diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index acdf5237bd..dd18179ee4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -340,6 +340,7 @@ jobs:
           cargo build --profile ci -p buzz-relay -p git-credential-nostr
           cargo nextest archive \
             --cargo-profile ci \
+            -p buzz-db \
             -p buzz-relay \
             -p buzz-test-client \
             --lib \
@@ -671,11 +672,11 @@ jobs:
           done
           cat /tmp/buzz-relay.log
           exit 1
-      - name: Invite claim security tests
+      - name: Invite security tests
         run: |
           cargo nextest run \
             --archive-file target/ci/backend-integration-tests.tar.zst \
-            -E 'package(buzz-relay) and test(claim_)' \
+            -E '(package(buzz-db) and test(/relay_invite::tests/)) or (package(buzz-relay) and test(/api::invites::tests/))' \
             --run-ignored ignored-only
         env:
           DATABASE_URL: postgres://buzz:${{ env.BUZZ_TEST_POSTGRES_PASSWORD }}@localhost:5432/buzz
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 1a63b4f425..3b60dc4579 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -925,6 +925,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "buzz-core"
 version = "0.1.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "base64",
  "chrono",
  "hex",
  "hmac 0.13.0",
@@ -949,6 +950,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "hex",
  "nostr",
+ "rand 0.10.1",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "sha2 0.11.0",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 3499285f91..3ac7ee4cce 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ reqwest = { version = "0.13", features = ["json", "rustls"], default-features =
 sha2      = "0.11"
 hex       = "0.4"
 hmac      = "0.13"
+base64    = "0.22"
 
 # Randomness
 rand = "0.10"
diff --git a/crates/buzz-core/Cargo.toml b/crates/buzz-core/Cargo.toml
index 489df360dd..c55225adf6 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/buzz-core/Cargo.toml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ description = "Core types, event verification, and filter matching for Buzz"
 test-utils = []
 
 [dependencies]
+base64     = { workspace = true }
 nostr      = { workspace = true }
 serde      = { workspace = true }
 serde_json = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/buzz-core/src/invite.rs b/crates/buzz-core/src/invite.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8f557c95aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/buzz-core/src/invite.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+//! Shared pure contracts for relay invite links.
+//!
+//! The relay transport and database persistence layers both depend on
+//! `buzz-core`. Protocol constants and deterministic v2 code operations live
+//! here so neither layer becomes the accidental source of truth.
+
+use base64::engine::general_purpose::URL_SAFE_NO_PAD;
+use base64::Engine as _;
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+
+/// Minimum invite lifetime accepted by the mint API: 60 seconds.
+pub const MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS: u64 = 60;
+
+/// Default invite lifetime when the mint request omits `ttl_secs`: 72 hours.
+pub const DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS: u64 = 72 * 60 * 60;
+
+/// Maximum invite lifetime accepted by the mint API: 30 days.
+pub const MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS: u64 = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60;
+
+/// Maximum supported `max_uses` value. Matches the database constraint.
+pub const MAX_INVITE_USES: i32 = 10_000;
+
+/// Prefix that distinguishes v2 opaque database-backed codes from v1 tokens.
+pub const V2_PREFIX: &str = "v2.";
+
+/// Number of random bytes encoded in a v2 invite code.
+pub const V2_SECRET_LEN: usize = 32;
+
+/// A malformed v2 opaque invite code.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct InvalidV2InviteCode;
+
+/// Build a canonical v2 code from its random secret.
+pub fn encode_v2_code(secret: &[u8; V2_SECRET_LEN]) -> String {
+    format!("{V2_PREFIX}{}", URL_SAFE_NO_PAD.encode(secret))
+}
+
+/// Validate the canonical v2 opaque-code shape without consulting storage.
+///
+/// A valid code is exactly `v2.` followed by the unpadded base64url encoding
+/// of a 32-byte secret. The decode/re-encode comparison rejects aliases such
+/// as padded or otherwise non-canonical encodings.
+pub fn validate_v2_code(code: &str) -> Result<(), InvalidV2InviteCode> {
+    let encoded = code.strip_prefix(V2_PREFIX).ok_or(InvalidV2InviteCode)?;
+    let secret = URL_SAFE_NO_PAD
+        .decode(encoded)
+        .map_err(|_| InvalidV2InviteCode)?;
+    if secret.len() != V2_SECRET_LEN || URL_SAFE_NO_PAD.encode(&secret) != encoded {
+        return Err(InvalidV2InviteCode);
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Hash the complete v2 code to the digest persisted by the database.
+pub fn hash_v2_code(code: &str) -> [u8; 32] {
+    Sha256::digest(code.as_bytes()).into()
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn v2_code_round_trip_is_canonical() {
+        let secret = [7_u8; V2_SECRET_LEN];
+        let code = encode_v2_code(&secret);
+
+        assert_eq!(validate_v2_code(&code), Ok(()));
+        assert_eq!(
+            code,
+            format!("{V2_PREFIX}{}", URL_SAFE_NO_PAD.encode(secret))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn v2_validation_rejects_malformed_and_noncanonical_codes() {
+        let valid = encode_v2_code(&[7_u8; V2_SECRET_LEN]);
+        let short = format!(
+            "{V2_PREFIX}{}",
+            URL_SAFE_NO_PAD.encode([7_u8; V2_SECRET_LEN - 1])
+        );
+
+        for malformed in [
+            "v2.",
+            "v2.not-base64!",
+            short.as_str(),
+            &format!("{valid}="),
+        ] {
+            assert_eq!(
+                validate_v2_code(malformed),
+                Err(InvalidV2InviteCode),
+                "accepted malformed v2 code: {malformed}"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn v2_hash_covers_the_complete_code() {
+        let code = encode_v2_code(&[7_u8; V2_SECRET_LEN]);
+
+        let expected: [u8; 32] = Sha256::digest(code.as_bytes()).into();
+
+        assert_eq!(hash_v2_code(&code), expected);
+        assert_ne!(
+            hash_v2_code(&code),
+            hash_v2_code(code.trim_start_matches(V2_PREFIX))
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/buzz-core/src/lib.rs b/crates/buzz-core/src/lib.rs
index dd57b46937..66b7708f1d 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ pub mod event;
 pub mod filter;
 /// Git permission types — ref patterns, protection rules, policy evaluation.
 pub mod git_perms;
+/// Shared invite-link contract constants.
+pub mod invite;
 /// Buzz kind number registry — custom event type constants.
 pub mod kind;
 /// Network utilities — SSRF-safe IP classification.
diff --git a/crates/buzz-db/Cargo.toml b/crates/buzz-db/Cargo.toml
index 23ea3c9d8f..01f1e172b6 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-db/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/buzz-db/Cargo.toml
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ sha2        = { workspace = true }
 tracing     = { workspace = true }
 thiserror   = { workspace = true }
 nostr       = { workspace = true }
+rand        = { workspace = true }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 tokio = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/buzz-db/src/lib.rs b/crates/buzz-db/src/lib.rs
index a4ce50a8e8..2a3ba9a63e 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-db/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-db/src/lib.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ pub mod product_feedback;
 pub mod push;
 /// Reaction persistence.
 pub mod reaction;
+/// Use-limited relay invite persistence (v2 opaque tokens).
+pub mod relay_invite;
 /// Relay-level membership persistence (NIP-43).
 pub mod relay_members;
 /// Replica freshness fence for keyset-cursor read routing.
@@ -3045,6 +3047,51 @@ impl Db {
         relay_members::backfill_from_allowlist(&self.pool, community).await
     }
 
+    /// Mints a v2 use-limited relay invite. The plaintext code is returned
+    /// exactly once; only its SHA-256 hash is persisted.
+    ///
+    /// `max_uses` is `None` for unlimited or `Some(1..=10000)`.
+    /// `ttl_secs` must be in the shared invite lifetime range.
+    pub async fn mint_relay_invite(
+        &self,
+        community: CommunityId,
+        created_by: &str,
+        ttl_secs: u64,
+        max_uses: Option<i32>,
+    ) -> Result<relay_invite::MintedInvite> {
+        relay_invite::mint_relay_invite(&self.pool, community, created_by, ttl_secs, max_uses).await
+    }
+
+    /// Delete one bounded batch of invites expired before `cutoff`.
+    pub async fn reap_expired_relay_invites(
+        &self,
+        cutoff: chrono::DateTime<chrono::Utc>,
+    ) -> Result<u64> {
+        relay_invite::reap_expired_relay_invites(&self.pool, cutoff).await
+    }
+
+    /// Atomically claims a v2 relay invite. The full redemption (membership
+    /// insert, policy evidence, use_count increment) runs in one PostgreSQL
+    /// transaction with `FOR UPDATE` on the invite row.
+    ///
+    /// `token_hash` is the SHA-256 of the presented v2 code (32 bytes).
+    pub async fn claim_relay_invite(
+        &self,
+        community: CommunityId,
+        token_hash: &[u8; 32],
+        claimer_pubkey: &str,
+        policy_version: Option<&str>,
+    ) -> Result<relay_invite::ClaimOutcome> {
+        relay_invite::claim_relay_invite(
+            &self.pool,
+            community,
+            token_hash,
+            claimer_pubkey,
+            policy_version,
+        )
+        .await
+    }
+
     /// Sidecar an accepted product-feedback event, idempotent by event id.
     pub async fn insert_product_feedback(
         &self,
diff --git a/crates/buzz-db/src/migration.rs b/crates/buzz-db/src/migration.rs
index 1674b0ec4d..1d1b7e05d4 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-db/src/migration.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-db/src/migration.rs
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ mod tests {
         let mut migrations: Vec<_> = MIGRATOR.iter().collect();
         migrations.sort_by_key(|migration| migration.version);
 
-        assert_eq!(migrations.len(), 24);
+        assert_eq!(migrations.len(), 25);
         assert_eq!(migrations[0].version, 1);
         assert_eq!(&*migrations[0].description, "initial schema");
         assert!(migrations[0]
@@ -879,6 +879,31 @@ mod tests {
             .to_lowercase()
             .contains("for update"));
         assert!(ttl_shared.contains("NEW.kind <> 9007"));
+
+        // Use-limited invite links: durable relay_invites table stores only
+        // the SHA-256 of an opaque v2 code, scoped by community_id. Never
+        // listed in _operator_global_tables — it is community-scoped.
+        assert_eq!(migrations[24].version, 25);
+        let relay_invites = migrations[24].sql.as_str();
+        assert!(relay_invites.contains("CREATE TABLE relay_invites"));
+        assert!(relay_invites
+            .contains("token_hash   BYTEA       NOT NULL CHECK (length(token_hash) = 32)"));
+        assert!(relay_invites.contains("PRIMARY KEY (community_id, id)"));
+        assert!(relay_invites.contains("UNIQUE (community_id, token_hash)"));
+        assert!(
+            relay_invites.contains("max_uses     INTEGER     CHECK (max_uses BETWEEN 1 AND 10000)")
+        );
+        assert!(relay_invites.contains("CHECK (max_uses IS NULL OR use_count <= max_uses)"));
+        assert!(relay_invites.contains("role = 'member'"));
+        assert!(relay_invites
+            .contains("CREATE INDEX relay_invites_expires_at_idx ON relay_invites (expires_at)"));
+        assert!(!relay_invites.contains("_operator_global_tables"));
+
+        let desired_schema = include_str!("../../../schema/schema.sql");
+        assert!(
+            desired_schema.contains("CREATE TABLE join_policy_acceptances"),
+            "desired-state schema must include join-policy evidence used by invite claims",
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1121,7 +1146,7 @@ mod tests {
         run_migrations(&pool)
             .await
             .expect("retry succeeds after operator repair");
-        assert_eq!(applied_versions(&pool).await.last().copied(), Some(24));
+        assert_eq!(applied_versions(&pool).await.last().copied(), Some(25));
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
diff --git a/crates/buzz-db/src/relay_invite.rs b/crates/buzz-db/src/relay_invite.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..82b71b07bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/buzz-db/src/relay_invite.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,671 @@
+//! Use-limited relay invite persistence (v2 opaque tokens).
+//!
+//! Unlike the stateless v1 HMAC invite tokens in `buzz-relay::invite_token`,
+//! v2 invites are backed by durable rows in `relay_invites`. The table stores
+//! only `SHA-256(code)` — never the reusable bearer secret — so a leaked
+//! database does not immediately yield valid invite codes.
+//!
+//! Every lookup binds both `(community_id, token_hash)` to prevent cross-tenant
+//! authorization seams: a code minted on tenant A presented to tenant B returns
+//! `Invalid`, not a membership.
+//!
+//! ## Atomic redemption
+//!
+//! `claim_relay_invite` executes the full redemption in one PostgreSQL
+//! transaction: `SELECT FOR UPDATE` on the invite row, membership insert,
+//! join-policy evidence insert, and `use_count` increment all commit together.
+//! `FOR UPDATE` serializes concurrent claims for one invite across relay
+//! processes — exactly one claimant can win the final slot.
+
+use buzz_core::invite::{
+    encode_v2_code, hash_v2_code, MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS, MAX_INVITE_USES, MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS,
+    V2_SECRET_LEN,
+};
+use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
+use sqlx::{PgPool, Row as _};
+
+use crate::error::Result;
+use crate::CommunityId;
+
+/// Outcome of a v2 invite claim. Expected invalid/expired/exhausted states are
+/// typed variants so the relay layer can map them to distinct HTTP responses
+/// without inspecting database errors.
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum ClaimOutcome {
+    /// A new relay member was inserted. `use_count` is the post-increment count;
+    /// `uses_remaining` is `None` for unlimited invites.
+    Joined {
+        /// Post-claim use count.
+        use_count: i32,
+        /// Remaining slots, or `None` when the invite is unlimited.
+        uses_remaining: Option<i32>,
+    },
+    /// The claimer was already a member. `use_count` was NOT incremented.
+    AlreadyMember {
+        /// Current use count (unchanged by this claim).
+        use_count: i32,
+        /// Remaining slots, or `None` when the invite is unlimited.
+        uses_remaining: Option<i32>,
+    },
+    /// The invite's `expires_at` has passed.
+    Expired,
+    /// The invite's use budget is fully consumed.
+    Exhausted,
+    /// No invite row matches `(community_id, token_hash)`.
+    Invalid,
+}
+
+/// A freshly minted v2 invite, including the plaintext code and metadata.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct MintedInvite {
+    /// The full v2 code string (`v2.<base64url secret>`). Returned to the caller
+    /// exactly once; the database stores only the SHA-256 hash.
+    pub code: String,
+    /// When the invite expires (UTC).
+    pub expires_at: DateTime<Utc>,
+    /// `None` means unlimited; `Some(n)` means at most `n` uses.
+    pub max_uses: Option<i32>,
+    /// Remaining uses at mint time (equals `max_uses` when bounded, `None`
+    /// when unlimited).
+    pub uses_remaining: Option<i32>,
+    /// The invite's database-generated UUID.
+    pub invite_id: uuid::Uuid,
+}
+
+fn validate_mint_inputs(ttl_secs: u64, max_uses: Option<i32>) -> Result<()> {
+    if !(MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS..=MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS).contains(&ttl_secs) {
+        return Err(crate::error::DbError::InvalidData(format!(
+            "ttl_secs must be between {MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS} and {MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS}"
+        )));
+    }
+
+    if let Some(max_uses) = max_uses {
+        if !(1..=MAX_INVITE_USES).contains(&max_uses) {
+            return Err(crate::error::DbError::InvalidData(format!(
+                "max_uses must be between 1 and {MAX_INVITE_USES}"
+            )));
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Mint a v2 invite: generate a 32-byte random secret, hash it, persist the
+/// row, and return the plaintext code plus metadata.
+///
+/// `ttl_secs` must be in the shared invite lifetime range.
+/// `max_uses` must be `None` (unlimited) or `Some(1..=10000)`.
+pub async fn mint_relay_invite(
+    pool: &PgPool,
+    community: CommunityId,
+    created_by: &str,
+    ttl_secs: u64,
+    max_uses: Option<i32>,
+) -> Result<MintedInvite> {
+    validate_mint_inputs(ttl_secs, max_uses)?;
+
+    // Generate 32 random bytes and encode as base64url — this is the secret.
+    let secret: [u8; V2_SECRET_LEN] = rand::random();
+    let code = encode_v2_code(&secret);
+    let token_hash = hash_v2_code(&code);
+    let now = Utc::now();
+    let expires_at = now + chrono::Duration::seconds(ttl_secs as i64);
+
+    let row = sqlx::query(
+        "INSERT INTO relay_invites (community_id, token_hash, max_uses, expires_at, created_by) \
+         VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5) \
+         RETURNING id",
+    )
+    .bind(community.as_uuid())
+    .bind(token_hash.as_slice())
+    .bind(max_uses)
+    .bind(expires_at)
+    .bind(created_by)
+    .fetch_one(pool)
+    .await?;
+
+    let invite_id: uuid::Uuid = row.try_get("id")?;
+
+    Ok(MintedInvite {
+        code,
+        expires_at,
+        max_uses,
+        uses_remaining: max_uses,
+        invite_id,
+    })
+}
+
+fn log_claim_outcome(
+    community: CommunityId,
+    invite_id: Option<uuid::Uuid>,
+    outcome: &'static str,
+    max_uses: Option<i32>,
+    use_count: Option<i32>,
+) {
+    tracing::info!(
+        community = %community,
+        invite_id = ?invite_id,
+        outcome,
+        max_uses = ?max_uses,
+        use_count = ?use_count,
+        "relay invite claim completed"
+    );
+}
+
+/// Maximum rows deleted by one retention sweep so cleanup cannot monopolize
+/// the invite table on a busy deployment.
+const RETENTION_SWEEP_BATCH_SIZE: i64 = 1_000;
+
+/// Delete one bounded batch of invite rows expired before `cutoff`.
+///
+/// The relay calls this from its leader-only periodic tick. Ordering by the
+/// expiry index makes old rows drain first without turning cleanup into an
+/// unbounded transaction.
+pub async fn reap_expired_relay_invites(pool: &PgPool, cutoff: DateTime<Utc>) -> Result<u64> {
+    let result = sqlx::query(
+        "DELETE FROM relay_invites \
+         WHERE (community_id, id) IN (\
+             SELECT community_id, id FROM relay_invites \
+             WHERE expires_at < $1 \
+             ORDER BY expires_at \
+             LIMIT $2\
+         )",
+    )
+    .bind(cutoff)
+    .bind(RETENTION_SWEEP_BATCH_SIZE)
+    .execute(pool)
+    .await?;
+
+    Ok(result.rows_affected())
+}
+
+/// Atomically claim a v2 relay invite.
+///
+/// Executes the full redemption in one PostgreSQL transaction:
+/// 1. Hash the presented code.
+/// 2. `SELECT ... FOR UPDATE` on the invite row scoped by `(community, token_hash)`.
+/// 3. If no row → `Invalid`.
+/// 4. If `expires_at <= now()` → `Expired`.
+/// 5. Check existing membership.
+/// 6. If already a member → insert policy evidence (if configured), commit,
+///    return `AlreadyMember` (no increment).
+/// 7. If `max_uses` is set and `use_count >= max_uses` → `Exhausted`.
+/// 8. Insert relay member with role `member`, `added_by = 'invite'`.
+/// 9. Insert join-policy acceptance evidence (if configured).
+/// 10. Increment `use_count`.
+/// 11. Commit.
+///
+/// `FOR UPDATE` serializes concurrent claims so exactly one claimant wins the
+/// final slot. Membership insertion, policy evidence, and consumption share
+/// one commit — a failure in any rolls back all.
+pub async fn claim_relay_invite(
+    pool: &PgPool,
+    community: CommunityId,
+    token_hash: &[u8; 32],
+    claimer_pubkey: &str,
+    policy_version: Option<&str>,
+) -> Result<ClaimOutcome> {
+    let mut tx = pool.begin().await?;
+
+    // 2. SELECT FOR UPDATE — lock the invite row for the duration of this txn.
+    let row = sqlx::query(
+        "SELECT id, max_uses, use_count, expires_at \
+         FROM relay_invites \
+         WHERE community_id = $1 AND token_hash = $2 \
+         FOR UPDATE",
+    )
+    .bind(community.as_uuid())
+    .bind(token_hash)
+    .fetch_optional(&mut *tx)
+    .await?;
+
+    // 3. No matching invite.
+    let Some(invite) = row else {
+        tx.rollback().await?;
+        log_claim_outcome(community, None, "invalid", None, None);
+        return Ok(ClaimOutcome::Invalid);
+    };
+
+    let invite_id: uuid::Uuid = invite.try_get("id")?;
+    let max_uses: Option<i32> = invite.try_get("max_uses")?;
+    let use_count: i32 = invite.try_get("use_count")?;
+    let expires_at: DateTime<Utc> = invite.try_get("expires_at")?;
+
+    // Expiry is checked before membership deliberately. An expired bearer must
+    // not authorize fresh policy-acceptance evidence, even for an existing
+    // member; exhausted-but-live invites remain valid for idempotent retries.
+    if expires_at <= Utc::now() {
+        tx.rollback().await?;
+        log_claim_outcome(
+            community,
+            Some(invite_id),
+            "expired",
+            max_uses,
+            Some(use_count),
+        );
+        return Ok(ClaimOutcome::Expired);
+    }
+
+    let uses_remaining = || max_uses.map(|mu| mu - use_count);
+
+    // 5. Check existing membership.
+    let existing =
+        sqlx::query("SELECT 1 FROM relay_members WHERE community_id = $1 AND pubkey = $2")
+            .bind(community.as_uuid())
+            .bind(claimer_pubkey)
+            .fetch_optional(&mut *tx)
+            .await?;
+
+    if existing.is_some() {
+        // 6. Already a member — insert policy evidence but do NOT increment.
+        if let Some(version) = policy_version {
+            sqlx::query(
+                "INSERT INTO join_policy_acceptances (community_id, pubkey, policy_version) \
+                 VALUES ($1, $2, $3) ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING",
+            )
+            .bind(community.as_uuid())
+            .bind(claimer_pubkey)
+            .bind(version)
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await?;
+        }
+        tx.commit().await?;
+        log_claim_outcome(
+            community,
+            Some(invite_id),
+            "already_member",
+            max_uses,
+            Some(use_count),
+        );
+        return Ok(ClaimOutcome::AlreadyMember {
+            use_count,
+            uses_remaining: uses_remaining(),
+        });
+    }
+
+    // 7. Capacity check.
+    if let Some(mu) = max_uses {
+        if use_count >= mu {
+            tx.rollback().await?;
+            log_claim_outcome(
+                community,
+                Some(invite_id),
+                "exhausted",
+                max_uses,
+                Some(use_count),
+            );
+            return Ok(ClaimOutcome::Exhausted);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // 8. Insert relay member. The conflict branch covers a claimant admitted
+    // concurrently through a different invite: only the transaction that
+    // actually inserted membership may consume this invite.
+    let inserted = sqlx::query(
+        "INSERT INTO relay_members (community_id, pubkey, role, added_by) \
+         VALUES ($1, $2, 'member', 'invite') \
+         ON CONFLICT (community_id, pubkey) DO NOTHING",
+    )
+    .bind(community.as_uuid())
+    .bind(claimer_pubkey)
+    .execute(&mut *tx)
+    .await?
+    .rows_affected()
+        > 0;
+
+    // 9. Insert join-policy acceptance evidence. This is required for both a
+    // new member and a claimant whose concurrent membership insert won first.
+    if let Some(version) = policy_version {
+        sqlx::query(
+            "INSERT INTO join_policy_acceptances (community_id, pubkey, policy_version) \
+             VALUES ($1, $2, $3) ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING",
+        )
+        .bind(community.as_uuid())
+        .bind(claimer_pubkey)
+        .bind(version)
+        .execute(&mut *tx)
+        .await?;
+    }
+
+    if !inserted {
+        tx.commit().await?;
+        log_claim_outcome(
+            community,
+            Some(invite_id),
+            "already_member",
+            max_uses,
+            Some(use_count),
+        );
+        return Ok(ClaimOutcome::AlreadyMember {
+            use_count,
+            uses_remaining: uses_remaining(),
+        });
+    }
+
+    // 10. Increment use_count (for every new member, even unlimited).
+    let new_use_count = use_count + 1;
+    sqlx::query("UPDATE relay_invites SET use_count = $1 WHERE community_id = $2 AND id = $3")
+        .bind(new_use_count)
+        .bind(community.as_uuid())
+        .bind(invite_id)
+        .execute(&mut *tx)
+        .await?;
+
+    // 11. Commit.
+    tx.commit().await?;
+
+    let new_uses_remaining = max_uses.map(|mu| mu - new_use_count);
+
+    log_claim_outcome(
+        community,
+        Some(invite_id),
+        "joined",
+        max_uses,
+        Some(new_use_count),
+    );
+
+    Ok(ClaimOutcome::Joined {
+        use_count: new_use_count,
+        uses_remaining: new_uses_remaining,
+    })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::relay_members::is_relay_member;
+    use sqlx::PgPool;
+    use uuid::Uuid;
+
+    const TEST_DB_URL: &str = "postgres://buzz:buzz_dev@localhost:5432/buzz"; // sadscan:disable np.postgres.1
+
+    async fn setup_pool() -> PgPool {
+        let database_url = std::env::var("BUZZ_TEST_DATABASE_URL")
+            .or_else(|_| std::env::var("DATABASE_URL"))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| TEST_DB_URL.to_owned());
+        PgPool::connect(&database_url)
+            .await
+            .expect("connect to test DB")
+    }
+
+    async fn make_test_community(pool: &PgPool) -> CommunityId {
+        let id = Uuid::new_v4();
+        sqlx::query("INSERT INTO communities (id, host) VALUES ($1, $2)")
+            .bind(id)
+            .bind(format!("relay-invite-test-{}.example", id.simple()))
+            .execute(pool)
+            .await
+            .expect("insert test community");
+        CommunityId::from_uuid(id)
+    }
+
+    async fn delete_test_community(pool: &PgPool, community: CommunityId) {
+        let mut tx = pool.begin().await.expect("begin test cleanup");
+        sqlx::query("DELETE FROM relay_invites WHERE community_id = $1")
+            .bind(community.as_uuid())
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await
+            .expect("delete test invites");
+        sqlx::query("DELETE FROM relay_members WHERE community_id = $1")
+            .bind(community.as_uuid())
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await
+            .expect("delete test members");
+        sqlx::query("DELETE FROM communities WHERE id = $1")
+            .bind(community.as_uuid())
+            .execute(&mut *tx)
+            .await
+            .expect("delete test community");
+        tx.commit().await.expect("commit test cleanup");
+    }
+
+    fn test_pubkey() -> String {
+        format!("{:064x}", Uuid::new_v4().as_u128())
+    }
+
+    async fn use_count(pool: &PgPool, community: CommunityId, invite_id: Uuid) -> i32 {
+        sqlx::query_scalar(
+            "SELECT use_count FROM relay_invites WHERE community_id = $1 AND id = $2",
+        )
+        .bind(community.as_uuid())
+        .bind(invite_id)
+        .fetch_one(pool)
+        .await
+        .expect("read invite use_count")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn mint_validation_rejects_invalid_bounds_before_database_access() {
+        for (ttl, max_uses) in [
+            (MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS - 1, None),
+            (MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS + 1, None),
+            (3600, Some(0)),
+            (3600, Some(-1)),
+            (3600, Some(MAX_INVITE_USES + 1)),
+        ] {
+            let error = validate_mint_inputs(ttl, max_uses).expect_err("invalid mint contract");
+            assert!(matches!(error, crate::DbError::InvalidData(_)), "{error:?}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn bounded_claim_exhausts_and_existing_member_retry_does_not_consume() {
+        let pool = setup_pool().await;
+        let community = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let first = test_pubkey();
+        let second = test_pubkey();
+        let invite = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community, "owner", 3600, Some(1))
+            .await
+            .expect("mint bounded invite");
+        let hash = hash_v2_code(&invite.code);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &first, None)
+                .await
+                .expect("first claim"),
+            ClaimOutcome::Joined {
+                use_count: 1,
+                uses_remaining: Some(0),
+            }
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &first, None)
+                .await
+                .expect("idempotent retry"),
+            ClaimOutcome::AlreadyMember {
+                use_count: 1,
+                uses_remaining: Some(0),
+            }
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &second, None)
+                .await
+                .expect("exhausted claim"),
+            ClaimOutcome::Exhausted
+        );
+        assert_eq!(use_count(&pool, community, invite.invite_id).await, 1);
+        assert!(is_relay_member(&pool, community, &first)
+            .await
+            .expect("first membership"));
+        assert!(!is_relay_member(&pool, community, &second)
+            .await
+            .expect("second membership"));
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community).await;
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn concurrent_claims_serialize_the_final_slot() {
+        let pool = setup_pool().await;
+        let community = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let first = test_pubkey();
+        let second = test_pubkey();
+        let invite = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community, "owner", 3600, Some(1))
+            .await
+            .expect("mint bounded invite");
+        let hash = hash_v2_code(&invite.code);
+
+        let (first_outcome, second_outcome) = tokio::join!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &first, None),
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &second, None),
+        );
+        let outcomes = [
+            first_outcome.expect("first concurrent claim"),
+            second_outcome.expect("second concurrent claim"),
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(
+            outcomes
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|outcome| matches!(outcome, ClaimOutcome::Joined { .. }))
+                .count(),
+            1
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            outcomes
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|outcome| matches!(outcome, ClaimOutcome::Exhausted))
+                .count(),
+            1
+        );
+        assert_eq!(use_count(&pool, community, invite.invite_id).await, 1);
+        let admitted = is_relay_member(&pool, community, &first)
+            .await
+            .expect("first membership") as u8
+            + is_relay_member(&pool, community, &second)
+                .await
+                .expect("second membership") as u8;
+        assert_eq!(admitted, 1);
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community).await;
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn expiry_and_tenant_scope_return_typed_failures() {
+        let pool = setup_pool().await;
+        let community_a = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let community_b = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let invite = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community_a, "owner", 3600, Some(2))
+            .await
+            .expect("mint invite");
+        let hash = hash_v2_code(&invite.code);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community_b, &hash, &test_pubkey(), None)
+                .await
+                .expect("cross-tenant claim"),
+            ClaimOutcome::Invalid
+        );
+
+        sqlx::query(
+            "UPDATE relay_invites SET expires_at = now() - interval '1 second' \
+             WHERE community_id = $1 AND id = $2",
+        )
+        .bind(community_a.as_uuid())
+        .bind(invite.invite_id)
+        .execute(&pool)
+        .await
+        .expect("expire invite");
+        assert_eq!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community_a, &hash, &test_pubkey(), None)
+                .await
+                .expect("expired claim"),
+            ClaimOutcome::Expired
+        );
+        assert_eq!(use_count(&pool, community_a, invite.invite_id).await, 0);
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community_a).await;
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community_b).await;
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn retention_sweep_deletes_only_invites_older_than_cutoff() {
+        let pool = setup_pool().await;
+        let community = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let old = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community, "owner", 3600, Some(1))
+            .await
+            .expect("mint old invite");
+        let recent = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community, "owner", 3600, Some(1))
+            .await
+            .expect("mint recent invite");
+        let cutoff = Utc::now() - chrono::Duration::days(30);
+
+        sqlx::query("UPDATE relay_invites SET expires_at = $1 WHERE community_id = $2 AND id = $3")
+            .bind(cutoff - chrono::Duration::seconds(1))
+            .bind(community.as_uuid())
+            .bind(old.invite_id)
+            .execute(&pool)
+            .await
+            .expect("age old invite");
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            reap_expired_relay_invites(&pool, cutoff)
+                .await
+                .expect("reap expired invites"),
+            1
+        );
+        let remaining: Vec<Uuid> =
+            sqlx::query_scalar("SELECT id FROM relay_invites WHERE community_id = $1 ORDER BY id")
+                .bind(community.as_uuid())
+                .fetch_all(&pool)
+                .await
+                .expect("read remaining invites");
+        assert_eq!(remaining, vec![recent.invite_id]);
+
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community).await;
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn unlimited_invites_count_each_new_member() {
+        let pool = setup_pool().await;
+        let community = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let invite = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community, "owner", 3600, None)
+            .await
+            .expect("mint unlimited invite");
+        let hash = hash_v2_code(&invite.code);
+
+        for (expected_count, pubkey) in [(1, test_pubkey()), (2, test_pubkey())] {
+            assert_eq!(
+                claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &pubkey, None)
+                    .await
+                    .expect("unlimited claim"),
+                ClaimOutcome::Joined {
+                    use_count: expected_count,
+                    uses_remaining: None,
+                }
+            );
+        }
+        assert_eq!(use_count(&pool, community, invite.invite_id).await, 2);
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community).await;
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn policy_evidence_failure_rolls_back_membership_and_consumption() {
+        let pool = setup_pool().await;
+        let community = make_test_community(&pool).await;
+        let pubkey = test_pubkey();
+        let invite = mint_relay_invite(&pool, community, "owner", 3600, Some(1))
+            .await
+            .expect("mint bounded invite");
+        let hash = hash_v2_code(&invite.code);
+
+        let error = claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &pubkey, Some("too-short"))
+            .await
+            .expect_err("policy CHECK must reject an invalid version");
+        assert!(matches!(error, crate::DbError::Sqlx(_)), "{error:?}");
+        assert!(!is_relay_member(&pool, community, &pubkey)
+            .await
+            .expect("membership after rollback"));
+        assert_eq!(use_count(&pool, community, invite.invite_id).await, 0);
+
+        assert!(matches!(
+            claim_relay_invite(&pool, community, &hash, &pubkey, None)
+                .await
+                .expect("claim after rollback"),
+            ClaimOutcome::Joined { use_count: 1, .. }
+        ));
+        delete_test_community(&pool, community).await;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/invites.rs b/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/invites.rs
index 6719e85f79..6104171cca 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/invites.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/invites.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,12 @@ use serde::Deserialize;
 use serde_json::Value;
 
 use crate::handlers::side_effects::{publish_nip43_member_added, publish_nip43_membership_list};
-use crate::invite_token::{self, DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS};
+use buzz_core::invite::{
+    hash_v2_code, validate_v2_code, DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS, MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS, MAX_INVITE_USES,
+    MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS, V2_PREFIX,
+};
+
+use crate::invite_token;
 use crate::state::AppState;
 
 use super::{api_error, bridge, internal_error};
@@ -43,10 +48,42 @@ pub(crate) const CLAIM_RATE_CACHE_CAPACITY: u64 = 10_000;
 /// Body for `POST /api/invites`.
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Deserialize)]
 pub struct MintInviteRequest {
-    /// Requested lifetime in seconds. Clamped to
+    /// Requested lifetime in seconds. Must be between
+    /// [`MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS`] and
     /// [`invite_token::MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS`]; defaults to 72 h.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub ttl_secs: Option<u64>,
+    /// Maximum number of uses before the invite is exhausted. `None` (omitted
+    /// or `null`) means unlimited — preserves current behavior. When present,
+    /// must be an integer from 1 through [`MAX_INVITE_USES`].
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub max_uses: Option<i32>,
+}
+
+fn validate_mint_request(
+    request: &MintInviteRequest,
+) -> Result<(u64, Option<i32>), (StatusCode, Json<Value>)> {
+    let ttl = request.ttl_secs.unwrap_or(DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS);
+    if !(MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS..=MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS).contains(&ttl) {
+        return Err(api_error(
+            StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
+            &format!(
+                "ttl_secs must be between {} and {MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS}",
+                MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS
+            ),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    if let Some(max_uses) = request.max_uses {
+        if !(1..=MAX_INVITE_USES).contains(&max_uses) {
+            return Err(api_error(
+                StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST,
+                &format!("max_uses must be between 1 and {MAX_INVITE_USES}"),
+            ));
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((ttl, request.max_uses))
 }
 
 /// Body for `POST /api/invites/claim`.
@@ -260,9 +297,17 @@ pub async fn mint_invite(
         })?
     };
 
-    let key = invite_token::derive_invite_key(&state.relay_keypair);
-    let ttl = request.ttl_secs.unwrap_or(DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS);
-    let (code, expires_at) = invite_token::mint_invite(&key, tenant.community(), ttl);
+    let (ttl, max_uses) = validate_mint_request(&request)?;
+
+    // Mint a v2 opaque, database-backed invite.
+    let invite = state
+        .db
+        .mint_relay_invite(tenant.community(), &sender_hex, ttl, max_uses)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|error| match error {
+            buzz_db::DbError::InvalidData(message) => api_error(StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, &message),
+            error => internal_error(&format!("invite mint: {error}")),
+        })?;
 
     // Same TLS-posture logic as nip98_expected_url: wss deployments get an
     // https landing page URL, ws dev/test deployments get http.
@@ -275,19 +320,30 @@ pub async fn mint_invite(
     tracing::info!(
         community = %tenant.community(),
         minted_by = %sender_hex,
-        expires_at,
+        invite_id = %invite.invite_id,
+        expires_at = %invite.expires_at,
+        max_uses = ?invite.max_uses,
         "relay invite minted"
     );
 
+    // expires_at as unix seconds for the response contract.
+    let expires_at_unix = invite.expires_at.timestamp() as u64;
+
     Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({
-        "code": code,
-        "expires_at": expires_at,
-        "url": format!("{scheme}://{}/invite/{}", tenant.host(), code),
+        "code": invite.code,
+        "expires_at": expires_at_unix,
+        "max_uses": invite.max_uses,
+        "uses_remaining": invite.uses_remaining,
+        "url": format!("{scheme}://{}/invite/{}", tenant.host(), invite.code),
     })))
 }
 
 /// Claim an invite code — `POST /api/invites/claim`, NIP-98 signed by the
 /// *joining* pubkey. Exempt from the relay-membership gate by design.
+///
+/// Routing is by exact prefix: `v2.` codes go to the database-backed
+/// redemption path; every other code goes to the v1 HMAC verifier. A `v2.`
+/// code is never fallen back to v1 verification.
 pub async fn claim_invite(
     State(state): State<Arc<AppState>>,
     headers: HeaderMap,
@@ -305,7 +361,88 @@ pub async fn claim_invite(
     let request: ClaimInviteRequest = serde_json::from_slice(&body)
         .map_err(|e| api_error(StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, &format!("invalid claim JSON: {e}")))?;
 
+    let claimer_hex = pubkey.to_hex();
     let key = invite_token::derive_invite_key(&state.relay_keypair);
+
+    // --- v2 database-backed path ---
+    //
+    // Route by exact prefix: v2. codes use the durable invite table. No
+    // fallback to v1 HMAC verification for malformed v2 input.
+    if request.code.starts_with(V2_PREFIX) {
+        validate_v2_code(&request.code)
+            .map_err(|_| api_error(StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "invite_invalid"))?;
+
+        // Join-policy receipt verification, same mechanism as v1: the receipt
+        // is bound to the code string by SHA-256, so it works for v2 codes.
+        if let Some(policy) = &state.config.join_policy {
+            let receipt = request
+                .policy_receipt
+                .as_deref()
+                .ok_or_else(|| api_error(StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "join_policy_required"))?;
+            invite_token::verify_policy_acceptance(&key, receipt, &request.code, &policy.version)
+                .map_err(|_| api_error(StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "join_policy_required"))?;
+        }
+
+        let token_hash = hash_v2_code(&request.code);
+        let outcome = state
+            .db
+            .claim_relay_invite(
+                tenant.community(),
+                &token_hash,
+                &claimer_hex,
+                state
+                    .config
+                    .join_policy
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|policy| policy.version.as_str()),
+            )
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| internal_error(&format!("v2 invite claim: {e}")))?;
+
+        return match outcome {
+            buzz_db::relay_invite::ClaimOutcome::Joined { .. } => {
+                tracing::info!(
+                    community = %tenant.community(),
+                    member = %claimer_hex,
+                    "relay member added via v2 invite"
+                );
+                // NIP-43 side effects only on Joined, never on other outcomes.
+                if let Err(e) = publish_nip43_member_added(&tenant, &state, &claimer_hex).await {
+                    tracing::warn!(
+                        "failed to publish NIP-43 member-added delta after v2 claim: {e}"
+                    );
+                }
+                if let Err(e) = publish_nip43_membership_list(&tenant, &state).await {
+                    tracing::warn!("failed to publish NIP-43 membership list after v2 claim: {e}");
+                }
+                Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({
+                    "status": "joined",
+                    "community_id": tenant.community().to_string(),
+                    "host": tenant.host(),
+                    "role": "member",
+                })))
+            }
+            buzz_db::relay_invite::ClaimOutcome::AlreadyMember { .. } => {
+                Ok(Json(serde_json::json!({
+                    "status": "already_member",
+                    "community_id": tenant.community().to_string(),
+                    "host": tenant.host(),
+                    "role": "member",
+                })))
+            }
+            buzz_db::relay_invite::ClaimOutcome::Expired => {
+                Err(api_error(StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "invite_expired"))
+            }
+            buzz_db::relay_invite::ClaimOutcome::Exhausted => {
+                Err(api_error(StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "invite_exhausted"))
+            }
+            buzz_db::relay_invite::ClaimOutcome::Invalid => {
+                Err(api_error(StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "invite_invalid"))
+            }
+        };
+    }
+
+    // --- v1 HMAC path (stateless tokens, drain window) ---
     let payload = invite_token::verify_invite(&key, tenant.community(), &request.code).map_err(
         |e| match e {
             // Expired is post-MAC: revealing it helps the UX without helping a forger.
@@ -317,7 +454,6 @@ pub async fn claim_invite(
         },
     )?;
 
-    let claimer_hex = pubkey.to_hex();
     if let Some(policy) = &state.config.join_policy {
         let receipt = request
             .policy_receipt
@@ -395,7 +531,7 @@ mod tests {
     use std::sync::Arc;
     use std::time::Duration;
 
-    use super::{claim_key_rate_limited, CLAIM_RATE_LIMIT};
+    use super::{claim_key_rate_limited, CLAIM_RATE_LIMIT, MAX_INVITE_USES, MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS};
     use axum::{
         body::{to_bytes, Body},
         http::{header, Request, StatusCode},
@@ -409,7 +545,7 @@ mod tests {
     use tower::ServiceExt;
     use uuid::Uuid;
 
-    use crate::invite_token::{derive_invite_key, InvitePayload};
+    use crate::invite_token::{derive_invite_key, InvitePayload, MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS};
 
     use crate::router::build_router;
     use crate::state::AppState;
@@ -592,6 +728,355 @@ mod tests {
         serde_json::from_slice(&bytes).expect("response JSON")
     }
 
+    async fn mint_code(state: Arc<AppState>, host: &str, owner: &Keys, request: Value) -> String {
+        let response = post_json(state, host, "/api/invites", owner, request.to_string()).await;
+        assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        read_json(response)
+            .await
+            .get("code")
+            .and_then(Value::as_str)
+            .expect("minted code")
+            .to_string()
+    }
+
+    async fn event_count(state: &AppState, community: buzz_core::CommunityId, kind: i32) -> i64 {
+        state
+            .db
+            .count_events(&buzz_db::EventQuery {
+                kinds: Some(vec![kind]),
+                global_only: true,
+                ..buzz_db::EventQuery::for_community(community)
+            })
+            .await
+            .expect("count side-effect events")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn mint_request_deserialization_is_strict() {
+        for valid in [
+            serde_json::json!({}),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": null }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": 1 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": MAX_INVITE_USES }),
+        ] {
+            serde_json::from_value::<super::MintInviteRequest>(valid).expect("valid request");
+        }
+
+        for invalid in [
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": 1.5 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": "10" }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": -1 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": 1.5 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": "3600" }),
+        ] {
+            assert!(
+                serde_json::from_value::<super::MintInviteRequest>(invalid.clone()).is_err(),
+                "accepted wrong JSON type: {invalid}"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn mint_request_validation_enforces_bounds_without_a_database() {
+        use super::validate_mint_request;
+
+        for (request, expected) in [
+            (
+                super::MintInviteRequest::default(),
+                (crate::invite_token::DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS, None),
+            ),
+            (
+                super::MintInviteRequest {
+                    ttl_secs: Some(MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS),
+                    max_uses: Some(1),
+                },
+                (MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS, Some(1)),
+            ),
+            (
+                super::MintInviteRequest {
+                    ttl_secs: Some(MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS),
+                    max_uses: Some(MAX_INVITE_USES),
+                },
+                (MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS, Some(MAX_INVITE_USES)),
+            ),
+        ] {
+            assert_eq!(
+                validate_mint_request(&request).expect("valid request"),
+                expected
+            );
+        }
+
+        for request in [
+            super::MintInviteRequest {
+                ttl_secs: None,
+                max_uses: Some(0),
+            },
+            super::MintInviteRequest {
+                ttl_secs: None,
+                max_uses: Some(-1),
+            },
+            super::MintInviteRequest {
+                ttl_secs: None,
+                max_uses: Some(MAX_INVITE_USES + 1),
+            },
+            super::MintInviteRequest {
+                ttl_secs: Some(MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS - 1),
+                max_uses: None,
+            },
+            super::MintInviteRequest {
+                ttl_secs: Some(MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS + 1),
+                max_uses: None,
+            },
+        ] {
+            assert_eq!(
+                validate_mint_request(&request)
+                    .expect_err("invalid request")
+                    .0,
+                StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn mint_validates_max_uses_and_ttl_bounds() {
+        let host = format!("invites-validation-{}.example", Uuid::new_v4().simple());
+        let owner = Keys::generate();
+        let state = invite_test_state(&host)
+            .await
+            .expect("requires reachable Postgres and relay test state");
+        let community = state
+            .db
+            .lookup_community_by_host(&host)
+            .await
+            .expect("lookup")
+            .expect("community exists");
+        state
+            .db
+            .add_relay_member(community.id, &owner.public_key().to_hex(), "owner", None)
+            .await
+            .expect("seed owner");
+
+        for body in [
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": 0 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": -1 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": MAX_INVITE_USES + 1 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS - 1 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS + 1 }),
+        ] {
+            let response = post_json(
+                state.clone(),
+                &host,
+                "/api/invites",
+                &owner,
+                body.to_string(),
+            )
+            .await;
+            assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "{body}");
+        }
+
+        for body in [
+            serde_json::json!({}),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": null }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": 1 }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": MAX_INVITE_USES }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": MIN_INVITE_TTL_SECS }),
+            serde_json::json!({ "ttl_secs": MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS }),
+        ] {
+            let response = post_json(
+                state.clone(),
+                &host,
+                "/api/invites",
+                &owner,
+                body.to_string(),
+            )
+            .await;
+            assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::OK, "{body}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn malformed_and_unknown_v2_codes_are_forbidden_without_v1_fallback() {
+        let host = format!("invites-v2-invalid-{}.example", Uuid::new_v4().simple());
+        let joiner = Keys::generate();
+        let state = invite_test_state(&host)
+            .await
+            .expect("requires reachable Postgres and relay test state");
+        let unknown = format!("v2.{}", URL_SAFE_NO_PAD.encode([9_u8; 32]));
+
+        for code in [
+            "v2.".to_string(),
+            "v2.not-base64!".to_string(),
+            format!("v2.{}", URL_SAFE_NO_PAD.encode([9_u8; 31])),
+            unknown,
+        ] {
+            let response = post_json(
+                state.clone(),
+                &host,
+                "/api/invites/claim",
+                &joiner,
+                serde_json::json!({ "code": code }).to_string(),
+            )
+            .await;
+            assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "{code}");
+            assert_eq!(
+                read_json(response)
+                    .await
+                    .get("error")
+                    .and_then(Value::as_str),
+                Some("invite_invalid")
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
+    async fn bounded_v2_claims_publish_side_effects_only_for_joined() {
+        let host = format!(
+            "invites-v2-side-effects-{}.example",
+            Uuid::new_v4().simple()
+        );
+        let owner = Keys::generate();
+        let first = Keys::generate();
+        let second = Keys::generate();
+        let state = invite_test_state(&host)
+            .await
+            .expect("requires reachable Postgres and relay test state");
+        let community = state
+            .db
+            .lookup_community_by_host(&host)
+            .await
+            .expect("lookup")
+            .expect("community exists");
+        state
+            .db
+            .add_relay_member(community.id, &owner.public_key().to_hex(), "owner", None)
+            .await
+            .expect("seed owner");
+        let before_delta_count = event_count(
+            &state,
+            community.id,
+            buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBER_ADDED as i32,
+        )
+        .await;
+        let before_list_count = event_count(
+            &state,
+            community.id,
+            buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBERSHIP_LIST as i32,
+        )
+        .await;
+        let code = mint_code(
+            state.clone(),
+            &host,
+            &owner,
+            serde_json::json!({ "max_uses": 1 }),
+        )
+        .await;
+        let claim_body = serde_json::json!({ "code": code }).to_string();
+
+        let response = post_json(
+            state.clone(),
+            &host,
+            "/api/invites/claim",
+            &first,
+            claim_body.clone(),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        assert_eq!(
+            read_json(response)
+                .await
+                .get("status")
+                .and_then(Value::as_str),
+            Some("joined")
+        );
+        let delta_count = event_count(
+            &state,
+            community.id,
+            buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBER_ADDED as i32,
+        )
+        .await;
+        let list_count = event_count(
+            &state,
+            community.id,
+            buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBERSHIP_LIST as i32,
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(delta_count, before_delta_count + 1);
+        assert_eq!(list_count, before_list_count + 1);
+
+        let response = post_json(
+            state.clone(),
+            &host,
+            "/api/invites/claim",
+            &first,
+            claim_body.clone(),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        assert_eq!(
+            read_json(response)
+                .await
+                .get("status")
+                .and_then(Value::as_str),
+            Some("already_member")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            event_count(
+                &state,
+                community.id,
+                buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBER_ADDED as i32,
+            )
+            .await,
+            delta_count
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            event_count(
+                &state,
+                community.id,
+                buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBERSHIP_LIST as i32,
+            )
+            .await,
+            list_count
+        );
+
+        let response = post_json(
+            state.clone(),
+            &host,
+            "/api/invites/claim",
+            &second,
+            claim_body,
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::FORBIDDEN);
+        assert_eq!(
+            read_json(response)
+                .await
+                .get("error")
+                .and_then(Value::as_str),
+            Some("invite_exhausted")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            event_count(
+                &state,
+                community.id,
+                buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBER_ADDED as i32,
+            )
+            .await,
+            delta_count
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            event_count(
+                &state,
+                community.id,
+                buzz_core::kind::KIND_NIP43_MEMBERSHIP_LIST as i32,
+            )
+            .await,
+            list_count
+        );
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     #[ignore = "requires Postgres"]
     async fn owner_mints_and_new_pubkey_claims() {
diff --git a/crates/buzz-relay/src/invite_token.rs b/crates/buzz-relay/src/invite_token.rs
index 436040c32a..e271f40f0b 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-relay/src/invite_token.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-relay/src/invite_token.rs
@@ -49,10 +49,10 @@ use buzz_core::tenant::CommunityId;
 type HmacSha256 = Hmac<Sha256>;
 
 /// Default invite lifetime: 72 hours.
-pub const DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS: u64 = 72 * 60 * 60;
+pub use buzz_core::invite::DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL_SECS;
 
 /// Maximum invite lifetime a mint request may ask for: 30 days.
-pub const MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS: u64 = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60;
+pub use buzz_core::invite::MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS;
 
 /// Maximum accepted code length (defense against absurd inputs before any
 /// parsing work happens). A real code is ~200 bytes.
@@ -121,10 +121,11 @@ fn sign_payload(key: &[u8; 32], payload_bytes: &[u8]) -> Vec<u8> {
     mac.finalize().into_bytes().to_vec()
 }
 
-/// Mint an invite code for `community`, expiring `ttl_secs` from now.
+/// Mint a legacy v1 invite code for compatibility tests.
 ///
-/// The role is fixed to `"member"` — elevated roles are granted post-join via
-/// the existing kind:9032 change-role command, never via a bearer link.
+/// Production minting uses database-backed v2 codes. Remove this helper with
+/// v1 claim verification after the compatibility drain window.
+#[cfg(test)]
 pub fn mint_invite(key: &[u8; 32], community: CommunityId, ttl_secs: u64) -> (String, u64) {
     let ttl = ttl_secs.clamp(60, MAX_INVITE_TTL_SECS);
     let expires_at = now_unix() + ttl;
diff --git a/crates/buzz-relay/src/main.rs b/crates/buzz-relay/src/main.rs
index 22101219eb..533428a4e8 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-relay/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-relay/src/main.rs
@@ -1426,6 +1426,20 @@ async fn run_usage_metrics_tick(
             *leader = None;
             return Err(error);
         }
+        let invite_retention_cutoff = chrono::Utc::now() - chrono::Duration::days(30);
+        match state
+            .db
+            .reap_expired_relay_invites(invite_retention_cutoff)
+            .await
+        {
+            Ok(deleted) if deleted > 0 => {
+                info!(deleted, "reaped expired relay invites");
+            }
+            Ok(_) => {}
+            Err(error) => {
+                warn!(error = %error, "failed to reap expired relay invites");
+            }
+        }
         run_storage_sweep_tick(state, emission_scope, &host_map).await;
     }
 
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/community-members/ui/InviteLinkSection.tsx b/desktop/src/features/community-members/ui/InviteLinkSection.tsx
index 76c0262ea5..c4e140f723 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/community-members/ui/InviteLinkSection.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/community-members/ui/InviteLinkSection.tsx
@@ -14,8 +14,10 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuSeparator,
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from "@/shared/ui/dropdown-menu";
+import { Input } from "@/shared/ui/input";
 import { Separator } from "@/shared/ui/separator";
 import { Spinner } from "@/shared/ui/spinner";
+import { Switch } from "@/shared/ui/switch";
 
 const TTL_OPTIONS: { label: string; value: number }[] = [
   { label: "1 day", value: 24 * 60 * 60 },
@@ -31,8 +33,9 @@ type CopyStatus = "idle" | "copying" | "copied";
 /**
  * Share-with-link footer for the community invite dialog.
  *
- * Each copy action mints a fresh stateless invite code and places its
- * shareable landing-page URL on the clipboard.
+ * Each copy action mints a fresh database-backed invite code and places its
+ * shareable landing-page URL on the clipboard. Invites may be unlimited or
+ * capped to a caller-selected number of successful joins.
  */
 export function InviteLinkSection({
   onTtlSecsChange,
@@ -42,6 +45,14 @@ export function InviteLinkSection({
   ttlSecs: number;
 }) {
   const [copyStatus, setCopyStatus] = React.useState<CopyStatus>("idle");
+  const [maxUsesEnabled, setMaxUsesEnabled] = React.useState(true);
+  const [maxUsesInput, setMaxUsesInput] = React.useState("3");
+  const parsedMaxUses = Number(maxUsesInput);
+  const maxUsesValid =
+    !maxUsesEnabled ||
+    (Number.isInteger(parsedMaxUses) &&
+      parsedMaxUses >= 1 &&
+      parsedMaxUses <= 10000);
   const ttlLabel =
     TTL_OPTIONS.find((option) => option.value === ttlSecs)?.label ?? "3 days";
   const copyLabel =
@@ -58,10 +69,13 @@ export function InviteLinkSection({
   }, [copyStatus]);
 
   async function handleCopy() {
-    if (copyStatus === "copying") return;
+    if (copyStatus === "copying" || !maxUsesValid) return;
     setCopyStatus("copying");
     try {
-      const invite = await mintInvite(ttlSecs);
+      const invite = await mintInvite({
+        ttlSecs,
+        maxUses: maxUsesEnabled ? parsedMaxUses : null,
+      });
       await writeTextToClipboard(invite.url);
       setCopyStatus("copied");
       toast.success("Invite link copied");
@@ -118,13 +132,45 @@ export function InviteLinkSection({
           </DropdownMenuContent>
         </DropdownMenu>
       </div>
+      <div className="mt-3 flex items-center gap-2 text-xs">
+        <Switch
+          checked={maxUsesEnabled}
+          data-testid="invite-link-max-uses-switch"
+          id="invite-max-uses"
+          onCheckedChange={setMaxUsesEnabled}
+        />
+        <label className="text-muted-foreground" htmlFor="invite-max-uses">
+          Limit uses
+        </label>
+        {maxUsesEnabled ? (
+          <Input
+            className="h-7 w-20"
+            data-testid="invite-link-max-uses-input"
+            inputMode="numeric"
+            max={10000}
+            min={1}
+            onChange={(event) => setMaxUsesInput(event.target.value)}
+            placeholder="3"
+            type="number"
+            value={maxUsesInput}
+          />
+        ) : null}
+        {maxUsesEnabled && !maxUsesValid ? (
+          <span
+            className="text-destructive"
+            data-testid="invite-link-max-uses-error"
+          >
+            Enter a whole number from 1 to 10,000
+          </span>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
       <Separator className="my-4 bg-input/40" />
       <div className="flex justify-end">
         <Button
           className="shrink-0 border-border shadow-none"
           data-copy-status={copyStatus}
           data-testid="copy-invite-link"
-          disabled={copyStatus === "copying"}
+          disabled={copyStatus === "copying" || !maxUsesValid}
           onClick={() => void handleCopy()}
           size="sm"
           type="button"
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/onboarding/useClaimInvite.ts b/desktop/src/features/onboarding/useClaimInvite.ts
index 56ca185a26..3134953617 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/onboarding/useClaimInvite.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/onboarding/useClaimInvite.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import * as React from "react";
 import { useCommunityOnboarding } from "@/features/onboarding/communityOnboarding";
 import {
   inviteErrorMessage,
+  isInviteExhaustedError,
   isInviteExpiredError,
 } from "@/shared/api/inviteHelpers";
 import { claimInvite } from "@/shared/api/invites";
@@ -39,7 +40,9 @@ export function useClaimInvite() {
           {
             error: isInviteExpiredError(error)
               ? "This invite code has expired — ask for a new one."
-              : inviteErrorMessage(error),
+              : isInviteExhaustedError(error)
+                ? "This invite has reached its use limit. Ask for a new invite."
+                : inviteErrorMessage(error),
           },
           transaction.id,
         ),
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.test.mjs b/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.test.mjs
index bdb62aa3a2..895abfbb7d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.test.mjs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import test from "node:test";
 
 import {
   inviteErrorMessage,
+  isInviteExhaustedError,
   isInviteExpiredError,
   relayHttpFromWs,
 } from "./inviteHelpers.ts";
@@ -34,3 +35,9 @@ test("invite expiry sentinel is recognized without hiding other errors", () => {
     "network unavailable",
   );
 });
+
+test("invite exhaustion sentinel is recognized distinctly from expiry", () => {
+  assert.equal(isInviteExhaustedError(new Error("invite_exhausted")), true);
+  assert.equal(isInviteExhaustedError(new Error("invite_expired")), false);
+  assert.equal(isInviteExhaustedError(new Error("invite_invalid")), false);
+});
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.ts b/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.ts
index 11ea60cc7e..2b5efe4e94 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/api/inviteHelpers.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 export const INVITE_EXPIRED_ERROR = "invite_expired";
+export const INVITE_EXHAUSTED_ERROR = "invite_exhausted";
 
 /**
  * Parsed invite — either a full (relay + code) or bare-code form.
@@ -89,3 +90,7 @@ export function inviteErrorMessage(error: unknown): string {
 export function isInviteExpiredError(error: unknown): boolean {
   return inviteErrorMessage(error) === INVITE_EXPIRED_ERROR;
 }
+
+export function isInviteExhaustedError(error: unknown): boolean {
+  return inviteErrorMessage(error) === INVITE_EXHAUSTED_ERROR;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.test.mjs b/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.test.mjs
index 4c5b78d61e..eb3754435e 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.test.mjs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import assert from "node:assert/strict";
 import test from "node:test";
 
-import { getJoinPolicy } from "./invites.ts";
+import { getJoinPolicy, mintInvite } from "./invites.ts";
 
 function withFetch(response, run) {
   const originalFetch = globalThis.fetch;
@@ -81,3 +81,131 @@ test("getJoinPolicy maps the native command response", async () => {
     globalThis.window = previousWindow;
   }
 });
+
+// --- mintInvite serialization ---
+
+// The test-loader transpiles TS imports. tauri.ts imports `invoke` from
+// @tauri-apps/api/core, which calls `window.__TAURI_INTERNALS__.invoke`.
+// We stub that here so getRelayHttpUrl() and signRelayEvent() work in node.
+
+function setupTauriStubs(
+  httpBase,
+  authEvent = {
+    id: "x",
+    sig: "y",
+    pubkey: "z",
+    kind: 27235,
+    created_at: 1,
+    tags: [],
+  },
+) {
+  const calls = { invokeArgs: [] };
+  globalThis.window = globalThis.window ?? {};
+  globalThis.window.__TAURI_INTERNALS__ = {
+    invoke: async (command, args) => {
+      calls.invokeArgs.push({ command, args });
+      if (command === "get_relay_http_url") return httpBase;
+      if (command === "sign_event") return JSON.stringify(authEvent);
+      throw new Error(`Unexpected Tauri command: ${command}`);
+    },
+  };
+  return calls;
+}
+
+function teardownTauriStubs() {
+  delete globalThis.window.__TAURI_INTERNALS__;
+}
+
+test("mintInvite serializes bounded max_uses in the request body", async () => {
+  setupTauriStubs("https://relay.example");
+  try {
+    const originalFetch = globalThis.fetch;
+    let capturedBody;
+    globalThis.fetch = async (_url, init) => {
+      capturedBody = JSON.parse(init.body);
+      return new Response(
+        JSON.stringify({
+          code: "v2.abc123",
+          expires_at: 1785100000,
+          url: "https://relay.example/invite/v2.abc123",
+          max_uses: 10,
+          uses_remaining: 10,
+        }),
+      );
+    };
+    try {
+      const result = await mintInvite({ ttlSecs: 259200, maxUses: 10 });
+      assert.equal(capturedBody.ttl_secs, 259200);
+      assert.equal(capturedBody.max_uses, 10);
+      assert.equal(result.code, "v2.abc123");
+      assert.equal(result.maxUses, 10);
+      assert.equal(result.usesRemaining, 10);
+      assert.equal(result.expiresAt, 1785100000);
+      assert.equal(result.url, "https://relay.example/invite/v2.abc123");
+    } finally {
+      globalThis.fetch = originalFetch;
+    }
+  } finally {
+    teardownTauriStubs();
+  }
+});
+
+test("mintInvite omits max_uses when null (unlimited)", async () => {
+  setupTauriStubs("https://relay.example");
+  try {
+    const originalFetch = globalThis.fetch;
+    let capturedBody;
+    globalThis.fetch = async (_url, init) => {
+      capturedBody = JSON.parse(init.body);
+      return new Response(
+        JSON.stringify({
+          code: "v2.abc123",
+          expires_at: 1785100000,
+          url: "https://relay.example/invite/v2.abc123",
+          max_uses: null,
+          uses_remaining: null,
+        }),
+      );
+    };
+    try {
+      const result = await mintInvite({ ttlSecs: 259200, maxUses: null });
+      assert.equal(capturedBody.ttl_secs, 259200);
+      assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(capturedBody, "max_uses"), false);
+      assert.equal(result.maxUses, null);
+      assert.equal(result.usesRemaining, null);
+    } finally {
+      globalThis.fetch = originalFetch;
+    }
+  } finally {
+    teardownTauriStubs();
+  }
+});
+
+test("mintInvite omits max_uses when not provided (unlimited default)", async () => {
+  setupTauriStubs("https://relay.example");
+  try {
+    const originalFetch = globalThis.fetch;
+    let capturedBody;
+    globalThis.fetch = async (_url, init) => {
+      capturedBody = JSON.parse(init.body);
+      return new Response(
+        JSON.stringify({
+          code: "v2.abc123",
+          expires_at: 1785100000,
+          url: "https://relay.example/invite/v2.abc123",
+          max_uses: null,
+          uses_remaining: null,
+        }),
+      );
+    };
+    try {
+      await mintInvite({ ttlSecs: 86400 });
+      assert.equal(capturedBody.ttl_secs, 86400);
+      assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(capturedBody, "max_uses"), false);
+    } finally {
+      globalThis.fetch = originalFetch;
+    }
+  } finally {
+    teardownTauriStubs();
+  }
+});
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.ts b/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.ts
index e3d60cfb15..d0a3c2ed2c 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/api/invites.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ export type MintedInvite = {
   code: string;
   expiresAt: number;
   url: string;
+  maxUses: number | null;
+  usesRemaining: number | null;
 };
 
 export type JoinPolicy = {
@@ -189,15 +191,29 @@ export async function acceptJoinPolicy(
 }
 
 /** Mint an invite code on the active community's relay (owner/admin only). */
-export async function mintInvite(ttlSecs?: number): Promise<MintedInvite> {
+export async function mintInvite(options?: {
+  ttlSecs?: number;
+  maxUses?: number | null;
+}): Promise<MintedInvite> {
   const base = await getRelayHttpUrl();
-  const body = JSON.stringify(ttlSecs ? { ttl_secs: ttlSecs } : {});
+  const payload: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+  if (options?.ttlSecs != null) payload.ttl_secs = options.ttlSecs;
+  if (options?.maxUses != null) payload.max_uses = options.maxUses;
+  const body = JSON.stringify(payload);
   const raw = await invitePost<{
     code: string;
     expires_at: number;
     url: string;
+    max_uses: number | null;
+    uses_remaining: number | null;
   }>(base, "/api/invites", body);
-  return { code: raw.code, expiresAt: raw.expires_at, url: raw.url };
+  return {
+    code: raw.code,
+    expiresAt: raw.expires_at,
+    url: raw.url,
+    maxUses: raw.max_uses,
+    usesRemaining: raw.uses_remaining,
+  };
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/migrations/0025_relay_invites.sql b/migrations/0025_relay_invites.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..618c0c84d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/0025_relay_invites.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+-- Use-limited invite links: durable invite records for atomic redemption.
+--
+-- Stateless HMAC bearer tokens (v1) cannot enforce use limits: their signed
+-- payload is immutable and no invite row exists to record consumption. This
+-- migration introduces a durable `relay_invites` table that stores only the
+-- SHA-256 hash of an opaque v2 code, never the reusable bearer secret itself.
+--
+-- Every lookup binds both (community_id, token_hash) so a code presented on
+-- the wrong tenant host returns Invalid — there is no cross-tenant lookup by
+-- hash alone. `FOR UPDATE` during claim serializes concurrent claims for one
+-- invite across relay processes; membership insertion, join-policy evidence,
+-- and use_count increment share a single commit so exactly one claimant can
+-- win the final slot.
+--
+-- max_uses is optional: NULL means unlimited (preserving current behavior).
+-- use_count is always incremented for new members, even when unlimited, for
+-- observability. role is pinned to 'member' — invite links never grant admin.
+CREATE TABLE relay_invites (
+    community_id  UUID        NOT NULL REFERENCES communities(id),
+    id           UUID        NOT NULL DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+    token_hash   BYTEA       NOT NULL CHECK (length(token_hash) = 32),
+    role         TEXT        NOT NULL DEFAULT 'member' CHECK (role = 'member'),
+    max_uses     INTEGER     CHECK (max_uses BETWEEN 1 AND 10000),
+    use_count    INTEGER     NOT NULL DEFAULT 0 CHECK (use_count >= 0),
+    expires_at   TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL,
+    created_by   TEXT        NOT NULL,
+    created_at   TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+    PRIMARY KEY (community_id, id),
+    UNIQUE (community_id, token_hash),
+    CHECK (max_uses IS NULL OR use_count <= max_uses)
+);
+
+CREATE INDEX relay_invites_expires_at_idx ON relay_invites (expires_at);
diff --git a/mobile/lib/features/invites/invite_join_provider.dart b/mobile/lib/features/invites/invite_join_provider.dart
index 0e5547aca5..b1d2680c93 100644
--- a/mobile/lib/features/invites/invite_join_provider.dart
+++ b/mobile/lib/features/invites/invite_join_provider.dart
@@ -261,12 +261,17 @@ String _communityNameFromClaim(Map<String, dynamic> claim, String relayUrl) {
 }
 
 bool _requiresFreshInvite(Object error) {
-  return error.toString().contains('join_policy_required');
+  final message = error.toString();
+  return message.contains('join_policy_required') ||
+      message.contains('invite_exhausted');
 }
 
 String _friendlyInviteError(Object error) {
   final message = error.toString();
   if (message.contains('invite_expired')) return 'This invite has expired.';
+  if (message.contains('invite_exhausted')) {
+    return 'This invite has reached its use limit. Ask for a new invite.';
+  }
   if (message.contains('invite_invalid')) return 'This invite is not valid.';
   if (message.contains('join_policy_required')) {
     return 'This invite approval has expired. Re-open the invite link to try again.';
diff --git a/mobile/test/features/invites/invite_join_provider_test.dart b/mobile/test/features/invites/invite_join_provider_test.dart
index e02134bb5f..d3a2532388 100644
--- a/mobile/test/features/invites/invite_join_provider_test.dart
+++ b/mobile/test/features/invites/invite_join_provider_test.dart
@@ -218,6 +218,49 @@ void main() {
     expect(attempts, 1);
   });
 
+  test('invite_exhausted requires a fresh invite and cannot retry', () async {
+    final keys = nostr.Keys.generate();
+    var attempts = 0;
+    final storage = CommunityStorage(secure: FakeSecureStorage());
+    final container = ProviderContainer(
+      overrides: [
+        communityStorageProvider.overrideWithValue(storage),
+        inviteKeyGeneratorProvider.overrideWithValue(() => keys),
+        inviteJoinHttpClientProvider.overrideWithValue(
+          http_testing.MockClient((request) async {
+            attempts++;
+            return http.Response(
+              jsonEncode({'error': 'invite_exhausted'}),
+              403,
+            );
+          }),
+        ),
+      ],
+    );
+    addTearDown(container.dispose);
+
+    await container
+        .read(inviteJoinProvider.notifier)
+        .prepare(
+          const InviteDeepLink(
+            relayUrl: 'wss://relay.example.com',
+            code: 'v2.exhausted-secret',
+          ),
+        );
+    await container.read(inviteJoinProvider.notifier).confirmJoin();
+
+    final state = container.read(inviteJoinProvider);
+    expect(state.status, InviteJoinStatus.error);
+    expect(state.requiresFreshInvite, isTrue);
+    expect(
+      state.errorMessage,
+      'This invite has reached its use limit. Ask for a new invite.',
+    );
+
+    await container.read(inviteJoinProvider.notifier).confirmJoin();
+    expect(attempts, 1);
+  });
+
   test('failed claim can be retried and preserves policy receipt', () async {
     final keys = nostr.Keys.generate();
     var attempts = 0;
diff --git a/schema/schema.sql b/schema/schema.sql
index 1fd13941be..f5f32cc3e3 100644
--- a/schema/schema.sql
+++ b/schema/schema.sql
@@ -572,6 +572,43 @@ CREATE TABLE relay_members (
 
 CREATE INDEX idx_relay_members_role ON relay_members (community_id, role);
 
+-- ── Join policy acceptances ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+-- Durable evidence of the policy version accepted when an invite claim grants
+-- relay membership. The composite foreign key keeps evidence bound to a live
+-- member in the same community and removes it with that membership.
+
+CREATE TABLE join_policy_acceptances (
+    community_id UUID NOT NULL,
+    pubkey TEXT NOT NULL,
+    policy_version TEXT NOT NULL CHECK (length(policy_version) = 64),
+    accepted_at TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+    PRIMARY KEY (community_id, pubkey, policy_version),
+    FOREIGN KEY (community_id, pubkey)
+        REFERENCES relay_members (community_id, pubkey) ON DELETE CASCADE
+);
+
+-- ── Relay invites (use-limited invite links) ──────────────────────────────────
+-- Conformance: durable invite records for atomic redemption, community-scoped.
+-- Stores only SHA-256(code) as 32-byte BYTEA; never the reusable bearer code.
+-- PK and UNIQUE both lead with community_id. max_uses NULL = unlimited.
+
+CREATE TABLE relay_invites (
+    community_id  UUID        NOT NULL REFERENCES communities(id),
+    id           UUID        NOT NULL DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+    token_hash   BYTEA       NOT NULL CHECK (length(token_hash) = 32),
+    role         TEXT        NOT NULL DEFAULT 'member' CHECK (role = 'member'),
+    max_uses     INTEGER     CHECK (max_uses BETWEEN 1 AND 10000),
+    use_count    INTEGER     NOT NULL DEFAULT 0 CHECK (use_count >= 0),
+    expires_at   TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL,
+    created_by   TEXT        NOT NULL,
+    created_at   TIMESTAMPTZ NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+    PRIMARY KEY (community_id, id),
+    UNIQUE (community_id, token_hash),
+    CHECK (max_uses IS NULL OR use_count <= max_uses)
+);
+
+CREATE INDEX relay_invites_expires_at_idx ON relay_invites (expires_at);
+
 -- ── Archived identities (NIP-IA) ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 -- Conformance: archive cannot hide a key in another community. PK scoped.
 
diff --git a/web/src/features/invite/ui/InvitePage.tsx b/web/src/features/invite/ui/InvitePage.tsx
index 6de8d03875..0033e6cad5 100644
--- a/web/src/features/invite/ui/InvitePage.tsx
+++ b/web/src/features/invite/ui/InvitePage.tsx
@@ -24,6 +24,20 @@ type JoinPolicy = {
 
 type PolicyDocument = { title: string; markdown: string };
 
+/** Convert relay invite sentinels into user-facing recovery guidance. */
+function inviteClaimErrorMessage(message: string): string {
+  if (message.includes("invite_exhausted")) {
+    return "This invite has reached its use limit. Ask for a new invite.";
+  }
+  if (message.includes("invite_expired")) {
+    return "This invite has expired. Ask for a new invite.";
+  }
+  if (message.includes("invite_invalid")) {
+    return "This invite is invalid. Check the link or ask for a new invite.";
+  }
+  return message;
+}
+
 /** Landing page for a community invite link (`/invite/<code>`). */
 export function InvitePage({ code }: { code: string }) {
   const relay = relayWsUrl();
@@ -110,9 +124,9 @@ export function InvitePage({ code }: { code: string }) {
       await claimInviteInBrowser(code, receipt);
       window.location.assign("/");
     } catch (error) {
-      setBrowserJoinError(
-        error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Could not claim this invite.",
-      );
+      const message =
+        error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Could not claim this invite.";
+      setBrowserJoinError(inviteClaimErrorMessage(message));
     } finally {
       setJoiningBrowser(false);
     }