let message_bus = Self::spawn_message_bus();
         let key_holder = Vault::spawn(Vault::new(db.clone(), message_bus.clone()).await?);
         let operator_registry = OperatorRegistry::spawn(OperatorRegistry::default());
+        let evm = EvmActor::spawn(EvmActor::new(key_holder.clone(), db.clone()));
+        let vault_coordinator = VaultCoordinator::spawn(VaultCoordinator::new(
+            db.clone(),
+            key_holder.clone(),
+        ));
         Ok(Self {
             bootstrapper: Bootstrapper::spawn(Bootstrapper::new(&db).await?),
-            evm: EvmActor::spawn(EvmActor::new(key_holder.clone(), db.clone())),
+            proposal_manager: ProposalManager::spawn(ProposalManager::new(
-            vault_coordinator: VaultCoordinator::spawn(VaultCoordinator::new(
                 db,
                 key_holder.clone(),
+                evm.clone(),
+                vault_coordinator.clone(),
             )),
             vault: key_holder,
+            vault_coordinator,
             flow_coordinator: FlowCoordinator::spawn(FlowCoordinator::new(
                 operator_registry.clone(),
             )),
             operator_registry,
             events: message_bus,
+            evm,
         })
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/vault/mod.rs

@@ -275,6 +275,59 @@ impl Vault {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Re-encrypts the root key with `new_seal_key` and records a new root_key_history row.
+    /// Called after a Shamir re-key so the old seal key is no longer sufficient to unseal.
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn rekey_root_key(&mut self, mut new_seal_key: KeyCell) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        let Unsealed {
+            root_key,
+            root_key_history_id,
+        } = Self::expect_unsealed(&mut self.state)?;
+
+        let new_nonce = Nonce::default();
+        let new_salt = v1::generate_salt();
+
+        let new_ciphertext: Vec<u8> = root_key.0.read_inline(|rk| {
+            new_seal_key
+                .encrypt(&new_nonce, v1::ROOT_KEY_TAG, rk.as_slice())
+                .map_err(|err| {
+                    error!(?err, "Fatal rekey error");
+                    Error::Encryption(err)
+                })
+        })?;
+
+        let data_encryption_nonce = Nonce::default();
+
+        let mut conn = self.db.get().await?;
+        let new_root_key_history_id: i32 = conn
+            .transaction(async |conn| {
+                let new_id = insert_into(schema::root_key_history::table)
+                    .values(&models::NewRootKeyHistory {
+                        ciphertext: new_ciphertext,
+                        tag: v1::ROOT_KEY_TAG.to_vec(),
+                        root_key_encryption_nonce: new_nonce.to_vec(),
+                        data_encryption_nonce: data_encryption_nonce.to_vec(),
+                        schema_version: 1,
+                        salt: new_salt.to_vec(),
+                    })
+                    .returning(schema::root_key_history::id)
+                    .get_result::<i32>(&mut *conn)
+                    .await?;
+
+                update(schema::arbiter_settings::table)
+                    .set(schema::arbiter_settings::root_key_id.eq(new_id))
+                    .execute(&mut *conn)
+                    .await?;
+
+                Result::<_, diesel::result::Error>::Ok(new_id)
+            })
+            .await?;
+
+        *root_key_history_id = RootKeyHistoryId::from_raw(new_root_key_history_id);
+        info!("Vault root key rekeyed successfully");
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     #[message]
     pub async fn seal(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
         let Unsealed {

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/actors/vault_coordinator/mod.rs

@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ use rand_core::{OsRng, RngCore as _};
 use tracing::error;
 
 use crate::{
-    actors::vault::{Bootstrap, TryUnseal, Vault},
+    actors::vault::{Bootstrap, RekeyRootKey, TryUnseal, Vault},
-    crypto::{KeyCell, derive_key, encryption::v1::Nonce, shamir},
+    crypto::{KeyCell, derive_key, encryption::v1::Nonce, shamir, shamir::shamir_threshold},
     db::{self, models, schema},
 };
 
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ pub enum Error {
     AlreadyBootstrapping,
     #[error("Already coordinating an unseal")]
     AlreadyUnsealing,
+    #[error("Rekey not in progress")]
+    NotRekeying,
     #[error("Bootstrap not in progress")]
     NotBootstrapping,
     #[error("Unseal not in progress")]
@@ -39,6 +41,8 @@ pub enum Error {
     Encryption,
     #[error("Vault error")]
     VaultError,
+    #[error("Two-operator vaults require at least one recovery share")]
+    TwoOperatorsRequireRecovery,
     #[error("Broken database")]
     BrokenDatabase,
 }
@@ -49,11 +53,23 @@ enum CoordinatorState {
     Idle,
     Bootstrapping {
         declared_count: usize,
+        recovery_count: usize,
         passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+        recovery_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
     },
     Unsealing {
         threshold: usize,
+        ordinary_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+        recovery_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+    },
+    /// Shamir re-key after `replace_operator` or `update_shamir_parameters` is approved (§3.3).
+    /// Collects new passphrases from all current operators, then generates a fresh seal key,
+    /// re-splits it, and re-encrypts the vault root key.
+    Rekeying {
+        ordinary_count: usize,
+        recovery_count: usize,
         passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+        recovery_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
     },
 }
 
@@ -76,51 +92,84 @@ impl VaultCoordinator {
 
 const SHARE_AAD: &[u8] = b"arbiter/shamir-share/v1";
 
-const fn shamir_threshold(n: usize) -> usize {
+fn encrypt_share(
-    match n {
+    passphrase_bytes: Vec<u8>,
-        0 => panic!("No operators"),
+    share: &[u8],
-        1 => 1,
+) -> Result<(Vec<u8>, Vec<u8>, Vec<u8>), Error> {
-        2 => 2,
+    let mut share_salt = vec![0u8; 32];
-        n => n / 2 + 1,
+    OsRng.fill_bytes(&mut share_salt);
-    }
+
+    let mut passphrase_cell = SafeCell::new(passphrase_bytes);
+    let mut share_seal_key = derive_key(&mut passphrase_cell, &share_salt);
+
+    let nonce = Nonce::default();
+    let encrypted_share = share_seal_key
+        .encrypt(&nonce, SHARE_AAD, share)
+        .map_err(|_| Error::Encryption)?;
+
+    Ok((encrypted_share, nonce.to_vec(), share_salt))
 }
 
+fn decrypt_share(
+    passphrase_bytes: Vec<u8>,
+    encrypted_share: Vec<u8>,
+    share_nonce_bytes: &[u8],
+    share_salt: &[u8],
+    operator_id: i32,
+) -> Result<Vec<u8>, Error> {
+    let nonce = Nonce::try_from(share_nonce_bytes).map_err(|()| {
+        error!(operator_id, "Invalid nonce in DB");
+        Error::BrokenDatabase
+    })?;
+
+    let mut passphrase_cell = SafeCell::new(passphrase_bytes);
+    let mut share_seal_key = derive_key(&mut passphrase_cell, share_salt);
+
+    let mut share_buffer = SafeCell::new(encrypted_share);
+    share_seal_key
+        .decrypt_in_place(&nonce, SHARE_AAD, &mut share_buffer)
+        .map_err(|_| Error::InvalidPassphrase)?;
+
+    Ok(share_buffer.read().clone())
+}
+
+/// §3.4: Split the seal key across ordinary + recovery operators.
+/// Threshold = `shamir_threshold(ordinary_count)`; total shares = ordinary + recovery.
+/// When `ordinary_count` == 1 (threshold = 1), vsss-rs does not support a proper split,
+/// so each share is the seal key itself — any single participant can reconstruct.
 async fn finalize_bootstrap(
     db: db::DatabasePool,
     vault: ActorRef<Vault>,
-    passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+    ordinary_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+    recovery_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    let total = passphrases.len();
+    let ordinary_count = ordinary_passphrases.len();
-    let threshold = shamir_threshold(total);
+    let recovery_count = recovery_passphrases.len();
+    let total = ordinary_count + recovery_count;
+    let threshold = shamir_threshold(ordinary_count);
 
-    // Generate random 32-byte seal key
     let mut seal_key_bytes = [0u8; 32];
     OsRng.fill_bytes(&mut seal_key_bytes);
 
-    // Split seal key into shares using Shamir (OsRng from rand_core 0.6, compatible with vsss-rs)
+    // threshold == 1 means any single share reconstructs the key (degenerate split).
-    let shares = shamir::split_key(threshold, total, &seal_key_bytes, OsRng)
+    // vsss-rs requires threshold >= 2, so we store the key directly in this case.
-        .map_err(|e| Error::Shamir(e.to_string()))?;
+    let shares: Vec<Vec<u8>> = if threshold >= 2 {
+        shamir::split_key(threshold, total, &seal_key_bytes, OsRng)
+            .map_err(|e| Error::Shamir(e.to_string()))?
+    } else {
+        std::iter::repeat_with(|| seal_key_bytes.to_vec()).take(total).collect()
+    };
 
     let seal_key = KeyCell::from(seal_key_bytes);
 
     let mut conn = db.get().await?;
+    let mut shares_iter = shares.into_iter();
 
-    for ((operator_id_raw, passphrase_bytes), share) in passphrases.into_iter().zip(shares) {
+    for (operator_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in ordinary_passphrases {
-        // Generate a fresh share_salt for this operator
+        let share = shares_iter
-        let mut share_salt = vec![0u8; 32];
+            .next()
-        OsRng.fill_bytes(&mut share_salt);
+            .expect("split_key returned enough shares");
-
+        let (encrypted_share, nonce_bytes, share_salt) = encrypt_share(passphrase_bytes, &share)?;
-        // Derive share encryption key from passphrase + salt
-        let mut passphrase_cell = SafeCell::new(passphrase_bytes);
-        let mut share_seal_key = derive_key(&mut passphrase_cell, &share_salt);
-
-        // Encrypt this operator's share
-        let nonce = Nonce::default();
-        let encrypted_share = share_seal_key
-            .encrypt(&nonce, SHARE_AAD, &share)
-            .map_err(|_| Error::Encryption)?;
-
-        let nonce_bytes = nonce.to_vec();
 
         diesel::replace_into(schema::operator::table)
             .values((
@@ -135,10 +184,26 @@ async fn finalize_bootstrap(
             .await?;
     }
 
-    vault
+    for (recovery_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in recovery_passphrases {
-        .ask(Bootstrap { seal_key })
+        let share = shares_iter
-        .await
+            .next()
-        .map_err(|err| {
+            .expect("split_key returned enough shares");
+        let (encrypted_share, nonce_bytes, share_salt) = encrypt_share(passphrase_bytes, &share)?;
+
+        diesel::replace_into(schema::recovery_operator::table)
+            .values((
+                schema::recovery_operator::id.eq(recovery_id_raw),
+                schema::recovery_operator::share.eq(&encrypted_share),
+                schema::recovery_operator::share_nonce.eq(&nonce_bytes),
+                schema::recovery_operator::share_salt.eq(&share_salt),
+                schema::recovery_operator::created_at.eq(models::SqliteTimestamp::now()),
+                schema::recovery_operator::updated_at.eq(models::SqliteTimestamp::now()),
+            ))
+            .execute(&mut conn)
+            .await?;
+    }
+
+    vault.ask(Bootstrap { seal_key }).await.map_err(|err| {
         error!(?err, "Vault bootstrap failed");
         Error::VaultError
     })?;
@@ -146,15 +211,25 @@ async fn finalize_bootstrap(
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// §3.5: Unseal using any threshold-sized mix of ordinary + recovery shares.
 async fn finalize_unseal(
     db: db::DatabasePool,
     vault: ActorRef<Vault>,
-    passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+    ordinary_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+    recovery_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let mut conn = db.get().await?;
+
+    // Determine whether shares were stored as raw keys (threshold=1) or vsss-rs splits (threshold>=2).
+    let ordinary_operator_count: i64 = schema::operator::table
+        .count()
+        .get_result(&mut conn)
+        .await?;
+    let threshold = shamir_threshold(ordinary_operator_count as usize);
+
     let mut shares: Vec<Vec<u8>> = Vec::new();
 
-    for (operator_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in passphrases {
+    for (operator_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in ordinary_passphrases {
         let (encrypted_share, share_nonce_bytes, share_salt): (Vec<u8>, Vec<u8>, Vec<u8>) =
             schema::operator::table
                 .filter(schema::operator::id.eq(Some(operator_id_raw)))
@@ -167,33 +242,134 @@ async fn finalize_unseal(
                 .await
                 .map_err(|_| Error::OperatorNotFound)?;
 
-        let nonce = Nonce::try_from(share_nonce_bytes.as_slice()).map_err(|()| {
+        shares.push(decrypt_share(
-            error!(operator_id = operator_id_raw, "Invalid nonce in DB");
+            passphrase_bytes,
-            Error::BrokenDatabase
+            encrypted_share,
-        })?;
+            &share_nonce_bytes,
-
+            &share_salt,
-        let mut passphrase_cell = SafeCell::new(passphrase_bytes);
+            operator_id_raw,
-        let mut share_seal_key = derive_key(&mut passphrase_cell, &share_salt);
+        )?);
-
-        let mut share_buffer = SafeCell::new(encrypted_share);
-        share_seal_key
-            .decrypt_in_place(&nonce, SHARE_AAD, &mut share_buffer)
-            .map_err(|_| Error::InvalidPassphrase)?;
-
-        let decrypted_share = share_buffer.read().clone();
-        shares.push(decrypted_share);
     }
 
-    let seal_key_bytes =
+    for (recovery_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in recovery_passphrases {
-        shamir::combine_shares(&shares).map_err(|e| Error::Shamir(e.to_string()))?;
+        let (encrypted_share, share_nonce_bytes, share_salt): (Vec<u8>, Vec<u8>, Vec<u8>) =
+            schema::recovery_operator::table
+                .find(recovery_id_raw)
+                .select((
+                    schema::recovery_operator::share,
+                    schema::recovery_operator::share_nonce,
+                    schema::recovery_operator::share_salt,
+                ))
+                .first(&mut conn)
+                .await
+                .map_err(|_| Error::OperatorNotFound)?;
+
+        shares.push(decrypt_share(
+            passphrase_bytes,
+            encrypted_share,
+            &share_nonce_bytes,
+            &share_salt,
+            recovery_id_raw,
+        )?);
+    }
+
+    // When threshold==1, shares are raw 32-byte seal keys (vsss-rs cannot split 1-of-N).
+    // Any single decrypted share is the key itself.
+    let seal_key_bytes: [u8; 32] = if threshold <= 1 {
+        let raw = shares
+            .into_iter()
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| Error::Shamir("No shares available".into()))?;
+        raw.try_into()
+            .map_err(|_| Error::Shamir("Invalid share length".into()))?
+    } else {
+        shamir::combine_shares(&shares).map_err(|e| Error::Shamir(e.to_string()))?
+    };
 
     let seal_key = KeyCell::from(seal_key_bytes);
 
+    vault.ask(TryUnseal { seal_key }).await.map_err(|err| {
+        error!(?err, "Vault unseal failed");
+        Error::VaultError
+    })?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// §3.3: Generate a fresh seal key, split across current operators, re-encrypt the vault root key.
+/// Called after `replace_operator` or `update_shamir_parameters` is approved and all contributors submit.
+async fn finalize_rekey(
+    db: db::DatabasePool,
+    vault: ActorRef<Vault>,
+    ordinary_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+    recovery_passphrases: HashMap<i32, Vec<u8>>,
+) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    let ordinary_count = ordinary_passphrases.len();
+    let recovery_count = recovery_passphrases.len();
+    let total = ordinary_count + recovery_count;
+    let threshold = shamir_threshold(ordinary_count);
+
+    let mut new_seal_key_bytes = [0u8; 32];
+    OsRng.fill_bytes(&mut new_seal_key_bytes);
+
+    let shares: Vec<Vec<u8>> = if threshold >= 2 {
+        shamir::split_key(threshold, total, &new_seal_key_bytes, OsRng)
+            .map_err(|e| Error::Shamir(e.to_string()))?
+    } else {
+        std::iter::repeat_with(|| new_seal_key_bytes.to_vec())
+            .take(total)
+            .collect()
+    };
+
+    let mut conn = db.get().await?;
+    let mut shares_iter = shares.into_iter();
+
+    for (operator_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in ordinary_passphrases {
+        let share = shares_iter
+            .next()
+            .expect("split_key returned enough shares");
+        let (encrypted_share, nonce_bytes, share_salt) = encrypt_share(passphrase_bytes, &share)?;
+
+        diesel::replace_into(schema::operator::table)
+            .values((
+                schema::operator::id.eq(Some(operator_id_raw)),
+                schema::operator::share.eq(&encrypted_share),
+                schema::operator::share_nonce.eq(&nonce_bytes),
+                schema::operator::share_salt.eq(&share_salt),
+                schema::operator::created_at.eq(models::SqliteTimestamp::now()),
+                schema::operator::updated_at.eq(models::SqliteTimestamp::now()),
+            ))
+            .execute(&mut conn)
+            .await?;
+    }
+
+    for (recovery_id_raw, passphrase_bytes) in recovery_passphrases {
+        let share = shares_iter
+            .next()
+            .expect("split_key returned enough shares");
+        let (encrypted_share, nonce_bytes, share_salt) = encrypt_share(passphrase_bytes, &share)?;
+
+        diesel::replace_into(schema::recovery_operator::table)
+            .values((
+                schema::recovery_operator::id.eq(recovery_id_raw),
+                schema::recovery_operator::share.eq(&encrypted_share),
+                schema::recovery_operator::share_nonce.eq(&nonce_bytes),
+                schema::recovery_operator::share_salt.eq(&share_salt),
+                schema::recovery_operator::created_at.eq(models::SqliteTimestamp::now()),
+                schema::recovery_operator::updated_at.eq(models::SqliteTimestamp::now()),
+            ))
+            .execute(&mut conn)
+            .await?;
+    }
+
+    drop(conn);
+
+    let new_seal_key = KeyCell::from(new_seal_key_bytes);
     vault
-        .ask(TryUnseal { seal_key })
+        .ask(RekeyRootKey { new_seal_key })
         .await
         .map_err(|err| {
-            error!(?err, "Vault unseal failed");
+            error!(?err, "Vault rekey failed");
             Error::VaultError
         })?;
 
@@ -209,20 +385,26 @@ impl VaultCoordinator {
         &mut self,
         operator_id: i32,
         declared_count: usize,
+        recovery_count: usize,
     ) -> Result<(), Error> {
         let _ = operator_id; // fixme!: any authenticated operator may announce the committee size. the first call wins
         if !matches!(self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle) {
             return Err(Error::AlreadyBootstrapping);
         }
+        if declared_count == 2 && recovery_count == 0 {
+            return Err(Error::TwoOperatorsRequireRecovery);
+        }
         self.state = CoordinatorState::Bootstrapping {
             declared_count,
+            recovery_count,
             passphrases: HashMap::new(),
+            recovery_passphrases: HashMap::new(),
         };
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    /// Phase 2 of multi-operator bootstrap: contribute a passphrase.
+    /// Phase 2 of multi-operator bootstrap: ordinary operator contributes a passphrase.
-    /// Returns Ok(true) when all operators contributed and bootstrap finalized.
+    /// Returns Ok(true) when all ordinary + recovery operators contributed and bootstrap finalized.
     #[message]
     pub async fn contribute_bootstrap(
         &mut self,
@@ -231,7 +413,9 @@ impl VaultCoordinator {
     ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
         let CoordinatorState::Bootstrapping {
             declared_count,
+            recovery_count,
             passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
         } = &mut self.state
         else {
             return Err(Error::NotBootstrapping);
@@ -241,25 +425,81 @@ impl VaultCoordinator {
             return Err(Error::DuplicateContribution);
         }
 
-        // Extract bytes immediately so state stays Sync
         let passphrase_bytes = passphrase.read().to_vec();
         passphrases.insert(operator_id, passphrase_bytes);
 
-        if passphrases.len() < *declared_count {
+        if passphrases.len() < *declared_count || recovery_passphrases.len() < *recovery_count {
             return Ok(false);
         }
 
-        let CoordinatorState::Bootstrapping { passphrases, .. } =
+        let CoordinatorState::Bootstrapping {
-            std::mem::replace(&mut self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle)
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+            ..
+        } = std::mem::replace(&mut self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle)
         else {
             unreachable!()
         };
 
-        finalize_bootstrap(self.db.clone(), self.vault.clone(), passphrases).await?;
+        finalize_bootstrap(
+            self.db.clone(),
+            self.vault.clone(),
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        )
+        .await?;
         Ok(true)
     }
 
-    /// Contribute a passphrase for vault unseal.
+    /// Phase 2 of multi-operator bootstrap: recovery operator contributes a passphrase.
+    /// Returns Ok(true) when all contributors are in and bootstrap finalized.
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn contribute_recovery_bootstrap(
+        &mut self,
+        recovery_operator_id: i32,
+        mut passphrase: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let CoordinatorState::Bootstrapping {
+            declared_count,
+            recovery_count,
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        } = &mut self.state
+        else {
+            return Err(Error::NotBootstrapping);
+        };
+
+        if recovery_passphrases.contains_key(&recovery_operator_id) {
+            return Err(Error::DuplicateContribution);
+        }
+
+        let passphrase_bytes = passphrase.read().to_vec();
+        recovery_passphrases.insert(recovery_operator_id, passphrase_bytes);
+
+        if passphrases.len() < *declared_count || recovery_passphrases.len() < *recovery_count {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+
+        let CoordinatorState::Bootstrapping {
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+            ..
+        } = std::mem::replace(&mut self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle)
+        else {
+            unreachable!()
+        };
+
+        finalize_bootstrap(
+            self.db.clone(),
+            self.vault.clone(),
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        )
+        .await?;
+        Ok(true)
+    }
+
+    /// Contribute a passphrase for vault unseal (ordinary operator).
     /// Returns Ok(true) when threshold reached and vault is unsealed.
     #[message]
     pub async fn contribute_unseal(
@@ -267,46 +507,215 @@ impl VaultCoordinator {
         operator_id: i32,
         mut passphrase: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>,
     ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
-        if matches!(self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle) {
+        self.ensure_unsealing_state().await?;
-            let mut conn = self.db.get().await?;
-            let count: i64 = schema::operator::table
-                .count()
-                .get_result(&mut conn)
-                .await?;
-            let threshold = shamir_threshold(usize::try_from(count).unwrap_or_default());
-
-            self.state = CoordinatorState::Unsealing {
-                threshold,
-                passphrases: HashMap::new(),
-            };
-        }
 
         let CoordinatorState::Unsealing {
             threshold,
-            passphrases,
+            ordinary_passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
         } = &mut self.state
         else {
             return Err(Error::NotUnsealing);
         };
 
+        if ordinary_passphrases.contains_key(&operator_id) {
+            return Err(Error::DuplicateContribution);
+        }
+
+        let passphrase_bytes = passphrase.read().to_vec();
+        ordinary_passphrases.insert(operator_id, passphrase_bytes);
+
+        if ordinary_passphrases.len() + recovery_passphrases.len() < *threshold {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+
+        self.do_finalize_unseal().await
+    }
+
+    /// Contribute a passphrase for vault unseal (recovery operator, §3.5).
+    /// Recovery operators may contribute during unseal when recovery is active.
+    /// Returns Ok(true) when threshold reached and vault is unsealed.
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn contribute_recovery_unseal(
+        &mut self,
+        recovery_operator_id: i32,
+        mut passphrase: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        self.ensure_unsealing_state().await?;
+
+        let CoordinatorState::Unsealing {
+            threshold,
+            ordinary_passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        } = &mut self.state
+        else {
+            return Err(Error::NotUnsealing);
+        };
+
+        if recovery_passphrases.contains_key(&recovery_operator_id) {
+            return Err(Error::DuplicateContribution);
+        }
+
+        let passphrase_bytes = passphrase.read().to_vec();
+        recovery_passphrases.insert(recovery_operator_id, passphrase_bytes);
+
+        if ordinary_passphrases.len() + recovery_passphrases.len() < *threshold {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+
+        self.do_finalize_unseal().await
+    }
+}
+
+impl VaultCoordinator {
+    /// Initializes `CoordinatorState::Unsealing` on first call if still `Idle`.
+    /// Threshold is based on ordinary operator count only (§3.4).
+    async fn ensure_unsealing_state(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        if matches!(self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle) {
+            let mut conn = self.db.get().await?;
+            let ordinary_count: i64 = schema::operator::table
+                .count()
+                .get_result(&mut conn)
+                .await?;
+            let threshold = shamir_threshold(usize::try_from(ordinary_count).unwrap_or_default());
+            self.state = CoordinatorState::Unsealing {
+                threshold,
+                ordinary_passphrases: HashMap::new(),
+                recovery_passphrases: HashMap::new(),
+            };
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Moves state back to Idle and calls finalize_unseal.
+    async fn do_finalize_unseal(&mut self) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let CoordinatorState::Unsealing {
+            ordinary_passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+            ..
+        } = std::mem::replace(&mut self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle)
+        else {
+            unreachable!()
+        };
+
+        finalize_unseal(
+            self.db.clone(),
+            self.vault.clone(),
+            ordinary_passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        )
+        .await?;
+        Ok(true)
+    }
+
+    async fn do_finalize_rekey(&mut self) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let CoordinatorState::Rekeying {
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+            ..
+        } = std::mem::replace(&mut self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle)
+        else {
+            unreachable!()
+        };
+
+        finalize_rekey(
+            self.db.clone(),
+            self.vault.clone(),
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        )
+        .await?;
+        Ok(true)
+    }
+}
+
+#[messages]
+impl VaultCoordinator {
+    /// Begin Shamir re-key after a key-rotation proposal is approved (§3.3).
+    /// Queries the current operator and recovery operator counts from the DB,
+    /// then transitions to Rekeying state awaiting contributions from all of them.
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn start_rekey(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        if !matches!(self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle) {
+            return Err(Error::AlreadyBootstrapping);
+        }
+        let mut conn = self.db.get().await?;
+        let ordinary_count: i64 = schema::operator_identity::table
+            .count()
+            .get_result(&mut conn)
+            .await?;
+        let recovery_count: i64 = schema::recovery_operator_identity::table
+            .count()
+            .get_result(&mut conn)
+            .await?;
+        self.state = CoordinatorState::Rekeying {
+            ordinary_count: ordinary_count as usize,
+            recovery_count: recovery_count as usize,
+            passphrases: HashMap::new(),
+            recovery_passphrases: HashMap::new(),
+        };
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Contribute an ordinary operator passphrase for the re-key.
+    /// Returns Ok(true) when all contributors have submitted and the re-key is complete.
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn contribute_rekey(
+        &mut self,
+        operator_id: i32,
+        mut passphrase: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let CoordinatorState::Rekeying {
+            ordinary_count,
+            recovery_count,
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        } = &mut self.state
+        else {
+            return Err(Error::NotRekeying);
+        };
+
         if passphrases.contains_key(&operator_id) {
             return Err(Error::DuplicateContribution);
         }
 
-        let passphrase_bytes = passphrase.read().to_vec();
+        passphrases.insert(operator_id, passphrase.read().to_vec());
-        passphrases.insert(operator_id, passphrase_bytes);
 
-        if passphrases.len() < *threshold {
+        if passphrases.len() < *ordinary_count || recovery_passphrases.len() < *recovery_count {
             return Ok(false);
         }
 
-        let CoordinatorState::Unsealing { passphrases, .. } =
+        self.do_finalize_rekey().await
-            std::mem::replace(&mut self.state, CoordinatorState::Idle)
+    }
+
+    /// Contribute a recovery operator passphrase for the re-key.
+    /// Returns Ok(true) when all contributors have submitted and the re-key is complete.
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn contribute_recovery_rekey(
+        &mut self,
+        recovery_operator_id: i32,
+        mut passphrase: SafeCell<Vec<u8>>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let CoordinatorState::Rekeying {
+            ordinary_count,
+            recovery_count,
+            passphrases,
+            recovery_passphrases,
+        } = &mut self.state
         else {
-            unreachable!()
+            return Err(Error::NotRekeying);
         };
 
-        finalize_unseal(self.db.clone(), self.vault.clone(), passphrases).await?;
+        if recovery_passphrases.contains_key(&recovery_operator_id) {
-        Ok(true)
+            return Err(Error::DuplicateContribution);
+        }
+
+        recovery_passphrases.insert(recovery_operator_id, passphrase.read().to_vec());
+
+        if passphrases.len() < *ordinary_count || recovery_passphrases.len() < *recovery_count {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+
+        self.do_finalize_rekey().await
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/crypto/shamir.rs

@@ -20,6 +20,18 @@ pub fn split_key(
         .map_err(|e| ShamirError::Split(format!("{e:?}")))
 }
 
+/// Returns the minimum number of shares required to reconstruct the secret
+/// for a committee of `n` operators.
+#[must_use]
+pub const fn shamir_threshold(n: usize) -> usize {
+    match n {
+        0 => panic!("No operators"),
+        1 => 1,
+        2 => 2,
+        n => n / 2 + 1,
+    }
+}
+
 /// Reconstruct the secret from `threshold` or more shares.
 pub fn combine_shares(shares: &[Vec<u8>]) -> Result<[u8; 32], ShamirError> {
     let bytes = Gf256::combine_array(shares)

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/db/models.rs

@@ -15,10 +15,11 @@ use restructed::Models;
 pub mod types {
     use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
     use diesel::{
+        backend::Backend,
         deserialize::{FromSql, FromSqlRow},
         expression::AsExpression,
         serialize::{IsNull, ToSql},
-        sql_types::Integer,
+        sql_types::{Integer, Text},
         sqlite::{Sqlite, SqliteType},
     };
 
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ pub mod types {
 
     impl FromSql<Integer, Sqlite> for SqliteTimestamp {
         fn from_sql(
-            mut bytes: <Sqlite as diesel::backend::Backend>::RawValue<'_>,
+            mut bytes: <Sqlite as Backend>::RawValue<'_>,
         ) -> diesel::deserialize::Result<Self> {
             let Some(SqliteType::Long) = bytes.value_type() else {
                 return Err(format!(
@@ -141,6 +142,45 @@ pub mod types {
     declare_id!(TlsHistoryId);
     declare_id!(EvmWalletId);
     declare_id!(ClientId);
+
+    #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, AsExpression, FromSqlRow)]
+    #[diesel(sql_type = Text)]
+    pub enum ProposalStatus {
+        Pending,
+        Approved,
+        Rejected,
+        Expired,
+    }
+
+    impl ToSql<Text, Sqlite> for ProposalStatus {
+        fn to_sql<'b>(
+            &'b self,
+            out: &mut diesel::serialize::Output<'b, '_, Sqlite>,
+        ) -> diesel::serialize::Result {
+            let s: &str = match self {
+                Self::Pending => "pending",
+                Self::Approved => "approved",
+                Self::Rejected => "rejected",
+                Self::Expired => "expired",
+            };
+            <str as ToSql<Text, Sqlite>>::to_sql(s, out)
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl FromSql<Text, Sqlite> for ProposalStatus {
+        fn from_sql(
+            bytes: <Sqlite as Backend>::RawValue<'_>,
+        ) -> diesel::deserialize::Result<Self> {
+            let s = <String as FromSql<Text, Sqlite>>::from_sql(bytes)?;
+            match s.as_str() {
+                "pending" => Ok(Self::Pending),
+                "approved" => Ok(Self::Approved),
+                "rejected" => Ok(Self::Rejected),
+                "expired" => Ok(Self::Expired),
+                other => Err(format!("Unknown proposal status: {other}").into()),
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 pub use types::*;
 
@@ -438,3 +478,68 @@ pub struct IntegrityEnvelope {
     pub signed_at: SqliteTimestamp,
     pub created_at: SqliteTimestamp,
 }
+
+#[derive(Debug, Queryable, Selectable, Identifiable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::proposal, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct Proposal {
+    pub id: i32,
+    pub kind: String,
+    pub payload: Vec<u8>,
+    pub initiator_id: i32,
+    pub created_at: SqliteTimestamp,
+    pub expires_at: SqliteTimestamp,
+    pub status: ProposalStatus,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Insertable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::proposal, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct NewProposal {
+    pub kind: String,
+    pub payload: Vec<u8>,
+    pub initiator_id: i32,
+    // status defaults to 'pending' at the DB layer
+    pub expires_at: SqliteTimestamp,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Queryable, Selectable, Identifiable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::proposal_vote, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct ProposalVote {
+    pub id: i32,
+    pub proposal_id: i32,
+    pub operator_id: i32,
+    pub approve: bool,
+    pub signature: Vec<u8>,
+    pub voted_at: SqliteTimestamp,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Insertable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::proposal_vote, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct NewProposalVote {
+    pub proposal_id: i32,
+    pub operator_id: i32,
+    pub approve: bool,
+    pub signature: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+
+#[derive(Debug, Insertable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::proposal_result, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct NewProposalResult {
+    pub proposal_id: i32,
+    pub data: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Insertable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::recovery_proposal_vote, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct NewRecoveryProposalVote {
+    pub proposal_id: i32,
+    pub recovery_operator_id: i32,
+    pub approve: bool,
+    pub signature: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Insertable)]
+#[diesel(table_name = schema::recovery_wakeup_request, check_for_backend(Sqlite))]
+pub struct NewRecoveryWakeupRequest {
+    pub requested_by: i32,
+}

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/db/schema.rs

@@ -172,6 +172,78 @@ diesel::table! {
     }
 }
 
+diesel::table! {
+    proposal (id) {
+        id -> Integer,
+        kind -> Text,
+        payload -> Binary,
+        initiator_id -> Integer,
+        created_at -> Integer,
+        expires_at -> Integer,
+        status -> Text,
+    }
+}
+
+diesel::table! {
+    proposal_result (proposal_id) {
+        proposal_id -> Integer,
+        data -> Binary,
+        created_at -> Integer,
+    }
+}
+
+diesel::table! {
+    recovery_operator (id) {
+        id -> Integer,
+        share -> Binary,
+        share_nonce -> Binary,
+        share_salt -> Binary,
+        created_at -> Integer,
+        updated_at -> Integer,
+    }
+}
+
+diesel::table! {
+    recovery_operator_identity (id) {
+        id -> Integer,
+        public_key -> Binary,
+        created_at -> Integer,
+        updated_at -> Integer,
+    }
+}
+
+diesel::table! {
+    recovery_wakeup_request (id) {
+        id -> Integer,
+        requested_by -> Integer,
+        requested_at -> Integer,
+        cancelled_by -> Nullable<Integer>,
+        cancelled_at -> Nullable<Integer>,
+    }
+}
+
+diesel::table! {
+    recovery_proposal_vote (id) {
+        id -> Integer,
+        proposal_id -> Integer,
+        recovery_operator_id -> Integer,
+        approve -> Bool,
+        signature -> Binary,
+        voted_at -> Integer,
+    }
+}
+
+diesel::table! {
+    proposal_vote (id) {
+        id -> Integer,
+        proposal_id -> Integer,
+        operator_id -> Integer,
+        approve -> Bool,
+        signature -> Binary,
+        voted_at -> Integer,
+    }
+}
+
 diesel::table! {
     program_client (id) {
         id -> Integer,
@@ -225,9 +297,22 @@ diesel::joinable!(evm_wallet_access -> evm_wallet (wallet_id));
 diesel::joinable!(evm_wallet_access -> program_client (client_id));
 diesel::joinable!(operator -> operator_identity (id));
 diesel::joinable!(program_client -> client_metadata (metadata_id));
+diesel::joinable!(proposal -> operator_identity (initiator_id));
+diesel::joinable!(proposal_result -> proposal (proposal_id));
+diesel::joinable!(proposal_vote -> proposal (proposal_id));
+diesel::joinable!(proposal_vote -> operator_identity (operator_id));
+diesel::joinable!(recovery_operator -> recovery_operator_identity (id));
+diesel::joinable!(recovery_proposal_vote -> proposal (proposal_id));
+diesel::joinable!(recovery_proposal_vote -> recovery_operator_identity (recovery_operator_id));
+diesel::joinable!(recovery_wakeup_request -> operator_identity (requested_by));
 
 diesel::allow_tables_to_appear_in_same_query!(
     aead_encrypted,
+    proposal_result,
+    recovery_operator,
+    recovery_operator_identity,
+    recovery_wakeup_request,
+    recovery_proposal_vote,
     arbiter_settings,
     client_metadata,
     client_metadata_history,
@@ -245,6 +330,8 @@ diesel::allow_tables_to_appear_in_same_query!(
     operator,
     operator_identity,
     program_client,
+    proposal,
+    proposal_vote,
     root_key_history,
     tls_history,
 );

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator.rs

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 mod auth;
 mod evm;
+mod governance;
 mod inbound;
 mod outbound;
 mod sdk_client;
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ async fn dispatch_inner(
             warn!("Unsupported post-auth operator auth request");
             Err(Status::invalid_argument("Unsupported operator request"))
         }
+        OperatorRequestPayload::Governance(req) => governance::dispatch(actor, req).await,
     }
 }
 

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/governance.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+use crate::{
+    actors::proposal_manager::{Error as ProposalError, ProposalKind, VoteOutcome},
+    peers::operator::{
+        OperatorSession,
+        session::handlers::{HandleCastVote, HandleCreateProposal, HandleQueryPending},
+    },
+};
+use arbiter_proto::proto::operator::{
+    governance::{
+        self as proto_gov, CreateProposalRequest, QueryPendingRequest, QueryPendingResponse,
+        VoteOutcome as ProtoVoteOutcome, create_proposal_request::Kind as ProtoKind,
+        request::Payload as GovRequestPayload, response::Payload as GovResponsePayload,
+    },
+    operator_response::Payload as OperatorResponsePayload,
+};
+use kameo::actor::ActorRef;
+use tonic::Status;
+use tracing::warn;
+
+const fn wrap(payload: GovResponsePayload) -> OperatorResponsePayload {
+    OperatorResponsePayload::Governance(proto_gov::Response {
+        payload: Some(payload),
+    })
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn dispatch(
+    actor: &ActorRef<OperatorSession>,
+    req: proto_gov::Request,
+) -> Result<Option<OperatorResponsePayload>, Status> {
+    let Some(payload) = req.payload else {
+        return Err(Status::invalid_argument(
+            "Missing governance request payload",
+        ));
+    };
+
+    match payload {
+        GovRequestPayload::Create(req) => handle_create(actor, req).await,
+        GovRequestPayload::Vote(req) => handle_vote(actor, req).await,
+        GovRequestPayload::Query(QueryPendingRequest {}) => handle_query(actor).await,
+    }
+}
+
+async fn handle_create(
+    actor: &ActorRef<OperatorSession>,
+    req: CreateProposalRequest,
+) -> Result<Option<OperatorResponsePayload>, Status> {
+    let kind = match req.kind {
+        Some(ProtoKind::ApproveSdkClient(p)) => ProposalKind::ApproveSdkClient {
+            client_id: p.client_id,
+        },
+        Some(ProtoKind::GrantWalletAccess(p)) => ProposalKind::GrantWalletAccess {
+            wallet_id: p.wallet_id,
+            client_id: p.client_id,
+        },
+        Some(ProtoKind::ApproveServerUpdate(_)) => ProposalKind::ApproveServerUpdate,
+        Some(ProtoKind::ReplaceOperator(p)) => ProposalKind::ReplaceOperator {
+            old_operator_id: p.old_operator_id,
+            new_pubkey: p.new_pubkey,
+        },
+        Some(ProtoKind::UpdateShamirParameters(p)) => ProposalKind::UpdateShamirParameters {
+            #[expect(
+                clippy::cast_possible_truncation,
+                clippy::as_conversions,
+                reason = "new_n is always a small operator count"
+            )]
+            new_n: p.new_n as u8,
+        },
+        Some(ProtoKind::ApprovePersistentGrant(p)) => {
+            use prost::Message as _;
+            ProposalKind::ApprovePersistentGrant {
+                payload_bytes: p.encode_to_vec(),
+            }
+        }
+        Some(ProtoKind::ApproveOneOffTransaction(p)) => {
+            use prost::Message as _;
+            ProposalKind::ApproveOneOffTransaction {
+                payload_bytes: p.encode_to_vec(),
+            }
+        }
+        None => return Err(Status::invalid_argument("Missing proposal kind")),
+    };
+    let ttl_secs = req.ttl_secs.map(i64::from);
+
+    let proposal_id = actor
+        .ask(HandleCreateProposal { kind, ttl_secs })
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| {
+            warn!(?e, "create_proposal failed");
+            Status::internal("Failed to create proposal")
+        })?;
+
+    Ok(Some(wrap(GovResponsePayload::Created(
+        proto_gov::CreateProposalResponse { proposal_id },
+    ))))
+}
+
+async fn handle_vote(
+    actor: &ActorRef<OperatorSession>,
+    req: proto_gov::CastVoteRequest,
+) -> Result<Option<OperatorResponsePayload>, Status> {
+    let result = actor
+        .ask(HandleCastVote {
+            proposal_id: req.proposal_id,
+            approve: req.approve,
+            signature: req.signature,
+        })
+        .await;
+
+    let outcome = match result {
+        Ok(VoteOutcome::Pending) => ProtoVoteOutcome::Pending,
+        Ok(VoteOutcome::QuorumApproved) => ProtoVoteOutcome::Approved,
+        Ok(VoteOutcome::QuorumRejected) => ProtoVoteOutcome::Rejected,
+        Err(kameo::error::SendError::HandlerError(ProposalError::AlreadyVoted)) => {
+            return Err(Status::invalid_argument("Already voted on this proposal"));
+        }
+        Err(kameo::error::SendError::HandlerError(ProposalError::InvalidSignature)) => {
+            return Err(Status::invalid_argument("Invalid vote signature"));
+        }
+        Err(kameo::error::SendError::HandlerError(ProposalError::ProposalNotFound)) => {
+            return Err(Status::not_found("Proposal not found"));
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            warn!(?e, "cast_vote failed");
+            return Err(Status::internal("Failed to cast vote"));
+        }
+    };
+
+    Ok(Some(wrap(GovResponsePayload::Voted(
+        proto_gov::VoteResponse {
+            outcome: outcome.into(),
+        },
+    ))))
+}
+
+async fn handle_query(
+    actor: &ActorRef<OperatorSession>,
+) -> Result<Option<OperatorResponsePayload>, Status> {
+    let summaries = actor.ask(HandleQueryPending {}).await.unwrap_or_default();
+
+    let proposals = summaries
+        .into_iter()
+        .map(|s| proto_gov::ProposalSummary {
+            id: s.id,
+            kind: s.kind,
+            initiator_id: s.initiator_id,
+            expires_at: s.expires_at.0.timestamp(),
+            approve_count: s.approve_count,
+            reject_count: s.reject_count,
+        })
+        .collect();
+
+    Ok(Some(wrap(GovResponsePayload::Pending(
+        QueryPendingResponse { proposals },
+    ))))
+}

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/vault.rs

@@ -1,12 +1,20 @@
 use crate::{
     actors::vault::VaultState,
-    peers::operator::{OperatorSession, session::handlers::HandleQueryVaultState},
+    peers::operator::{
+        OperatorSession,
+        session::handlers::{
+            HandleContributeRecoveryRekeyPassphrase, HandleContributeRekeyPassphrase,
+            HandleQueryVaultState,
+        },
+    },
 };
 use arbiter_proto::{
     proto::operator::{
         operator_response::Payload as OperatorResponsePayload,
         vault::{
-            self as proto_vault, request::Payload as VaultRequestPayload,
+            self as proto_vault,
+            rekey::{self as proto_rekey, RekeyResult as ProtoRekeyResult},
+            request::Payload as VaultRequestPayload,
             response::Payload as VaultResponsePayload,
         },
     },
@@ -33,6 +41,7 @@ pub(super) async fn dispatch(
 
     match payload {
         VaultRequestPayload::QueryState(()) => handle_query_vault_state(actor).await,
+        VaultRequestPayload::Rekey(req) => handle_rekey(actor, req).await,
         VaultRequestPayload::Unseal(_) | VaultRequestPayload::Bootstrap(_) => {
             Err(Status::permission_denied(
                 "Vault is already unsealed; unseal/bootstrap not permitted in session",
@@ -41,6 +50,51 @@ pub(super) async fn dispatch(
     }
 }
 
+async fn handle_rekey(
+    actor: &ActorRef<OperatorSession>,
+    req: proto_rekey::Request,
+) -> Result<Option<OperatorResponsePayload>, Status> {
+    use arbiter_proto::proto::operator::vault::rekey::request::Payload as RekeyPayload;
+
+    let payload = req
+        .payload
+        .ok_or_else(|| Status::invalid_argument("Missing rekey payload"))?;
+
+    let done: bool = match payload {
+        RekeyPayload::ContributePassphrase(cp) => actor
+            .ask(HandleContributeRekeyPassphrase {
+                passphrase: cp.passphrase,
+            })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| {
+                warn!(?e, "rekey passphrase contribution failed");
+                Status::internal("Rekey contribution failed")
+            })?,
+        RekeyPayload::ContributeRecoveryPassphrase(crp) => actor
+            .ask(HandleContributeRecoveryRekeyPassphrase {
+                recovery_operator_id: crp.recovery_operator_id,
+                passphrase: crp.passphrase,
+            })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| {
+                warn!(?e, "rekey recovery passphrase contribution failed");
+                Status::internal("Rekey recovery contribution failed")
+            })?,
+    };
+
+    let proto_result = if done {
+        ProtoRekeyResult::Success
+    } else {
+        ProtoRekeyResult::AwaitingContributions
+    };
+
+    Ok(Some(wrap_vault_response(VaultResponsePayload::Rekey(
+        proto_rekey::Response {
+            result: proto_result.into(),
+        },
+    ))))
+}
+
 async fn handle_query_vault_state(
     actor: &ActorRef<OperatorSession>,
 ) -> Result<Option<OperatorResponsePayload>, Status> {

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/vault_gate/inbound.rs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ use crate::{
     grpc::{Convert, TryConvert},
     peers::operator::vault_gate::{
         self as vault_gate, HandleBootstrapEncryptedKey, HandleContributeBootstrapPassphrase,
+        HandleContributeRecoveryBootstrapPassphrase, HandleContributeRecoveryUnsealPassphrase,
         HandleContributeUnsealPassphrase, HandleDeclareCommittee, HandleHandshake,
         HandleUnsealEncryptedKey,
     },
@@ -52,6 +53,9 @@ impl TryConvert for VaultRequestPayload {
             Self::QueryState(()) => Ok(vault_gate::Inbound::HandleVaultState),
             Self::Unseal(req) => req.try_convert(),
             Self::Bootstrap(req) => req.try_convert(),
+            Self::Rekey(_) => Err(Status::permission_denied(
+                "Rekey requires an authenticated session",
+            )),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -82,6 +86,14 @@ impl TryConvert for UnsealRequestPayload {
                     },
                 ),
             ),
+            Self::ContributeRecoveryPassphrase(crp) => Ok(
+                vault_gate::Inbound::HandleContributeRecoveryUnsealPassphrase(
+                    HandleContributeRecoveryUnsealPassphrase {
+                        recovery_operator_id: crp.recovery_operator_id,
+                        passphrase: crp.passphrase,
+                    },
+                ),
+            ),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -132,6 +144,7 @@ impl TryConvert for BootstrapRequestPayload {
             Self::DeclareCommittee(dc) => Ok(
                 vault_gate::Inbound::HandleDeclareCommittee(HandleDeclareCommittee {
                     count: dc.count as usize,
+                    recovery_count: dc.recovery_count as usize,
                 }),
             ),
             Self::ContributePassphrase(cp) => Ok(
@@ -141,6 +154,14 @@ impl TryConvert for BootstrapRequestPayload {
                     },
                 ),
             ),
+            Self::ContributeRecoveryPassphrase(crp) => Ok(
+                vault_gate::Inbound::HandleContributeRecoveryBootstrapPassphrase(
+                    HandleContributeRecoveryBootstrapPassphrase {
+                        recovery_operator_id: crp.recovery_operator_id,
+                        passphrase: crp.passphrase,
+                    },
+                ),
+            ),
         }
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/grpc/operator/vault_gate/outbound.rs

@@ -131,6 +131,19 @@ impl TryConvert for vault_gate::Outbound {
                 };
                 Ok(wrap_bootstrap_response(proto_result))
             }
+            Self::HandleContributeRecoveryBootstrapPassphrase(result) => {
+                let proto_result = match result {
+                    Ok(true) => ProtoBootstrapResult::Success,
+                    Ok(false) => ProtoBootstrapResult::AwaitingContributions,
+                    Err(err) => {
+                        warn!(?err, "contribute recovery bootstrap passphrase failed");
+                        return Err(Status::internal(
+                            "Failed to contribute recovery bootstrap passphrase",
+                        ));
+                    }
+                };
+                Ok(wrap_bootstrap_response(proto_result))
+            }
             Self::HandleContributeUnsealPassphrase(result) => {
                 let proto_result = match result {
                     Ok(true) => ProtoUnsealResult::Success,
@@ -144,6 +157,21 @@ impl TryConvert for vault_gate::Outbound {
                     proto_result.into(),
                 )))
             }
+            Self::HandleContributeRecoveryUnsealPassphrase(result) => {
+                let proto_result = match result {
+                    Ok(true) => ProtoUnsealResult::Success,
+                    Ok(false) => ProtoUnsealResult::AwaitingContributions,
+                    Err(err) => {
+                        warn!(?err, "contribute recovery unseal passphrase failed");
+                        return Err(Status::internal(
+                            "Failed to contribute recovery unseal passphrase",
+                        ));
+                    }
+                };
+                Ok(wrap_unseal_response(UnsealResponsePayload::Result(
+                    proto_result.into(),
+                )))
+            }
         }
     }
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/mod.rs

@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ where
 
     Ok(OperatorSession::spawn(OperatorSession::new(
         props.clone(),
+        creds.clone(),
         oob_sender,
     )))
 }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/session/handlers.rs

@@ -279,3 +279,102 @@ impl OperatorSession {
         Ok(clients)
     }
 }
+
+#[messages]
+impl OperatorSession {
+    #[message]
+    pub(crate) async fn handle_create_proposal(
+        &mut self,
+        kind: crate::actors::proposal_manager::ProposalKind,
+        ttl_secs: Option<i64>,
+    ) -> Result<i32, Error> {
+        use crate::actors::proposal_manager::CreateProposal;
+        let initiator_id = self.credentials.id;
+        self.props
+            .actors
+            .proposal_manager
+            .ask(CreateProposal { kind, initiator_id, ttl_secs })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| {
+                error!(?e, "create_proposal failed");
+                Error::internal("Failed to create proposal")
+            })
+    }
+
+    #[message]
+    pub(crate) async fn handle_cast_vote(
+        &mut self,
+        proposal_id: i32,
+        approve: bool,
+        signature: Vec<u8>,
+    ) -> Result<crate::actors::proposal_manager::VoteOutcome, crate::actors::proposal_manager::Error> {
+        use crate::actors::proposal_manager::CastVote;
+        let operator_id = self.credentials.id;
+        self.props
+            .actors
+            .proposal_manager
+            .ask(CastVote { proposal_id, operator_id, approve, signature })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|err| match err {
+                SendError::HandlerError(e) => e,
+                _ => crate::actors::proposal_manager::Error::ExecutionFailed("actor unavailable".to_owned()),
+            })
+    }
+
+    #[message]
+    pub(crate) async fn handle_query_pending(
+        &mut self,
+    ) -> Vec<crate::actors::proposal_manager::ProposalSummary> {
+        use crate::actors::proposal_manager::QueryPending;
+        let operator_id = self.credentials.id;
+        self.props
+            .actors
+            .proposal_manager
+            .ask(QueryPending { operator_id })
+            .await
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+    }
+}
+
+#[messages]
+impl OperatorSession {
+    #[message]
+    pub(crate) async fn handle_contribute_rekey_passphrase(
+        &mut self,
+        passphrase: Vec<u8>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        use crate::actors::vault_coordinator::ContributeRekey;
+        use arbiter_crypto::safecell::{SafeCell, SafeCellHandle as _};
+
+        let operator_id = self.credentials.id;
+        self.props
+            .actors
+            .vault_coordinator
+            .ask(ContributeRekey {
+                operator_id,
+                passphrase: SafeCell::new(passphrase),
+            })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
+    }
+
+    #[message]
+    pub(crate) async fn handle_contribute_recovery_rekey_passphrase(
+        &mut self,
+        recovery_operator_id: i32,
+        passphrase: Vec<u8>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        use crate::actors::vault_coordinator::ContributeRecoveryRekey;
+        use arbiter_crypto::safecell::{SafeCell, SafeCellHandle as _};
+
+        self.props
+            .actors
+            .vault_coordinator
+            .ask(ContributeRecoveryRekey {
+                recovery_operator_id,
+                passphrase: SafeCell::new(passphrase),
+            })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
+    }
+}

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/session/mod.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{OutOfBand, OperatorConnection};
+use super::{Credentials, OutOfBand, OperatorConnection};
 use crate::{
     actors::{
         flow_coordinator::client_connect_approval::ClientApprovalController,
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ pub struct PendingClientApproval {
 
 pub struct OperatorSession {
     props: OperatorConnection,
+    credentials: Credentials,
     sender: Box<dyn Sender<OutOfBand>>,
 
     pending_client_approvals: HashMap<Vec<u8>, PendingClientApproval>,
@@ -59,9 +60,10 @@ pub struct OperatorSession {
 pub mod handlers;
 
 impl OperatorSession {
-    pub(crate) fn new(props: OperatorConnection, sender: Box<dyn Sender<OutOfBand>>) -> Self {
+    pub(crate) fn new(props: OperatorConnection, credentials: Credentials, sender: Box<dyn Sender<OutOfBand>>) -> Self {
         Self {
             props,
+            credentials,
             sender,
             pending_client_approvals: HashMap::default(),
         }

server/crates/arbiter-server/src/peers/operator/vault_gate/mod.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@ use crate::{
     actors::{
         GlobalActors,
         vault::{self, Bootstrap, GetState, TryUnseal, VaultState, events},
-        vault_coordinator::{ContributeBootstrap, ContributeUnseal, StartBootstrap},
+        vault_coordinator::{
+            ContributeBootstrap, ContributeRecoveryBootstrap, ContributeRecoveryUnseal,
+            ContributeUnseal, StartBootstrap,
+        },
     },
     crypto::{KeyCell, integrity::{self}},
     db::DatabasePool,
@@ -234,12 +237,17 @@ impl VaultGate {
     }
 
     #[message]
-    pub async fn handle_declare_committee(&mut self, count: usize) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    pub async fn handle_declare_committee(
+        &mut self,
+        count: usize,
+        recovery_count: usize,
+    ) -> Result<(), Error> {
         self.actors
             .vault_coordinator
             .ask(StartBootstrap {
                 operator_id: self.auth_creds.id,
                 declared_count: count,
+                recovery_count,
             })
             .await
             .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
@@ -261,6 +269,23 @@ impl VaultGate {
             .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
     }
 
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn handle_contribute_recovery_bootstrap_passphrase(
+        &mut self,
+        recovery_operator_id: i32,
+        passphrase: Vec<u8>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let passphrase_cell = SafeCell::new(passphrase);
+        self.actors
+            .vault_coordinator
+            .ask(ContributeRecoveryBootstrap {
+                recovery_operator_id,
+                passphrase: passphrase_cell,
+            })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
+    }
+
     #[message]
     pub async fn handle_contribute_unseal_passphrase(
         &mut self,
@@ -276,6 +301,23 @@ impl VaultGate {
             .await
             .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
     }
+
+    #[message]
+    pub async fn handle_contribute_recovery_unseal_passphrase(
+        &mut self,
+        recovery_operator_id: i32,
+        passphrase: Vec<u8>,
+    ) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        let passphrase_cell = SafeCell::new(passphrase);
+        self.actors
+            .vault_coordinator
+            .ask(ContributeRecoveryUnseal {
+                recovery_operator_id,
+                passphrase: passphrase_cell,
+            })
+            .await
+            .map_err(|_| Error::internal("VaultCoordinator unavailable"))
+    }
 }
 
 impl Message<events::Bootstrapped> for VaultGate {

server/crates/arbiter-server/tests/vault/lifecycle.rs

@@ -3,14 +3,19 @@ use arbiter_crypto::safecell::{SafeCell, SafeCellHandle as _};
 use arbiter_server::{
     actors::{
         GlobalActors,
-        vault::{Error, Vault},
+        vault::{Error, GetState, Vault, VaultState},
+        vault_coordinator::{
+            ContributeBootstrap, ContributeRecoveryBootstrap, ContributeRecoveryUnseal,
+            Error as CoordinatorError, StartBootstrap, VaultCoordinator,
+        },
     },
     crypto::{KeyCell, encryption::v1::{Nonce, ROOT_KEY_TAG}},
     db::{self, models, schema},
 };
 
-use diesel::{QueryDsl, SelectableHelper};
+use diesel::{ExpressionMethods, QueryDsl, SelectableHelper, insert_into};
 use diesel_async::RunQueryDsl;
+use kameo::actor::Spawn as _;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 #[test_log::test]
@@ -139,3 +144,127 @@ async fn test_unseal_wrong_then_correct_password() {
     let mut decrypted = actor.decrypt(aead_id).await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(*decrypted.read(), plaintext);
 }
+
+#[tokio::test]
+#[test_log::test]
+async fn two_operator_vault_requires_recovery_share() {
+    let db = db::create_test_pool().await;
+    let bus = GlobalActors::spawn_message_bus();
+    let vault_ref = Vault::spawn(Vault::new(db.clone(), bus).await.unwrap());
+    let coordinator = VaultCoordinator::spawn(VaultCoordinator::new(db, vault_ref));
+
+    let err = coordinator
+        .ask(StartBootstrap {
+            operator_id: 1,
+            declared_count: 2,
+            recovery_count: 0,
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap_err();
+
+    assert!(
+        matches!(
+            err,
+            kameo::error::SendError::HandlerError(CoordinatorError::TwoOperatorsRequireRecovery)
+        ),
+        "expected TwoOperatorsRequireRecovery, got {err:?}"
+    );
+}
+
+/// §3.4: Bootstrap with 1 ordinary + 1 recovery operator produces a valid 1-of-2 Shamir split.
+/// Both ordinary and recovery shares are stored; the vault can be unsealed with either one.
+#[tokio::test]
+#[test_log::test]
+async fn recovery_share_stored_and_used_for_unseal() {
+    let db = db::create_test_pool().await;
+    let bus = GlobalActors::spawn_message_bus();
+    let vault_ref = Vault::spawn(Vault::new(db.clone(), bus).await.unwrap());
+    let coordinator = VaultCoordinator::spawn(VaultCoordinator::new(db.clone(), vault_ref.clone()));
+
+    // Register one ordinary operator and one recovery operator in the DB
+    let ordinary_id: i32 = {
+        let mut conn = db.get().await.unwrap();
+        insert_into(schema::operator_identity::table)
+            .values(schema::operator_identity::public_key.eq(vec![1u8; 32]))
+            .returning(schema::operator_identity::id)
+            .get_result(&mut conn)
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+    };
+    let recovery_id: i32 = {
+        let mut conn = db.get().await.unwrap();
+        insert_into(schema::recovery_operator_identity::table)
+            .values(schema::recovery_operator_identity::public_key.eq(vec![2u8; 32]))
+            .returning(schema::recovery_operator_identity::id)
+            .get_result(&mut conn)
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+    };
+
+    // Declare committee: 1 ordinary + 1 recovery
+    coordinator
+        .ask(StartBootstrap {
+            operator_id: ordinary_id,
+            declared_count: 1,
+            recovery_count: 1,
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+    // Recovery operator contributes first — bootstrap should not finalize yet
+    let done = coordinator
+        .ask(ContributeRecoveryBootstrap {
+            recovery_operator_id: recovery_id,
+            passphrase: SafeCell::new(b"recovery-pass".to_vec()),
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(!done, "should not finalize with only recovery passphrase");
+
+    // Ordinary operator contributes — now bootstrap finalizes
+    let done = coordinator
+        .ask(ContributeBootstrap {
+            operator_id: ordinary_id,
+            passphrase: SafeCell::new(b"ordinary-pass".to_vec()),
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(done, "should finalize once all contributors are in");
+
+    // After bootstrap, vault is Unsealed (seal key still in memory).
+    let state = vault_ref.ask(GetState {}).await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(state, VaultState::Unsealed);
+
+    // Verify recovery_operator row was created
+    let recovery_share_count: i64 = {
+        let mut conn = db.get().await.unwrap();
+        schema::recovery_operator::table
+            .count()
+            .get_result(&mut conn)
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+    };
+    assert_eq!(recovery_share_count, 1);
+
+    // Simulate restart: drop vault and coordinator, create fresh vault (comes up Sealed).
+    drop(coordinator);
+    drop(vault_ref);
+    let bus2 = GlobalActors::spawn_message_bus();
+    let vault_ref2 = Vault::spawn(Vault::new(db.clone(), bus2).await.unwrap());
+    let state = vault_ref2.ask(GetState {}).await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(state, VaultState::Sealed);
+
+    // §3.5: Unseal using ONLY the recovery operator share (threshold = shamir_threshold(1) = 1).
+    let coordinator2 = VaultCoordinator::spawn(VaultCoordinator::new(db.clone(), vault_ref2.clone()));
+    let done = coordinator2
+        .ask(ContributeRecoveryUnseal {
+            recovery_operator_id: recovery_id,
+            passphrase: SafeCell::new(b"recovery-pass".to_vec()),
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(done, "recovery share alone should satisfy threshold");
+
+    let state = vault_ref2.ask(GetState {}).await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(state, VaultState::Unsealed);
+}