diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticatedSessionController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticatedSessionController.php
index 45ffdad6..3dac1cf5 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticatedSessionController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/AuthenticatedSessionController.php
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ namespace App\Http\Controllers\Auth;
 
 use App\Http\Controllers\Controller;
 use App\Http\Requests\Auth\LoginRequest;
+use App\Services\Security\CaptchaVerifier;
 use Illuminate\Http\RedirectResponse;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
@@ -14,9 +15,17 @@ class AuthenticatedSessionController extends Controller
     /**
      * Display the login view.
      */
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly CaptchaVerifier $captchaVerifier,
+    ) {
+    }
+
     public function create(): View
     {
-        return view('auth.login');
+        return view('auth.login', [
+            'requiresCaptcha' => session('bot_captcha_required', false),
+            'captcha' => $this->captchaVerifier->frontendConfig(),
+        ]);
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisteredUserController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisteredUserController.php
index 76c9ea65..56454daa 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisteredUserController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Auth/RegisteredUserController.php
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use App\Models\EmailSendEvent;
 use App\Models\User;
 use App\Services\Auth\DisposableEmailService;
 use App\Services\Auth\RegistrationVerificationTokenService;
-use App\Services\Security\TurnstileVerifier;
+use App\Services\Security\CaptchaVerifier;
 use Illuminate\Http\RedirectResponse;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Hash;
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use Illuminate\View\View;
 class RegisteredUserController extends Controller
 {
     public function __construct(
-        private readonly TurnstileVerifier $turnstileVerifier,
+        private readonly CaptchaVerifier $captchaVerifier,
         private readonly DisposableEmailService $disposableEmailService,
         private readonly RegistrationVerificationTokenService $verificationTokenService,
     )
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ class RegisteredUserController extends Controller
     {
         return view('auth.register', [
             'prefillEmail' => (string) $request->query('email', ''),
-            'requiresTurnstile' => $this->shouldRequireTurnstile($request->ip()),
-            'turnstileSiteKey' => (string) config('services.turnstile.site_key', ''),
+            'requiresCaptcha' => $this->shouldRequireCaptcha($request->ip()),
+            'captcha' => $this->captchaVerifier->frontendConfig(),
         ]);
     }
 
@@ -56,20 +56,22 @@ class RegisteredUserController extends Controller
      */
     public function store(Request $request): RedirectResponse
     {
-        $validated = $request->validate([
+        $rules = [
             'email' => ['required', 'string', 'lowercase', 'email', 'max:255'],
             'website' => ['nullable', 'max:0'],
-            'cf-turnstile-response' => ['nullable', 'string'],
-        ]);
+        ];
+        $rules[$this->captchaVerifier->inputName()] = ['nullable', 'string'];
+
+        $validated = $request->validate($rules);
 
         $email = strtolower(trim((string) $validated['email']));
         $ip = $request->ip();
 
         $this->trackRegisterAttempt($ip);
 
-        if ($this->shouldRequireTurnstile($ip)) {
-            $verified = $this->turnstileVerifier->verify(
-                (string) $request->input('cf-turnstile-response', ''),
+        if ($this->shouldRequireCaptcha($ip)) {
+            $verified = $this->captchaVerifier->verify(
+                (string) $request->input($this->captchaVerifier->inputName(), ''),
                 $ip
             );
 
@@ -199,9 +201,9 @@ class RegisteredUserController extends Controller
         ]);
     }
 
-    private function shouldRequireTurnstile(?string $ip): bool
+    private function shouldRequireCaptcha(?string $ip): bool
     {
-        if (! $this->turnstileVerifier->isEnabled()) {
+        if (! $this->captchaVerifier->isEnabled()) {
             return false;
         }
 
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/User/ProfileController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/User/ProfileController.php
index ce3472d0..ba555aa8 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/User/ProfileController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/User/ProfileController.php
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ use App\Models\Artwork;
 use App\Models\ProfileComment;
 use App\Models\Story;
 use App\Models\User;
+use App\Services\Security\CaptchaVerifier;
 use App\Services\AvatarService;
 use App\Services\ArtworkService;
 use App\Services\FollowService;
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ class ProfileController extends Controller
         private readonly UsernameApprovalService $usernameApprovalService,
         private readonly FollowService $followService,
         private readonly UserStatsService $userStats,
+        private readonly CaptchaVerifier $captchaVerifier,
     )
     {
     }
@@ -240,7 +242,9 @@ class ProfileController extends Controller
             'flash' => [
                 'status' => session('status'),
                 'error' => session('error'),
+                'botCaptchaRequired' => session('bot_captcha_required', false),
             ],
+            'captcha' => $this->captchaVerifier->frontendConfig(),
         ])->rootView('settings');
     }
 
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/ForumAIModerationMiddleware.php b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumAIModerationMiddleware.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..52feca9b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumAIModerationMiddleware.php
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Middleware;
+
+use Closure;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\AI\AIContentModerator;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+
+class ForumAIModerationMiddleware
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly AIContentModerator $aiContentModerator,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next, string $action = 'generic'): Response
+    {
+        $assessment = [
+            'action' => $action,
+            'ai_spam_score' => 0,
+            'ai_toxicity_score' => 0,
+            'flags' => [],
+            'reasons' => [],
+            'provider' => 'none',
+            'available' => false,
+            'raw' => null,
+            'language' => null,
+        ];
+
+        $title = trim((string) $request->input('title', ''));
+        $content = trim((string) $request->input('content', ''));
+        $combinedContent = trim($title !== '' ? $title . "\n" . $content : $content);
+
+        if (
+            $combinedContent !== ''
+            && (bool) config('skinbase_ai_moderation.enabled', true)
+            && (bool) config('skinbase_ai_moderation.preflight.run_ai_sync', true)
+        ) {
+            $spamAssessment = $request->attributes->get('forum_spam_assessment');
+            $assessment = ['action' => $action] + $this->aiContentModerator->analyze($combinedContent, [
+                'links' => is_array($spamAssessment) ? (array) ($spamAssessment['links'] ?? []) : [],
+            ]);
+        }
+
+        $request->attributes->set('forum_ai_assessment', $assessment);
+
+        return $next($request);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/ForumBotProtectionMiddleware.php b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumBotProtectionMiddleware.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..693cbf82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumBotProtectionMiddleware.php
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Middleware;
+
+use App\Services\Security\CaptchaVerifier;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\BotProtectionService;
+use Closure;
+use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
+use Illuminate\Http\RedirectResponse;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Validation\ValidationException;
+use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+
+class ForumBotProtectionMiddleware
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly BotProtectionService $botProtectionService,
+        private readonly CaptchaVerifier $captchaVerifier,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next, string $action = 'generic'): Response|RedirectResponse|JsonResponse
+    {
+        $assessment = $this->botProtectionService->assess($request, $action);
+        $request->attributes->set('forum_bot_assessment', $assessment);
+
+        if ($this->requiresCaptcha($assessment, $action)) {
+            $captcha = $this->captchaVerifier->frontendConfig();
+            $tokenInput = (string) ($captcha['inputName'] ?? $this->captchaVerifier->inputName());
+            $token = (string) (
+                $request->input($tokenInput)
+                ?: $request->header('X-Captcha-Token', '')
+                ?: $request->header('X-Turnstile-Token', '')
+            );
+
+            if (! $this->captchaVerifier->verify($token, $request->ip())) {
+                $message = (string) config('forum_bot_protection.captcha.message', 'Complete the captcha challenge to continue.');
+
+                if ($request->expectsJson()) {
+                    return response()->json([
+                        'message' => $message,
+                        'errors' => [
+                            'captcha' => [$message],
+                        ],
+                        'requires_captcha' => true,
+                        'captcha' => $captcha,
+                        'captcha_provider' => (string) ($captcha['provider'] ?? $this->captchaVerifier->provider()),
+                        'captcha_site_key' => (string) ($captcha['siteKey'] ?? ''),
+                        'captcha_input' => (string) ($captcha['inputName'] ?? $tokenInput),
+                        'captcha_script_url' => (string) ($captcha['scriptUrl'] ?? ''),
+                    ], 422);
+                }
+
+                return redirect()->back()
+                    ->withInput($request->except(['password', 'current_password', 'new_password', 'new_password_confirmation', $tokenInput]))
+                    ->withErrors(['captcha' => $message])
+                    ->with('bot_captcha_required', true)
+                    ->with('bot_turnstile_required', true);
+            }
+
+            $request->attributes->set('forum_bot_captcha_verified', true);
+        }
+
+        if ((bool) ($assessment['blocked'] ?? false)) {
+            $message = 'Suspicious activity detected.';
+
+            if ($request->expectsJson()) {
+                return response()->json([
+                    'message' => $message,
+                    'errors' => [
+                        'bot' => [$message],
+                    ],
+                ], 429);
+            }
+
+            throw ValidationException::withMessages([
+                'bot' => [$message],
+            ]);
+        }
+
+        return $next($request);
+    }
+
+    private function requiresCaptcha(array $assessment, string $action): bool
+    {
+        if (! $this->captchaVerifier->isEnabled()) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if ((int) ($assessment['risk_score'] ?? 0) < (int) config('forum_bot_protection.thresholds.captcha', 60)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return in_array($action, (array) config('forum_bot_protection.captcha.actions', []), true);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/ForumRateLimitMiddleware.php b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumRateLimitMiddleware.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1f4068be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumRateLimitMiddleware.php
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Middleware;
+
+use Closure;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\BotProtectionService;
+use Illuminate\Http\Exceptions\ThrottleRequestsException;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Routing\Middleware\ThrottleRequests;
+use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+
+class ForumRateLimitMiddleware
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly ThrottleRequests $throttleRequests,
+        private readonly BotProtectionService $botProtectionService,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next): Response
+    {
+        $routeName = (string) optional($request->route())->getName();
+        $limiterName = match ($routeName) {
+            'forum.topic.store' => 'forum-thread-create',
+            default => 'forum-post-write',
+        };
+
+        try {
+            return $this->throttleRequests->handle($request, $next, $limiterName);
+        } catch (ThrottleRequestsException $exception) {
+            $maxAttempts = (int) ($exception->getHeaders()['X-RateLimit-Limit'] ?? 0);
+
+            $this->botProtectionService->recordRateLimitViolation(
+                $request,
+                $this->resolveActionName($routeName),
+                [
+                    'limiter' => $limiterName,
+                    'bucket' => $this->resolveBucket($limiterName, $maxAttempts),
+                    'max_attempts' => $maxAttempts,
+                    'retry_after' => (int) ($exception->getHeaders()['Retry-After'] ?? 0),
+                    'reason' => sprintf('Forum write rate limit exceeded on %s.', $routeName !== '' ? $routeName : 'unknown route'),
+                ],
+            );
+
+            throw $exception;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private function resolveActionName(string $routeName): string
+    {
+        return match ($routeName) {
+            'forum.topic.store' => 'forum_topic_create',
+            'forum.post.update' => 'forum_post_update',
+            default => 'forum_reply_create',
+        };
+    }
+
+    private function resolveBucket(string $limiterName, int $maxAttempts): string
+    {
+        return $maxAttempts <= $this->minuteLimitThreshold($limiterName) ? 'minute' : 'hour';
+    }
+
+    private function minuteLimitThreshold(string $limiterName): int
+    {
+        return match ($limiterName) {
+            'forum-thread-create', 'forum-post-write' => 3,
+            default => PHP_INT_MAX,
+        };
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/ForumSecurityFirewallMiddleware.php b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumSecurityFirewallMiddleware.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fbac864a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumSecurityFirewallMiddleware.php
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Middleware;
+
+use App\Services\Security\CaptchaVerifier;
+use Closure;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\ForumSecurityFirewallService;
+use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
+use Illuminate\Http\RedirectResponse;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Validation\ValidationException;
+use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+
+class ForumSecurityFirewallMiddleware
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly ForumSecurityFirewallService $firewallService,
+        private readonly CaptchaVerifier $captchaVerifier,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next, string $action = 'generic'): Response|RedirectResponse|JsonResponse
+    {
+        $assessment = $this->firewallService->assess($request, $action);
+        $request->attributes->set('forum_firewall_assessment', $assessment);
+
+        if ($this->requiresCaptcha($assessment, $action)) {
+            $captcha = $this->captchaVerifier->frontendConfig();
+            $tokenInput = (string) ($captcha['inputName'] ?? $this->captchaVerifier->inputName());
+            $token = (string) (
+                $request->input($tokenInput)
+                ?: $request->header('X-Captcha-Token', '')
+                ?: $request->header('X-Turnstile-Token', '')
+            );
+
+            if (! $this->captchaVerifier->verify($token, $request->ip())) {
+                $message = 'Additional verification is required before continuing.';
+
+                if ($request->expectsJson()) {
+                    return response()->json([
+                        'message' => $message,
+                        'errors' => [
+                            'captcha' => [$message],
+                        ],
+                        'requires_captcha' => true,
+                        'captcha' => $captcha,
+                    ], 422);
+                }
+
+                return redirect()->back()
+                    ->withInput($request->except(['password', 'current_password', 'new_password', 'new_password_confirmation', $tokenInput]))
+                    ->withErrors(['captcha' => $message]);
+            }
+
+            $request->attributes->set('forum_firewall_captcha_verified', true);
+        }
+
+        if ((bool) ($assessment['blocked'] ?? false)) {
+            $message = 'Security firewall blocked this request.';
+
+            if ($request->expectsJson()) {
+                return response()->json([
+                    'message' => $message,
+                    'errors' => [
+                        'security' => [$message],
+                    ],
+                ], 429);
+            }
+
+            throw ValidationException::withMessages([
+                'security' => [$message],
+            ]);
+        }
+
+        return $next($request);
+    }
+
+    private function requiresCaptcha(array $assessment, string $action): bool
+    {
+        if (! $this->captchaVerifier->isEnabled()) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (! (bool) ($assessment['requires_captcha'] ?? false)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return in_array($action, (array) config('forum_bot_protection.captcha.actions', []), true);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/ForumSpamDetectionMiddleware.php b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumSpamDetectionMiddleware.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..70c940f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/ForumSpamDetectionMiddleware.php
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Middleware;
+
+use Closure;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\ForumSpamDetector;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\LinkAnalyzer;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\ContentPatternAnalyzer;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+
+class ForumSpamDetectionMiddleware
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly ForumSpamDetector $spamDetector,
+        private readonly LinkAnalyzer $linkAnalyzer,
+        private readonly ContentPatternAnalyzer $contentPatternAnalyzer,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next, string $action = 'generic'): Response
+    {
+        $title = trim((string) $request->input('title', ''));
+        $content = trim((string) $request->input('content', ''));
+        $combinedContent = trim($title !== '' ? $title . "\n" . $content : $content);
+
+        if ($combinedContent === '') {
+            $request->attributes->set('forum_spam_assessment', [
+                'action' => $action,
+                'spam_score' => 0,
+                'spam_reasons' => [],
+                'link_score' => 0,
+                'link_reasons' => [],
+                'links' => [],
+                'domains' => [],
+                'pattern_score' => 0,
+                'pattern_reasons' => [],
+                'matched_categories' => [],
+            ]);
+
+            return $next($request);
+        }
+
+        $spam = $this->spamDetector->analyze($combinedContent);
+        $link = $this->linkAnalyzer->analyze($combinedContent);
+        $patterns = $this->contentPatternAnalyzer->analyze($combinedContent);
+
+        $request->attributes->set('forum_spam_assessment', [
+            'action' => $action,
+            'spam_score' => max((int) ($spam['score'] ?? 0), (int) ($patterns['score'] ?? 0)),
+            'spam_reasons' => array_values(array_unique(array_merge(
+                (array) ($spam['reasons'] ?? []),
+                (array) ($patterns['reasons'] ?? []),
+            ))),
+            'link_score' => (int) ($link['score'] ?? 0),
+            'link_reasons' => (array) ($link['reasons'] ?? []),
+            'links' => (array) ($link['links'] ?? []),
+            'domains' => (array) ($link['domains'] ?? []),
+            'pattern_score' => (int) ($patterns['score'] ?? 0),
+            'pattern_reasons' => (array) ($patterns['reasons'] ?? []),
+            'matched_categories' => (array) ($patterns['matched_categories'] ?? []),
+        ]);
+
+        return $next($request);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/Models/ForumPost.php b/app/Models/ForumPost.php
index 2475b440..61c94e1f 100644
--- a/app/Models/ForumPost.php
+++ b/app/Models/ForumPost.php
@@ -18,15 +18,28 @@ class ForumPost extends Model
         'id',
         'thread_id',
         'topic_id',
+        'source_ip_hash',
         'user_id',
         'content',
+        'content_hash',
         'is_edited',
         'edited_at',
         'spam_score',
         'quality_score',
+        'ai_spam_score',
+        'ai_toxicity_score',
+        'behavior_score',
+        'link_score',
+        'learning_score',
+        'risk_score',
+        'trust_modifier',
         'flagged',
         'flagged_reason',
         'moderation_checked',
+        'moderation_status',
+        'moderation_labels',
+        'moderation_meta',
+        'last_ai_scan_at',
     ];
 
     public $incrementing = true;
@@ -36,8 +49,18 @@ class ForumPost extends Model
         'edited_at' => 'datetime',
         'spam_score' => 'integer',
         'quality_score' => 'integer',
+        'ai_spam_score' => 'integer',
+        'ai_toxicity_score' => 'integer',
+        'behavior_score' => 'integer',
+        'link_score' => 'integer',
+        'learning_score' => 'integer',
+        'risk_score' => 'integer',
+        'trust_modifier' => 'integer',
         'flagged' => 'boolean',
         'moderation_checked' => 'boolean',
+        'moderation_labels' => 'array',
+        'moderation_meta' => 'array',
+        'last_ai_scan_at' => 'datetime',
     ];
 
     public function thread(): BelongsTo
diff --git a/app/Models/User.php b/app/Models/User.php
index a4ce12dd..205e7dc5 100644
--- a/app/Models/User.php
+++ b/app/Models/User.php
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ class User extends Authenticatable
         'cover_ext',
         'cover_position',
         'trust_score',
+        'bot_risk_score',
+        'bot_flags',
+        'last_bot_activity_at',
+        'spam_reports',
+        'approved_posts',
+        'flagged_posts',
         'password',
         'role',
         'allow_messages_from',
@@ -76,6 +82,12 @@ class User extends Authenticatable
             'deleted_at' => 'datetime',
             'cover_position' => 'integer',
             'trust_score' => 'integer',
+            'bot_risk_score' => 'integer',
+            'bot_flags' => 'array',
+            'last_bot_activity_at' => 'datetime',
+            'spam_reports' => 'integer',
+            'approved_posts' => 'integer',
+            'flagged_posts' => 'integer',
             'password' => 'hashed',
             'allow_messages_from' => 'string',
         ];
diff --git a/app/Services/Security/Captcha/CaptchaProviderInterface.php b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/CaptchaProviderInterface.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4b97d172
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/CaptchaProviderInterface.php
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Services\Security\Captcha;
+
+interface CaptchaProviderInterface
+{
+    public function name(): string;
+
+    public function isEnabled(): bool;
+
+    public function siteKey(): string;
+
+    public function inputName(): string;
+
+    public function scriptUrl(): string;
+
+    public function verify(string $token, ?string $ip = null): bool;
+}
diff --git a/app/Services/Security/Captcha/HcaptchaCaptchaProvider.php b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/HcaptchaCaptchaProvider.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0baae022
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/HcaptchaCaptchaProvider.php
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Services\Security\Captcha;
+
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
+
+class HcaptchaCaptchaProvider implements CaptchaProviderInterface
+{
+    public function name(): string
+    {
+        return 'hcaptcha';
+    }
+
+    public function isEnabled(): bool
+    {
+        return (bool) config('services.hcaptcha.enabled', false)
+            && $this->siteKey() !== ''
+            && (string) config('services.hcaptcha.secret', '') !== '';
+    }
+
+    public function siteKey(): string
+    {
+        return (string) config('services.hcaptcha.site_key', '');
+    }
+
+    public function inputName(): string
+    {
+        return 'h-captcha-response';
+    }
+
+    public function scriptUrl(): string
+    {
+        return (string) config('services.hcaptcha.script_url', 'https://js.hcaptcha.com/1/api.js');
+    }
+
+    public function verify(string $token, ?string $ip = null): bool
+    {
+        if (! $this->isEnabled()) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (trim($token) === '') {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $response = Http::asForm()
+                ->timeout((int) config('services.hcaptcha.timeout', 5))
+                ->post((string) config('services.hcaptcha.verify_url', 'https://hcaptcha.com/siteverify'), [
+                    'secret' => (string) config('services.hcaptcha.secret', ''),
+                    'response' => $token,
+                    'remoteip' => $ip,
+                ]);
+
+            if ($response->failed()) {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            return (bool) data_get($response->json(), 'success', false);
+        } catch (\Throwable $exception) {
+            Log::warning('hcaptcha verification request failed', [
+                'message' => $exception->getMessage(),
+            ]);
+
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Services/Security/Captcha/RecaptchaCaptchaProvider.php b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/RecaptchaCaptchaProvider.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..146172c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/RecaptchaCaptchaProvider.php
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Services\Security\Captcha;
+
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
+
+class RecaptchaCaptchaProvider implements CaptchaProviderInterface
+{
+    public function name(): string
+    {
+        return 'recaptcha';
+    }
+
+    public function isEnabled(): bool
+    {
+        return (bool) config('services.recaptcha.enabled', false)
+            && $this->siteKey() !== ''
+            && (string) config('services.recaptcha.secret', '') !== '';
+    }
+
+    public function siteKey(): string
+    {
+        return (string) config('services.recaptcha.site_key', '');
+    }
+
+    public function inputName(): string
+    {
+        return 'g-recaptcha-response';
+    }
+
+    public function scriptUrl(): string
+    {
+        return (string) config('services.recaptcha.script_url', 'https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js');
+    }
+
+    public function verify(string $token, ?string $ip = null): bool
+    {
+        if (! $this->isEnabled()) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (trim($token) === '') {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $response = Http::asForm()
+                ->timeout((int) config('services.recaptcha.timeout', 5))
+                ->post((string) config('services.recaptcha.verify_url', 'https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/siteverify'), [
+                    'secret' => (string) config('services.recaptcha.secret', ''),
+                    'response' => $token,
+                    'remoteip' => $ip,
+                ]);
+
+            if ($response->failed()) {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            return (bool) data_get($response->json(), 'success', false);
+        } catch (\Throwable $exception) {
+            Log::warning('recaptcha verification request failed', [
+                'message' => $exception->getMessage(),
+            ]);
+
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Services/Security/Captcha/TurnstileCaptchaProvider.php b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/TurnstileCaptchaProvider.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f286610a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Services/Security/Captcha/TurnstileCaptchaProvider.php
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Services\Security\Captcha;
+
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
+
+class TurnstileCaptchaProvider implements CaptchaProviderInterface
+{
+    public function name(): string
+    {
+        return 'turnstile';
+    }
+
+    public function isEnabled(): bool
+    {
+        return (bool) config('registration.enable_turnstile', true)
+            && $this->siteKey() !== ''
+            && (string) config('services.turnstile.secret_key', '') !== '';
+    }
+
+    public function siteKey(): string
+    {
+        return (string) config('services.turnstile.site_key', '');
+    }
+
+    public function inputName(): string
+    {
+        return 'cf-turnstile-response';
+    }
+
+    public function scriptUrl(): string
+    {
+        return (string) config('services.turnstile.script_url', 'https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/api.js');
+    }
+
+    public function verify(string $token, ?string $ip = null): bool
+    {
+        if (! $this->isEnabled()) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (trim($token) === '') {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            $response = Http::asForm()
+                ->timeout((int) config('services.turnstile.timeout', 5))
+                ->post((string) config('services.turnstile.verify_url', 'https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/siteverify'), [
+                    'secret' => (string) config('services.turnstile.secret_key', ''),
+                    'response' => $token,
+                    'remoteip' => $ip,
+                ]);
+
+            if ($response->failed()) {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            return (bool) data_get($response->json(), 'success', false);
+        } catch (\Throwable $exception) {
+            Log::warning('turnstile verification request failed', [
+                'message' => $exception->getMessage(),
+            ]);
+
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Services/Security/CaptchaVerifier.php b/app/Services/Security/CaptchaVerifier.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bcdbf699
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Services/Security/CaptchaVerifier.php
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Services\Security;
+
+use App\Services\Security\Captcha\CaptchaProviderInterface;
+use App\Services\Security\Captcha\HcaptchaCaptchaProvider;
+use App\Services\Security\Captcha\RecaptchaCaptchaProvider;
+use App\Services\Security\Captcha\TurnstileCaptchaProvider;
+
+class CaptchaVerifier
+{
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly TurnstileCaptchaProvider $turnstileProvider,
+        private readonly RecaptchaCaptchaProvider $recaptchaProvider,
+        private readonly HcaptchaCaptchaProvider $hcaptchaProvider,
+    ) {
+    }
+
+    public function provider(): string
+    {
+        $configured = strtolower(trim((string) config('forum_bot_protection.captcha.provider', 'turnstile')));
+
+        return match ($configured) {
+            'recaptcha' => 'recaptcha',
+            'hcaptcha' => 'hcaptcha',
+            default => 'turnstile',
+        };
+    }
+
+    public function isEnabled(): bool
+    {
+        return $this->resolveProvider()->isEnabled();
+    }
+
+    public function inputName(): string
+    {
+        $configured = trim((string) config('forum_bot_protection.captcha.input', ''));
+
+        if ($configured !== '') {
+            return $configured;
+        }
+
+        return $this->resolveProvider()->inputName();
+    }
+
+    public function verify(string $token, ?string $ip = null): bool
+    {
+        return $this->resolveProvider()->verify($token, $ip);
+    }
+
+    public function frontendConfig(): array
+    {
+        $provider = $this->resolveProvider();
+
+        return [
+            'provider' => $provider->name(),
+            'siteKey' => $provider->isEnabled() ? $provider->siteKey() : '',
+            'inputName' => $this->inputName(),
+            'scriptUrl' => $provider->isEnabled() ? $provider->scriptUrl() : '',
+        ];
+    }
+
+    private function resolveProvider(): CaptchaProviderInterface
+    {
+        return match ($this->provider()) {
+            'recaptcha' => $this->recaptchaProvider,
+            'hcaptcha' => $this->hcaptchaProvider,
+            default => $this->turnstileProvider,
+        };
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Services/Security/TurnstileVerifier.php b/app/Services/Security/TurnstileVerifier.php
index 05965852..29cd24a4 100644
--- a/app/Services/Security/TurnstileVerifier.php
+++ b/app/Services/Security/TurnstileVerifier.php
@@ -2,50 +2,21 @@
 
 namespace App\Services\Security;
 
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
-
 class TurnstileVerifier
 {
+    public function __construct(
+        private readonly CaptchaVerifier $captchaVerifier,
+    ) {
+    }
+
     public function isEnabled(): bool
     {
-        return (bool) config('registration.enable_turnstile', true)
-            && (string) config('services.turnstile.site_key', '') !== ''
-            && (string) config('services.turnstile.secret_key', '') !== '';
+        return $this->captchaVerifier->provider() === 'turnstile'
+            && $this->captchaVerifier->isEnabled();
     }
 
     public function verify(string $token, ?string $ip = null): bool
     {
-        if (! $this->isEnabled()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        if (trim($token) === '') {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        try {
-            $response = Http::asForm()
-                ->timeout((int) config('services.turnstile.timeout', 5))
-                ->post((string) config('services.turnstile.verify_url', 'https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/siteverify'), [
-                    'secret' => (string) config('services.turnstile.secret_key', ''),
-                    'response' => $token,
-                    'remoteip' => $ip,
-                ]);
-
-            if ($response->failed()) {
-                return false;
-            }
-
-            $payload = $response->json();
-
-            return (bool) data_get($payload, 'success', false);
-        } catch (\Throwable $exception) {
-            Log::warning('turnstile verification request failed', [
-                'message' => $exception->getMessage(),
-            ]);
-
-            return false;
-        }
+        return $this->captchaVerifier->verify($token, $ip);
     }
 }
diff --git a/bootstrap/app.php b/bootstrap/app.php
index 81db6687..33988007 100644
--- a/bootstrap/app.php
+++ b/bootstrap/app.php
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ return Application::configure(basePath: dirname(__DIR__))
         health: '/up',
     )
     ->withMiddleware(function (Middleware $middleware): void {
+        $middleware->validateCsrfTokens(except: [
+            'chat_post',
+            'chat_post/*',
+        ]);
+
         $middleware->web(append: [
             \App\Http\Middleware\HandleInertiaRequests::class,
             // Runs on every web request; no-ops for guests, redirects authenticated
@@ -23,6 +28,11 @@ return Application::configure(basePath: dirname(__DIR__))
             'admin.moderation'          => \App\Http\Middleware\EnsureAdminOrModerator::class,
             'creator.access'            => \App\Http\Middleware\EnsureCreatorAccess::class,
             'ensure.onboarding.complete'=> \App\Http\Middleware\EnsureOnboardingComplete::class,
+            'forum.ai.moderation'       => \App\Http\Middleware\ForumAIModerationMiddleware::class,
+            'forum.bot.protection'      => \App\Http\Middleware\ForumBotProtectionMiddleware::class,
+            'forum.spam.detection'      => \App\Http\Middleware\ForumSpamDetectionMiddleware::class,
+            'forum.security.firewall'   => \App\Http\Middleware\ForumSecurityFirewallMiddleware::class,
+            'forum.rate_limit'          => \App\Http\Middleware\ForumRateLimitMiddleware::class,
             'onboarding'                => \App\Http\Middleware\EnsureOnboardingComplete::class,
             'normalize.username'        => \App\Http\Middleware\NormalizeUsername::class,
         ]);
diff --git a/config/forum_bot_protection.php b/config/forum_bot_protection.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e900a164
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/forum_bot_protection.php
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+<?php
+
+return [
+    'enabled' => env('FORUM_BOT_PROTECTION_ENABLED', true),
+
+    'thresholds' => [
+        'allow' => 20,
+        'log' => 20,
+        'captcha' => 40,
+        'moderate' => 60,
+        'block' => 80,
+    ],
+
+    'honeypots' => [
+        'fields' => ['homepage_url', 'company_name'],
+        'penalty' => 60,
+    ],
+
+    'captcha' => [
+        'provider' => env('FORUM_BOT_CAPTCHA_PROVIDER', 'turnstile'),
+        'actions' => [
+            'register',
+            'login',
+            'forum_topic_create',
+            'forum_reply_create',
+            'forum_post_update',
+            'profile_update',
+            'api_write',
+        ],
+        'input' => env('FORUM_BOT_CAPTCHA_INPUT', ''),
+        'message' => 'Complete the captcha challenge to continue.',
+    ],
+
+    'behavior' => [
+        'new_account_days' => 7,
+        'rapid_post_window_minutes' => 1,
+        'rapid_post_threshold' => 5,
+        'rapid_thread_threshold' => 2,
+        'recent_action_window_seconds' => 45,
+        'recent_action_threshold' => 6,
+        'login_attempt_window_minutes' => 10,
+        'login_attempt_threshold' => 8,
+        'profile_update_threshold' => 6,
+        'profile_update_window_minutes' => 60,
+        'api_request_window_minutes' => 1,
+        'api_request_threshold' => 100,
+        'repeated_content_penalty' => 50,
+        'new_account_links_penalty' => 30,
+        'rapid_post_penalty' => 40,
+        'recent_action_penalty' => 40,
+        'login_burst_penalty' => 35,
+        'profile_burst_penalty' => 20,
+        'api_burst_penalty' => 60,
+    ],
+
+    'account_farm' => [
+        'window_minutes' => 10,
+        'register_attempt_threshold' => 10,
+        'same_ip_users_threshold' => 5,
+        'same_fingerprint_users_threshold' => 3,
+        'same_pattern_users_threshold' => 3,
+        'register_attempt_penalty' => 50,
+        'same_ip_penalty' => 35,
+        'same_fingerprint_penalty' => 40,
+        'same_pattern_penalty' => 45,
+    ],
+
+    'ip' => [
+        'cache_ttl_minutes' => 15,
+        'recent_high_risk_window_hours' => 24,
+        'recent_high_risk_threshold' => 3,
+        'recent_high_risk_penalty' => 20,
+        'known_proxy_penalty' => 20,
+        'datacenter_penalty' => 25,
+        'tor_penalty' => 40,
+        'blacklist_penalty' => 100,
+        'known_proxies' => [],
+        'datacenter_ranges' => [],
+        'provider_ranges' => [
+            'aws' => [],
+            'azure' => [],
+            'gcp' => [],
+            'digitalocean' => [],
+            'hetzner' => [],
+            'ovh' => [],
+        ],
+        'tor_exit_nodes' => [],
+    ],
+
+    'rate_limits' => [
+        'penalties' => [
+            'default' => 35,
+            'minute' => 35,
+            'hour' => 45,
+        ],
+    ],
+
+    'geo_behavior' => [
+        'enabled' => true,
+        'login_actions' => ['login'],
+        'country_headers' => [
+            'CF-IPCountry',
+            'CloudFront-Viewer-Country',
+            'X-Country-Code',
+            'X-App-Country-Code',
+        ],
+        'recent_login_window_minutes' => 60,
+        'country_change_penalty' => 50,
+    ],
+
+    'patterns' => [
+        'seo' => [
+            'best seo service',
+            'cheap backlinks',
+            'guaranteed traffic',
+            'rank your website',
+        ],
+        'casino' => [
+            'online casino',
+            'jackpot bonus',
+            'slot machine',
+            'betting tips',
+        ],
+        'crypto' => [
+            'crypto signal',
+            'double your bitcoin',
+            'guaranteed profit',
+            'token presale',
+        ],
+        'affiliate' => [
+            'affiliate link',
+            'promo code',
+            'limited offer',
+            'work from home',
+        ],
+        'repeated_phrase_penalty' => 40,
+        'category_penalty' => 30,
+    ],
+
+    'scan' => [
+        'lookback_minutes' => 5,
+        'auto_blacklist_attempts' => 10,
+        'auto_blacklist_risk' => 80,
+        'auto_blacklist_reason' => 'Automatically blacklisted by bot activity monitor.',
+        'queue' => env('FORUM_BOT_SCAN_QUEUE', 'forum-moderation'),
+    ],
+];
diff --git a/config/forum_security.php b/config/forum_security.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..03b88c96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/forum_security.php
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+<?php
+
+return [
+    'enabled' => env('FORUM_SECURITY_ENABLED', true),
+
+    'thresholds' => [
+        'safe' => 20,
+        'log' => 20,
+        'captcha' => 40,
+        'moderate' => 60,
+        'block' => 80,
+        'firewall_block' => 70,
+    ],
+
+    'queues' => [
+        'moderation' => env('FORUM_SECURITY_MODERATION_QUEUE', 'forum-moderation'),
+        'firewall' => env('FORUM_SECURITY_FIREWALL_QUEUE', 'forum-security'),
+    ],
+
+    'firewall' => [
+        'enabled' => true,
+        'request_pattern' => [
+            'window_seconds' => 60,
+            'burst_threshold' => 15,
+            'burst_penalty' => 25,
+            'missing_user_agent_penalty' => 10,
+            'suspicious_path_penalty' => 20,
+            'repeat_route_penalty' => 20,
+        ],
+        'spam_wave' => [
+            'window_minutes' => 15,
+            'same_hash_threshold' => 3,
+            'same_hash_penalty' => 30,
+            'same_ip_flagged_threshold' => 4,
+            'same_ip_flagged_penalty' => 25,
+            'same_signature_threshold' => 3,
+            'same_signature_penalty' => 20,
+        ],
+        'thread_attack' => [
+            'window_minutes' => 10,
+            'topic_threshold' => 4,
+            'reply_threshold' => 8,
+            'topic_penalty' => 25,
+            'reply_penalty' => 20,
+        ],
+        'login_attack' => [
+            'window_minutes' => 15,
+            'login_threshold' => 10,
+            'register_threshold' => 6,
+            'login_penalty' => 30,
+            'register_penalty' => 35,
+        ],
+        'scan' => [
+            'lookback_minutes' => 15,
+            'auto_blacklist_attempts' => 4,
+            'auto_blacklist_risk' => 70,
+            'auto_blacklist_reason' => 'Automatically blacklisted by forum firewall activity monitor.',
+        ],
+    ],
+
+    'logging' => [
+        'store_request_payload' => false,
+        'reason_limit' => 8,
+    ],
+];
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/services.php b/config/services.php
index edd4a86f..b2c15a0d 100644
--- a/config/services.php
+++ b/config/services.php
@@ -43,13 +43,24 @@ return [
         'enabled' => env('RECAPTCHA_ENABLED', false),
         'site_key' => env('RECAPTCHA_SITE_KEY'),
         'secret' => env('RECAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY'),
+        'script_url' => env('RECAPTCHA_SCRIPT_URL', 'https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'),
         'verify_url' => env('RECAPTCHA_VERIFY_URL', 'https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/siteverify'),
         'timeout' => (int) env('RECAPTCHA_TIMEOUT', 5),
     ],
 
+    'hcaptcha' => [
+        'enabled' => env('HCAPTCHA_ENABLED', false),
+        'site_key' => env('HCAPTCHA_SITE_KEY'),
+        'secret' => env('HCAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY'),
+        'script_url' => env('HCAPTCHA_SCRIPT_URL', 'https://js.hcaptcha.com/1/api.js'),
+        'verify_url' => env('HCAPTCHA_VERIFY_URL', 'https://hcaptcha.com/siteverify'),
+        'timeout' => (int) env('HCAPTCHA_TIMEOUT', 5),
+    ],
+
     'turnstile' => [
         'site_key' => env('TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY'),
         'secret_key' => env('TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY'),
+        'script_url' => env('TURNSTILE_SCRIPT_URL', 'https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/api.js'),
         'verify_url' => env('TURNSTILE_VERIFY_URL', 'https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/siteverify'),
         'timeout' => (int) env('TURNSTILE_TIMEOUT', 5),
     ],
diff --git a/config/skinbase_ai_moderation.php b/config/skinbase_ai_moderation.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a3b61a86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/skinbase_ai_moderation.php
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+<?php
+
+return [
+    'enabled' => env('SKINBASE_AI_MODERATION_ENABLED', true),
+
+    'provider' => env('SKINBASE_AI_MODERATION_PROVIDER', 'openai'),
+
+    'queue' => [
+        'name' => env('SKINBASE_AI_MODERATION_QUEUE', 'forum-moderation'),
+    ],
+
+    'preflight' => [
+        'run_ai_sync' => (bool) env('SKINBASE_AI_PREFLIGHT_SYNC', true),
+    ],
+
+    'thresholds' => [
+        'safe' => 20,
+        'low_quality' => 40,
+        'suspicious' => 60,
+        'block' => 80,
+    ],
+
+    'behavior' => [
+        'new_account_days' => 7,
+        'rapid_post_window_minutes' => 2,
+        'rapid_post_threshold' => 5,
+        'same_ip_window_days' => 7,
+        'same_ip_accounts_threshold' => 2,
+        'repeat_content_penalty' => 40,
+        'new_account_with_links_penalty' => 30,
+        'rapid_post_penalty' => 20,
+        'same_ip_penalty' => 25,
+        'high_link_frequency_penalty' => 10,
+        'flagged_history_penalty' => 15,
+    ],
+
+    'links' => [
+        'too_many_links_penalty' => 15,
+        'suspicious_domain_penalty' => 40,
+        'shortener_penalty' => 10,
+        'suspicious_tld_penalty' => 15,
+        'too_many_links_threshold' => 3,
+        'shorteners' => [
+            'bit.ly',
+            'tinyurl.com',
+            'goo.gl',
+            't.co',
+            'ow.ly',
+            'cutt.ly',
+            'rebrand.ly',
+        ],
+        'suspicious_tlds' => [
+            'xyz',
+            'top',
+            'click',
+            'loan',
+            'work',
+            'gq',
+            'ml',
+            'tk',
+        ],
+    ],
+
+    'trust' => [
+        'high' => 80,
+        'medium' => 50,
+        'high_modifier' => -15,
+        'medium_modifier' => -8,
+        'low_modifier' => 0,
+        'flagged_ratio_penalty' => 10,
+    ],
+
+    'learning' => [
+        'spam_penalty' => 40,
+        'safe_modifier' => -12,
+        'max_spam_penalty' => 60,
+        'max_safe_modifier' => -20,
+    ],
+
+    'scan' => [
+        'limit' => 200,
+        'stale_after_minutes' => 10,
+    ],
+
+    'privacy' => [
+        'redact_emails' => true,
+        'redact_ip_addresses' => true,
+        'redact_mentions' => false,
+    ],
+
+    'heuristics' => [
+        'promotional_phrases' => [
+            'buy now',
+            'limited offer',
+            'cheap seo',
+            'guaranteed traffic',
+            'visit my profile',
+            'work from home',
+            'crypto signal',
+            'telegram me',
+            'whatsapp me',
+            'dm for service',
+        ],
+        'toxic_phrases' => [
+            'kill yourself',
+            'you idiot',
+            'piece of trash',
+            'hate you',
+            'worthless',
+        ],
+    ],
+
+    'providers' => [
+        'openai' => [
+            'api_key' => env('OPENAI_API_KEY'),
+            'base_url' => env('OPENAI_BASE_URL', 'https://api.openai.com/v1'),
+            'model' => env('SKINBASE_AI_OPENAI_MODEL', 'gpt-4.1-mini'),
+            'timeout' => (int) env('SKINBASE_AI_OPENAI_TIMEOUT', 5),
+        ],
+        'perspective_api' => [
+            'api_key' => env('PERSPECTIVE_API_KEY'),
+            'base_url' => env('PERSPECTIVE_API_BASE_URL', 'https://commentanalyzer.googleapis.com/v1alpha1/comments:analyze'),
+            'timeout' => (int) env('SKINBASE_AI_PERSPECTIVE_TIMEOUT', 5),
+        ],
+        'local_llm' => [
+            'endpoint' => env('SKINBASE_AI_LOCAL_LLM_ENDPOINT'),
+            'model' => env('SKINBASE_AI_LOCAL_LLM_MODEL', 'moderation'),
+            'timeout' => (int) env('SKINBASE_AI_LOCAL_LLM_TIMEOUT', 5),
+            'token' => env('SKINBASE_AI_LOCAL_LLM_TOKEN'),
+        ],
+    ],
+];
diff --git a/deploy/supervisor/skinbase-queue.conf b/deploy/supervisor/skinbase-queue.conf
index b9f9e868..d04206d3 100644
--- a/deploy/supervisor/skinbase-queue.conf
+++ b/deploy/supervisor/skinbase-queue.conf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [program:skinbase-queue]
-command=/usr/bin/php /var/www/skinbase/artisan queue:work --sleep=3 --tries=3 --timeout=90 --queue=default
+command=/usr/bin/php /var/www/skinbase/artisan queue:work --sleep=3 --tries=3 --timeout=90 --queue=forum-security,forum-moderation,default
 process_name=%(program_name)s_%(process_num)02d
 numprocs=1
 autostart=true
diff --git a/deploy/systemd/skinbase-queue.service b/deploy/systemd/skinbase-queue.service
index 3dadbbd8..dd91e233 100644
--- a/deploy/systemd/skinbase-queue.service
+++ b/deploy/systemd/skinbase-queue.service
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Group=www-data
 Restart=always
 RestartSec=3
 WorkingDirectory=/var/www/skinbase
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/php /var/www/skinbase/artisan queue:work --sleep=3 --tries=3 --timeout=90 --queue=default
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/php /var/www/skinbase/artisan queue:work --sleep=3 --tries=3 --timeout=90 --queue=forum-security,forum-moderation,default
 StandardOutput=syslog
 StandardError=syslog
 SyslogIdentifier=skinbase-queue
diff --git a/docs/forum-bot-protection.md b/docs/forum-bot-protection.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..35426d14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/forum-bot-protection.md
@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+# Forum Bot Protection
+
+This document describes the production anti-bot stack protecting forum, auth, profile, and selected API write actions.
+
+## Scope
+
+Primary implementation lives in:
+
+- `config/forum_bot_protection.php`
+- `packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Services/Security`
+- `app/Http/Middleware/ForumBotProtectionMiddleware.php`
+- `packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Console/ForumBotScanCommand.php`
+- `packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Jobs/BotActivityMonitor.php`
+
+Protected actions currently include:
+
+- registration
+- login
+- forum topic create
+- forum reply create
+- forum post update
+- profile update
+- selected API write routes
+
+## Detection Layers
+
+Risk scoring combines multiple signals:
+
+- honeypot hits
+- browser and device fingerprints
+- repeated content and spam phrase analysis
+- account age and action burst behavior
+- proxy, Tor, and blacklist checks
+- provider and datacenter CIDR range checks
+- account farm heuristics across IP and fingerprint reuse
+
+The score is interpreted through `config/forum_bot_protection.php`:
+
+- `allow`
+- `log`
+- `captcha`
+- `moderate`
+- `block`
+
+## Persistence
+
+Bot activity is stored in:
+
+- `forum_bot_logs`
+- `forum_bot_ip_blacklist`
+- `forum_bot_device_fingerprints`
+- `forum_bot_behavior_profiles`
+
+User records also carry:
+
+- `bot_risk_score`
+- `bot_flags`
+- `last_bot_activity_at`
+
+## Captcha Escalation
+
+When a request risk score reaches the configured captcha threshold, middleware requires a provider-backed challenge before allowing the action.
+
+Provider selection:
+
+- `FORUM_BOT_CAPTCHA_PROVIDER=turnstile`
+- `FORUM_BOT_CAPTCHA_PROVIDER=recaptcha`
+- `FORUM_BOT_CAPTCHA_PROVIDER=hcaptcha`
+
+Optional request input override:
+
+- `FORUM_BOT_CAPTCHA_INPUT`
+
+Supported provider environment keys:
+
+### Turnstile
+
+- `TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY`
+- `TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY`
+- `TURNSTILE_SCRIPT_URL`
+- `TURNSTILE_VERIFY_URL`
+
+### reCAPTCHA
+
+- `RECAPTCHA_ENABLED`
+- `RECAPTCHA_SITE_KEY`
+- `RECAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY`
+- `RECAPTCHA_SCRIPT_URL`
+- `RECAPTCHA_VERIFY_URL`
+
+### hCaptcha
+
+- `HCAPTCHA_ENABLED`
+- `HCAPTCHA_SITE_KEY`
+- `HCAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY`
+- `HCAPTCHA_SCRIPT_URL`
+- `HCAPTCHA_VERIFY_URL`
+
+If the selected provider is missing required keys, captcha escalation is effectively disabled and high-risk requests will continue through the non-captcha anti-bot path.
+
+## Origin Header Setup
+
+Geo-behavior scoring only activates when the origin receives a trusted two-letter country header. The current analyzer checks these headers in order:
+
+- `CF-IPCountry`
+- `CloudFront-Viewer-Country`
+- `X-Country-Code`
+- `X-App-Country-Code`
+
+Recommended production setup:
+
+### Cloudflare
+
+- If you only need country detection: Cloudflare Dashboard → `Network` → turn `IP Geolocation` on.
+- If you want the broader location header set: Cloudflare Dashboard → `Rules` → `Managed Transforms` → enable `Add visitor location headers`.
+- The origin header used by this app is `CF-IPCountry`.
+
+### Amazon CloudFront
+
+- Edit the distribution behavior used for the app origin.
+- Attach an origin request policy that includes geolocation headers, or create a custom origin request policy that forwards `CloudFront-Viewer-Country`.
+- If you cache on that behavior and want cache variation by forwarded headers, ensure the paired cache policy is compatible with the origin request policy you choose.
+
+### Reverse Proxy / Load Balancer
+
+- Pass the CDN country header through unchanged to PHP-FPM / Laravel.
+- For Nginx, avoid clearing the header and explicitly preserve it if you normalize upstream headers, for example: `proxy_set_header CF-IPCountry $http_cf_ipcountry;` or `proxy_set_header CloudFront-Viewer-Country $http_cloudfront_viewer_country;`.
+- If you terminate the CDN header at the proxy and want a normalized application header instead, map it to `X-Country-Code` and keep the value as a two-letter ISO country code.
+
+Validation:
+
+- Send a request through the real edge and confirm the header is visible in Laravel request headers.
+- Check that a login event stored in `forum_bot_logs.metadata.country_code` contains the expected country code.
+
+## IP Range Configuration
+
+IP reputation supports three types of network lists in `config/forum_bot_protection.php`:
+
+- `known_proxies`: exact IPs or CIDRs for proxy and VPN ranges
+- `datacenter_ranges`: generic datacenter or hosting CIDRs
+- `provider_ranges`: provider-specific buckets such as `aws`, `azure`, `gcp`, `digitalocean`, `hetzner`, and `ovh`
+
+All three lists accept either exact IP strings or CIDR notation.
+
+Example:
+
+```php
+'ip' => [
+  'known_proxies' => ['198.51.100.0/24'],
+  'datacenter_ranges' => ['203.0.113.0/24'],
+  'provider_ranges' => [
+    'aws' => ['54.240.0.0/12'],
+    'hetzner' => ['88.198.0.0/16'],
+  ],
+],
+```
+
+Operational guidance:
+
+- keep provider ranges in the named `provider_ranges` buckets so the control panel can show per-provider coverage counts
+- populate ranges only from provider-owned feeds or other trusted sources you maintain internally
+- after changing CIDR lists, clear cache if you need immediate effect on hot IPs
+
+## Queue and Scheduling
+
+Recent activity scanning runs through:
+
+- command: `php artisan forum:bot-scan`
+- queued job: `BotActivityMonitor`
+- schedule: every 5 minutes in `routes/console.php`
+
+Default command behavior dispatches the monitor job onto the configured queue. Use `--sync` for inline execution.
+
+## Admin Operations
+
+Control panel screen:
+
+- route: `admin.forum.security.bot-protection.main`
+
+Available actions:
+
+- review recent bot events
+- inspect suspicious users
+- inspect high-risk fingerprints
+- inspect recent rate-limit violations and their limiter metadata
+- manually blacklist IPs
+- approve or ban flagged users
+- confirm current captcha provider, threshold, and required env keys
+- confirm configured proxy, datacenter, tor, and provider CIDR coverage counts
+- filter analytics by time window and action
+- export recent bot events as CSV
+- export top bot reasons as JSON
+
+## Validation Checklist
+
+Useful commands:
+
+- `php artisan forum:bot-scan --help`
+- `php artisan forum:bot-scan --sync --minutes=5`
+- `php artisan route:list --name=admin.forum.security.bot-protection.main`
+- `npm run build`
+
+Quick runtime checks:
+
+- confirm new bot events land in `forum_bot_logs`
+- confirm fingerprints land in `forum_bot_device_fingerprints`
+- confirm the jobs table contains `BotActivityMonitor` after `forum:bot-scan`
+- confirm the control panel shows the expected captcha provider and action list
diff --git a/resources/js/Pages/Settings/ProfileEdit.jsx b/resources/js/Pages/Settings/ProfileEdit.jsx
index 54df88ec..fbbe3264 100644
--- a/resources/js/Pages/Settings/ProfileEdit.jsx
+++ b/resources/js/Pages/Settings/ProfileEdit.jsx
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import Toggle from '../../components/ui/Toggle'
 import Select from '../../components/ui/Select'
 import Modal from '../../components/ui/Modal'
 import { RadioGroup } from '../../components/ui/Radio'
+import { buildBotFingerprint } from '../../lib/security/botFingerprint'
+import TurnstileField from '../../components/security/TurnstileField'
 
 const SETTINGS_SECTIONS = [
   { key: 'profile', label: 'Profile', icon: 'fa-solid fa-user-astronaut', description: 'Public identity and avatar.' },
@@ -57,6 +59,16 @@ function getCsrfToken() {
   return document.querySelector('meta[name="csrf-token"]')?.getAttribute('content') || ''
 }
 
+async function botHeaders(extra = {}, captcha = {}) {
+  const fingerprint = await buildBotFingerprint()
+
+  return {
+    ...extra,
+    'X-Bot-Fingerprint': fingerprint,
+    ...(captcha?.token ? { 'X-Captcha-Token': captcha.token } : {}),
+  }
+}
+
 function toIsoDate(day, month, year) {
   if (!day || !month || !year) return ''
   return `${String(year).padStart(4, '0')}-${String(month).padStart(2, '0')}-${String(day).padStart(2, '0')}`
@@ -122,6 +134,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
     usernameCooldownDays = 30,
     usernameCooldownRemainingDays = 0,
     usernameCooldownActive = false,
+    captcha: initialCaptcha = {},
+    flash = {},
   } = props
 
   const fallbackDate = toIsoDate(
@@ -194,6 +208,17 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
     notifications: {},
     security: {},
   })
+  const [captchaState, setCaptchaState] = useState({
+    required: !!flash?.botCaptchaRequired,
+    section: '',
+    token: '',
+    message: '',
+    nonce: 0,
+    provider: initialCaptcha?.provider || '',
+    siteKey: initialCaptcha?.siteKey || '',
+    inputName: initialCaptcha?.inputName || 'cf-turnstile-response',
+    scriptUrl: initialCaptcha?.scriptUrl || '',
+  })
 
   const [avatarUrl, setAvatarUrl] = useState(initialAvatarUrl || '')
   const [avatarFile, setAvatarFile] = useState(null)
@@ -346,6 +371,92 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
     setErrorsBySection((prev) => ({ ...prev, [section]: {} }))
   }
 
+  const resetCaptchaState = () => {
+    setCaptchaState((prev) => ({
+      ...prev,
+      required: false,
+      section: '',
+      token: '',
+      message: '',
+      nonce: prev.nonce + 1,
+    }))
+  }
+
+  const captureCaptchaRequirement = (section, payload = {}) => {
+    const requiresCaptcha = !!(payload?.requires_captcha || payload?.requiresCaptcha)
+
+    if (!requiresCaptcha) {
+      return false
+    }
+
+    const nextCaptcha = payload?.captcha || {}
+    const message = payload?.errors?.captcha?.[0] || payload?.message || 'Complete the captcha challenge to continue.'
+
+    setCaptchaState((prev) => ({
+      required: true,
+      section,
+      token: '',
+      message,
+      nonce: prev.nonce + 1,
+      provider: nextCaptcha.provider || payload?.captcha_provider || prev.provider || initialCaptcha?.provider || 'turnstile',
+      siteKey: nextCaptcha.siteKey || payload?.captcha_site_key || prev.siteKey || initialCaptcha?.siteKey || '',
+      inputName: nextCaptcha.inputName || payload?.captcha_input || prev.inputName || initialCaptcha?.inputName || 'cf-turnstile-response',
+      scriptUrl: nextCaptcha.scriptUrl || payload?.captcha_script_url || prev.scriptUrl || initialCaptcha?.scriptUrl || '',
+    }))
+
+    updateSectionErrors(section, {
+      _general: [message],
+      captcha: [message],
+    })
+
+    return true
+  }
+
+  const applyCaptchaPayload = (payload = {}) => {
+    if (!captchaState.required || !captchaState.inputName) {
+      return payload
+    }
+
+    return {
+      ...payload,
+      [captchaState.inputName]: captchaState.token || '',
+    }
+  }
+
+  const applyCaptchaFormData = (formData) => {
+    if (captchaState.required && captchaState.inputName) {
+      formData.set(captchaState.inputName, captchaState.token || '')
+    }
+  }
+
+  const renderCaptchaChallenge = (section, placement = 'section') => {
+    if (!captchaState.required || !captchaState.siteKey || activeSection !== section) {
+      return null
+    }
+
+    if (section === 'account' && showEmailChangeModal && placement !== 'modal') {
+      return null
+    }
+
+    if (section === 'account' && !showEmailChangeModal && placement === 'modal') {
+      return null
+    }
+
+    return (
+      <div className="rounded-xl border border-amber-400/20 bg-amber-500/10 p-4">
+        <p className="mb-3 text-sm text-amber-100">{captchaState.message || 'Complete the captcha challenge to continue.'}</p>
+        <TurnstileField
+          key={`${section}-${placement}-${captchaState.nonce}`}
+          provider={captchaState.provider}
+          siteKey={captchaState.siteKey}
+          scriptUrl={captchaState.scriptUrl}
+          onToken={(token) => setCaptchaState((prev) => ({ ...prev, token }))}
+          className="rounded-lg border border-white/10 bg-black/20 p-3"
+        />
+      </div>
+    )
+  }
+
   const switchSection = (nextSection) => {
     if (activeSection === nextSection) return
     if (dirtyMap[activeSection]) {
@@ -397,19 +508,23 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       if (avatarFile) {
         formData.append('avatar', avatarFile)
       }
+      applyCaptchaFormData(formData)
 
       const response = await fetch('/settings/profile/update', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
+        }, captchaState),
         body: formData,
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('profile', payload)) {
+          return
+        }
         updateSectionErrors('profile', payload.errors || { _general: [payload.message || 'Unable to save profile section.'] })
         return
       }
@@ -421,6 +536,7 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       setAvatarFile(null)
       setAvatarPosition('center')
       setRemoveAvatar(false)
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setSavedMessage({ section: 'profile', text: payload.message || 'Profile updated successfully.' })
     } catch (error) {
       updateSectionErrors('profile', { _general: ['Request failed. Please try again.'] })
@@ -446,21 +562,25 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       const response = await fetch('/settings/account/username', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ username: accountForm.username }),
+        }, captchaState),
+        body: JSON.stringify(applyCaptchaPayload({ username: accountForm.username, homepage_url: '' })),
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('account', payload)) {
+          return
+        }
         updateSectionErrors('account', payload.errors || { _general: [payload.message || 'Unable to save account section.'] })
         return
       }
 
       initialRef.current.accountForm = { ...accountForm }
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setSavedMessage({ section: 'account', text: payload.message || 'Account updated successfully.' })
     } catch (error) {
       updateSectionErrors('account', { _general: ['Request failed. Please try again.'] })
@@ -478,21 +598,26 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       const response = await fetch('/settings/email/request', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ new_email: emailChangeForm.new_email }),
+        }, captchaState),
+        body: JSON.stringify(applyCaptchaPayload({ new_email: emailChangeForm.new_email, homepage_url: '' })),
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('account', payload)) {
+          setEmailChangeError(payload?.errors?.captcha?.[0] || payload?.message || 'Complete the captcha challenge to continue.')
+          return
+        }
         setEmailChangeError(payload?.errors?.new_email?.[0] || payload?.message || 'Unable to request email change.')
         return
       }
 
       setEmailChangeStep('verify')
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setEmailChangeInfo(payload.message || 'Verification code sent to your new email address.')
     } catch (error) {
       setEmailChangeError('Request failed. Please try again.')
@@ -510,16 +635,20 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       const response = await fetch('/settings/email/verify', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ code: emailChangeForm.code }),
+        }, captchaState),
+        body: JSON.stringify(applyCaptchaPayload({ code: emailChangeForm.code, homepage_url: '' })),
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('account', payload)) {
+          setEmailChangeError(payload?.errors?.captcha?.[0] || payload?.message || 'Complete the captcha challenge to continue.')
+          return
+        }
         setEmailChangeError(payload?.errors?.code?.[0] || payload?.message || 'Verification failed.')
         return
       }
@@ -530,6 +659,7 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       setShowEmailChangeModal(false)
       setEmailChangeStep('request')
       setEmailChangeForm({ new_email: '', code: '' })
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setSavedMessage({ section: 'account', text: payload.message || 'Email updated successfully.' })
     } catch (error) {
       setEmailChangeError('Request failed. Please try again.')
@@ -547,25 +677,30 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       const response = await fetch('/settings/personal/update', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify({
+        }, captchaState),
+        body: JSON.stringify(applyCaptchaPayload({
           birthday: toIsoDate(personalForm.day, personalForm.month, personalForm.year) || null,
           gender: personalForm.gender || null,
           country: personalForm.country || null,
-        }),
+          homepage_url: '',
+        })),
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('personal', payload)) {
+          return
+        }
         updateSectionErrors('personal', payload.errors || { _general: [payload.message || 'Unable to save personal details.'] })
         return
       }
 
       initialRef.current.personalForm = { ...personalForm }
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setSavedMessage({ section: 'personal', text: payload.message || 'Personal details saved successfully.' })
     } catch (error) {
       updateSectionErrors('personal', { _general: ['Request failed. Please try again.'] })
@@ -583,21 +718,25 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       const response = await fetch('/settings/notifications/update', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify(notificationForm),
+        }, captchaState),
+        body: JSON.stringify(applyCaptchaPayload({ ...notificationForm, homepage_url: '' })),
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('notifications', payload)) {
+          return
+        }
         updateSectionErrors('notifications', payload.errors || { _general: [payload.message || 'Unable to save notifications.'] })
         return
       }
 
       initialRef.current.notificationForm = { ...notificationForm }
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setSavedMessage({ section: 'notifications', text: payload.message || 'Notification settings saved successfully.' })
     } catch (error) {
       updateSectionErrors('notifications', { _general: ['Request failed. Please try again.'] })
@@ -615,16 +754,19 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
       const response = await fetch('/settings/security/password', {
         method: 'POST',
         credentials: 'same-origin',
-        headers: {
+        headers: await botHeaders({
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
           Accept: 'application/json',
           'X-CSRF-TOKEN': getCsrfToken(),
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify(securityForm),
+        }, captchaState),
+        body: JSON.stringify(applyCaptchaPayload({ ...securityForm, homepage_url: '' })),
       })
 
       const payload = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
       if (!response.ok) {
+        if (captureCaptchaRequirement('security', payload)) {
+          return
+        }
         updateSectionErrors('security', payload.errors || { _general: [payload.message || 'Unable to update password.'] })
         return
       }
@@ -634,6 +776,7 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
         new_password: '',
         new_password_confirmation: '',
       })
+      resetCaptchaState()
       setSavedMessage({ section: 'security', text: payload.message || 'Password updated successfully.' })
     } catch (error) {
       updateSectionErrors('security', { _general: ['Request failed. Please try again.'] })
@@ -857,6 +1000,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
                     rows={3}
                     error={errorsBySection.profile.description?.[0]}
                   />
+
+                  {renderCaptchaChallenge('profile')}
                 </div>
               </div>
             </SectionCard>
@@ -933,6 +1078,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
               <p className="mt-4 rounded-lg border border-white/10 bg-white/[0.02] px-3 py-2 text-xs text-slate-300">
                 You can change your username once every {usernameCooldownDays} days.
               </p>
+
+              {renderCaptchaChallenge('account')}
             </SectionCard>
           </form>
         ) : null}
@@ -1034,6 +1181,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
                     error={errorsBySection.personal.country?.[0]}
                   />
                 )}
+
+                {renderCaptchaChallenge('personal')}
               </div>
             </SectionCard>
           </form>
@@ -1085,6 +1234,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
                     />
                   </div>
                 ))}
+
+                {renderCaptchaChallenge('notifications')}
               </div>
             </SectionCard>
           </form>
@@ -1152,6 +1303,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
                 <div className="rounded-lg border border-white/5 bg-white/[0.02] p-3 text-xs text-slate-400">
                   Future security controls: Two-factor authentication, active sessions, and login history.
                 </div>
+
+                {renderCaptchaChallenge('security')}
               </div>
             </SectionCard>
           </form>
@@ -1221,6 +1374,8 @@ export default function ProfileEdit() {
             </div>
           ) : null}
 
+          {renderCaptchaChallenge('account', 'modal')}
+
           {emailChangeStep === 'request' ? (
             <TextInput
               label="Enter new email address"
diff --git a/resources/js/components/security/TurnstileField.jsx b/resources/js/components/security/TurnstileField.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..76980ebc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/components/security/TurnstileField.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+import React, { useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
+
+const providerAdapters = {
+  turnstile: {
+    globalName: 'turnstile',
+    render(api, container, { siteKey, theme, onToken }) {
+      return api.render(container, {
+        sitekey: siteKey,
+        theme,
+        callback: (token) => onToken?.(token || ''),
+        'expired-callback': () => onToken?.(''),
+        'error-callback': () => onToken?.(''),
+      })
+    },
+    cleanup(api, widgetId, container, onToken) {
+      if (widgetId !== null && api?.remove) {
+        api.remove(widgetId)
+      }
+      if (container) {
+        container.innerHTML = ''
+      }
+      onToken?.('')
+    },
+  },
+  recaptcha: {
+    globalName: 'grecaptcha',
+    render(api, container, { siteKey, theme, onToken }) {
+      return api.render(container, {
+        sitekey: siteKey,
+        theme,
+        callback: (token) => onToken?.(token || ''),
+        'expired-callback': () => onToken?.(''),
+        'error-callback': () => onToken?.(''),
+      })
+    },
+    cleanup(api, widgetId, container, onToken) {
+      if (widgetId !== null && api?.reset) {
+        api.reset(widgetId)
+      }
+      if (container) {
+        container.innerHTML = ''
+      }
+      onToken?.('')
+    },
+  },
+  hcaptcha: {
+    globalName: 'hcaptcha',
+    render(api, container, { siteKey, theme, onToken }) {
+      return api.render(container, {
+        sitekey: siteKey,
+        theme,
+        callback: (token) => onToken?.(token || ''),
+        'expired-callback': () => onToken?.(''),
+        'error-callback': () => onToken?.(''),
+      })
+    },
+    cleanup(api, widgetId, container, onToken) {
+      if (widgetId !== null && api?.remove) {
+        api.remove(widgetId)
+      }
+      if (container) {
+        container.innerHTML = ''
+      }
+      onToken?.('')
+    },
+  },
+}
+
+function loadCaptchaScript(src) {
+  if (!src) {
+    return Promise.resolve()
+  }
+
+  if (!window.__skinbaseCaptchaScripts) {
+    window.__skinbaseCaptchaScripts = {}
+  }
+
+  if (!window.__skinbaseCaptchaScripts[src]) {
+    window.__skinbaseCaptchaScripts[src] = new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+      const existing = document.querySelector(`script[src="${src}"]`)
+
+      if (existing) {
+        if (existing.dataset.loaded === 'true') {
+          resolve()
+          return
+        }
+
+        existing.addEventListener('load', () => resolve(), { once: true })
+        existing.addEventListener('error', () => reject(new Error(`Failed to load captcha script: ${src}`)), { once: true })
+        return
+      }
+
+      const script = document.createElement('script')
+      script.src = src
+      script.async = true
+      script.defer = true
+      script.addEventListener('load', () => {
+        script.dataset.loaded = 'true'
+        resolve()
+      }, { once: true })
+      script.addEventListener('error', () => reject(new Error(`Failed to load captcha script: ${src}`)), { once: true })
+      document.head.appendChild(script)
+    })
+  }
+
+  return window.__skinbaseCaptchaScripts[src]
+}
+
+export default function TurnstileField({ provider = 'turnstile', siteKey, scriptUrl = '', onToken, theme = 'dark', className = '' }) {
+  const containerRef = useRef(null)
+  const widgetIdRef = useRef(null)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const adapter = providerAdapters[provider] || providerAdapters.turnstile
+
+    if (!siteKey || !containerRef.current) {
+      return undefined
+    }
+
+    let cancelled = false
+    let intervalId = null
+
+    const mountWidget = () => {
+      const api = window[adapter.globalName]
+
+      if (cancelled || !api?.render || widgetIdRef.current !== null) {
+        return
+      }
+
+      widgetIdRef.current = adapter.render(api, containerRef.current, {
+        siteKey,
+        theme,
+        onToken,
+      })
+    }
+
+    loadCaptchaScript(scriptUrl).catch(() => onToken?.('')).finally(() => {
+      const api = window[adapter.globalName]
+      if (typeof api?.ready === 'function') {
+        api.ready(mountWidget)
+      } else {
+        mountWidget()
+      }
+
+      if (widgetIdRef.current === null) {
+        intervalId = window.setInterval(mountWidget, 250)
+      }
+    })
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true
+      if (intervalId) {
+        window.clearInterval(intervalId)
+      }
+      adapter.cleanup(window[adapter.globalName], widgetIdRef.current, containerRef.current, onToken)
+      widgetIdRef.current = null
+    }
+  }, [className, onToken, provider, scriptUrl, siteKey, theme])
+
+  if (!siteKey) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  return <div ref={containerRef} className={className} />
+}
diff --git a/resources/js/lib/security/botFingerprint.js b/resources/js/lib/security/botFingerprint.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6dec91a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/lib/security/botFingerprint.js
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+async function sha256Hex(value) {
+  if (!window.crypto?.subtle) {
+    return ''
+  }
+
+  const encoded = new TextEncoder().encode(value)
+  const digest = await window.crypto.subtle.digest('SHA-256', encoded)
+  return Array.from(new Uint8Array(digest))
+    .map((part) => part.toString(16).padStart(2, '0'))
+    .join('')
+}
+
+function readWebglVendor() {
+  try {
+    const canvas = document.createElement('canvas')
+    const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl') || canvas.getContext('experimental-webgl')
+    if (!gl) {
+      return 'no-webgl'
+    }
+
+    const extension = gl.getExtension('WEBGL_debug_renderer_info')
+    if (!extension) {
+      return 'webgl-hidden'
+    }
+
+    return [
+      gl.getParameter(extension.UNMASKED_VENDOR_WEBGL),
+      gl.getParameter(extension.UNMASKED_RENDERER_WEBGL),
+    ].join(':')
+  } catch {
+    return 'webgl-error'
+  }
+}
+
+export async function buildBotFingerprint() {
+  const timezone = Intl.DateTimeFormat().resolvedOptions().timeZone || 'unknown'
+  const screenSize = typeof window.screen !== 'undefined'
+    ? `${window.screen.width}x${window.screen.height}x${window.devicePixelRatio || 1}`
+    : 'no-screen'
+
+  const payload = [
+    navigator.userAgent || 'unknown-ua',
+    navigator.language || 'unknown-language',
+    navigator.platform || 'unknown-platform',
+    timezone,
+    screenSize,
+    readWebglVendor(),
+  ].join('|')
+
+  return sha256Hex(payload)
+}
+
+export async function populateBotFingerprint(form) {
+  if (!form) {
+    return ''
+  }
+
+  const fingerprint = await buildBotFingerprint()
+  const field = form.querySelector('input[name="_bot_fingerprint"]')
+  if (field && fingerprint !== '') {
+    field.value = fingerprint
+  }
+
+  return fingerprint
+}
diff --git a/resources/views/auth/login.blade.php b/resources/views/auth/login.blade.php
index ac5e6217..2e705011 100644
--- a/resources/views/auth/login.blade.php
+++ b/resources/views/auth/login.blade.php
@@ -16,10 +16,23 @@
                 </div>
             @endif
 
+            @if($errors->has('bot'))
+                <div class="rounded-lg bg-red-900/40 border border-red-500/40 px-4 py-3 text-sm text-red-300 mb-4">
+                    {{ $errors->first('bot') }}
+                </div>
+            @endif
+
             @include('auth.partials.social-login')
 
-            <form method="POST" action="{{ route('login') }}" class="space-y-5">
+            <form method="POST" action="{{ route('login') }}" class="space-y-5" data-bot-form>
                 @csrf
+                <input type="text" name="homepage_url" value="" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off" class="hidden" aria-hidden="true">
+                <input type="hidden" name="_bot_fingerprint" value="">
+
+                @php
+                    $captchaProvider = $captcha['provider'] ?? 'turnstile';
+                    $captchaSiteKey = $captcha['siteKey'] ?? '';
+                @endphp
 
                 <div>
                     <label class="block text-sm mb-1 text-white/80" for="email">Email</label>
@@ -33,6 +46,17 @@
                     <x-input-error :messages="$errors->get('password')" class="mt-2" />
                 </div>
 
+                @if(($requiresCaptcha ?? false) && $captchaSiteKey !== '')
+                    @if($captchaProvider === 'recaptcha')
+                        <div class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="{{ $captchaSiteKey }}" data-theme="dark"></div>
+                    @elseif($captchaProvider === 'hcaptcha')
+                        <div class="h-captcha" data-sitekey="{{ $captchaSiteKey }}" data-theme="dark"></div>
+                    @else
+                        <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{{ $captchaSiteKey }}" data-theme="dark"></div>
+                    @endif
+                    <x-input-error :messages="$errors->get('captcha')" class="mt-2" />
+                @endif
+
                 <div class="flex items-center justify-between text-sm text-white/60">
                     <label class="flex items-center gap-2">
                         <input type="checkbox" name="remember" class="rounded bg-slate-800 border-white/20" />
@@ -51,4 +75,8 @@
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
+@if(($requiresCaptcha ?? false) && (($captcha['siteKey'] ?? '') !== '') && (($captcha['scriptUrl'] ?? '') !== ''))
+    <script src="{{ $captcha['scriptUrl'] }}" async defer></script>
+@endif
+@include('partials.bot-fingerprint-script')
 @endsection
diff --git a/resources/views/auth/register.blade.php b/resources/views/auth/register.blade.php
index c6d987b4..b732bd66 100644
--- a/resources/views/auth/register.blade.php
+++ b/resources/views/auth/register.blade.php
@@ -13,9 +13,22 @@
                 </div>
             @endif
 
+            @if($errors->has('bot'))
+                <div class="rounded-lg bg-red-900/40 border border-red-500/40 px-4 py-3 text-sm text-red-300 mb-4">
+                    {{ $errors->first('bot') }}
+                </div>
+            @endif
+
             @include('auth.partials.social-login', ['dividerLabel' => 'or register with email'])
-            <form method="POST" action="{{ route('register') }}" class="space-y-5">
+            <form method="POST" action="{{ route('register') }}" class="space-y-5" data-bot-form>
                 @csrf
+                <input type="text" name="homepage_url" value="" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off" class="hidden" aria-hidden="true">
+                <input type="hidden" name="_bot_fingerprint" value="">
+
+                @php
+                    $captchaProvider = $captcha['provider'] ?? 'turnstile';
+                    $captchaSiteKey = $captcha['siteKey'] ?? '';
+                @endphp
 
                 <div>
                     <label class="block text-sm mb-1 text-white/80" for="email">Email</label>
@@ -23,8 +36,14 @@
                     <x-input-error :messages="$errors->get('email')" class="mt-2" />
                 </div>
 
-                @if(($requiresTurnstile ?? false) && ($turnstileSiteKey ?? '') !== '')
-                    <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{{ $turnstileSiteKey }}"></div>
+                @if((($requiresCaptcha ?? false) || session('bot_captcha_required')) && $captchaSiteKey !== '')
+                    @if($captchaProvider === 'recaptcha')
+                        <div class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="{{ $captchaSiteKey }}" data-theme="dark"></div>
+                    @elseif($captchaProvider === 'hcaptcha')
+                        <div class="h-captcha" data-sitekey="{{ $captchaSiteKey }}" data-theme="dark"></div>
+                    @else
+                        <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{{ $captchaSiteKey }}" data-theme="dark"></div>
+                    @endif
                     <x-input-error :messages="$errors->get('captcha')" class="mt-2" />
                 @endif
 
@@ -35,7 +54,8 @@
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
-@if(($requiresTurnstile ?? false) && ($turnstileSiteKey ?? '') !== '')
-    <script src="https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/api.js" async defer></script>
+@if((($requiresCaptcha ?? false) || session('bot_captcha_required')) && (($captcha['siteKey'] ?? '') !== '') && (($captcha['scriptUrl'] ?? '') !== ''))
+    <script src="{{ $captcha['scriptUrl'] }}" async defer></script>
 @endif
+@include('partials.bot-fingerprint-script')
 @endsection
diff --git a/resources/views/partials/bot-fingerprint-script.blade.php b/resources/views/partials/bot-fingerprint-script.blade.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..09a659fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/views/partials/bot-fingerprint-script.blade.php
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+<script>
+(() => {
+    const forms = document.querySelectorAll('[data-bot-form]');
+    if (!forms.length || !window.crypto?.subtle) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const readWebglVendor = () => {
+        try {
+            const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
+            const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl') || canvas.getContext('experimental-webgl');
+            if (!gl) {
+                return 'no-webgl';
+            }
+
+            const extension = gl.getExtension('WEBGL_debug_renderer_info');
+            if (!extension) {
+                return 'webgl-hidden';
+            }
+
+            return [
+                gl.getParameter(extension.UNMASKED_VENDOR_WEBGL),
+                gl.getParameter(extension.UNMASKED_RENDERER_WEBGL),
+            ].join(':');
+        } catch {
+            return 'webgl-error';
+        }
+    };
+
+    const fingerprintPayload = [
+        navigator.userAgent || 'unknown-ua',
+        navigator.language || 'unknown-language',
+        navigator.platform || 'unknown-platform',
+        Intl.DateTimeFormat().resolvedOptions().timeZone || 'unknown-timezone',
+        `${window.screen?.width || 0}x${window.screen?.height || 0}x${window.devicePixelRatio || 1}`,
+        readWebglVendor(),
+    ].join('|');
+
+    const encodeHex = (buffer) => Array.from(new Uint8Array(buffer))
+        .map((part) => part.toString(16).padStart(2, '0'))
+        .join('');
+
+    window.crypto.subtle.digest('SHA-256', new TextEncoder().encode(fingerprintPayload))
+        .then((buffer) => {
+            const fingerprint = encodeHex(buffer);
+            forms.forEach((form) => {
+                const input = form.querySelector('input[name="_bot_fingerprint"]');
+                if (input) {
+                    input.value = fingerprint;
+                }
+            });
+        })
+        .catch(() => {});
+})();
+</script>
diff --git a/routes/api.php b/routes/api.php
index c0b35190..12925d5e 100644
--- a/routes/api.php
+++ b/routes/api.php
@@ -11,20 +11,20 @@ Route::middleware(['web', 'auth'])->prefix('dashboard')->name('api.dashboard.')-
 });
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'creator.access'])->prefix('stories')->name('api.stories.')->group(function () {
-    Route::post('create', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiCreate'])->name('create');
-    Route::put('update', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiUpdate'])->name('update');
-    Route::post('autosave', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiAutosave'])->name('autosave');
+    Route::post('create', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiCreate'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')->name('create');
+    Route::put('update', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiUpdate'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')->name('update');
+    Route::post('autosave', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiAutosave'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')->name('autosave');
 });
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'creator.access'])->prefix('story')->name('api.story.')->group(function () {
-    Route::post('upload-image', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiUploadImage'])->name('upload-image');
+    Route::post('upload-image', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiUploadImage'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')->name('upload-image');
     Route::get('artworks', [\App\Http\Controllers\StoryController::class, 'apiArtworks'])->name('artworks');
 });
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'normalize.username'])->prefix('profile/cover')->name('api.profile.cover.')->group(function () {
-    Route::post('upload', [\App\Http\Controllers\User\ProfileCoverController::class, 'upload'])->middleware('throttle:20,1')->name('upload');
-    Route::post('position', [\App\Http\Controllers\User\ProfileCoverController::class, 'updatePosition'])->middleware('throttle:30,1')->name('position');
-    Route::delete('/', [\App\Http\Controllers\User\ProfileCoverController::class, 'destroy'])->middleware('throttle:20,1')->name('destroy');
+    Route::post('upload', [\App\Http\Controllers\User\ProfileCoverController::class, 'upload'])->middleware(['throttle:20,1', 'forum.bot.protection:profile_update'])->name('upload');
+    Route::post('position', [\App\Http\Controllers\User\ProfileCoverController::class, 'updatePosition'])->middleware(['throttle:30,1', 'forum.bot.protection:profile_update'])->name('position');
+    Route::delete('/', [\App\Http\Controllers\User\ProfileCoverController::class, 'destroy'])->middleware(['throttle:20,1', 'forum.bot.protection:profile_update'])->name('destroy');
 });
 
 // ── Per-artwork signal tracking (public) ────────────────────────────────────
@@ -38,14 +38,20 @@ Route::middleware(['web', 'throttle:300,1'])
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'throttle:5,10'])
     ->post('art/{id}/view', \App\Http\Controllers\Api\ArtworkViewController::class)
+    ->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')
     ->whereNumber('id')
     ->name('api.art.view');
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'throttle:10,1'])
     ->post('art/{id}/download', \App\Http\Controllers\Api\ArtworkDownloadController::class)
+    ->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')
     ->whereNumber('id')
     ->name('api.art.download');
 
+Route::middleware(['web', 'throttle:reactions-read'])
+    ->get('community/activity', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\CommunityActivityController::class, 'index'])
+    ->name('api.community.activity');
+
 // ── Ranking lists (public, throttled, Redis-cached) ─────────────────────────
 // GET /api/rank/global?type=trending|new_hot|best
 // GET /api/rank/category/{id}?type=trending|new_hot|best
@@ -136,24 +142,25 @@ Route::middleware(['throttle:60,1'])
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'normalize.username'])->prefix('artworks')->name('api.artworks.')->group(function () {
     Route::post('/', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\ArtworkController::class, 'store'])
+    ->middleware('forum.bot.protection:api_write')
         ->name('store');
 });
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'normalize.username'])->prefix('uploads')->name('api.uploads.')->group(function () {
     Route::post('init', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'init'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-init')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-init', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('init');
 
     Route::post('preload', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'preload'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-init')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-init', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('preload');
 
     Route::post('{id}/autosave', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'autosave'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-finish')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-finish', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('autosave');
 
     Route::post('{id}/publish', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'publish'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-finish')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-finish', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('publish');
 
     Route::get('{id}/status', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'processingStatus'])
@@ -161,15 +168,15 @@ Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'normalize.username'])->prefix('uploads')->nam
         ->name('processing-status');
 
     Route::post('chunk', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'chunk'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-init')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-init', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('chunk');
 
     Route::post('finish', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'finish'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-finish')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-finish', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('finish');
 
     Route::post('cancel', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'cancel'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-finish')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-finish', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('cancel');
 
     Route::get('status/{id}', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\UploadController::class, 'status'])
@@ -204,6 +211,9 @@ Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'admin.moderation'])->prefix('admin/reports')-
 
     Route::get('feed-performance', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\Admin\FeedPerformanceReportController::class, 'index'])
         ->name('feed-performance');
+
+    Route::get('tags', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\Admin\TagInteractionReportController::class, 'index'])
+        ->name('tags');
 });
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'admin.moderation'])->prefix('admin/usernames')->name('api.admin.usernames.')->group(function () {
@@ -223,13 +233,17 @@ Route::post('analytics/similar-artworks', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\SimilarArtw
     ->middleware('throttle:uploads-status')
     ->name('api.analytics.similar-artworks.store');
 
+Route::middleware(['web'])->post('analytics/tags', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\TagInteractionAnalyticsController::class, 'store'])
+    ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-status', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
+    ->name('api.analytics.tags.store');
+
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth'])->post('analytics/feed', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\FeedAnalyticsController::class, 'store'])
-    ->middleware('throttle:uploads-status')
+    ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-status', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
     ->name('api.analytics.feed.store');
 
 Route::middleware(['web', 'auth', 'normalize.username'])->prefix('discovery')->name('api.discovery.')->group(function () {
     Route::post('events', [\App\Http\Controllers\Api\DiscoveryEventController::class, 'store'])
-        ->middleware('throttle:uploads-status')
+        ->middleware(['throttle:uploads-status', 'forum.bot.protection:api_write'])
         ->name('events.store');
 });
 
diff --git a/routes/auth.php b/routes/auth.php
index 6f7525b7..fc1f57a3 100644
--- a/routes/auth.php
+++ b/routes/auth.php
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Route::middleware(['guest', 'normalize.username'])->group(function () {
         ->name('register.notice');
 
     Route::post('register', [RegisteredUserController::class, 'store'])
-        ->middleware(['throttle:register-ip', 'throttle:register-ip-daily']);
+        ->middleware(['throttle:register-ip', 'throttle:register-ip-daily', 'forum.security.firewall:register', 'forum.bot.protection:register']);
 
     Route::post('register/resend-verification', [RegisteredUserController::class, 'resendVerification'])
         ->middleware('throttle:register')
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ Route::middleware(['guest', 'normalize.username'])->group(function () {
     Route::get('login', [AuthenticatedSessionController::class, 'create'])
         ->name('login');
 
-    Route::post('login', [AuthenticatedSessionController::class, 'store']);
+    Route::post('login', [AuthenticatedSessionController::class, 'store'])
+        ->middleware(['forum.security.firewall:login', 'forum.bot.protection:login']);
 
     Route::get('forgot-password', [PasswordResetLinkController::class, 'create'])
         ->name('password.request');
diff --git a/routes/console.php b/routes/console.php
index 9c2494d8..5c368bc8 100644
--- a/routes/console.php
+++ b/routes/console.php
@@ -110,7 +110,26 @@ Schedule::command('nova:recalculate-rankings --sync-rank-scores')
     ->withoutOverlapping()
     ->runInBackground();
 
-Schedule::command('forum:scan-posts')
+Schedule::command('forum:ai-scan')
     ->everyTenMinutes()
-    ->name('forum-scan-posts')
-    ->withoutOverlapping();
+    ->name('forum-ai-scan')
+    ->withoutOverlapping()
+    ->runInBackground();
+
+Schedule::command('forum:bot-scan')
+    ->everyFiveMinutes()
+    ->name('forum-bot-scan')
+    ->withoutOverlapping()
+    ->runInBackground();
+
+Schedule::command('forum:scan-posts --limit=250')
+    ->everyFifteenMinutes()
+    ->name('forum-post-scan')
+    ->withoutOverlapping()
+    ->runInBackground();
+
+Schedule::command('forum:firewall-scan')
+    ->everyFiveMinutes()
+    ->name('forum-firewall-scan')
+    ->withoutOverlapping()
+    ->runInBackground();
diff --git a/routes/web.php b/routes/web.php
index 660f22e7..6b23cb7e 100644
--- a/routes/web.php
+++ b/routes/web.php
@@ -273,18 +273,18 @@ Route::middleware(['auth', 'normalize.username', 'ensure.onboarding.complete'])-
     Route::match(['post', 'put'], '/profile/password', [ProfileController::class, 'password'])->name('profile.password');
     Route::post('/avatar/upload', [AvatarController::class, 'upload'])->middleware('throttle:20,1')->name('avatar.upload');
 
-    Route::post('/settings/profile/update',       [ProfileController::class, 'updateProfileSection'])->name('settings.profile.update');
-    Route::post('/settings/account/username',     [ProfileController::class, 'updateUsername'])->name('settings.account.username');
-    Route::post('/settings/account/update',       [ProfileController::class, 'updateAccountSection'])->name('settings.account.update');
+    Route::post('/settings/profile/update',       [ProfileController::class, 'updateProfileSection'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:profile_update')->name('settings.profile.update');
+    Route::post('/settings/account/username',     [ProfileController::class, 'updateUsername'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:profile_update')->name('settings.account.username');
+    Route::post('/settings/account/update',       [ProfileController::class, 'updateAccountSection'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:profile_update')->name('settings.account.update');
     Route::post('/settings/email/request',        [ProfileController::class, 'requestEmailChange'])
         ->middleware('throttle:email-change-request')
         ->name('settings.email.request');
     Route::post('/settings/email/verify',         [ProfileController::class, 'verifyEmailChange'])
         ->middleware('throttle:10,1')
         ->name('settings.email.verify');
-    Route::post('/settings/personal/update',      [ProfileController::class, 'updatePersonalSection'])->name('settings.personal.update');
-    Route::post('/settings/notifications/update', [ProfileController::class, 'updateNotificationsSection'])->name('settings.notifications.update');
-    Route::post('/settings/security/password',    [ProfileController::class, 'updateSecurityPassword'])->name('settings.security.password');
+    Route::post('/settings/personal/update',      [ProfileController::class, 'updatePersonalSection'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:profile_update')->name('settings.personal.update');
+    Route::post('/settings/notifications/update', [ProfileController::class, 'updateNotificationsSection'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:profile_update')->name('settings.notifications.update');
+    Route::post('/settings/security/password',    [ProfileController::class, 'updateSecurityPassword'])->middleware('forum.bot.protection:profile_update')->name('settings.security.password');
 });
 
 // ── UPLOAD ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -377,6 +377,10 @@ Route::middleware(['auth'])->prefix('admin')->name('admin.')->group(function ()
         ->middleware('admin.moderation')
         ->name('reports.queue');
 
+    Route::get('reports/tags', [\App\Http\Controllers\Admin\TagInteractionReportController::class, 'index'])
+        ->middleware('admin.moderation')
+        ->name('reports.tags');
+
     Route::middleware('admin.moderation')->prefix('early-growth')->name('early-growth.')->group(function () {
         Route::get('/',         [\App\Http\Controllers\Admin\EarlyGrowthAdminController::class, 'index'])->name('index');
         Route::delete('/cache', [\App\Http\Controllers\Admin\EarlyGrowthAdminController::class, 'flushCache'])->name('cache.flush');
@@ -411,6 +415,9 @@ Route::middleware(['auth', 'ensure.onboarding.complete'])->prefix('messages')->n
 });
 
 // ── COMMUNITY ACTIVITY ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+Route::match(['get', 'post'], '/community/chat', [\App\Http\Controllers\Community\ChatController::class, 'index'])
+    ->name('community.chat');
+
 Route::get('/community/activity', [\App\Http\Controllers\Web\CommunityActivityController::class, 'index'])
     ->name('community.activity');
 
@@ -430,9 +437,11 @@ Route::get('/feed/search', [\App\Http\Controllers\Web\Posts\SearchFeedController
     ->name('feed.search');
 
 // ── CONTENT BROWSER (artwork / category universal router) ─────────────────────
-// Bind the artwork route parameter to the Artwork model by slug.
+// Bind the artwork route parameter by slug when possible, but don't hard-fail.
+// Some URLs that match this shape are actually nested category paths such as
+// /skins/audio/blazemedia-pro, which should fall through to category handling.
 Route::bind('artwork', function ($value) {
-    return Artwork::where('slug', $value)->firstOrFail();
+    return Artwork::where('slug', $value)->first();
 });
 
 Route::get('/{contentTypeSlug}/{categoryPath}/{artwork}', [BrowseGalleryController::class, 'showArtwork'])
diff --git a/tests/Unit/AccountFarmDetectorTest.php b/tests/Unit/AccountFarmDetectorTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f563c32e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/AccountFarmDetectorTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+<?php
+
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\AccountFarmDetector;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+uses(Tests\TestCase::class);
+
+it('flags repeated posting patterns across multiple accounts', function () {
+    config()->set('forum_bot_protection.account_farm', [
+        'window_minutes' => 10,
+        'register_attempt_threshold' => 10,
+        'same_ip_users_threshold' => 5,
+        'same_fingerprint_users_threshold' => 3,
+        'same_pattern_users_threshold' => 2,
+        'register_attempt_penalty' => 50,
+        'same_ip_penalty' => 35,
+        'same_fingerprint_penalty' => 40,
+        'same_pattern_penalty' => 45,
+    ]);
+
+    Schema::dropIfExists('forum_posts');
+    Schema::dropIfExists('forum_bot_device_fingerprints');
+    Schema::dropIfExists('forum_bot_logs');
+
+    Schema::create('forum_bot_logs', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->nullable();
+        $table->string('action', 80);
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->string('decision', 20)->default('allow');
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_bot_device_fingerprints', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('fingerprint', 128)->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('first_seen')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('last_seen')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->string('user_agent_hash', 64)->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_posts', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('thread_id')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('topic_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('source_ip_hash', 64)->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->longText('content')->nullable();
+        $table->string('content_hash', 64)->nullable();
+        $table->boolean('is_edited')->default(false);
+        $table->timestamp('edited_at')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedInteger('spam_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('quality_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('ai_spam_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('ai_toxicity_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('behavior_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('link_score')->default(0);
+        $table->integer('learning_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->integer('trust_modifier')->default(0);
+        $table->boolean('flagged')->default(false);
+        $table->string('flagged_reason')->nullable();
+        $table->boolean('moderation_checked')->default(false);
+        $table->string('moderation_status')->nullable();
+        $table->json('moderation_labels')->nullable();
+        $table->json('moderation_meta')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('last_ai_scan_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+        $table->softDeletes();
+    });
+
+    $hash = hash('sha256', 'buy cheap backlinks now');
+
+    foreach ([1, 2, 3] as $userId) {
+        DB::table('forum_posts')->insert([
+            'user_id' => $userId,
+            'content' => 'buy cheap backlinks now',
+            'content_hash' => $hash,
+            'created_at' => now()->subMinutes(2),
+            'updated_at' => now()->subMinutes(2),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    $result = app(AccountFarmDetector::class)->analyze(1, '203.0.113.10', null, 'forum_reply_create');
+
+    expect($result['score'])->toBe(45)
+        ->and($result['reasons'])->toContain('Posting patterns or repeated content overlap across multiple accounts.');
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/BotRiskScorerTest.php b/tests/Unit/BotRiskScorerTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..758f67e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/BotRiskScorerTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+<?php
+
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\BotRiskScorer;
+
+uses(Tests\TestCase::class);
+
+it('maps bot risk thresholds to the expected decisions', function () {
+    config()->set('forum_bot_protection.thresholds', [
+        'allow' => 20,
+        'log' => 20,
+        'captcha' => 40,
+        'moderate' => 60,
+        'block' => 80,
+    ]);
+
+    $scorer = app(BotRiskScorer::class);
+
+    expect($scorer->score(['behavior' => 10]))->toMatchArray([
+        'risk_score' => 10,
+        'decision' => 'allow',
+        'requires_review' => false,
+        'blocked' => false,
+    ]);
+
+    expect($scorer->score(['behavior' => 20]))->toMatchArray([
+        'risk_score' => 20,
+        'decision' => 'log',
+        'requires_review' => false,
+        'blocked' => false,
+    ]);
+
+    expect($scorer->score(['behavior' => 40]))->toMatchArray([
+        'risk_score' => 40,
+        'decision' => 'captcha',
+        'requires_review' => false,
+        'blocked' => false,
+    ]);
+
+    expect($scorer->score(['behavior' => 60]))->toMatchArray([
+        'risk_score' => 60,
+        'decision' => 'moderate',
+        'requires_review' => true,
+        'blocked' => false,
+    ]);
+
+    expect($scorer->score(['behavior' => 80]))->toMatchArray([
+        'risk_score' => 80,
+        'decision' => 'block',
+        'requires_review' => false,
+        'blocked' => true,
+    ]);
+});
diff --git a/tests/Unit/ForumRateLimitMiddlewareTest.php b/tests/Unit/ForumRateLimitMiddlewareTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..464fb8a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/ForumRateLimitMiddlewareTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Http\Middleware\ForumRateLimitMiddleware;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\BotProtectionService;
+use Illuminate\Http\Exceptions\ThrottleRequestsException;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Routing\Middleware\ThrottleRequests;
+use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
+
+uses(Tests\TestCase::class);
+
+it('reports forum throttle violations to bot protection before rethrowing', function () {
+    $request = Request::create('/forum/topic/example-topic/reply', 'POST');
+    $request->setRouteResolver(static fn (): object => new class {
+        public function getName(): string
+        {
+            return 'forum.topic.reply';
+        }
+    });
+
+    $throttle = \Mockery::mock(ThrottleRequests::class);
+    $botProtection = \Mockery::mock(BotProtectionService::class);
+
+    $exception = new ThrottleRequestsException('Too Many Attempts.', null, [
+        'Retry-After' => '42',
+        'X-RateLimit-Limit' => '3',
+        'X-RateLimit-Remaining' => '0',
+    ]);
+
+    $throttle->shouldReceive('handle')
+        ->once()
+        ->with($request, \Mockery::type(Closure::class), 'forum-post-write')
+        ->andThrow($exception);
+
+    $botProtection->shouldReceive('recordRateLimitViolation')
+        ->once()
+        ->with(
+            $request,
+            'forum_reply_create',
+            \Mockery::on(static function (array $context): bool {
+                return $context['limiter'] === 'forum-post-write'
+                    && $context['bucket'] === 'minute'
+                    && $context['max_attempts'] === 3
+                    && $context['retry_after'] === 42;
+            })
+        );
+
+    $middleware = new ForumRateLimitMiddleware($throttle, $botProtection);
+
+    $next = static fn (): Response => response('ok');
+
+    $middleware->handle($request, $next);
+})->throws(ThrottleRequestsException::class);
+
+it('classifies forum hourly limiter violations using the actual limit bucket', function () {
+    $request = Request::create('/forum/topic/example-topic/reply', 'POST');
+    $request->setRouteResolver(static fn (): object => new class {
+        public function getName(): string
+        {
+            return 'forum.topic.reply';
+        }
+    });
+
+    $throttle = \Mockery::mock(ThrottleRequests::class);
+    $botProtection = \Mockery::mock(BotProtectionService::class);
+
+    $exception = new ThrottleRequestsException('Too Many Attempts.', null, [
+        'Retry-After' => '120',
+        'X-RateLimit-Limit' => '10',
+        'X-RateLimit-Remaining' => '0',
+    ]);
+
+    $throttle->shouldReceive('handle')
+        ->once()
+        ->with($request, \Mockery::type(Closure::class), 'forum-post-write')
+        ->andThrow($exception);
+
+    $botProtection->shouldReceive('recordRateLimitViolation')
+        ->once()
+        ->with(
+            $request,
+            'forum_reply_create',
+            \Mockery::on(static function (array $context): bool {
+                return $context['bucket'] === 'hour'
+                    && $context['max_attempts'] === 10
+                    && $context['retry_after'] === 120;
+            })
+        );
+
+    $middleware = new ForumRateLimitMiddleware($throttle, $botProtection);
+
+    $next = static fn (): Response => response('ok');
+
+    $middleware->handle($request, $next);
+})->throws(ThrottleRequestsException::class);
+
+it('classifies thread creation minute and hour limiter buckets correctly', function () {
+    $request = Request::create('/forum/example-board/new', 'POST');
+    $request->setRouteResolver(static fn (): object => new class {
+        public function getName(): string
+        {
+            return 'forum.topic.store';
+        }
+    });
+
+    $throttle = \Mockery::mock(ThrottleRequests::class);
+    $botProtection = \Mockery::mock(BotProtectionService::class);
+
+    $minuteException = new ThrottleRequestsException('Too Many Attempts.', null, [
+        'Retry-After' => '30',
+        'X-RateLimit-Limit' => '3',
+        'X-RateLimit-Remaining' => '0',
+    ]);
+
+    $hourException = new ThrottleRequestsException('Too Many Attempts.', null, [
+        'Retry-After' => '120',
+        'X-RateLimit-Limit' => '10',
+        'X-RateLimit-Remaining' => '0',
+    ]);
+
+    $throttle->shouldReceive('handle')
+        ->once()
+        ->with($request, \Mockery::type(Closure::class), 'forum-thread-create')
+        ->andThrow($minuteException);
+
+    $throttle->shouldReceive('handle')
+        ->once()
+        ->with($request, \Mockery::type(Closure::class), 'forum-thread-create')
+        ->andThrow($hourException);
+
+    $botProtection->shouldReceive('recordRateLimitViolation')
+        ->once()
+        ->with(
+            $request,
+            'forum_topic_create',
+            \Mockery::on(static function (array $context): bool {
+                return $context['limiter'] === 'forum-thread-create'
+                    && $context['bucket'] === 'minute'
+                    && $context['max_attempts'] === 3
+                    && $context['retry_after'] === 30;
+            })
+        );
+
+    $botProtection->shouldReceive('recordRateLimitViolation')
+        ->once()
+        ->with(
+            $request,
+            'forum_topic_create',
+            \Mockery::on(static function (array $context): bool {
+                return $context['limiter'] === 'forum-thread-create'
+                    && $context['bucket'] === 'hour'
+                    && $context['max_attempts'] === 10
+                    && $context['retry_after'] === 120;
+            })
+        );
+
+    $middleware = new ForumRateLimitMiddleware($throttle, $botProtection);
+    $next = static fn (): Response => response('ok');
+
+    try {
+        $middleware->handle($request, $next);
+    } catch (ThrottleRequestsException) {
+    }
+
+    $middleware->handle($request, $next);
+})->throws(ThrottleRequestsException::class);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/ForumRateLimitRouteTest.php b/tests/Unit/ForumRateLimitRouteTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..53b878e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/ForumRateLimitRouteTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,482 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Models\User;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Models\ForumBoard;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Models\ForumCategory;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Models\ForumPost;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Models\ForumTopic;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\ForumModerationService;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Queue;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\RateLimiter;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+uses(Tests\TestCase::class);
+
+it('enforces forum write rate limits for thread creation and replies', function () {
+    ensureForumRateLimitModelClassesLoaded();
+
+    Queue::fake();
+
+    config()->set('forum_bot_protection.enabled', false);
+    config()->set('forum_bot_protection.behavior.new_account_days', 0);
+    config()->set('skinbase_ai_moderation.enabled', false);
+
+    $moderationService = \Mockery::mock(ForumModerationService::class);
+    $moderationService->shouldReceive('preflight')->andReturnUsing(static function ($user, $content, $sourceIp): array {
+        return [
+            'spam_score' => 0,
+            'quality_score' => 0,
+            'ai_spam_score' => 0,
+            'ai_toxicity_score' => 0,
+            'behavior_score' => 0,
+            'link_score' => 0,
+            'learning_score' => 0,
+            'risk_score' => 0,
+            'trust_modifier' => 0,
+            'decision' => 'allowed',
+            'captcha_required' => false,
+            'blocked' => false,
+            'requires_review' => false,
+            'flagged' => false,
+            'reason' => null,
+            'content_hash' => hash('sha256', (string) $content),
+            'pattern_signature' => null,
+            'source_ip_hash' => $sourceIp ? hash('sha256', $sourceIp) : null,
+            'moderation_labels' => ['preflight', 'allowed'],
+            'provider' => 'none',
+            'provider_available' => false,
+            'language' => null,
+        ];
+    });
+    $moderationService->shouldReceive('applyPreflightAssessment')->andReturnUsing(static function (ForumPost $post, array $assessment): void {
+        $post->forceFill([
+            'source_ip_hash' => $assessment['source_ip_hash'] ?? $post->source_ip_hash,
+            'content_hash' => $assessment['content_hash'] ?? $post->content_hash,
+            'spam_score' => (int) ($assessment['spam_score'] ?? 0),
+            'quality_score' => (int) ($assessment['quality_score'] ?? 0),
+            'ai_spam_score' => (int) ($assessment['ai_spam_score'] ?? 0),
+            'ai_toxicity_score' => (int) ($assessment['ai_toxicity_score'] ?? 0),
+            'behavior_score' => (int) ($assessment['behavior_score'] ?? 0),
+            'link_score' => (int) ($assessment['link_score'] ?? 0),
+            'learning_score' => (int) ($assessment['learning_score'] ?? 0),
+            'risk_score' => (int) ($assessment['risk_score'] ?? 0),
+            'trust_modifier' => (int) ($assessment['trust_modifier'] ?? 0),
+            'flagged' => (bool) ($assessment['flagged'] ?? false),
+            'flagged_reason' => $assessment['reason'] ?? null,
+            'moderation_checked' => false,
+            'moderation_status' => 'pending_ai_scan',
+            'moderation_labels' => (array) ($assessment['moderation_labels'] ?? []),
+            'moderation_meta' => [
+                'provider' => $assessment['provider'] ?? 'none',
+                'provider_available' => (bool) ($assessment['provider_available'] ?? false),
+                'language' => $assessment['language'] ?? null,
+            ],
+        ])->save();
+    });
+    $moderationService->shouldReceive('logRequestSecurity')->andReturnNull();
+    $moderationService->shouldReceive('dispatchAsyncScan')->andReturnNull();
+
+    $this->app->instance(ForumModerationService::class, $moderationService);
+
+    createForumRateLimitTestSchema();
+
+    $user = User::query()->create([
+        'username' => 'ratelimit-user',
+        'username_changed_at' => now()->subDays(120),
+        'last_username_change_at' => now()->subDays(120),
+        'onboarding_step' => 'complete',
+        'name' => 'Rate Limit User',
+        'email' => 'ratelimit@example.com',
+        'email_verified_at' => now(),
+        'password' => 'password',
+        'is_active' => true,
+    ]);
+
+    markForumRateLimitUserAsEstablished($user);
+
+    $board = makeForumBoard('thread-limit');
+
+    clearForumRateLimiters((string) $user->id);
+
+    for ($attempt = 1; $attempt <= 3; $attempt++) {
+        $response = $this->actingAs($user)->post(route('forum.topic.store', ['boardSlug' => $board->slug]), [
+            'title' => 'Rate limit topic ' . $attempt,
+            'content' => 'Thread body ' . $attempt,
+        ]);
+
+        $response->assertRedirect();
+    }
+
+    $this->actingAs($user)->post(route('forum.topic.store', ['boardSlug' => $board->slug]), [
+        'title' => 'Rate limit topic 4',
+        'content' => 'Thread body 4',
+    ])->assertStatus(429);
+
+    expect(ForumTopic::query()->count())->toBe(3)
+        ->and(ForumPost::query()->count())->toBe(3);
+
+    clearForumRateLimiters((string) $user->id);
+
+    $replyUser = User::query()->create([
+        'username' => 'reply-limit-user',
+        'username_changed_at' => now()->subDays(120),
+        'last_username_change_at' => now()->subDays(120),
+        'onboarding_step' => 'complete',
+        'name' => 'Reply Limit User',
+        'email' => 'replylimit@example.com',
+        'email_verified_at' => now(),
+        'password' => 'password',
+        'is_active' => true,
+    ]);
+
+    markForumRateLimitUserAsEstablished($replyUser);
+
+    clearForumRateLimiters((string) $replyUser->id);
+
+    $topic = makeForumTopic($replyUser);
+
+    for ($attempt = 1; $attempt <= 3; $attempt++) {
+        $response = $this->actingAs($replyUser)->post(route('forum.topic.reply', ['topic' => $topic->slug]), [
+            'content' => 'Reply burst ' . $attempt,
+        ]);
+
+        $response->assertRedirect();
+    }
+
+    $this->actingAs($replyUser)->post(route('forum.topic.reply', ['topic' => $topic->slug]), [
+        'content' => 'Reply burst 4',
+    ])->assertStatus(429);
+
+    expect(ForumPost::query()->where('topic_id', $topic->id)->count())->toBe(4);
+
+    clearForumRateLimiters((string) $user->id);
+    clearForumRateLimiters((string) $replyUser->id);
+});
+
+function createForumRateLimitTestSchema(): void
+{
+    foreach ([
+        'forum_security_logs',
+        'forum_firewall_logs',
+        'forum_bot_ip_blacklist',
+        'forum_spam_signatures',
+        'forum_spam_learning',
+        'forum_spam_domains',
+        'forum_spam_keywords',
+        'forum_topic_tags',
+        'forum_tags',
+        'forum_posts',
+        'forum_topics',
+        'forum_threads',
+        'forum_boards',
+        'forum_categories',
+        'users',
+    ] as $table) {
+        Schema::dropIfExists($table);
+    }
+
+    Schema::create('forum_bot_ip_blacklist', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->unique();
+        $table->string('reason', 255)->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(100);
+        $table->timestamp('expires_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_firewall_logs', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->nullable();
+        $table->string('action', 80);
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->string('decision', 20)->default('allow');
+        $table->string('threat_type', 80)->nullable();
+        $table->string('reason', 255)->nullable();
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_security_logs', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('post_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->nullable();
+        $table->string('action', 80);
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->string('decision', 20)->default('allow');
+        $table->string('reason', 255)->nullable();
+        $table->json('layer_scores')->nullable();
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_spam_signatures', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('content_hash', 64)->nullable()->index();
+        $table->string('pattern_signature', 191)->nullable()->index();
+        $table->string('source', 32)->nullable();
+        $table->string('reason', 255)->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedInteger('confidence')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('reviewed_by')->nullable();
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('users', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('username')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('username_changed_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('last_username_change_at')->nullable();
+        $table->string('onboarding_step')->nullable();
+        $table->string('name')->nullable();
+        $table->string('email')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('email_verified_at')->nullable();
+        $table->string('password')->nullable();
+        $table->boolean('is_active')->default(true);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('trust_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('approved_posts')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('flagged_posts')->default(0);
+        $table->string('role')->nullable();
+        $table->rememberToken();
+        $table->timestamps();
+        $table->softDeletes();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_categories', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('name')->nullable();
+        $table->string('title')->nullable();
+        $table->string('slug')->unique();
+        $table->text('description')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('parent_id')->nullable();
+        $table->integer('position')->default(0);
+        $table->boolean('is_active')->default(true);
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_boards', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('category_id');
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('legacy_category_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('title');
+        $table->string('slug')->unique();
+        $table->text('description')->nullable();
+        $table->string('icon')->nullable();
+        $table->string('image')->nullable();
+        $table->integer('position')->default(0);
+        $table->boolean('is_active')->default(true);
+        $table->boolean('is_read_only')->default(false);
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_threads', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('category_id');
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id');
+        $table->string('title');
+        $table->string('slug')->unique();
+        $table->longText('content');
+        $table->unsignedInteger('views')->default(0);
+        $table->boolean('is_locked')->default(false);
+        $table->boolean('is_pinned')->default(false);
+        $table->string('visibility')->default('public');
+        $table->timestamp('last_post_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+        $table->softDeletes();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_topics', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('board_id');
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id');
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('artwork_id')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('legacy_thread_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('title');
+        $table->string('slug')->unique();
+        $table->unsignedInteger('views')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('replies_count')->default(0);
+        $table->boolean('is_pinned')->default(false);
+        $table->boolean('is_locked')->default(false);
+        $table->boolean('is_deleted')->default(false);
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('last_post_id')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('last_post_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_posts', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('thread_id');
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('topic_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('source_ip_hash', 64)->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id');
+        $table->longText('content');
+        $table->string('content_hash', 64)->nullable();
+        $table->boolean('is_edited')->default(false);
+        $table->timestamp('edited_at')->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedInteger('spam_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('quality_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('ai_spam_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('ai_toxicity_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('behavior_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('link_score')->default(0);
+        $table->integer('learning_score')->default(0);
+        $table->unsignedInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->integer('trust_modifier')->default(0);
+        $table->boolean('flagged')->default(false);
+        $table->string('flagged_reason')->nullable();
+        $table->boolean('moderation_checked')->default(false);
+        $table->string('moderation_status')->nullable();
+        $table->json('moderation_labels')->nullable();
+        $table->json('moderation_meta')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('last_ai_scan_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+        $table->softDeletes();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_tags', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('name')->unique();
+        $table->string('slug')->unique();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_topic_tags', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('topic_id');
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('tag_id');
+        $table->timestamps();
+
+        $table->unique(['topic_id', 'tag_id']);
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_spam_domains', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('domain')->unique();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_spam_keywords', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('keyword', 120)->unique();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_spam_learning', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('content_hash', 64)->index();
+        $table->string('decision', 32);
+        $table->string('pattern_signature', 191)->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('reviewed_by')->nullable();
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+    });
+}
+
+function ensureForumRateLimitModelClassesLoaded(): void
+{
+    foreach ([
+        'packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Models/ForumPost.php',
+        'packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Models/ForumSpamLearning.php',
+        'packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Models/ForumAiLog.php',
+        'packages/klevze/Plugins/Forum/Models/ForumModerationQueue.php',
+    ] as $relativePath) {
+        require_once base_path($relativePath);
+    }
+}
+
+function makeForumBoard(string $suffix): ForumBoard
+{
+    $category = ForumCategory::query()->create([
+        'name' => 'Rate Limit Category ' . $suffix,
+        'title' => 'Rate Limit Category ' . $suffix,
+        'slug' => 'rate-limit-category-' . $suffix,
+        'description' => 'Test category',
+        'position' => 1,
+        'is_active' => true,
+        'parent_id' => null,
+    ]);
+
+    return ForumBoard::query()->create([
+        'category_id' => $category->id,
+        'title' => 'Rate Limit Board ' . $suffix,
+        'slug' => 'rate-limit-board-' . $suffix,
+        'description' => 'Test board',
+        'position' => 1,
+        'is_active' => true,
+        'is_read_only' => false,
+    ]);
+}
+
+function makeForumTopic(User $user): ForumTopic
+{
+    $board = makeForumBoard('reply-limit');
+
+    $legacyThreadId = DB::table('forum_threads')->insertGetId([
+        'category_id' => $board->category_id,
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'title' => 'Existing topic',
+        'slug' => 'existing-topic-reply-limit',
+        'content' => 'Opening post',
+        'views' => 0,
+        'is_locked' => false,
+        'is_pinned' => false,
+        'visibility' => 'public',
+        'last_post_at' => now(),
+        'created_at' => now(),
+        'updated_at' => now(),
+    ]);
+
+    $topic = ForumTopic::query()->create([
+        'board_id' => $board->id,
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'legacy_thread_id' => $legacyThreadId,
+        'title' => 'Existing topic',
+        'slug' => 'existing-topic-reply-limit',
+        'views' => 0,
+        'replies_count' => 0,
+        'is_pinned' => false,
+        'is_locked' => false,
+        'is_deleted' => false,
+        'last_post_at' => now(),
+    ]);
+
+    $post = ForumPost::query()->create([
+        'thread_id' => $legacyThreadId,
+        'topic_id' => $topic->id,
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'content' => 'Opening post',
+        'is_edited' => false,
+    ]);
+
+    $topic->forceFill([
+        'last_post_id' => $post->id,
+        'last_post_at' => $post->created_at,
+    ])->save();
+
+    return $topic;
+}
+
+function clearForumRateLimiters(string $key): void
+{
+    foreach ([
+        'forum-thread-minute:' . $key,
+        'forum-thread-hour:' . $key,
+        'forum-post-minute:' . $key,
+        'forum-post-hour:' . $key,
+    ] as $limiterKey) {
+        RateLimiter::clear($limiterKey);
+    }
+}
+
+function markForumRateLimitUserAsEstablished(User $user): void
+{
+    $timestamp = now()->subDays(30);
+
+    $user->forceFill([
+        'created_at' => $timestamp,
+        'updated_at' => $timestamp,
+    ])->save();
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Unit/GeoBehaviorAnalyzerTest.php b/tests/Unit/GeoBehaviorAnalyzerTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8b5bf8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/GeoBehaviorAnalyzerTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Models\User;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Models\ForumBotLog;
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\GeoBehaviorAnalyzer;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+uses(Tests\TestCase::class);
+
+it('scores only rapid login country changes for the same account', function () {
+    config()->set('forum_bot_protection.geo_behavior', [
+        'enabled' => true,
+        'login_actions' => ['login'],
+        'country_headers' => ['CF-IPCountry'],
+        'recent_login_window_minutes' => 60,
+        'country_change_penalty' => 50,
+    ]);
+
+    Schema::dropIfExists('forum_bot_logs');
+    Schema::dropIfExists('users');
+
+    Schema::create('users', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('email')->nullable();
+        $table->string('password')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamps();
+        $table->softDeletes();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_bot_logs', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->nullable();
+        $table->string('action', 80);
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->string('decision', 20)->default('allow');
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    DB::table('users')->insert([
+        'id' => 1,
+        'email' => 'geo@example.com',
+        'password' => 'secret',
+        'created_at' => now(),
+        'updated_at' => now(),
+    ]);
+
+    $user = User::query()->findOrFail(1);
+
+    ForumBotLog::query()->create([
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'ip_address' => '127.0.0.1',
+        'action' => 'login',
+        'risk_score' => 0,
+        'decision' => 'allow',
+        'metadata' => ['country_code' => 'SI'],
+        'created_at' => now()->subMinutes(10),
+    ]);
+
+    $request = Request::create('/login', 'POST');
+    $request->headers->set('CF-IPCountry', 'SI');
+
+    $unchanged = app(GeoBehaviorAnalyzer::class)->analyze($user, 'login', $request);
+
+    expect($unchanged)->toMatchArray([
+        'score' => 0,
+        'country_code' => 'SI',
+    ])->and($unchanged['reasons'])->toBe([]);
+
+    $request->headers->set('CF-IPCountry', 'JP');
+
+    $analysis = app(GeoBehaviorAnalyzer::class)->analyze($user, 'login', $request);
+
+    expect($analysis['score'])->toBe(50)
+        ->and($analysis['country_code'])->toBe('JP')
+        ->and($analysis['reasons'])->toHaveCount(1)
+        ->and($analysis['reasons'][0])->toContain('SI')
+        ->and($analysis['reasons'][0])->toContain('JP');
+});
diff --git a/tests/Unit/IPReputationServiceTest.php b/tests/Unit/IPReputationServiceTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ac248e04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Unit/IPReputationServiceTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+<?php
+
+use cPad\Plugins\Forum\Services\Security\IPReputationService;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Cache;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+uses(Tests\TestCase::class);
+
+it('scores CIDR datacenter and proxy ranges in IP reputation analysis', function () {
+    Cache::flush();
+
+    config()->set('forum_bot_protection.ip', [
+        'cache_ttl_minutes' => 15,
+        'recent_high_risk_window_hours' => 24,
+        'recent_high_risk_threshold' => 3,
+        'recent_high_risk_penalty' => 20,
+        'known_proxy_penalty' => 20,
+        'datacenter_penalty' => 25,
+        'tor_penalty' => 40,
+        'blacklist_penalty' => 100,
+        'known_proxies' => ['198.51.100.0/24'],
+        'datacenter_ranges' => ['203.0.113.0/24'],
+        'provider_ranges' => [
+            'aws' => ['54.240.0.0/12'],
+        ],
+        'tor_exit_nodes' => [],
+    ]);
+
+    Schema::dropIfExists('forum_bot_ip_blacklist');
+    Schema::dropIfExists('forum_bot_logs');
+
+    Schema::create('forum_bot_ip_blacklist', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->unique();
+        $table->string('reason', 255)->nullable();
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(100);
+        $table->timestamp('expires_at')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    Schema::create('forum_bot_logs', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->id();
+        $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
+        $table->string('ip_address', 45)->nullable();
+        $table->string('action', 80);
+        $table->unsignedTinyInteger('risk_score')->default(0);
+        $table->string('decision', 20)->default('allow');
+        $table->json('metadata')->nullable();
+        $table->timestamp('created_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    $service = app(IPReputationService::class);
+
+    $proxyResult = $service->analyze('198.51.100.23');
+    $datacenterResult = $service->analyze('203.0.113.77');
+    $providerResult = $service->analyze('54.240.10.20');
+
+    expect($proxyResult['score'])->toBe(20)
+        ->and($proxyResult['reasons'])->toContain('IP address is in the proxy watch list.')
+        ->and($proxyResult['blocked'])->toBeFalse();
+
+    expect($datacenterResult['score'])->toBe(25)
+        ->and($datacenterResult['reasons'])->toContain('IP address belongs to a datacenter or hosting network range.')
+        ->and($datacenterResult['blocked'])->toBeFalse();
+
+    expect($providerResult['score'])->toBe(25)
+        ->and($providerResult['reasons'])->toContain('IP address belongs to the configured AWS provider range.')
+        ->and($providerResult['blocked'])->toBeFalse();
+});
\ No newline at end of file