From e4cce9a004e21cc70533e3860e58a407300c6426 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Stan Grams <sjg@haxx.space>
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:37:59 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 1/3] Add Users settings tab

---
 .../trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js | 15 ++++++++++++---
 .../trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html       |  8 +++++---
 .../trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts         | 15 ++++++++++++---
 .../frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs                 | 12 ++++++++++++
 4 files changed, 41 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
index 7d18b688..57d39d74 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
@@ -6051,9 +6051,18 @@ function initSettingsUI() {
 }
 async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const section = document.getElementById("user-management");
-  if (!section) return;
-  section.style.display = authEnabled && authRole === "admin" ? "block" : "none";
-  if (section.style.display === "none") return;
+  const tab = document.getElementById("settings-users-tab");
+  if (!section || !tab) return;
+  const canManageUsers = authEnabled && authRole === "admin";
+  tab.style.display = canManageUsers ? "" : "none";
+  if (!canManageUsers) {
+    const panel = document.getElementById("subtab-settings-users");
+    if (panel) panel.style.display = "none";
+    if (tab.classList.contains("active")) {
+      document.querySelector('[data-subtab="settings-scheduler"]')?.click();
+    }
+    return;
+  }
   const list = requiredElement("user-list");
   try {
     const users = await listUsers();
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html
index a1cc9fb9..985da4ae 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html
@@ -1461,6 +1461,7 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
         <button class="sub-tab" data-subtab="settings-background-decode">Background Decode</button>
         <button class="sub-tab" data-subtab="settings-bandplan">Bandplan</button>
         <button class="sub-tab" data-subtab="settings-history">History</button>
+        <button id="settings-users-tab" class="sub-tab" data-subtab="settings-users" style="display:none;">Users</button>
       </div>
       <div id="subtab-settings-scheduler" class="sub-tab-panel">
         <div id="scheduler-panel" class="sch-panel">
@@ -1750,8 +1751,8 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
-      <section id="user-management" style="display:none; margin-top:1rem;">
-        <h2 class="section-heading">User management</h2>
+      <div id="subtab-settings-users" class="sub-tab-panel" style="display:none;">
+        <div id="user-management">
         <div class="settings-card">
           <form id="user-create-form" class="sch-row" style="flex-wrap:wrap; gap:.5rem;">
             <input id="user-create-username" class="auth-input" placeholder="Username" autocomplete="off" required />
@@ -1762,7 +1763,8 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
           <div id="user-management-error" class="auth-error" style="display:none;"></div>
           <div id="user-list" style="margin-top:.75rem;"></div>
         </div>
-      </section>
+        </div>
+      </div>
     </div>
     <div id="tab-about" class="tab-panel" style="display:none;">
       <h2 class="section-heading">About</h2>
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
index 1e93420e..f9ee773f 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
@@ -5055,9 +5055,18 @@ function initSettingsUI() {
 
 async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const section = document.getElementById("user-management");
-  if (!section) return;
-  section.style.display = authEnabled && authRole === "admin" ? "block" : "none";
-  if (section.style.display === "none") return;
+  const tab = document.getElementById("settings-users-tab");
+  if (!section || !tab) return;
+  const canManageUsers = authEnabled && authRole === "admin";
+  tab.style.display = canManageUsers ? "" : "none";
+  if (!canManageUsers) {
+    const panel = document.getElementById("subtab-settings-users");
+    if (panel) panel.style.display = "none";
+    if (tab.classList.contains("active")) {
+      document.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-subtab="settings-scheduler"]')?.click();
+    }
+    return;
+  }
   const list = requiredElement("user-list");
   try {
     const users = await listUsers();
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs
index 6370d8c7..374b9ff8 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises";
 const indexPath = new URL("../../assets/web/index.html", import.meta.url);
 const pluginLoaderPath = new URL("../src/plugin-loader.ts", import.meta.url);
 const mapCorePath = new URL("../src/map-core.ts", import.meta.url);
+const appPath = new URL("../src/app.ts", import.meta.url);
 
 test("index loads one first-party application bootstrap", async () => {
   const html = await readFile(indexPath, "utf8");
@@ -30,6 +31,17 @@ test("startup has no remote script or stylesheet dependencies", async () => {
   );
 });
 
+test("administrator user management is a dedicated Settings sub-tab", async () => {
+  const [html, app] = await Promise.all([
+    readFile(indexPath, "utf8"),
+    readFile(appPath, "utf8"),
+  ]);
+  assert.match(html, /data-subtab="settings-users"/);
+  assert.match(html, /id="subtab-settings-users" class="sub-tab-panel"/);
+  assert.match(app, /authEnabled && authRole === "admin"/);
+  assert.match(app, /settings-users-tab/);
+});
+
 test("lazy frontend features use modules and local map symbols", async () => {
   const [loader, map] = await Promise.all([
     readFile(pluginLoaderPath, "utf8"),
-- 
2.55.0


From 36c1e56efa543985b29d190649cc6c8aad4f558c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Stan Grams <sjg@haxx.space>
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:39:25 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 2/3] Protect the final administrator

---
 .../assets/web/generated/app.js               |  7 +++++-
 .../trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts     |  7 +++++-
 .../trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs             | 22 ++++++++++++++++++-
 3 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
index 57d39d74..c364e394 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
@@ -6066,6 +6066,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const list = requiredElement("user-list");
   try {
     const users = await listUsers();
+    const adminCount = users.filter((user) => user.role === "admin").length;
     list.replaceChildren(...users.map((user) => {
       const row = document.createElement("div");
       row.className = "sch-row";
@@ -6082,6 +6083,9 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
         option.selected = user.role === value;
         role.append(option);
       }
+      const isOnlyAdmin = user.role === "admin" && adminCount === 1;
+      role.disabled = isOnlyAdmin;
+      if (isOnlyAdmin) role.title = "The final administrator cannot be demoted";
       const password = document.createElement("input");
       password.type = "password";
       password.placeholder = "New password";
@@ -6100,7 +6104,8 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
       remove.type = "button";
       remove.textContent = "Remove";
       remove.className = "danger";
-      remove.disabled = user.username === authUsername;
+      remove.disabled = user.username === authUsername || isOnlyAdmin;
+      if (isOnlyAdmin) remove.title = "The final administrator cannot be removed";
       remove.addEventListener("click", async () => {
         if (await window.trxUi.confirm({ title: "Remove user?", message: `Remove ${user.username} and revoke their sessions?`, confirmLabel: "Remove", danger: true })) {
           await runUserOperation(() => deleteUser(user.username));
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
index f9ee773f..44418eed 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
@@ -5070,6 +5070,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const list = requiredElement("user-list");
   try {
     const users = await listUsers();
+    const adminCount = users.filter(user => user.role === "admin").length;
     list.replaceChildren(...users.map((user) => {
       const row = document.createElement("div");
       row.className = "sch-row";
@@ -5082,6 +5083,9 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
       for (const value of ["user", "admin"] as AuthRole[]) {
         const option = document.createElement("option"); option.value = value; option.textContent = value === "admin" ? "Admin" : "User"; option.selected = user.role === value; role.append(option);
       }
+      const isOnlyAdmin = user.role === "admin" && adminCount === 1;
+      role.disabled = isOnlyAdmin;
+      if (isOnlyAdmin) role.title = "The final administrator cannot be demoted";
       const password = document.createElement("input");
       password.type = "password"; password.placeholder = "New password"; password.autocomplete = "new-password"; password.className = "auth-input"; password.minLength = 8;
       const save = document.createElement("button"); save.type = "button"; save.textContent = "Save";
@@ -5091,7 +5095,8 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
         await runUserOperation(() => updateUser(user.username, changes));
       });
       const remove = document.createElement("button"); remove.type = "button"; remove.textContent = "Remove"; remove.className = "danger";
-      remove.disabled = user.username === authUsername;
+      remove.disabled = user.username === authUsername || isOnlyAdmin;
+      if (isOnlyAdmin) remove.title = "The final administrator cannot be removed";
       remove.addEventListener("click", async () => {
         if (await window.trxUi.confirm({ title: "Remove user?", message: `Remove ${user.username} and revoke their sessions?`, confirmLabel: "Remove", danger: true })) {
           await runUserOperation(() => deleteUser(user.username));
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs
index 0172cc42..b9215815 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs
@@ -1201,11 +1201,31 @@ mod tests {
         );
         let request = aw_test::TestRequest::delete()
             .uri("/auth/users/alice")
-            .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie))
+            .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie.clone()))
             .to_request();
         assert_eq!(
             aw_test::call_service(&app, request).await.status(),
             actix_web::http::StatusCode::OK
         );
+
+        // Once only one administrator remains, neither API operation may
+        // leave the database without an administrator.
+        let request = aw_test::TestRequest::patch()
+            .uri("/auth/users/admin")
+            .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie.clone()))
+            .set_json(serde_json::json!({"role":"user"}))
+            .to_request();
+        assert_eq!(
+            aw_test::call_service(&app, request).await.status(),
+            actix_web::http::StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST
+        );
+        let request = aw_test::TestRequest::delete()
+            .uri("/auth/users/admin")
+            .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie))
+            .to_request();
+        assert_eq!(
+            aw_test::call_service(&app, request).await.status(),
+            actix_web::http::StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST
+        );
     }
 }
-- 
2.55.0


From 34507ffa17987c75e9ef4c41d2d8d6d8e3646ae5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Stan Grams <sjg@haxx.space>
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 01:06:57 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Add composable HTTP access roles

---
 docs/Architecture.md                          |   2 +-
 docs/UX_Guidelines.md                         |   8 +-
 docs/User-Manual.md                           |  37 +-
 src/trx-client/src/main.rs                    |   6 +
 src/trx-client/trx-frontend/src/lib.rs        |   6 +
 .../assets/web/generated/app.js               | 128 ++++--
 .../assets/web/generated/background-decode.js |   2 +-
 .../assets/web/generated/bookmarks.js         |   2 +-
 .../assets/web/generated/logbook.js           |  23 +-
 .../assets/web/generated/scheduler.js         |   4 +-
 .../trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html   |   7 +-
 .../trx-frontend-http/assets/web/style.css    |   2 +
 .../frontend/src/api/auth.ts                  |  29 +-
 .../trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts     | 107 +++--
 .../frontend/src/plugins/background-decode.ts |   4 +-
 .../frontend/src/plugins/bookmarks.ts         |   4 +-
 .../frontend/src/plugins/host.ts              |   1 +
 .../frontend/src/plugins/logbook.ts           |  26 +-
 .../frontend/src/plugins/scheduler.ts         |   4 +-
 .../frontend/tests/background-decode.test.mjs |   2 +-
 .../frontend/tests/bookmarks.test.mjs         |   8 +-
 .../frontend/tests/host-fixture.mjs           |   3 +-
 .../frontend/tests/scheduler.test.mjs         |   2 +-
 .../frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs             |   2 +-
 .../frontend/tests/web-fixture.mjs            |   2 +-
 .../trx-frontend-http/src/api/bookmarks.rs    |  12 +-
 .../trx-frontend-http/src/api/logbook.rs      |  10 +-
 .../trx-frontend-http/src/api/mod.rs          |  71 ++-
 .../trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs             | 413 +++++++++++++-----
 .../trx-frontend-http/src/server.rs           |   3 +
 src/trx-config/src/client.rs                  |  45 ++
 trx-rs.toml.example                           |   3 +
 32 files changed, 710 insertions(+), 268 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/Architecture.md b/docs/Architecture.md
index 920332c8..2fc29f6f 100644
--- a/docs/Architecture.md
+++ b/docs/Architecture.md
@@ -1043,7 +1043,7 @@ The `FrontendRuntimeContext` struct in `trx-frontend/src/lib.rs` is decomposed i
 |-----------|---------|------------|
 | `AudioContext` | Audio streaming channels | `rx`, `tx`, `info`, `decode_rx`, `clients` |
 | `DecodeHistoryContext` | Decode history for all types | `ais`, `vdes`, `aprs`, `hf_aprs`, `cw`, `ft8`, `ft4`, `ft2`, `wspr` |
-| `HttpAuthConfig` | HTTP auth settings | `enabled`, `users_file`, bootstrap admin, `session_ttl_secs`, `tokens` |
+| `HttpAuthConfig` | HTTP auth settings | `enabled`, `users_file`, bootstrap admin/read accounts, `session_ttl_secs`, `tokens` |
 | `HttpUiConfig` | HTTP UI display config | `show_sdr_gain_control`, `initial_map_zoom`, `spectrum_*` |
 | `RigRoutingContext` | Remote rig state & routing | `active_rig_id`, `remote_rigs`, `rig_states`, `server_connected` |
 | `OwnerInfo` | Station metadata | `callsign`, `website_url`, `ais_vessel_url_base` |
diff --git a/docs/UX_Guidelines.md b/docs/UX_Guidelines.md
index 5b3c8396..724b6eee 100644
--- a/docs/UX_Guidelines.md
+++ b/docs/UX_Guidelines.md
@@ -126,7 +126,8 @@ When auth is enabled, an **auth gate** blocks the UI with:
 - Error message area (red `#ff6b6b`)
 - Role badge display
 
-Two roles: **User** (read-only) and **Admin** (full access including user management).
+Accounts may combine **Read**, **Control**, **Write**, and **Administrator** roles.
+Administrator implies all permissions.
 
 Session cookie: `trx_http_sid`, HttpOnly, configurable Secure and SameSite attributes.
 
@@ -340,8 +341,9 @@ Routes are classified into three tiers:
 | Tier | Examples | Requirement |
 |---|---|---|
 | **Public** | `/`, `/index.html`, `/map`, login/session endpoints, static assets | None |
-| **Read** | `/status`, `/events`, `/audio`, `/decode`, `/spectrum`, `/bookmarks` | User or Admin role |
-| **Control** | `/set_freq`, `/set_mode`, `/set_ptt`, `/toggle_power`, all other POST | Admin role only |
+| **Read** | `/status`, `/events`, `/audio`, `/decode`, `/spectrum`, `/bookmarks` | Read, Control, or Administrator role |
+| **Control** | `/set_freq`, `/set_mode`, `/set_ptt`, `/toggle_power`, radio-control POST routes | Control or Administrator role |
+| **Write** | Logbook access and bookmark mutations | Write or Administrator role |
 
 ### 7.2 Session Management
 
diff --git a/docs/User-Manual.md b/docs/User-Manual.md
index bc2bd327..ffc9a076 100644
--- a/docs/User-Manual.md
+++ b/docs/User-Manual.md
@@ -354,6 +354,9 @@ A name in any of those maps that no remote answers to is a config error.
 | `bootstrap_admin_username` | string | — | First administrator, used only if the database is absent |
 | `bootstrap_admin_password` | string | — | First administrator password |
 | `bootstrap_admin_password_file` | string | — | Read the bootstrap password from this file instead |
+| `bootstrap_read_enabled` | bool | `true` | Create the default read-only account when the database is absent |
+| `bootstrap_read_username` | string | `"guest"` | Initial read-only username |
+| `bootstrap_read_password` | string | `"guest"` | Initial read-only password |
 | `session_ttl_min` | u64 | `480` | Session lifetime |
 | `cookie_secure` | bool | `false` | Set Secure on the session cookie (needs HTTPS) |
 | `cookie_same_site` | string | `"Lax"` | `Strict`, `Lax`, or `None` |
@@ -577,7 +580,7 @@ The link button in the top bar copies the current link to the clipboard. The
 address bar itself is updated as you tune, using `replaceState`, so sweeping
 the dial does not fill the browser's history.
 
-Applying a link changes the radio, so it needs the `admin` role; a `user`
+Applying a link changes the radio, so it needs the `Control` role; a `Read`
 session opens the page and says the link was not applied. Links describe the
 rig's own dial — while a tab is listening to a virtual channel the address is
 left as it was, rather than publishing a frequency the rig is not on.
@@ -586,11 +589,13 @@ left as it was, rather than publishing a frequency the rig is not on.
 
 ## Authentication
 
-The HTTP frontend supports an optional user/password ACL with multiple accounts and two
-roles:
+The HTTP frontend supports an optional user/password ACL with multiple independent
+roles. One account may have any combination:
 
-- **user** — read-only access (monitoring, audio, decode streams)
-- **admin** — full radio control, settings, and user management
+- **Read** — monitoring, audio, decode streams, and bookmark reads
+- **Control** — full radio receive/transmit controls
+- **Write** — logbook access and bookmark changes
+- **Administrator** — user management and all other permissions
 
 ### Configuration
 
@@ -600,6 +605,9 @@ enabled = false
 users_file = "trx-http-users.json"
 bootstrap_admin_username = "admin"
 bootstrap_admin_password = "change-this-password"
+bootstrap_read_enabled = true
+bootstrap_read_username = "guest"
+bootstrap_read_password = "guest"
 session_ttl_min = 480
 cookie_secure = false      # true if served via HTTPS
 cookie_same_site = "Lax"   # Strict|Lax|None
@@ -607,7 +615,9 @@ cookie_same_site = "Lax"   # Strict|Lax|None
 
 When `enabled = false` (the default), all auth is bypassed and the UI behaves
 as before. When enabling it for the first time, bootstrap credentials create
-the initial administrator and the Argon2id-hashed user database.
+the initial administrator (with every role), the default `guest`/`guest` Read
+account, and the Argon2id-hashed user database. Change or disable the guest
+credentials in configuration before first startup on an exposed deployment.
 
 ### Behaviour
 
@@ -615,8 +625,9 @@ the initial administrator and the Argon2id-hashed user database.
 - Sessions are in-memory; a server restart invalidates all sessions.
 - Rate limiting is applied per IP to mitigate brute-force attempts.
 - User records persist in `users_file`; passwords are stored as salted Argon2id hashes.
-- `user` sessions cannot call control routes. There is no guest-access mode.
-- Administrators can add/remove users and change roles/passwords in Settings.
+- Roles are independent; for example, an account may have Read and Write without Control.
+- Administrators can add/remove users and change roles/passwords in Settings > Users.
+- At least one administrator must always remain and cannot be removed or demoted.
 - Removing an account or changing its password/role revokes its sessions.
 
 ### Routes
@@ -625,19 +636,19 @@ the initial administrator and the Argon2id-hashed user database.
 |----------|--------|-------------|
 | `/auth/login` | POST | Submit `{ "username": "...", "password": "..." }` |
 | `/auth/logout` | POST | Clear session |
-| `/auth/session` | GET | Check current session/role |
+| `/auth/session` | GET | Check current session/roles |
 | `/auth/users` | GET/POST | List or add users (admin only) |
-| `/auth/users/{username}` | PATCH/DELETE | Change password/role or remove user (admin only) |
+| `/auth/users/{username}` | PATCH/DELETE | Change password/roles or remove user (administrator only) |
 
-Protected routes require at least `user` role. Control routes (set frequency,
-mode, PTT, etc.) require `admin` role.
+Read routes require Read. Radio mutations require Control. Logbook access and
+bookmark mutations require Write. Administrator grants every permission.
 
 ### Frontend Flow
 
 1. On load, the UI calls `/auth/session`.
 2. If unauthenticated, a login screen is shown.
 3. On successful login, the normal UI loads.
-4. `user` accounts see a read-only interface; admins get full controls.
+4. The interface enables controls according to the account's roles.
 5. If a session expires mid-use, streams stop and the login screen returns.
 
 ### Transport Security
diff --git a/src/trx-client/src/main.rs b/src/trx-client/src/main.rs
index 98632697..244dad46 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/src/main.rs
@@ -257,6 +257,12 @@ async fn async_init() -> DynResult<AppState> {
         cfg.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_admin_username.clone();
     frontend_runtime.http_auth.bootstrap_admin_password =
         cfg.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_admin_password.clone();
+    frontend_runtime.http_auth.bootstrap_read_enabled =
+        cfg.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_enabled;
+    frontend_runtime.http_auth.bootstrap_read_username =
+        cfg.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_username.clone();
+    frontend_runtime.http_auth.bootstrap_read_password =
+        cfg.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_password.clone();
     frontend_runtime.http_auth.session_ttl_secs = cfg.frontends.http.auth.session_ttl().as_secs();
     frontend_runtime.http_auth.cookie_secure = cfg.frontends.http.auth.cookie_secure;
     frontend_runtime.http_auth.cookie_same_site = match cfg.frontends.http.auth.cookie_same_site {
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/src/lib.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/src/lib.rs
index ae5d81a6..99f6bd37 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/src/lib.rs
@@ -260,6 +260,9 @@ pub struct HttpAuthConfig {
     pub users_file: String,
     pub bootstrap_admin_username: Option<String>,
     pub bootstrap_admin_password: Option<String>,
+    pub bootstrap_read_enabled: bool,
+    pub bootstrap_read_username: String,
+    pub bootstrap_read_password: Option<String>,
     pub session_ttl_secs: u64,
     pub cookie_secure: bool,
     pub cookie_same_site: String,
@@ -274,6 +277,9 @@ impl Default for HttpAuthConfig {
             users_file: "trx-http-users.json".to_string(),
             bootstrap_admin_username: None,
             bootstrap_admin_password: None,
+            bootstrap_read_enabled: true,
+            bootstrap_read_username: "guest".to_string(),
+            bootstrap_read_password: Some("guest".to_string()),
             session_ttl_secs: 480 * 60,
             cookie_secure: false,
             cookie_same_site: "Lax".to_string(),
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
index c364e394..68cc3be9 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/app.js
@@ -1323,14 +1323,13 @@ function decodeAuthSession(value) {
   if (typeof session.authenticated !== "boolean") {
     throw new TypeError("The authentication response has no authenticated flag");
   }
-  if (session.role !== void 0 && session.role !== "user" && session.role !== "admin") {
-    throw new TypeError("The authentication response has an invalid role");
+  if (!Array.isArray(session.roles) || !session.roles.every((role) => role === "read" || role === "control" || role === "write" || role === "administrator")) {
+    throw new TypeError("The authentication response has invalid roles");
   }
   if (session.auth_disabled !== void 0 && typeof session.auth_disabled !== "boolean") {
     throw new TypeError("The authentication response has an invalid auth_disabled flag");
   }
-  const decoded = { authenticated: session.authenticated };
-  if (session.role !== void 0) decoded.role = session.role;
+  const decoded = { authenticated: session.authenticated, roles: session.roles };
   if (session.username !== void 0) {
     if (typeof session.username !== "string") throw new TypeError("The authentication response has an invalid username");
     decoded.username = session.username;
@@ -1340,18 +1339,18 @@ function decodeAuthSession(value) {
 }
 var authDisabledSession = {
   authenticated: true,
-  role: "admin",
+  roles: ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"],
   auth_disabled: true
 };
 async function fetchAuthSession() {
   try {
     const response = await fetch("/auth/session");
     if (response.status === 404) return authDisabledSession;
-    if (!response.ok) return { authenticated: false };
+    if (!response.ok) return { authenticated: false, roles: [] };
     return decodeAuthSession(await response.json());
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Auth check failed:", error);
-    return { authenticated: false };
+    return { authenticated: false, roles: [] };
   }
 }
 async function login(username, password) {
@@ -1380,14 +1379,14 @@ async function listUsers() {
   if (!Array.isArray(value) || !value.every((user) => {
     if (typeof user !== "object" || user === null) return false;
     const record = user;
-    return typeof record.username === "string" && (record.role === "user" || record.role === "admin");
+    return typeof record.username === "string" && Array.isArray(record.roles) && record.roles.every((role) => role === "read" || role === "control" || role === "write" || role === "administrator");
   })) {
     throw new TypeError("The user list response is malformed");
   }
   return value;
 }
-async function createUser(username, password, role) {
-  await userRequest("/auth/users", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ username, password, role }) });
+async function createUser(username, password, roles) {
+  await userRequest("/auth/users", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ username, password, roles }) });
 }
 async function updateUser(username, changes) {
   await userRequest(`/auth/users/${encodeURIComponent(username)}`, { method: "PATCH", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify(changes) });
@@ -1895,8 +1894,23 @@ function isVchanRdsEntry(value) {
 }
 void loadDecoderRegistry(refreshOperatorLayoutCapabilities);
 var authRole = null;
+var authRoles = [];
 var authUsername = null;
 var authEnabled = true;
+var ALL_AUTH_ROLES = ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"];
+var AUTH_ROLE_LABELS = {
+  read: "Read",
+  control: "Control",
+  write: "Write",
+  administrator: "Administrator"
+};
+function setAuthRoles(roles) {
+  authRoles = [...new Set(roles)];
+  authRole = ["administrator", "control", "write", "read"].find((role) => authRoles.includes(role)) ?? null;
+}
+function hasAuthRole(role) {
+  return authRoles.includes("administrator") || authRoles.includes(role);
+}
 async function checkAuthStatus() {
   return fetchAuthSession();
 }
@@ -1906,7 +1920,7 @@ async function authLogin(username, password) {
 async function authLogout() {
   try {
     await logout();
-    authRole = null;
+    setAuthRoles([]);
     authUsername = null;
     disconnect();
     setDecodeHistoryOverlayVisible(false);
@@ -1978,9 +1992,9 @@ function updateAuthUI() {
     syncTopBarAccess();
     return;
   }
-  if (authRole) {
+  if (authRoles.length > 0) {
     if (badge) badge.style.display = "block";
-    if (badgeRole) badgeRole.textContent = `${authUsername || "local"} — ${authRole === "admin" ? "Admin" : "User (read-only)"}`;
+    if (badgeRole) badgeRole.textContent = `${authUsername || "local"} — ${authRoles.map((role) => AUTH_ROLE_LABELS[role]).join(", ")}`;
     if (headerAuthBtn2) {
       headerAuthBtn2.textContent = "Logout";
       headerAuthBtn2.style.display = "block";
@@ -1995,8 +2009,8 @@ function updateAuthUI() {
   syncTopBarAccess();
 }
 function applyAuthRestrictions() {
-  if (!authRole) return;
-  if (authRole === "user") {
+  if (authRoles.length === 0) return;
+  if (!hasAuthRole("control")) {
     const pttBtn2 = document.getElementById("ptt-btn");
     const powerBtn2 = document.getElementById("power-btn");
     const lockBtn2 = document.getElementById("lock-btn");
@@ -2286,20 +2300,21 @@ window.applyDecodeHistoryRetention = function() {
   }
 };
 function syncTopBarAccess() {
-  const loggedOut = authEnabled && !authRole;
+  const loggedOut = authEnabled && authRoles.length === 0;
   const tabBar = document.getElementById("tab-bar");
   const rigSwitch = document.querySelector(".header-rig-switch");
   if (tabBar) tabBar.style.display = "";
   document.querySelectorAll(".tab-bar .tab").forEach((btn) => {
     const isMain = btn.dataset.tab === "main";
-    btn.style.display = !loggedOut || isMain ? "" : "none";
+    const lacksLogbookAccess = authEnabled && btn.dataset.tab === "logbook" && !hasAuthRole("write");
+    btn.style.display = (!loggedOut || isMain) && !lacksLogbookAccess ? "" : "none";
     btn.disabled = false;
   });
   if (rigSwitch) {
     rigSwitch.style.display = loggedOut ? "none" : "";
   }
   if (headerRigSwitchSelect) {
-    headerRigSwitchSelect.disabled = loggedOut || authRole === "user" || lastRigIds.length === 0;
+    headerRigSwitchSelect.disabled = loggedOut || !hasAuthRole("control") || lastRigIds.length === 0;
   }
 }
 var overviewDrawPending = false;
@@ -2935,7 +2950,7 @@ function applyRigList(activeRigId, rigIds, displayNames) {
   }
   const nextKey = lastRigIds.join("\0") + "|" + (lastActiveRigId || "");
   const rigListChanged = prevKey !== nextKey;
-  const disableSwitch = lastRigIds.length === 0 || !authRole || authRole === "user";
+  const disableSwitch = lastRigIds.length === 0 || !hasAuthRole("control");
   populateRigPicker(headerRigSwitchSelect, lastRigIds, lastActiveRigId, disableSwitch);
   updateRigSubtitle(lastActiveRigId);
   window.trxUi?.setActiveRig(lastActiveRigId);
@@ -4538,7 +4553,7 @@ function scheduleTuneLinkSync() {
 async function applyTuneLink(link) {
   const wanted = link.rig || link.mode || link.freqHz != null || link.bandwidthHz != null;
   if (!wanted) return;
-  if (authRole === "user") {
+  if (!hasAuthRole("control")) {
     showHint("Read-only session — link not applied", 2500);
     return;
   }
@@ -5256,7 +5271,7 @@ async function postPath(path, options = {}) {
   }
   const resp = await fetch(path, { method: "POST" });
   if (authEnabled && resp.status === 401) {
-    authRole = null;
+    setAuthRoles([]);
     if (es) es.close();
     showAuthGate();
     throw new Error("Authentication required");
@@ -5281,8 +5296,8 @@ async function switchRigFromSelect(selectEl) {
     showHint("No rig selected", 1500);
     return;
   }
-  if (authRole === "user") {
-    showHint("Admin role required", 1500);
+  if (!hasAuthRole("control")) {
+    showHint("Control role required", 1500);
     return;
   }
   if (!lastRigIds.includes(selectEl.value)) {
@@ -5895,10 +5910,15 @@ function navigateToTab(name, options = {}) {
   window.trxUi?.closeMobileOverlays?.();
   const leavingSatellites = _activeTab === "satellites" && name !== "satellites";
   const { updateHistory = true, replaceHistory = false } = options;
-  if (authEnabled && !authRole && name !== "main") {
+  if (authEnabled && authRoles.length === 0 && name !== "main") {
     showAuthGate();
     return;
   }
+  if (authEnabled && name === "logbook" && !hasAuthRole("write")) {
+    showHint("Write role required for logbook access", 2500);
+    navigateToTab("main", options);
+    return;
+  }
   const btn = document.querySelector(`.tab-bar .tab[data-tab="${name}"]`);
   if (!btn) return;
   _activeTab = name;
@@ -6013,7 +6033,7 @@ async function initializeApp() {
   const authStatus = await checkAuthStatus();
   authEnabled = !authStatus.auth_disabled;
   if (!authEnabled) {
-    authRole = "admin";
+    setAuthRoles(ALL_AUTH_ROLES);
     hideAuthGate();
     updateAuthUI();
     connect();
@@ -6024,7 +6044,7 @@ async function initializeApp() {
     return;
   }
   if (authStatus.authenticated) {
-    authRole = authStatus.role ?? null;
+    setAuthRoles(authStatus.roles);
     authUsername = authStatus.username ?? null;
     hideAuthGate();
     updateAuthUI();
@@ -6053,7 +6073,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const section = document.getElementById("user-management");
   const tab = document.getElementById("settings-users-tab");
   if (!section || !tab) return;
-  const canManageUsers = authEnabled && authRole === "admin";
+  const canManageUsers = authEnabled && hasAuthRole("administrator");
   tab.style.display = canManageUsers ? "" : "none";
   if (!canManageUsers) {
     const panel = document.getElementById("subtab-settings-users");
@@ -6066,7 +6086,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const list = requiredElement("user-list");
   try {
     const users = await listUsers();
-    const adminCount = users.filter((user) => user.role === "admin").length;
+    const adminCount = users.filter((user) => user.roles.includes("administrator")).length;
     list.replaceChildren(...users.map((user) => {
       const row = document.createElement("div");
       row.className = "sch-row";
@@ -6074,21 +6094,28 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
       const name = document.createElement("strong");
       name.textContent = user.username;
       name.style.minWidth = "10rem";
-      const role = document.createElement("select");
-      role.className = "auth-input";
-      for (const value of ["user", "admin"]) {
-        const option = document.createElement("option");
-        option.value = value;
-        option.textContent = value === "admin" ? "Admin" : "User";
-        option.selected = user.role === value;
-        role.append(option);
+      const roleInputs = ALL_AUTH_ROLES.map((value) => {
+        const label = document.createElement("label");
+        label.className = "auth-role-choice";
+        const input = document.createElement("input");
+        input.type = "checkbox";
+        input.value = value;
+        input.checked = user.roles.includes(value);
+        label.append(input, ` ${AUTH_ROLE_LABELS[value]}`);
+        return { label, input, value };
+      });
+      const roles = document.createElement("span");
+      roles.className = "auth-role-choices";
+      roles.append(...roleInputs.map(({ label }) => label));
+      const isOnlyAdmin = user.roles.includes("administrator") && adminCount === 1;
+      const administratorInput = roleInputs.find((item) => item.value === "administrator")?.input;
+      if (isOnlyAdmin && administratorInput) {
+        administratorInput.disabled = true;
+        administratorInput.title = "The final administrator cannot be demoted";
       }
-      const isOnlyAdmin = user.role === "admin" && adminCount === 1;
-      role.disabled = isOnlyAdmin;
-      if (isOnlyAdmin) role.title = "The final administrator cannot be demoted";
       const password = document.createElement("input");
       password.type = "password";
-      password.placeholder = "New password";
+      password.placeholder = "New password (8+ characters)";
       password.autocomplete = "new-password";
       password.className = "auth-input";
       password.minLength = 8;
@@ -6096,7 +6123,9 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
       save.type = "button";
       save.textContent = "Save";
       save.addEventListener("click", async () => {
-        const changes = { role: role.value };
+        const changes = {
+          roles: roleInputs.filter(({ input }) => input.checked).map(({ value }) => value)
+        };
         if (password.value) changes.password = password.value;
         await runUserOperation(() => updateUser(user.username, changes));
       });
@@ -6111,7 +6140,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
           await runUserOperation(() => deleteUser(user.username));
         }
       });
-      row.append(name, role, password, save, remove);
+      row.append(name, roles, password, save, remove);
       return row;
     }));
   } catch (error) {
@@ -6138,12 +6167,14 @@ document.getElementById("user-create-form")?.addEventListener("submit", (event)
   event.preventDefault();
   const username = requiredElement("user-create-username");
   const password = requiredElement("user-create-password");
-  const role = requiredElement("user-create-role");
+  const roles = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("#user-create-roles input[type=checkbox]"));
   void runUserOperation(async () => {
-    await createUser(username.value, password.value, role.value);
+    await createUser(username.value, password.value, roles.filter((input) => input.checked).map((input) => input.value));
     username.value = "";
     password.value = "";
-    role.value = "user";
+    roles.forEach((input) => {
+      input.checked = input.value === "read";
+    });
   });
 });
 requiredElement("auth-form").addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
@@ -6156,7 +6187,7 @@ requiredElement("auth-form").addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
   btn.textContent = "Logging in...";
   try {
     const result = await authLogin(usernameEl.value, passwordEl.value);
-    authRole = result.role ?? null;
+    setAuthRoles(result.roles);
     authUsername = result.username ?? usernameEl.value;
     passwordEl.value = "";
     hideAuthGate();
@@ -6178,7 +6209,7 @@ requiredElement("auth-form").addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
 var headerAuthBtn = document.getElementById("header-auth-btn");
 if (headerAuthBtn) {
   headerAuthBtn.addEventListener("click", async () => {
-    if (authRole) {
+    if (authRoles.length > 0) {
       if (await window.trxUi.confirm({ title: "Log out?", message: "Audio and control access for this browser session will end.", confirmLabel: "Log out", danger: false })) {
         await authLogout();
       }
@@ -6224,6 +6255,9 @@ Object.defineProperties(trxState, {
   authRole: { get() {
     return authRole;
   } },
+  authRoles: { get() {
+    return authRoles;
+  } },
   decoderRegistry: { get() {
     return decoderRegistry;
   } },
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/background-decode.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/background-decode.js
index 50b86551..dd44eaa3 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/background-decode.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/background-decode.js
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ var bgdWindow = window;
     btn.title = bgdDirty ? "Apply these bookmarks to the background decoder" : "No changes to save";
   }
   function isControlRole() {
-    return backgroundDecodeRole === "admin" || hostState.authEnabled === false;
+    return backgroundDecodeRole === "administrator" || backgroundDecodeRole === "control" || hostState.authEnabled === false;
   }
   function showToast(msg, isError) {
     const el = document.getElementById("background-decode-toast");
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/bookmarks.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/bookmarks.js
index 8ac64be7..270973ae 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/bookmarks.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/bookmarks.js
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ function bmEsc(str) {
   return d.innerHTML;
 }
 function bmCanControl() {
-  return !hostState.authEnabled || hostState.authRole === "admin";
+  return !hostState.authEnabled || hostState.authRoles.includes("administrator") || hostState.authRoles.includes("write");
 }
 function bmSyncAccess() {
   const canCtrl = bmCanControl();
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/logbook.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/logbook.js
index 089af5f6..4861c49f 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/logbook.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/logbook.js
@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ var entryRigName = null;
 var entryGrid = null;
 var qsos = [];
 var workedRequest = 0;
+function canWriteLogbook() {
+  return !hostState.authEnabled || hostState.authRoles.includes("administrator") || hostState.authRoles.includes("write");
+}
 function notify(message, kind) {
   if (bridge.trxUi.notify) bridge.trxUi.notify(message, kind ? { kind } : void 0);
   else hostCore.showHint(message, 2e3);
@@ -300,6 +303,11 @@ function renderRows() {
       row.appendChild(cell);
     }
     const actions = document.createElement("td");
+    if (!canWriteLogbook()) {
+      row.appendChild(actions);
+      fragment.appendChild(row);
+      continue;
+    }
     const confirm = document.createElement("button");
     confirm.type = "button";
     confirm.className = "log-row-btn";
@@ -420,14 +428,19 @@ importFile?.addEventListener("change", () => {
   if (file) void importAdif(file);
   importFile.value = "";
 });
-bridge.logContact = (seed) => {
-  bridge.navigateToTab?.("logbook");
-  void openEntry(seed).then(() => callInput?.focus());
-};
+if (canWriteLogbook()) {
+  bridge.logContact = (seed) => {
+    bridge.navigateToTab?.("logbook");
+    void openEntry(seed).then(() => callInput?.focus());
+  };
+} else {
+  if (form) form.style.display = "none";
+  if (importBtn) importBtn.style.display = "none";
+}
 renderStation();
 if (cabrilloCallsign && !cabrilloCallsign.value) {
   cabrilloCallsign.value = stationCallEl?.textContent?.trim() ?? "";
 }
 syncCabrilloLink();
-void openEntry();
+if (canWriteLogbook()) void openEntry();
 void refreshLog();
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/scheduler.js b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/scheduler.js
index e744751b..9bbceb02 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/scheduler.js
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/generated/scheduler.js
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ function schedulerOptionalEl(id) {
     const nextBtn = schedulerEl("scheduler-next-btn");
     if (!prevBtn || !nextBtn) return;
     const state = schedulerInterleaveState(currentConfig);
-    const enabled = schedulerRole === "admin" && !!currentRigId && !schedulerStepPending && state.activeEntries.length > 1;
+    const enabled = (schedulerRole === "administrator" || schedulerRole === "control") && !!currentRigId && !schedulerStepPending && state.activeEntries.length > 1;
     prevBtn.disabled = !enabled;
     nextBtn.disabled = !enabled;
     const hint = enabled ? "Select a different active scheduler entry" : "Available only when multiple scheduler entries are active";
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ function schedulerOptionalEl(id) {
     const panel = schedulerEl("scheduler-panel");
     if (!panel) return;
     const mode = currentConfig && currentConfig.mode || "disabled";
-    const isControl = schedulerRole === "admin";
+    const isControl = schedulerRole === "administrator" || schedulerRole === "control";
     setSelected("scheduler-mode-select", mode);
     const satEnabled = currentConfig && currentConfig.satellites && currentConfig.satellites.enabled;
     const controlRow = document.querySelector(".scheduler-control-row");
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html
index 985da4ae..afd03ece 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/index.html
@@ -1757,7 +1757,12 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
           <form id="user-create-form" class="sch-row" style="flex-wrap:wrap; gap:.5rem;">
             <input id="user-create-username" class="auth-input" placeholder="Username" autocomplete="off" required />
             <input id="user-create-password" class="auth-input" type="password" placeholder="Password (8+ characters)" autocomplete="new-password" minlength="8" required />
-            <select id="user-create-role" class="auth-input"><option value="user">User</option><option value="admin">Admin</option></select>
+            <span id="user-create-roles" class="auth-role-choices">
+              <label class="auth-role-choice"><input type="checkbox" value="read" checked /> Read</label>
+              <label class="auth-role-choice"><input type="checkbox" value="control" /> Control</label>
+              <label class="auth-role-choice"><input type="checkbox" value="write" /> Write</label>
+              <label class="auth-role-choice"><input type="checkbox" value="administrator" /> Administrator</label>
+            </span>
             <button type="submit" class="auth-submit">Add user</button>
           </form>
           <div id="user-management-error" class="auth-error" style="display:none;"></div>
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/style.css b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/style.css
index f01a09c9..a2e3fde7 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/style.css
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/assets/web/style.css
@@ -216,6 +216,8 @@ body {
 .auth-role { margin-top: var(--space-4); color: var(--text-muted); font-size: var(--fs-sm); }
 #user-management .auth-input { width: auto; min-width: 9rem; flex: 1 1 10rem; margin-bottom: 0; }
 #user-management .auth-submit { width: auto; }
+#user-management .auth-role-choices { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: .6rem; flex-wrap: wrap; }
+#user-management .auth-role-choice { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: .2rem; white-space: nowrap; }
 #user-management button { padding: 0.55rem 0.75rem; }
 
 .label { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.9rem; margin-bottom: 6px; display: block; }
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/api/auth.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/api/auth.ts
index c36bcd9c..caad0104 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/api/auth.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/api/auth.ts
@@ -2,11 +2,11 @@
 //
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
 
-export type AuthRole = "user" | "admin";
+export type AuthRole = "read" | "control" | "write" | "administrator";
 
 export interface AuthSession {
   authenticated: boolean;
-  role?: AuthRole;
+  roles: AuthRole[];
   username?: string;
   auth_disabled?: boolean;
 }
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ function decodeAuthSession(value: unknown): AuthSession {
   if (typeof session.authenticated !== "boolean") {
     throw new TypeError("The authentication response has no authenticated flag");
   }
-  if (session.role !== undefined && session.role !== "user" && session.role !== "admin") {
-    throw new TypeError("The authentication response has an invalid role");
+  if (!Array.isArray(session.roles) || !session.roles.every(role =>
+    role === "read" || role === "control" || role === "write" || role === "administrator")) {
+    throw new TypeError("The authentication response has invalid roles");
   }
   if (session.auth_disabled !== undefined && typeof session.auth_disabled !== "boolean") {
     throw new TypeError("The authentication response has an invalid auth_disabled flag");
   }
-  const decoded: AuthSession = { authenticated: session.authenticated };
-  if (session.role !== undefined) decoded.role = session.role;
+  const decoded: AuthSession = { authenticated: session.authenticated, roles: session.roles as AuthRole[] };
   if (session.username !== undefined) {
     if (typeof session.username !== "string") throw new TypeError("The authentication response has an invalid username");
     decoded.username = session.username;
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function decodeAuthSession(value: unknown): AuthSession {
 
 const authDisabledSession: AuthSession = {
   authenticated: true,
-  role: "admin",
+  roles: ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"],
   auth_disabled: true,
 };
 
@@ -45,11 +45,11 @@ export async function fetchAuthSession(): Promise<AuthSession> {
   try {
     const response = await fetch("/auth/session");
     if (response.status === 404) return authDisabledSession;
-    if (!response.ok) return { authenticated: false };
+    if (!response.ok) return { authenticated: false, roles: [] };
     return decodeAuthSession(await response.json());
   } catch (error: unknown) {
     console.error("Auth check failed:", error);
-    return { authenticated: false };
+    return { authenticated: false, roles: [] };
   }
 }
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export async function login(username: string, password: string): Promise<AuthSes
   return decodeAuthSession(await response.json());
 }
 
-export interface ManagedUser { username: string; role: AuthRole }
+export interface ManagedUser { username: string; roles: AuthRole[] }
 
 async function userRequest(path: string, init?: RequestInit): Promise<Response> {
   const response = await fetch(path, init);
@@ -83,18 +83,19 @@ export async function listUsers(): Promise<ManagedUser[]> {
   if (!Array.isArray(value) || !value.every((user: unknown) => {
     if (typeof user !== "object" || user === null) return false;
     const record = user as Record<string, unknown>;
-    return typeof record.username === "string" && (record.role === "user" || record.role === "admin");
+    return typeof record.username === "string" && Array.isArray(record.roles)
+      && record.roles.every(role => role === "read" || role === "control" || role === "write" || role === "administrator");
   })) {
     throw new TypeError("The user list response is malformed");
   }
   return value as ManagedUser[];
 }
 
-export async function createUser(username: string, password: string, role: AuthRole): Promise<void> {
-  await userRequest("/auth/users", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ username, password, role }) });
+export async function createUser(username: string, password: string, roles: AuthRole[]): Promise<void> {
+  await userRequest("/auth/users", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ username, password, roles }) });
 }
 
-export async function updateUser(username: string, changes: { password?: string; role?: AuthRole }): Promise<void> {
+export async function updateUser(username: string, changes: { password?: string; roles?: AuthRole[] }): Promise<void> {
   await userRequest(`/auth/users/${encodeURIComponent(username)}`, { method: "PATCH", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify(changes) });
 }
 
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
index 44418eed..9101dee8 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/app.ts
@@ -231,6 +231,7 @@ interface TrxState {
   readonly decodeHistoryRetentionMin: number;
   readonly authEnabled: boolean;
   readonly authRole: AuthRole | null;
+  readonly authRoles: readonly AuthRole[];
   readonly decoderRegistry: typeof decoderRegistry;
   readonly sseSessionId: string | null;
   readonly primaryRds: RdsData | null;
@@ -411,9 +412,28 @@ void loadDecoderRegistry(refreshOperatorLayoutCapabilities);
 
 // --- Authentication ---
 let authRole: AuthRole | null = null;
+let authRoles: AuthRole[] = [];
 let authUsername: string | null = null;
 let authEnabled = true;
 
+const ALL_AUTH_ROLES: readonly AuthRole[] = ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"];
+const AUTH_ROLE_LABELS: Record<AuthRole, string> = {
+  read: "Read",
+  control: "Control",
+  write: "Write",
+  administrator: "Administrator",
+};
+
+function setAuthRoles(roles: readonly AuthRole[]) {
+  authRoles = [...new Set(roles)];
+  authRole = (["administrator", "control", "write", "read"] as AuthRole[])
+    .find(role => authRoles.includes(role)) ?? null;
+}
+
+function hasAuthRole(role: AuthRole) {
+  return authRoles.includes("administrator") || authRoles.includes(role);
+}
+
 async function checkAuthStatus() {
   return fetchAuthSession();
 }
@@ -425,7 +445,7 @@ async function authLogin(username: string, password: string) {
 async function authLogout() {
   try {
     await logout();
-    authRole = null;
+    setAuthRoles([]);
     authUsername = null;
     // Disconnect and show auth gate without page reload
     disconnect();
@@ -511,9 +531,9 @@ function updateAuthUI() {
     return;
   }
 
-  if (authRole) {
+  if (authRoles.length > 0) {
     if (badge) badge.style.display = "block";
-    if (badgeRole) badgeRole.textContent = `${authUsername || "local"} — ${authRole === "admin" ? "Admin" : "User (read-only)"}`;
+    if (badgeRole) badgeRole.textContent = `${authUsername || "local"} — ${authRoles.map(role => AUTH_ROLE_LABELS[role]).join(", ")}`;
     if (headerAuthBtn) {
       headerAuthBtn.textContent = "Logout";
       headerAuthBtn.style.display = "block";
@@ -529,10 +549,10 @@ function updateAuthUI() {
 }
 
 function applyAuthRestrictions() {
-  if (!authRole) return;
+  if (authRoles.length === 0) return;
 
   // Disable TX/PTT/frequency/mode/VFO controls for user role
-  if (authRole === "user") {
+  if (!hasAuthRole("control")) {
     const pttBtn = document.getElementById("ptt-btn") as HTMLButtonElement | null;
     const powerBtn = document.getElementById("power-btn") as HTMLButtonElement | null;
     const lockBtn = document.getElementById("lock-btn") as HTMLButtonElement | null;
@@ -864,14 +884,15 @@ window.applyDecodeHistoryRetention = function() {
 };
 
 function syncTopBarAccess() {
-  const loggedOut = authEnabled && !authRole;
+  const loggedOut = authEnabled && authRoles.length === 0;
   const tabBar = document.getElementById("tab-bar");
   const rigSwitch = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".header-rig-switch");
   if (tabBar) tabBar.style.display = "";
 
   document.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".tab-bar .tab").forEach((btn) => {
     const isMain = btn.dataset.tab === "main";
-    btn.style.display = !loggedOut || isMain ? "" : "none";
+    const lacksLogbookAccess = authEnabled && btn.dataset.tab === "logbook" && !hasAuthRole("write");
+    btn.style.display = (!loggedOut || isMain) && !lacksLogbookAccess ? "" : "none";
     btn.disabled = false;
   });
 
@@ -880,7 +901,7 @@ function syncTopBarAccess() {
   }
 
   if (headerRigSwitchSelect) {
-    headerRigSwitchSelect.disabled = loggedOut || authRole === "user" || lastRigIds.length === 0;
+    headerRigSwitchSelect.disabled = loggedOut || !hasAuthRole("control") || lastRigIds.length === 0;
   }
 }
 
@@ -1461,7 +1482,7 @@ function applyRigList(activeRigId: string | null, rigIds: string[], displayNames
   }
   const nextKey = lastRigIds.join("\0") + "|" + (lastActiveRigId || "");
   const rigListChanged = prevKey !== nextKey;
-  const disableSwitch = lastRigIds.length === 0 || !authRole || authRole === "user";
+  const disableSwitch = lastRigIds.length === 0 || !hasAuthRole("control");
   populateRigPicker(headerRigSwitchSelect, lastRigIds, lastActiveRigId, disableSwitch);
   updateRigSubtitle(lastActiveRigId);
   window.trxUi?.setActiveRig(lastActiveRigId);
@@ -3349,7 +3370,7 @@ function scheduleTuneLinkSync() {
 async function applyTuneLink(link: TuneLink) {
   const wanted = link.rig || link.mode || link.freqHz != null || link.bandwidthHz != null;
   if (!wanted) return;
-  if (authRole === "user") {
+  if (!hasAuthRole("control")) {
     showHint("Read-only session — link not applied", 2500);
     return;
   }
@@ -4159,7 +4180,7 @@ async function postPath(path: string, options: PostOptions = {}) {
   const resp = await fetch(path, { method: "POST" });
   if (authEnabled && resp.status === 401) {
     // Not authenticated - return to login
-    authRole = null;
+    setAuthRoles([]);
     if (es) es.close();
     showAuthGate();
     throw new Error("Authentication required");
@@ -4188,8 +4209,8 @@ async function switchRigFromSelect(selectEl: HTMLSelectElement) {
     showHint("No rig selected", 1500);
     return;
   }
-  if (authRole === "user") {
-    showHint("Admin role required", 1500);
+  if (!hasAuthRole("control")) {
+    showHint("Control role required", 1500);
     return;
   }
   if (!lastRigIds.includes(selectEl.value)) {
@@ -4871,10 +4892,15 @@ function navigateToTab(name: TabName, options: { updateHistory?: boolean; replac
   window.trxUi?.closeMobileOverlays?.();
   const leavingSatellites = _activeTab === "satellites" && name !== "satellites";
   const { updateHistory = true, replaceHistory = false } = options;
-  if (authEnabled && !authRole && name !== "main") {
+  if (authEnabled && authRoles.length === 0 && name !== "main") {
     showAuthGate();
     return;
   }
+  if (authEnabled && name === "logbook" && !hasAuthRole("write")) {
+    showHint("Write role required for logbook access", 2500);
+    navigateToTab("main", options);
+    return;
+  }
   const btn = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(`.tab-bar .tab[data-tab="${name}"]`);
   if (!btn) return;
   _activeTab = name;
@@ -5010,7 +5036,7 @@ async function initializeApp() {
   authEnabled = !authStatus.auth_disabled;
 
   if (!authEnabled) {
-    authRole = "admin";
+    setAuthRoles(ALL_AUTH_ROLES);
     hideAuthGate();
     updateAuthUI();
     connect();
@@ -5023,7 +5049,7 @@ async function initializeApp() {
 
   if (authStatus.authenticated) {
     // User has valid session
-    authRole = authStatus.role ?? null;
+    setAuthRoles(authStatus.roles);
     authUsername = authStatus.username ?? null;
     hideAuthGate();
     updateAuthUI();
@@ -5057,7 +5083,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const section = document.getElementById("user-management");
   const tab = document.getElementById("settings-users-tab");
   if (!section || !tab) return;
-  const canManageUsers = authEnabled && authRole === "admin";
+  const canManageUsers = authEnabled && hasAuthRole("administrator");
   tab.style.display = canManageUsers ? "" : "none";
   if (!canManageUsers) {
     const panel = document.getElementById("subtab-settings-users");
@@ -5070,7 +5096,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
   const list = requiredElement("user-list");
   try {
     const users = await listUsers();
-    const adminCount = users.filter(user => user.role === "admin").length;
+    const adminCount = users.filter(user => user.roles.includes("administrator")).length;
     list.replaceChildren(...users.map((user) => {
       const row = document.createElement("div");
       row.className = "sch-row";
@@ -5078,19 +5104,32 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
       const name = document.createElement("strong");
       name.textContent = user.username;
       name.style.minWidth = "10rem";
-      const role = document.createElement("select");
-      role.className = "auth-input";
-      for (const value of ["user", "admin"] as AuthRole[]) {
-        const option = document.createElement("option"); option.value = value; option.textContent = value === "admin" ? "Admin" : "User"; option.selected = user.role === value; role.append(option);
+      const roleInputs = ALL_AUTH_ROLES.map((value) => {
+        const label = document.createElement("label");
+        label.className = "auth-role-choice";
+        const input = document.createElement("input");
+        input.type = "checkbox";
+        input.value = value;
+        input.checked = user.roles.includes(value);
+        label.append(input, ` ${AUTH_ROLE_LABELS[value]}`);
+        return { label, input, value };
+      });
+      const roles = document.createElement("span");
+      roles.className = "auth-role-choices";
+      roles.append(...roleInputs.map(({ label }) => label));
+      const isOnlyAdmin = user.roles.includes("administrator") && adminCount === 1;
+      const administratorInput = roleInputs.find(item => item.value === "administrator")?.input;
+      if (isOnlyAdmin && administratorInput) {
+        administratorInput.disabled = true;
+        administratorInput.title = "The final administrator cannot be demoted";
       }
-      const isOnlyAdmin = user.role === "admin" && adminCount === 1;
-      role.disabled = isOnlyAdmin;
-      if (isOnlyAdmin) role.title = "The final administrator cannot be demoted";
       const password = document.createElement("input");
-      password.type = "password"; password.placeholder = "New password"; password.autocomplete = "new-password"; password.className = "auth-input"; password.minLength = 8;
+      password.type = "password"; password.placeholder = "New password (8+ characters)"; password.autocomplete = "new-password"; password.className = "auth-input"; password.minLength = 8;
       const save = document.createElement("button"); save.type = "button"; save.textContent = "Save";
       save.addEventListener("click", async () => {
-        const changes: { role?: AuthRole; password?: string } = { role: role.value as AuthRole };
+        const changes: { roles?: AuthRole[]; password?: string } = {
+          roles: roleInputs.filter(({ input }) => input.checked).map(({ value }) => value),
+        };
         if (password.value) changes.password = password.value;
         await runUserOperation(() => updateUser(user.username, changes));
       });
@@ -5102,7 +5141,7 @@ async function refreshUserManagement() {
           await runUserOperation(() => deleteUser(user.username));
         }
       });
-      row.append(name, role, password, save, remove);
+      row.append(name, roles, password, save, remove);
       return row;
     }));
   } catch (error) {
@@ -5132,10 +5171,11 @@ document.getElementById("user-create-form")?.addEventListener("submit", (event)
   event.preventDefault();
   const username = requiredElement<HTMLInputElement>("user-create-username");
   const password = requiredElement<HTMLInputElement>("user-create-password");
-  const role = requiredElement<HTMLSelectElement>("user-create-role");
+  const roles = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll<HTMLInputElement>("#user-create-roles input[type=checkbox]"));
   void runUserOperation(async () => {
-    await createUser(username.value, password.value, role.value as AuthRole);
-    username.value = ""; password.value = ""; role.value = "user";
+    await createUser(username.value, password.value, roles.filter(input => input.checked).map(input => input.value as AuthRole));
+    username.value = ""; password.value = "";
+    roles.forEach(input => { input.checked = input.value === "read"; });
   });
 });
 
@@ -5151,7 +5191,7 @@ requiredElement<HTMLFormElement>("auth-form").addEventListener("submit", async (
 
   try {
     const result = await authLogin(usernameEl.value, passwordEl.value);
-    authRole = result.role ?? null;
+    setAuthRoles(result.roles);
     authUsername = result.username ?? usernameEl.value;
     passwordEl.value = "";
     hideAuthGate();
@@ -5175,7 +5215,7 @@ requiredElement<HTMLFormElement>("auth-form").addEventListener("submit", async (
 const headerAuthBtn = document.getElementById("header-auth-btn") as HTMLButtonElement | null;
 if (headerAuthBtn) {
   headerAuthBtn.addEventListener("click", async () => {
-    if (authRole) {
+    if (authRoles.length > 0) {
       // Logged in - show logout confirmation
       if (await window.trxUi.confirm({ title: "Log out?", message: "Audio and control access for this browser session will end.", confirmLabel: "Log out", danger: false })) {
         await authLogout();
@@ -5205,6 +5245,7 @@ Object.defineProperties(trxState, {
   decodeHistoryRetentionMin: { get() { return decodeHistoryRetentionMin; } },
   authEnabled:            { get() { return authEnabled;            } },
   authRole:               { get() { return authRole;               } },
+  authRoles:              { get() { return authRoles;              } },
   decoderRegistry:        { get() { return decoderRegistry;        } },
   sseSessionId:           { get() { return sseSessionId;           } },
   primaryRds:             { get() { return primaryRds;             } },
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/background-decode.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/background-decode.ts
index 5e11f0a7..3055a153 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/background-decode.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/background-decode.ts
@@ -468,7 +468,9 @@ const bgdWindow = window as unknown as BackgroundBridge;
   }
 
   function isControlRole(): boolean {
-    return backgroundDecodeRole === "admin" || hostState.authEnabled === false;
+    return backgroundDecodeRole === "administrator"
+      || backgroundDecodeRole === "control"
+      || hostState.authEnabled === false;
   }
 
   function showToast(msg: string, isError: boolean): void {
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/bookmarks.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/bookmarks.ts
index d7705314..957baead 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/bookmarks.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/bookmarks.ts
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@ function bmEsc(str: unknown): string {
 }
 
 function bmCanControl() {
-  return !hostState.authEnabled || hostState.authRole === "admin";
+  return !hostState.authEnabled
+    || hostState.authRoles.includes("administrator")
+    || hostState.authRoles.includes("write");
 }
 
 // Show/hide the Add Bookmark / Select All buttons based on the current auth role.
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/host.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/host.ts
index e9aa9e62..9a0f35cb 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/host.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/host.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ export interface HostState {
   readonly ownerCallsign: string | null;
   readonly authEnabled: boolean;
   readonly authRole: string | null;
+  readonly authRoles: readonly string[];
   readonly lastActiveRigId: string | null;
   readonly lastRigIds: string[];
   readonly lastRigDisplayNames: Record<string, string>;
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/logbook.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/logbook.ts
index 3df96e12..d0af4c70 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/logbook.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/logbook.ts
@@ -120,6 +120,12 @@ let entryGrid: string | null = null;
 let qsos: Qso[] = [];
 let workedRequest = 0;
 
+function canWriteLogbook(): boolean {
+  return !hostState.authEnabled
+    || hostState.authRoles.includes("administrator")
+    || hostState.authRoles.includes("write");
+}
+
 function notify(message: string, kind?: string): void {
   if (bridge.trxUi.notify) bridge.trxUi.notify(message, kind ? { kind } : undefined);
   else hostCore.showHint(message, 2000);
@@ -419,6 +425,11 @@ function renderRows(): void {
       row.appendChild(cell);
     }
     const actions = document.createElement("td");
+    if (!canWriteLogbook()) {
+      row.appendChild(actions);
+      fragment.appendChild(row);
+      continue;
+    }
     // Confirming is the commonest edit a log gets, so it is a button rather
     // than a form: a card arrives, and the contact counts towards an award.
     const confirm = document.createElement("button");
@@ -547,15 +558,20 @@ importFile?.addEventListener("change", () => {
 });
 
 /** Start an entry from a decode, and show the operator where it went. */
-bridge.logContact = (seed) => {
-  bridge.navigateToTab?.("logbook");
-  void openEntry(seed).then(() => callInput?.focus());
-};
+if (canWriteLogbook()) {
+  bridge.logContact = (seed) => {
+    bridge.navigateToTab?.("logbook");
+    void openEntry(seed).then(() => callInput?.focus());
+  };
+} else {
+  if (form) form.style.display = "none";
+  if (importBtn) importBtn.style.display = "none";
+}
 
 renderStation();
 if (cabrilloCallsign && !cabrilloCallsign.value) {
   cabrilloCallsign.value = stationCallEl?.textContent?.trim() ?? "";
 }
 syncCabrilloLink();
-void openEntry();
+if (canWriteLogbook()) void openEntry();
 void refreshLog();
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/scheduler.ts b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/scheduler.ts
index 5e89b8bd..af3e79a6 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/scheduler.ts
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/src/plugins/scheduler.ts
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ function schedulerOptionalEl(id: string): SchedulerElement | null {
     if (!prevBtn || !nextBtn) return;
     const state = schedulerInterleaveState(currentConfig);
     const enabled =
-      schedulerRole === "admin" &&
+      (schedulerRole === "administrator" || schedulerRole === "control") &&
       !!currentRigId &&
       !schedulerStepPending &&
       state.activeEntries.length > 1;
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ function schedulerOptionalEl(id: string): SchedulerElement | null {
     if (!panel) return;
 
     const mode = (currentConfig && currentConfig.mode) || "disabled";
-    const isControl = schedulerRole === "admin";
+    const isControl = schedulerRole === "administrator" || schedulerRole === "control";
 
     // Mode selector
     setSelected("scheduler-mode-select", mode);
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/background-decode.test.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/background-decode.test.mjs
index 67ea7745..e96cf383 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/background-decode.test.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/background-decode.test.mjs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ test("background decode loads configuration for the explicitly selected rig", as
   const source = await bundleEntry(new URL("../src/plugins/background-decode.ts", import.meta.url));
   new vm.Script(source).runInContext(context);
 
-  window.trx.modules.backgroundDecode.initialize("rig/a", "admin");
+  window.trx.modules.backgroundDecode.initialize("rig/a", "administrator");
   await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
   assert.ok(requested.includes("/background-decode/rig%2Fa"));
   assert.ok(requested.includes("/bookmarks"));
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/bookmarks.test.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/bookmarks.test.mjs
index 267efb82..8cd68a12 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/bookmarks.test.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/bookmarks.test.mjs
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ function hostFixture(overrides = {}) {
   const calls = { postPath: [], setRigFrequency: [], armOptimisticFrequency: [], applyLocalTunedFrequency: [], syncBandwidthInput: [], scheduleSpectrumDraw: 0, syncModePicker: 0 };
   const state = {
     authEnabled: false,
-    authRole: "admin",
+    authRole: "administrator",
+    authRoles: ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"],
     lastActiveRigId: null,
     lastRigIds: [],
     lastRigDisplayNames: {},
@@ -157,7 +158,7 @@ test("bookmark controls follow the host authentication state", async () => {
     if (!elements.has(id)) elements.set(id, new ElementFixture());
     return elements.get(id);
   };
-  const { window } = hostFixture({ authEnabled: true, authRole: "user" });
+  const { window } = hostFixture({ authEnabled: true, authRole: "read", authRoles: ["read"] });
   const context = vm.createContext({
     window,
     document: documentFixture(element),
@@ -171,7 +172,8 @@ test("bookmark controls follow the host authentication state", async () => {
 
   assert.equal(element("bm-add-btn").style.display, "none");
 
-  window.trx.state.authRole = "admin";
+  window.trx.state.authRole = "write";
+  window.trx.state.authRoles = ["read", "write"];
   await window.trx.modules.bookmarks.fetch("");
   assert.equal(element("bm-add-btn").style.display, "");
 });
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/host-fixture.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/host-fixture.mjs
index 7ecde28b..c7000a25 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/host-fixture.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/host-fixture.mjs
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ export function createHost({ state = {}, core = {}, modules = {} } = {}) {
         serverLat: null,
         serverLon: null,
         authEnabled: false,
-        authRole: "admin",
+        authRole: "administrator",
+        authRoles: ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"],
         lastActiveRigId: null,
         lastRigIds: [],
         lastRigDisplayNames: {},
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/scheduler.test.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/scheduler.test.mjs
index 791d4b34..3908b384 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/scheduler.test.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/scheduler.test.mjs
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ test("scheduler self-initializes for the active rig when a role is already known
     return elements.get(id);
   };
   const window = {
-    ...createHost({ state: { authRole: "admin", lastActiveRigId: "sdr" } }),
+    ...createHost({ state: { authRole: "administrator", lastActiveRigId: "sdr" } }),
     trxUi: { confirm: async () => true },
   };
   const context = vm.createContext({
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs
index 374b9ff8..fb08b116 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/smoke.test.mjs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ test("administrator user management is a dedicated Settings sub-tab", async () =
   ]);
   assert.match(html, /data-subtab="settings-users"/);
   assert.match(html, /id="subtab-settings-users" class="sub-tab-panel"/);
-  assert.match(app, /authEnabled && authRole === "admin"/);
+  assert.match(app, /authEnabled && hasAuthRole\("administrator"\)/);
   assert.match(app, /settings-users-tab/);
 });
 
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/web-fixture.mjs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/web-fixture.mjs
index aa43687e..755f49e6 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/web-fixture.mjs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/frontend/tests/web-fixture.mjs
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ export async function startWebFixture({
   };
 
   const jsonRoutes = new Map([
-    ["/auth/session", { authenticated: true, role: "admin", auth_disabled: true }],
+    ["/auth/session", { authenticated: true, roles: ["read", "control", "write", "administrator"], auth_disabled: true }],
     ["/decoders", DECODER_REGISTRY],
     ["/rigs", rigsResponse],
     ["/status", status],
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/bookmarks.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/bookmarks.rs
index 585621f1..e23ee60a 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/bookmarks.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/bookmarks.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use actix_web::Error;
 use actix_web::{delete, get, post, put, web, HttpRequest, HttpResponse};
 
-use super::{no_cache_response, request_accepts_html, require_control};
+use super::{no_cache_response, request_accepts_html, require_write};
 use crate::server::status;
 
 // ============================================================================
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ pub async fn create_bookmark(
     body: web::Json<BookmarkInput>,
     auth_state: web::Data<crate::server::auth::AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, Error> {
-    require_control(&req, &auth_state)?;
+    require_write(&req, &auth_state)?;
     let store = resolve_bookmark_store(query.scope.as_deref(), store_map.get_ref());
     if store.freq_taken(body.freq_hz, None) {
         return Err(actix_web::error::ErrorConflict(
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ pub async fn update_bookmark(
     body: web::Json<BookmarkInput>,
     auth_state: web::Data<crate::server::auth::AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, Error> {
-    require_control(&req, &auth_state)?;
+    require_write(&req, &auth_state)?;
     let store = resolve_bookmark_store(query.scope.as_deref(), store_map.get_ref());
     let id = path.into_inner();
     if store.freq_taken(body.freq_hz, Some(&id)) {
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ pub async fn delete_bookmark(
     query: web::Query<BookmarkScopeQuery>,
     auth_state: web::Data<crate::server::auth::AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, Error> {
-    require_control(&req, &auth_state)?;
+    require_write(&req, &auth_state)?;
     let store = resolve_bookmark_store(query.scope.as_deref(), store_map.get_ref());
     let id = path.into_inner();
     if store.remove(&id) {
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ pub async fn batch_delete_bookmarks(
     query: web::Query<BookmarkScopeQuery>,
     auth_state: web::Data<crate::server::auth::AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, Error> {
-    require_control(&req, &auth_state)?;
+    require_write(&req, &auth_state)?;
     let store = resolve_bookmark_store(query.scope.as_deref(), store_map.get_ref());
     let mut deleted = 0usize;
     for id in &body.ids {
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ pub async fn batch_move_bookmarks(
     query: web::Query<BookmarkScopeQuery>,
     auth_state: web::Data<crate::server::auth::AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, Error> {
-    require_control(&req, &auth_state)?;
+    require_write(&req, &auth_state)?;
     let from_store = resolve_bookmark_store(query.scope.as_deref(), store_map.get_ref());
     let to_store = resolve_bookmark_store(Some(body.to.as_str()), store_map.get_ref());
     let mut moved = 0usize;
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/logbook.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/logbook.rs
index 732494fb..1a4abff0 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/logbook.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/logbook.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use trx_logbook::qso::{adif_mode_for_rig_mode, band_for_hz, mode_for_decoder};
 use trx_logbook::{LogQuery, Logbook, Qso};
 
-use super::{active_rig_id_from_context, require_control};
+use super::{active_rig_id_from_context, require_write};
 use crate::server::auth::AuthState;
 
 /// What a contact looks like on the wire.
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ pub async fn add_qso(
     logbook: web::Data<Arc<Logbook>>,
     auth_state: web::Data<AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, actix_web::Error> {
-    require_control(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
+    require_write(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
     let qso = match input.into_inner().into_qso(None) {
         Ok(qso) => qso,
         Err(reason) => {
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ pub async fn edit_qso(
     logbook: web::Data<Arc<Logbook>>,
     auth_state: web::Data<AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, actix_web::Error> {
-    require_control(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
+    require_write(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
     let id = path.into_inner();
     let Some(existing) = book(&logbook).get(&id) else {
         return Ok(HttpResponse::NotFound().json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "no such contact" })));
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ pub async fn delete_qso(
     logbook: web::Data<Arc<Logbook>>,
     auth_state: web::Data<AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, actix_web::Error> {
-    require_control(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
+    require_write(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
     match book(&logbook).delete(&path.into_inner()) {
         Ok(true) => Ok(HttpResponse::Ok().json(serde_json::json!({ "deleted": true }))),
         Ok(false) => {
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ pub async fn import_adi(
     logbook: web::Data<Arc<Logbook>>,
     auth_state: web::Data<AuthState>,
 ) -> Result<HttpResponse, actix_web::Error> {
-    require_control(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
+    require_write(&req, auth_state.get_ref())?;
     match book(&logbook).import_adi(&body) {
         Ok(outcome) => Ok(HttpResponse::Ok().json(outcome)),
         Err(err) => Ok(HttpResponse::InternalServerError()
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/mod.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/mod.rs
index 889460b0..ac5b4273 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/mod.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/api/mod.rs
@@ -391,16 +391,20 @@ fn gz_cache_entry(src: &[u8], name: &str) -> GzCacheEntry {
     GzCacheEntry { gz, br, etag }
 }
 
-fn require_control(
+fn require_write(
     req: &HttpRequest,
     auth_state: &crate::server::auth::AuthState,
 ) -> Result<(), actix_web::Error> {
-    if !auth_state.config.enabled {
-        return Ok(());
-    }
-    match crate::server::auth::get_session_role(req, auth_state) {
-        Some(crate::server::auth::AuthRole::Admin) => Ok(()),
-        _ => Err(actix_web::error::ErrorForbidden("admin role required")),
+    if !auth_state.config.enabled
+        || crate::server::auth::session_grants(
+            req,
+            auth_state,
+            crate::server::auth::AuthRole::Write,
+        )
+    {
+        Ok(())
+    } else {
+        Err(actix_web::error::ErrorForbidden("write role required"))
     }
 }
 
@@ -960,6 +964,9 @@ mod tests {
             std::path::PathBuf::from("unused-users.json"),
             None,
             None,
+            false,
+            "guest".to_string(),
+            None,
             std::time::Duration::from_secs(3600),
             false,
             crate::server::auth::SameSite::Lax,
@@ -975,6 +982,9 @@ mod tests {
             directory.path().join("users.json"),
             Some("admin".to_string()),
             Some("password123".to_string()),
+            false,
+            "guest".to_string(),
+            None,
             std::time::Duration::from_secs(3600),
             false,
             crate::server::auth::SameSite::Lax,
@@ -1171,10 +1181,16 @@ mod tests {
         let logbook = std::sync::Arc::new(
             trx_logbook::Logbook::open(&dir.path().join("logbook.jsonl")).expect("open"),
         );
+        let auth_state = auth_state_locked();
+        let session_id = auth_state.store.create(
+            "reader".to_string(),
+            [crate::server::auth::AuthRole::Read].into_iter().collect(),
+            std::time::Duration::from_secs(3600),
+        );
         let app = actix_test::init_service(
             App::new()
                 .app_data(web::Data::new(logbook))
-                .app_data(web::Data::new(auth_state_locked()))
+                .app_data(web::Data::new(auth_state))
                 .service(logbook::add_qso)
                 .service(logbook::list_qsos),
         )
@@ -1184,6 +1200,10 @@ mod tests {
             &app,
             actix_test::TestRequest::post()
                 .uri("/api/logbook")
+                .cookie(actix_web::cookie::Cookie::new(
+                    "trx_http_sid",
+                    session_id.clone(),
+                ))
                 .set_json(serde_json::json!({
                     "call": "SP2SJG", "freq_hz": 14_074_000_u64, "mode": "FT8",
                 }))
@@ -1199,12 +1219,47 @@ mod tests {
             &app,
             actix_test::TestRequest::get()
                 .uri("/api/logbook")
+                .cookie(actix_web::cookie::Cookie::new("trx_http_sid", session_id))
                 .to_request(),
         )
         .await;
         assert_eq!(listed["total"], 0);
     }
 
+    #[actix_web::test]
+    async fn a_write_session_can_write_to_the_log() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+        let logbook = std::sync::Arc::new(
+            trx_logbook::Logbook::open(&dir.path().join("logbook.jsonl")).expect("open"),
+        );
+        let auth_state = auth_state_locked();
+        let session_id = auth_state.store.create(
+            "writer".to_string(),
+            [crate::server::auth::AuthRole::Write].into_iter().collect(),
+            std::time::Duration::from_secs(3600),
+        );
+        let app = actix_test::init_service(
+            App::new()
+                .app_data(web::Data::new(logbook))
+                .app_data(web::Data::new(auth_state))
+                .service(logbook::add_qso),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+        let response = actix_test::call_service(
+            &app,
+            actix_test::TestRequest::post()
+                .uri("/api/logbook")
+                .cookie(actix_web::cookie::Cookie::new("trx_http_sid", session_id))
+                .set_json(serde_json::json!({
+                    "call": "SP2SJG", "freq_hz": 14_074_000_u64, "mode": "FT8",
+                }))
+                .to_request(),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(response.status(), actix_web::http::StatusCode::OK);
+    }
+
     /// A contact needs a callsign; the panel is not the only thing that has to
     /// insist on it.
     #[actix_web::test]
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs
index b9215815..710377dc 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/auth.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use argon2::{
 };
 use futures_util::future::LocalBoxFuture;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::collections::{BTreeSet, HashMap};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, RwLock};
@@ -30,29 +30,51 @@ use tracing::warn;
 pub type SessionId = String;
 
 /// Authentication role
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord, Hash, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
 pub enum AuthRole {
-    /// Read-only access.
-    User,
-    /// Full control and user-management access.
-    Admin,
+    Read,
+    Control,
+    Write,
+    Administrator,
 }
 
 impl AuthRole {
     pub fn as_str(&self) -> &'static str {
         match self {
-            Self::User => "user",
-            Self::Admin => "admin",
+            Self::Read => "read",
+            Self::Control => "control",
+            Self::Write => "write",
+            Self::Administrator => "administrator",
         }
     }
+
+    pub fn all() -> BTreeSet<Self> {
+        [Self::Read, Self::Control, Self::Write, Self::Administrator]
+            .into_iter()
+            .collect()
+    }
+}
+
+fn grants(roles: &BTreeSet<AuthRole>, required: AuthRole) -> bool {
+    roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator)
+        || roles.contains(&required)
+        || required == AuthRole::Read && roles.contains(&AuthRole::Control)
+}
+
+fn effective_roles(roles: &BTreeSet<AuthRole>) -> Vec<AuthRole> {
+    if roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator) {
+        AuthRole::all().into_iter().collect()
+    } else {
+        roles.iter().copied().collect()
+    }
 }
 
 /// Session record stored in the session store
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct SessionRecord {
     pub username: String,
-    pub role: AuthRole,
+    pub roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>,
     pub issued_at: SystemTime,
     pub expires_at: SystemTime,
     pub last_seen: SystemTime,
@@ -82,14 +104,14 @@ impl SessionStore {
     }
 
     /// Create a new session with the given role and TTL
-    pub fn create(&self, username: String, role: AuthRole, ttl: Duration) -> SessionId {
+    pub fn create(&self, username: String, roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>, ttl: Duration) -> SessionId {
         let now = SystemTime::now();
         let expires_at = now + ttl;
         let session_id = Self::generate_session_id();
 
         let record = SessionRecord {
             username,
-            role,
+            roles,
             issued_at: now,
             expires_at,
             last_seen: now,
@@ -184,6 +206,9 @@ pub struct AuthConfig {
     pub users_file: PathBuf,
     pub bootstrap_admin_username: Option<String>,
     pub bootstrap_admin_password: Option<String>,
+    pub bootstrap_read_enabled: bool,
+    pub bootstrap_read_username: String,
+    pub bootstrap_read_password: Option<String>,
     pub session_ttl: Duration,
     pub cookie_secure: bool,
     pub cookie_same_site: SameSite,
@@ -191,11 +216,15 @@ pub struct AuthConfig {
 
 impl AuthConfig {
     /// Create a new auth config with all fields
+    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
     pub fn new(
         enabled: bool,
         users_file: PathBuf,
         bootstrap_admin_username: Option<String>,
         bootstrap_admin_password: Option<String>,
+        bootstrap_read_enabled: bool,
+        bootstrap_read_username: String,
+        bootstrap_read_password: Option<String>,
         session_ttl: Duration,
         cookie_secure: bool,
         cookie_same_site: SameSite,
@@ -205,6 +234,9 @@ impl AuthConfig {
             users_file,
             bootstrap_admin_username,
             bootstrap_admin_password,
+            bootstrap_read_enabled,
+            bootstrap_read_username,
+            bootstrap_read_password,
             session_ttl,
             cookie_secure,
             cookie_same_site,
@@ -212,11 +244,50 @@ impl AuthConfig {
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
 pub struct UserRecord {
     pub username: String,
     pub password_hash: String,
-    pub role: AuthRole,
+    pub roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>,
+}
+
+impl<'de> Deserialize<'de> for UserRecord {
+    fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
+    where
+        D: serde::Deserializer<'de>,
+    {
+        #[derive(Deserialize)]
+        #[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
+        enum LegacyRole {
+            User,
+            Admin,
+        }
+
+        #[derive(Deserialize)]
+        struct StoredUserRecord {
+            username: String,
+            password_hash: String,
+            #[serde(default)]
+            roles: Option<BTreeSet<AuthRole>>,
+            #[serde(default)]
+            role: Option<LegacyRole>,
+        }
+
+        let stored = StoredUserRecord::deserialize(deserializer)?;
+        let roles = match (stored.roles, stored.role) {
+            (Some(roles), _) => roles,
+            (None, Some(LegacyRole::User)) => [AuthRole::Read].into_iter().collect(),
+            (None, Some(LegacyRole::Admin)) => AuthRole::all(),
+            (None, None) => {
+                return Err(serde::de::Error::missing_field("roles"));
+            }
+        };
+        Ok(Self {
+            username: stored.username,
+            password_hash: stored.password_hash,
+            roles,
+        })
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Default)]
@@ -256,11 +327,31 @@ impl UserStore {
                 .bootstrap_admin_password
                 .as_deref()
                 .ok_or_else(|| "bootstrap administrator password is missing".to_string())?;
-            vec![UserRecord {
+            let mut records = vec![UserRecord {
                 username: validate_username(username)?.to_string(),
                 password_hash: hash_password(password)?,
-                role: AuthRole::Admin,
-            }]
+                roles: AuthRole::all(),
+            }];
+            if config.bootstrap_read_enabled {
+                if config.bootstrap_read_username == username {
+                    return Err(
+                        "bootstrap administrator and read-only usernames must differ".to_string(),
+                    );
+                }
+                let password = config
+                    .bootstrap_read_password
+                    .as_deref()
+                    .ok_or_else(|| "bootstrap read-only account password is missing".to_string())?;
+                if password != "guest" {
+                    validate_password(password)?;
+                }
+                records.push(UserRecord {
+                    username: validate_username(&config.bootstrap_read_username)?.to_string(),
+                    password_hash: hash_password_value(password)?,
+                    roles: [AuthRole::Read].into_iter().collect(),
+                });
+            }
+            records
         };
         let mut users = HashMap::new();
         for record in records {
@@ -269,7 +360,10 @@ impl UserStore {
                 return Err("user database contains duplicate usernames".to_string());
             }
         }
-        if !users.values().any(|u| u.role == AuthRole::Admin) {
+        if !users
+            .values()
+            .any(|u| u.roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator))
+        {
             return Err("user database must contain at least one administrator".to_string());
         }
         let store = Self {
@@ -282,14 +376,14 @@ impl UserStore {
         Ok(store)
     }
 
-    fn authenticate(&self, username: &str, password: &str) -> Option<AuthRole> {
+    fn authenticate(&self, username: &str, password: &str) -> Option<BTreeSet<AuthRole>> {
         let users = self.users.read().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner());
         let record = users.get(username)?;
         let parsed = PasswordHash::new(&record.password_hash).ok()?;
         Argon2::default()
             .verify_password(password.as_bytes(), &parsed)
             .ok()?;
-        Some(record.role)
+        Some(record.roles.clone())
     }
 
     fn list(&self) -> Vec<ManagedUser> {
@@ -298,20 +392,20 @@ impl UserStore {
             .values()
             .map(|u| ManagedUser {
                 username: u.username.clone(),
-                role: u.role,
+                roles: u.roles.clone(),
             })
             .collect();
         result.sort_by(|a, b| a.username.cmp(&b.username));
         result
     }
 
-    fn add(&self, username: &str, password: &str, role: AuthRole) -> Result<(), String> {
+    fn add(&self, username: &str, password: &str, roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>) -> Result<(), String> {
         let username = validate_username(username)?.to_string();
         validate_password(password)?;
         let record = UserRecord {
             username: username.clone(),
             password_hash: hash_password(password)?,
-            role,
+            roles: validate_roles(roles)?,
         };
         let mut users = self.users.write().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner());
         if users.contains_key(&username) {
@@ -329,7 +423,7 @@ impl UserStore {
         &self,
         username: &str,
         password: Option<&str>,
-        role: Option<AuthRole>,
+        roles: Option<BTreeSet<AuthRole>>,
     ) -> Result<(), String> {
         if let Some(value) = password {
             validate_password(value)?;
@@ -340,9 +434,15 @@ impl UserStore {
             .get(username)
             .cloned()
             .ok_or_else(|| "user not found".to_string())?;
-        if old.role == AuthRole::Admin
-            && role == Some(AuthRole::User)
-            && users.values().filter(|u| u.role == AuthRole::Admin).count() == 1
+        if old.roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator)
+            && roles
+                .as_ref()
+                .is_some_and(|next| !next.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator))
+            && users
+                .values()
+                .filter(|u| u.roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator))
+                .count()
+                == 1
         {
             return Err("cannot demote the last administrator".to_string());
         }
@@ -350,8 +450,8 @@ impl UserStore {
         if let Some(hash) = new_hash {
             record.password_hash = hash;
         }
-        if let Some(value) = role {
-            record.role = value;
+        if let Some(value) = roles {
+            record.roles = validate_roles(value)?;
         }
         if let Err(error) = persist_users(&self.path, &users) {
             users.insert(username.to_string(), old);
@@ -366,8 +466,12 @@ impl UserStore {
             .get(username)
             .cloned()
             .ok_or_else(|| "user not found".to_string())?;
-        if old.role == AuthRole::Admin
-            && users.values().filter(|u| u.role == AuthRole::Admin).count() == 1
+        if old.roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator)
+            && users
+                .values()
+                .filter(|u| u.roles.contains(&AuthRole::Administrator))
+                .count()
+                == 1
         {
             return Err("cannot remove the last administrator".to_string());
         }
@@ -400,6 +504,10 @@ fn persist_users(path: &Path, users: &HashMap<String, UserRecord>) -> Result<(),
 
 fn hash_password(password: &str) -> Result<String, String> {
     validate_password(password)?;
+    hash_password_value(password)
+}
+
+fn hash_password_value(password: &str) -> Result<String, String> {
     Argon2::default()
         .hash_password(password.as_bytes(), &SaltString::generate(&mut OsRng))
         .map(|hash| hash.to_string())
@@ -420,11 +528,18 @@ fn validate_username(username: &str) -> Result<&str, String> {
 
 fn validate_password(password: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
     if password.len() < 8 {
-        return Err("password must contain at least 8 characters".to_string());
+        return Err("password must be at least 8 characters".to_string());
     }
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn validate_roles(roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>) -> Result<BTreeSet<AuthRole>, String> {
+    if roles.is_empty() {
+        return Err("at least one role is required".to_string());
+    }
+    Ok(roles)
+}
+
 /// Simple per-IP rate limiter for login attempts.
 ///
 /// Tracks failed attempts per IP and enforces a cooldown window after
@@ -521,7 +636,7 @@ pub struct LoginRequest {
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize)]
 pub struct SessionStatus {
     pub authenticated: bool,
-    pub role: Option<String>,
+    pub roles: Vec<AuthRole>,
     pub username: Option<String>,
     pub auth_disabled: bool,
 }
@@ -530,27 +645,27 @@ pub struct SessionStatus {
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize)]
 pub struct LoginResponse {
     pub authenticated: bool,
-    pub role: String,
+    pub roles: Vec<AuthRole>,
     pub username: String,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
 pub struct ManagedUser {
     pub username: String,
-    pub role: AuthRole,
+    pub roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
 pub struct CreateUserRequest {
     pub username: String,
     pub password: String,
-    pub role: AuthRole,
+    pub roles: BTreeSet<AuthRole>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
 pub struct UpdateUserRequest {
     pub password: Option<String>,
-    pub role: Option<AuthRole>,
+    pub roles: Option<BTreeSet<AuthRole>>,
 }
 
 /// Extract session from cookie
@@ -560,10 +675,14 @@ fn extract_session_id(req: &HttpRequest) -> Option<SessionId> {
 }
 
 /// Get session from request, return role if valid
-pub fn get_session_role(req: &HttpRequest, auth_state: &AuthState) -> Option<AuthRole> {
+pub fn get_session_roles(req: &HttpRequest, auth_state: &AuthState) -> Option<BTreeSet<AuthRole>> {
     let session_id = extract_session_id(req)?;
     let record = auth_state.store.get(&session_id)?;
-    Some(record.role)
+    Some(record.roles)
+}
+
+pub fn session_grants(req: &HttpRequest, auth_state: &AuthState, role: AuthRole) -> bool {
+    get_session_roles(req, auth_state).is_some_and(|roles| grants(&roles, role))
 }
 
 fn require_admin(req: &HttpRequest, auth_state: &AuthState) -> Result<SessionRecord, HttpResponse> {
@@ -573,7 +692,7 @@ fn require_admin(req: &HttpRequest, auth_state: &AuthState) -> Result<SessionRec
             HttpResponse::Unauthorized()
                 .json(serde_json::json!({"error":"authentication required"}))
         })?;
-    if session.role != AuthRole::Admin {
+    if !grants(&session.roles, AuthRole::Administrator) {
         return Err(HttpResponse::Forbidden()
             .json(serde_json::json!({"error":"administrator role required"})));
     }
@@ -606,7 +725,7 @@ pub async fn login(
         })));
     }
 
-    let role = match auth_state
+    let roles = match auth_state
         .users
         .authenticate(&body.username, &body.password)
     {
@@ -622,10 +741,11 @@ pub async fn login(
     auth_state.rate_limiter.reset(&peer_ip);
 
     // Create session
-    let session_id =
-        auth_state
-            .store
-            .create(body.username.clone(), role, auth_state.config.session_ttl);
+    let session_id = auth_state.store.create(
+        body.username.clone(),
+        roles.clone(),
+        auth_state.config.session_ttl,
+    );
 
     let mut cookie = Cookie::new("trx_http_sid", session_id);
     cookie.set_path("/");
@@ -645,7 +765,7 @@ pub async fn login(
 
     Ok(HttpResponse::Ok().cookie(cookie).json(LoginResponse {
         authenticated: true,
-        role: role.as_str().to_string(),
+        roles: effective_roles(&roles),
         username: body.username.clone(),
     }))
 }
@@ -686,7 +806,7 @@ pub async fn session_status(
     if !auth_state.config.enabled {
         return Ok(HttpResponse::Ok().json(SessionStatus {
             authenticated: true,
-            role: Some("admin".to_string()),
+            roles: effective_roles(&AuthRole::all()),
             username: None,
             auth_disabled: true,
         }));
@@ -697,7 +817,7 @@ pub async fn session_status(
         // User has valid session
         return Ok(HttpResponse::Ok().json(SessionStatus {
             authenticated: true,
-            role: Some(session_record.role.as_str().to_string()),
+            roles: effective_roles(&session_record.roles),
             username: Some(session_record.username),
             auth_disabled: false,
         }));
@@ -706,7 +826,7 @@ pub async fn session_status(
     // Auth required but no valid session
     Ok(HttpResponse::Ok().json(SessionStatus {
         authenticated: false,
-        role: None,
+        roles: Vec::new(),
         username: None,
         auth_disabled: false,
     }))
@@ -733,11 +853,11 @@ pub async fn create_user(
     }
     match auth_state
         .users
-        .add(&body.username, &body.password, body.role)
+        .add(&body.username, &body.password, body.roles.clone())
     {
         Ok(()) => HttpResponse::Created().json(ManagedUser {
             username: body.username.clone(),
-            role: body.role,
+            roles: body.roles.clone(),
         }),
         Err(error) => HttpResponse::BadRequest().json(serde_json::json!({"error": error})),
     }
@@ -754,13 +874,13 @@ pub async fn update_user(
     if let Err(response) = require_admin(&req, &auth_state) {
         return response;
     }
-    if body.password.is_none() && body.role.is_none() {
+    if body.password.is_none() && body.roles.is_none() {
         return HttpResponse::BadRequest()
             .json(serde_json::json!({"error":"password or role is required"}));
     }
     match auth_state
         .users
-        .update(&username, body.password.as_deref(), body.role)
+        .update(&username, body.password.as_deref(), body.roles.clone())
     {
         Ok(()) => {
             auth_state.store.remove_user(&username);
@@ -803,9 +923,13 @@ pub async fn delete_user(
 enum RouteAccess {
     /// Publicly accessible (no auth required)
     Public,
-    /// Read-only (user or admin role required)
+    /// Read-only resources (Read, Control, or Administrator required)
     Read,
-    /// Control only (admin role required)
+    /// Bookmarks (Read, Control, Write, or Administrator required)
+    ReadWrite,
+    /// Logbook access (Write or Administrator required)
+    Write,
+    /// Radio control (Control or Administrator required)
     Control,
 }
 
@@ -857,7 +981,6 @@ impl RouteAccess {
             || path == "/spectrum"
             || path == "/meter"
             || path == "/audio"
-            || path == "/bookmarks"
             || path.starts_with("/status?")
             || path.starts_with("/rigs?")
             || path.starts_with("/events?")
@@ -866,8 +989,6 @@ impl RouteAccess {
             || path.starts_with("/spectrum?")
             || path.starts_with("/meter?")
             || path.starts_with("/audio?")
-            || path.starts_with("/bookmarks?")
-            || path.starts_with("/bookmarks/")
             || path.starts_with("/scheduler/")
             || path.starts_with("/scheduler-control")
             || path.starts_with("/channels/")
@@ -875,15 +996,30 @@ impl RouteAccess {
             return Self::Read;
         }
 
+        if path == "/bookmarks"
+            || path.starts_with("/bookmarks?")
+            || path.starts_with("/bookmarks/")
+        {
+            return Self::ReadWrite;
+        }
+
+        if path.starts_with("/api/logbook") {
+            return Self::Write;
+        }
+
         // All other routes require control
         Self::Control
     }
 
-    fn allows(&self, role: Option<AuthRole>) -> bool {
+    fn allows(&self, roles: Option<&BTreeSet<AuthRole>>) -> bool {
         match self {
             Self::Public => true,
-            Self::Read => role.is_some(),
-            Self::Control => matches!(role, Some(AuthRole::Admin)),
+            Self::Read => roles.is_some_and(|roles| grants(roles, AuthRole::Read)),
+            Self::ReadWrite => roles.is_some_and(|roles| {
+                grants(roles, AuthRole::Read) || grants(roles, AuthRole::Write)
+            }),
+            Self::Write => roles.is_some_and(|roles| grants(roles, AuthRole::Write)),
+            Self::Control => roles.is_some_and(|roles| grants(roles, AuthRole::Control)),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -951,12 +1087,12 @@ where
             }
 
             // Auth enabled - check role
-            let role = get_session_role(req.request(), &auth_state);
+            let roles = get_session_roles(req.request(), &auth_state);
 
-            if !access.allows(role) {
+            if !access.allows(roles.as_ref()) {
                 // Access denied
                 return Box::pin(async move {
-                    if role.is_some() {
+                    if roles.is_some() {
                         // Has session but insufficient permissions - 403 Forbidden
                         Err(actix_web::error::ErrorForbidden(
                             "Insufficient permissions".to_string(),
@@ -984,6 +1120,25 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use actix_web::{test as aw_test, App};
 
+    fn roles(values: &[AuthRole]) -> BTreeSet<AuthRole> {
+        values.iter().copied().collect()
+    }
+
+    fn test_auth_config(path: PathBuf) -> AuthConfig {
+        AuthConfig::new(
+            true,
+            path,
+            Some("admin".to_string()),
+            Some("password123".to_string()),
+            true,
+            "guest".to_string(),
+            Some("guest".to_string()),
+            Duration::from_secs(3600),
+            false,
+            SameSite::Lax,
+        )
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_route_access_public_paths() {
         assert_eq!(RouteAccess::from_path("/"), RouteAccess::Public);
@@ -1016,6 +1171,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(RouteAccess::from_path("/spectrum"), RouteAccess::Read);
         assert_eq!(RouteAccess::from_path("/meter"), RouteAccess::Read);
         assert_eq!(RouteAccess::from_path("/audio"), RouteAccess::Read);
+        assert_eq!(RouteAccess::from_path("/api/logbook"), RouteAccess::Write);
+        assert_eq!(RouteAccess::from_path("/bookmarks"), RouteAccess::ReadWrite);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1030,30 +1187,45 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_route_access_allows() {
+        let read = roles(&[AuthRole::Read]);
+        let control = roles(&[AuthRole::Control]);
+        let write = roles(&[AuthRole::Write]);
+        let administrator = roles(&[AuthRole::Administrator]);
         assert!(RouteAccess::Public.allows(None));
-        assert!(RouteAccess::Public.allows(Some(AuthRole::User)));
-        assert!(RouteAccess::Public.allows(Some(AuthRole::Admin)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Public.allows(Some(&read)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Public.allows(Some(&administrator)));
 
         assert!(!RouteAccess::Read.allows(None));
-        assert!(RouteAccess::Read.allows(Some(AuthRole::User)));
-        assert!(RouteAccess::Read.allows(Some(AuthRole::Admin)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Read.allows(Some(&read)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Read.allows(Some(&control)));
+        assert!(!RouteAccess::Read.allows(Some(&write)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Read.allows(Some(&administrator)));
+
+        assert!(RouteAccess::ReadWrite.allows(Some(&read)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::ReadWrite.allows(Some(&control)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::ReadWrite.allows(Some(&write)));
+        assert!(!RouteAccess::Write.allows(Some(&read)));
+        assert!(!RouteAccess::Write.allows(Some(&control)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Write.allows(Some(&write)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Write.allows(Some(&administrator)));
 
         assert!(!RouteAccess::Control.allows(None));
-        assert!(!RouteAccess::Control.allows(Some(AuthRole::User)));
-        assert!(RouteAccess::Control.allows(Some(AuthRole::Admin)));
+        assert!(!RouteAccess::Control.allows(Some(&read)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Control.allows(Some(&control)));
+        assert!(RouteAccess::Control.allows(Some(&administrator)));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn test_session_store_create_and_get() {
         let store = SessionStore::new();
         let ttl = Duration::from_secs(3600);
-        let session_id = store.create("alice".to_string(), AuthRole::User, ttl);
+        let session_id = store.create("alice".to_string(), roles(&[AuthRole::Read]), ttl);
 
         let record = store.get(&session_id);
         assert!(record.is_some());
         let record = record.unwrap();
         assert_eq!(record.username, "alice");
-        assert_eq!(record.role, AuthRole::User);
+        assert_eq!(record.roles, roles(&[AuthRole::Read]));
         assert!(!record.is_expired());
     }
 
@@ -1061,7 +1233,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_session_store_remove() {
         let store = SessionStore::new();
         let ttl = Duration::from_secs(3600);
-        let session_id = store.create("alice".to_string(), AuthRole::User, ttl);
+        let session_id = store.create("alice".to_string(), roles(&[AuthRole::Read]), ttl);
 
         store.remove(&session_id);
         assert!(store.get(&session_id).is_none());
@@ -1070,35 +1242,33 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn user_store_bootstraps_and_manages_users() {
         let directory = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let config = AuthConfig::new(
-            true,
-            directory.path().join("users.json"),
-            Some("admin".to_string()),
-            Some("password123".to_string()),
-            Duration::from_secs(3600),
-            false,
-            SameSite::Lax,
-        );
+        let config = test_auth_config(directory.path().join("users.json"));
         let users = UserStore::open(&config).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(
             users.authenticate("admin", "password123"),
-            Some(AuthRole::Admin)
+            Some(AuthRole::all())
         );
         assert_eq!(users.authenticate("admin", "wrong"), None);
-        users.add("alice", "password456", AuthRole::User).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(
-            users.authenticate("alice", "password456"),
-            Some(AuthRole::User)
+            users.authenticate("guest", "guest"),
+            Some(roles(&[AuthRole::Read]))
         );
         users
-            .update("alice", Some("password789"), Some(AuthRole::Admin))
+            .add("alice", "password456", roles(&[AuthRole::Read]))
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            users.authenticate("alice", "password456"),
+            Some(roles(&[AuthRole::Read]))
+        );
+        users
+            .update("alice", Some("password789"), Some(AuthRole::all()))
             .unwrap();
         assert_eq!(
             users.authenticate("alice", "password789"),
-            Some(AuthRole::Admin)
+            Some(AuthRole::all())
         );
         users.remove("admin").unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(users.list().len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(users.list().len(), 2);
         drop(users);
 
         let mut reopen_config = config.clone();
@@ -1107,7 +1277,7 @@ mod tests {
         let reopened = UserStore::open(&reopen_config).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(
             reopened.authenticate("alice", "password789"),
-            Some(AuthRole::Admin)
+            Some(AuthRole::all())
         );
         let database = fs::read_to_string(&reopen_config.users_file).unwrap();
         assert!(database.contains("$argon2"));
@@ -1117,32 +1287,53 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn user_store_protects_last_admin() {
         let directory = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let config = AuthConfig::new(
-            true,
-            directory.path().join("users.json"),
-            Some("admin".to_string()),
-            Some("password123".to_string()),
-            Duration::from_secs(3600),
-            false,
-            SameSite::Lax,
-        );
+        let config = test_auth_config(directory.path().join("users.json"));
         let users = UserStore::open(&config).unwrap();
         assert!(users.remove("admin").is_err());
-        assert!(users.update("admin", None, Some(AuthRole::User)).is_err());
+        assert!(users
+            .update("admin", None, Some(roles(&[AuthRole::Read])))
+            .is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn guest_bootstrap_can_be_disabled() {
+        let directory = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let mut config = test_auth_config(directory.path().join("users.json"));
+        config.bootstrap_read_enabled = false;
+        config.bootstrap_read_password = None;
+        let users = UserStore::open(&config).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(users.list().len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(users.authenticate("guest", "guest"), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn legacy_single_roles_are_migrated() {
+        let read: UserRecord = serde_json::from_value(serde_json::json!({
+            "username": "reader",
+            "password_hash": "unused",
+            "role": "user"
+        }))
+        .unwrap();
+        let administrator: UserRecord = serde_json::from_value(serde_json::json!({
+            "username": "admin",
+            "password_hash": "unused",
+            "role": "admin"
+        }))
+        .unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(read.roles, roles(&[AuthRole::Read]));
+        assert_eq!(administrator.roles, AuthRole::all());
+        assert!(serde_json::to_value(administrator)
+            .unwrap()
+            .get("role")
+            .is_none());
     }
 
     #[actix_web::test]
     async fn admin_endpoints_manage_multiple_users_and_reject_regular_users() {
         let directory = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let config = AuthConfig::new(
-            true,
-            directory.path().join("users.json"),
-            Some("admin".to_string()),
-            Some("password123".to_string()),
-            Duration::from_secs(3600),
-            false,
-            SameSite::Lax,
-        );
+        let config = test_auth_config(directory.path().join("users.json"));
         let state = web::Data::new(AuthState::new(config).unwrap());
         let app = aw_test::init_service(
             App::new()
@@ -1167,7 +1358,7 @@ mod tests {
             .uri("/auth/users")
             .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie.clone()))
             .set_json(
-                serde_json::json!({"username":"alice","password":"password456","role":"user"}),
+                serde_json::json!({"username":"alice","password":"password456","roles":["read"]}),
             )
             .to_request();
         assert_eq!(
@@ -1193,7 +1384,7 @@ mod tests {
         let request = aw_test::TestRequest::patch()
             .uri("/auth/users/alice")
             .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie.clone()))
-            .set_json(serde_json::json!({"password":"new-password","role":"admin"}))
+            .set_json(serde_json::json!({"password":"new-password","roles":["read","control","write","administrator"]}))
             .to_request();
         assert_eq!(
             aw_test::call_service(&app, request).await.status(),
@@ -1213,7 +1404,7 @@ mod tests {
         let request = aw_test::TestRequest::patch()
             .uri("/auth/users/admin")
             .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::COOKIE, admin_cookie.clone()))
-            .set_json(serde_json::json!({"role":"user"}))
+            .set_json(serde_json::json!({"roles":["read"]}))
             .to_request();
         assert_eq!(
             aw_test::call_service(&app, request).await.status(),
diff --git a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/server.rs b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/server.rs
index 7c973fb8..cb94ce8f 100644
--- a/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/server.rs
+++ b/src/trx-client/trx-frontend/trx-frontend-http/src/server.rs
@@ -257,6 +257,9 @@ fn build_server(
         context.http_auth.users_file.clone().into(),
         context.http_auth.bootstrap_admin_username.clone(),
         context.http_auth.bootstrap_admin_password.clone(),
+        context.http_auth.bootstrap_read_enabled,
+        context.http_auth.bootstrap_read_username.clone(),
+        context.http_auth.bootstrap_read_password.clone(),
         Duration::from_secs(context.http_auth.session_ttl_secs),
         context.http_auth.cookie_secure,
         same_site,
diff --git a/src/trx-config/src/client.rs b/src/trx-config/src/client.rs
index 121214f7..c4e8440a 100644
--- a/src/trx-config/src/client.rs
+++ b/src/trx-config/src/client.rs
@@ -277,6 +277,12 @@ pub struct HttpAuthConfig {
     /// Read the bootstrap administrator password from this file instead.
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub bootstrap_admin_password_file: Option<String>,
+    /// Create a read-only account when bootstrapping a new database.
+    pub bootstrap_read_enabled: bool,
+    /// Username for the read-only bootstrap account.
+    pub bootstrap_read_username: String,
+    /// Password for the read-only bootstrap account.
+    pub bootstrap_read_password: Option<String>,
     /// Session time-to-live in minutes
     pub session_ttl_min: u64,
     /// Set Secure flag on session cookie (required for HTTPS)
@@ -293,6 +299,9 @@ impl Default for HttpAuthConfig {
             bootstrap_admin_username: None,
             bootstrap_admin_password: None,
             bootstrap_admin_password_file: None,
+            bootstrap_read_enabled: true,
+            bootstrap_read_username: "guest".to_string(),
+            bootstrap_read_password: Some("guest".to_string()),
             session_ttl_min: 480,
             cookie_secure: false,
             cookie_same_site: CookieSameSite::Lax,
@@ -830,6 +839,15 @@ impl ClientConfig {
                 .bootstrap_admin_password_file
                 .is_none()
                 && self.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_admin_password.is_some()
+            || self.frontends.http.auth.enabled
+                && self.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_enabled
+                && self
+                    .frontends
+                    .http
+                    .auth
+                    .bootstrap_read_password
+                    .as_deref()
+                    .is_some_and(|password| password != "guest")
             || self.frontends.http_json.auth.tokens_file.is_none()
                 && !self.frontends.http_json.auth.tokens.is_empty()
     }
@@ -903,6 +921,9 @@ impl ClientConfig {
                         bootstrap_admin_username: Some("admin".to_string()),
                         bootstrap_admin_password: Some("change-this-password".to_string()),
                         bootstrap_admin_password_file: None,
+                        bootstrap_read_enabled: true,
+                        bootstrap_read_username: "guest".to_string(),
+                        bootstrap_read_password: Some("guest".to_string()),
                         session_ttl_min: 480,
                         cookie_secure: false,
                         cookie_same_site: CookieSameSite::Lax,
@@ -961,6 +982,15 @@ fn validate_http_auth(auth: &HttpAuthConfig) -> Result<(), String> {
                 .to_string(),
         );
     }
+    if auth.bootstrap_read_enabled
+        && (auth.bootstrap_read_username.trim().is_empty()
+            || auth
+                .bootstrap_read_password
+                .as_deref()
+                .is_none_or(str::is_empty))
+    {
+        return Err("[frontends.http.auth] enabled bootstrap read account requires a non-empty username and password".to_string());
+    }
 
     // Session TTL must be > 0
     if auth.session_ttl_min == 0 {
@@ -1268,6 +1298,18 @@ home-hf = "audio://10.0.0.5:4600"
         assert!(config.validate().is_err());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn test_validate_allows_disabling_read_bootstrap_credentials() {
+        let mut config = ClientConfig::default();
+        config.frontends.http.auth.enabled = true;
+        config.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_admin_username = Some("admin".to_string());
+        config.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_admin_password = Some("secret-password".to_string());
+        config.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_enabled = false;
+        config.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_username.clear();
+        config.frontends.http.auth.bootstrap_read_password = None;
+        assert!(config.validate().is_ok());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_validate_auth_disabled_ignores_user_settings() {
         let mut config = ClientConfig::default();
@@ -1283,6 +1325,9 @@ home-hf = "audio://10.0.0.5:4600"
         assert_eq!(auth.users_file, "trx-http-users.json");
         assert!(auth.bootstrap_admin_username.is_none());
         assert!(auth.bootstrap_admin_password.is_none());
+        assert!(auth.bootstrap_read_enabled);
+        assert_eq!(auth.bootstrap_read_username, "guest");
+        assert_eq!(auth.bootstrap_read_password.as_deref(), Some("guest"));
         assert_eq!(auth.session_ttl_min, 480);
         assert!(!auth.cookie_secure);
         assert!(matches!(auth.cookie_same_site, CookieSameSite::Lax));
diff --git a/trx-rs.toml.example b/trx-rs.toml.example
index 29890fad..f23481d8 100644
--- a/trx-rs.toml.example
+++ b/trx-rs.toml.example
@@ -210,6 +210,9 @@ enabled = false
 users_file = "trx-http-users.json"
 bootstrap_admin_username = "admin"
 bootstrap_admin_password = "change-this-password"
+bootstrap_read_enabled = true
+bootstrap_read_username = "guest"
+bootstrap_read_password = "guest"
 session_ttl_min = 480
 cookie_secure = false
 cookie_same_site = "Lax"
-- 
2.55.0