feat: collapse mesh.name and mesh.slug into one identifier (v1.21.0)

Pre-launch fix: every visible surface already keyed on slug, so
"name" was a parallel string that only existed to confuse users
on rename ("I renamed but nothing visible changed").

Now slug IS the identifier. claudemesh rename <old> <new> is the
whole rename surface. PATCH /api/cli/meshes/:slug body becomes
{ slug } and the route writes both columns to keep them in sync.
Mesh create derives slug from input.name and stores name = slug.
Pickers drop the (parens). The claudemesh slug verb shipped 30
min ago is removed — merged into rename.

The mesh.name DB column stays for now to avoid touching ~25
reader sites; a follow-up migration drops it.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

apps/cli/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "claudemesh-cli",
-  "version": "1.20.1",
+  "version": "1.21.0",
   "description": "Peer mesh for Claude Code sessions — CLI + MCP server.",
   "keywords": [
     "claude-code",

apps/cli/src/commands/delete-mesh.ts

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export async function deleteMesh(slug: string, opts: { yes?: boolean } = {}): Pr
     }
     render.section("select mesh to remove");
     config.meshes.forEach((m, i) => {
-      process.stdout.write(`    ${bold(String(i + 1) + ")")} ${clay(m.slug)} ${dim("(" + m.name + ")")}\n`);
+      process.stdout.write(`    ${bold(String(i + 1) + ")")} ${clay(m.slug)}\n`);
     });
     render.blank();
     const choice = await prompt(`  ${dim("choice:")} `);

apps/cli/src/commands/invite.ts

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ export async function invite(
       // Show picker
       console.log("\n  Select mesh to share:\n");
       config.meshes.forEach((m, i) => {
-        console.log(`    ${bold(String(i + 1) + ")")} ${m.slug} ${dim("(" + m.name + ")")}`);
+        console.log(`    ${bold(String(i + 1) + ")")} ${m.slug}`);
       });
       console.log("");
       const choice = await prompt("  Choice [1]: ") || "1";

apps/cli/src/commands/launch.ts

@@ -49,8 +49,7 @@ async function pickMesh(meshes: JoinedMesh[]): Promise<JoinedMesh> {
 
   console.log("\n  Select mesh:");
   meshes.forEach((m, i) => {
-    const label = m.name && m.name !== m.slug ? `${m.name}  \x1b[2m(${m.slug})\x1b[0m` : m.slug;
+    console.log(`    ${i + 1}) ${m.slug}`);
-    console.log(`    ${i + 1}) ${label}`);
   });
   console.log("");
 
@@ -219,9 +218,7 @@ async function runLaunchWizard(opts: {
     spinner.stop();
     const choice = await menuSelect({
       title: "Select mesh",
-      items: opts.meshes.map((m) =>
+      items: opts.meshes.map((m) => m.slug),
-        m.name && m.name !== m.slug ? `${m.name}  \x1b[2m(${m.slug})\x1b[0m` : m.slug,
-      ),
       row,
     });
     mesh = opts.meshes[choice]!;
@@ -229,8 +226,7 @@ async function runLaunchWizard(opts: {
     for (let i = 0; i < opts.meshes.length + 1; i++) {
       writeCentered(row + i, " ");
     }
-    const meshLabel = mesh.name && mesh.name !== mesh.slug ? `${mesh.name} (${mesh.slug})` : mesh.slug;
+    writeCentered(row, `Mesh      ${tGreen("✓")} ${mesh.slug}`);
-    writeCentered(row, `Mesh      ${tGreen("✓")} ${meshLabel}`);
     spinner.start();
     row++;
   }

apps/cli/src/commands/rename.ts

@@ -1,44 +1,69 @@
-import { rename as renameMesh } from "~/services/mesh/facade.js";
+/**
+ * `claudemesh rename <old-slug> <new-slug>` — change a mesh's identifier.
+ *
+ * v0.7.0 collapse: slug IS the identifier — there is no separate
+ * "display name". Pre-launch we collapsed the model so users only ever
+ * deal with one identifier per mesh. The mesh.name column on the DB is
+ * kept for now (avoids touching ~25 reader sites) but is always synced
+ * to slug; a follow-up migration drops it.
+ */
+
+import { reslug as reslugMesh } from "~/services/mesh/facade.js";
 import { getStoredToken } from "~/services/auth/facade.js";
 import { ApiError } from "~/services/api/facade.js";
-import { readConfig, setMeshConfig } from "~/services/config/facade.js";
+import { readConfig, setMeshConfig, removeMeshConfig } from "~/services/config/facade.js";
 import { bold, dim, green, icons } from "~/ui/styles.js";
 import { EXIT } from "~/constants/exit-codes.js";
 
-export async function rename(slug: string, newName: string): Promise<number> {
+const SLUG_RE = /^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{1,31}$/;
-  // Rename requires a web session token (~/.claudemesh/auth.json). Joining
+
-  // a mesh via invite does NOT create that token — it only writes a per-mesh
+export async function rename(oldSlug: string, newSlug: string): Promise<number> {
-  // apikey to config.json. Detect this case up front so the error is actionable.
+  if (!oldSlug || !newSlug) {
+    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Usage: ${bold("claudemesh rename")} <old-slug> <new-slug>`);
+    return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
+  }
+  if (!SLUG_RE.test(newSlug)) {
+    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Invalid slug: must be 2-32 chars, lowercase alnum + hyphens, start with alnum`);
+    return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
+  }
+  if (oldSlug === newSlug) {
+    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Old and new slug are the same.`);
+    return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
+  }
+
   const auth = getStoredToken();
   if (!auth) {
     console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Renaming a mesh requires a claudemesh.com account session.`);
-    console.error(`  ${dim("Joining via invite signs you in to the mesh, not to a web account.")}`);
+    console.error(`  ${dim("Run")} ${bold("claudemesh login")} ${dim("first.")}`);
-    console.error(`  ${dim("Run")} ${bold("claudemesh login")} ${dim("first, then retry, or rename from the dashboard:")}`);
-    console.error(`    https://claudemesh.com/dashboard`);
     return EXIT.AUTH_FAILED;
   }
 
-  try {
-    await renameMesh(slug, newName);
-    // Sync the new name into local config so launch / picker
-    // reflect the change without waiting for the next sync.
   const cfg = readConfig();
-    const local = cfg.meshes.find((m) => m.slug === slug);
+  const collision = cfg.meshes.find((m) => m.slug === newSlug && m.slug !== oldSlug);
-    if (local) setMeshConfig(slug, { ...local, name: newName });
+  if (collision) {
-    console.log(`  ${green(icons.check)} Renamed "${slug}" to "${newName}"`);
+    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Slug "${newSlug}" already used locally by another joined mesh.`);
-    console.log(`  ${dim("(slug stays \"" + slug + "\" — only the display name changed)")}`);
+    console.error(`  ${dim("Pick a different slug, or leave the other mesh first.")}`);
+    return EXIT.ALREADY_EXISTS;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const updated = await reslugMesh(oldSlug, newSlug);
+    const local = cfg.meshes.find((m) => m.slug === oldSlug);
+    if (local) {
+      removeMeshConfig(oldSlug);
+      setMeshConfig(updated.slug, { ...local, slug: updated.slug, name: updated.slug });
+    }
+    console.log(`  ${green(icons.check)} Renamed: "${oldSlug}" → "${updated.slug}"`);
+    console.log(`  ${dim("Other peers will pick up the new identifier after they run")} ${bold("claudemesh sync")}`);
     return EXIT.SUCCESS;
   } catch (err) {
     if (err instanceof ApiError) {
-      // Server returns { error: "..." } for actionable messages
-      // (not the owner, mesh missing, expired token). Surface the
-      // body — the bare HTTP code alone hides why it failed.
       const body = err.body as { error?: string } | undefined;
-      const detail = body?.error ?? err.statusText;
+      console.error(`  ${icons.cross} ${body?.error ?? err.statusText}`);
-      console.error(`  ${icons.cross} ${detail}`);
       if (err.status === 401) return EXIT.AUTH_FAILED;
       if (err.status === 403) return EXIT.PERMISSION_DENIED;
       if (err.status === 404) return EXIT.NOT_FOUND;
+      if (err.status === 400) return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
       return EXIT.INTERNAL_ERROR;
     }
     console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Failed: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : err}`);

apps/cli/src/commands/slug.ts

@@ -1,83 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * `claudemesh slug <old-slug> <new-slug>` — change a mesh's slug.
- *
- * Slugs are NOT globally unique (mesh.id is canonical). Two users — or
- * even the same user — can own meshes with identical slugs without
- * colliding at the broker layer. The only collision risk is *local*:
- * the CLI's config keys on slug, so two joined meshes with the same
- * slug make the picker ambiguous. We refuse the rename in that case
- * and point the user at the conflict.
- *
- * Other peers connected to this mesh keep using the old slug in their
- * local configs until they run `claudemesh sync`. The broker doesn't
- * care — it routes by mesh.id internally.
- */
-
-import { reslug as reslugMesh } from "~/services/mesh/facade.js";
-import { getStoredToken } from "~/services/auth/facade.js";
-import { ApiError } from "~/services/api/facade.js";
-import { readConfig, setMeshConfig, removeMeshConfig } from "~/services/config/facade.js";
-import { bold, dim, green, icons } from "~/ui/styles.js";
-import { EXIT } from "~/constants/exit-codes.js";
-
-const SLUG_RE = /^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{1,31}$/;
-
-export async function slug(oldSlug: string, newSlug: string): Promise<number> {
-  if (!oldSlug || !newSlug) {
-    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Usage: ${bold("claudemesh slug")} <old-slug> <new-slug>`);
-    return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
-  }
-  if (!SLUG_RE.test(newSlug)) {
-    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Invalid slug: must be 2-32 chars, lowercase alnum + hyphens, start with alnum`);
-    return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
-  }
-  if (oldSlug === newSlug) {
-    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Old and new slug are the same.`);
-    return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
-  }
-
-  const auth = getStoredToken();
-  if (!auth) {
-    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Renaming a mesh requires a claudemesh.com account session.`);
-    console.error(`  ${dim("Run")} ${bold("claudemesh login")} ${dim("first.")}`);
-    return EXIT.AUTH_FAILED;
-  }
-
-  // Local-collision check: refuse if another joined mesh already owns
-  // this slug locally. The broker would happily accept the change, but
-  // the CLI picker keys on slug — we'd render two indistinguishable
-  // entries.
-  const cfg = readConfig();
-  const collision = cfg.meshes.find((m) => m.slug === newSlug && m.slug !== oldSlug);
-  if (collision) {
-    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Slug "${newSlug}" already used locally by another joined mesh.`);
-    console.error(`  ${dim("Pick a different slug, or leave the other mesh first.")}`);
-    return EXIT.ALREADY_EXISTS;
-  }
-
-  try {
-    const updated = await reslugMesh(oldSlug, newSlug);
-    // Reflect the new slug in local config so the picker / --mesh
-    // flag work without needing `claudemesh sync` afterwards.
-    const local = cfg.meshes.find((m) => m.slug === oldSlug);
-    if (local) {
-      removeMeshConfig(oldSlug);
-      setMeshConfig(updated.slug, { ...local, slug: updated.slug, name: updated.name });
-    }
-    console.log(`  ${green(icons.check)} Slug changed: "${oldSlug}" → "${updated.slug}"`);
-    console.log(`  ${dim("Other peers will pick up the new slug after they run")} ${bold("claudemesh sync")}`);
-    return EXIT.SUCCESS;
-  } catch (err) {
-    if (err instanceof ApiError) {
-      const body = err.body as { error?: string } | undefined;
-      console.error(`  ${icons.cross} ${body?.error ?? err.statusText}`);
-      if (err.status === 401) return EXIT.AUTH_FAILED;
-      if (err.status === 403) return EXIT.PERMISSION_DENIED;
-      if (err.status === 404) return EXIT.NOT_FOUND;
-      if (err.status === 400) return EXIT.INVALID_ARGS;
-      return EXIT.INTERNAL_ERROR;
-    }
-    console.error(`  ${icons.cross} Failed: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : err}`);
-    return EXIT.INTERNAL_ERROR;
-  }
-}

apps/cli/src/entrypoints/cli.ts

@@ -73,8 +73,7 @@ Mesh
   claudemesh launch [slug]         launch Claude Code on a mesh (alias: connect)
   claudemesh list                  show your meshes (alias: ls)
   claudemesh delete [slug]         delete a mesh (alias: rm)
-  claudemesh rename <slug> <name>  rename a mesh's display name (slug stays)
+  claudemesh rename <old> <new>    change a mesh's slug (the identifier you see and type)
-  claudemesh slug <old> <new>      change a mesh's slug (URL-safe identifier)
   claudemesh share [email]         share mesh (invite link / send email)
 
 Peer (resource form, recommended)
@@ -313,7 +312,6 @@ async function main(): Promise<void> {
     case "list": case "ls": { const { runList } = await import("~/commands/list.js"); await runList(); break; }
     case "delete": case "rm": { const { deleteMesh } = await import("~/commands/delete-mesh.js"); process.exit(await deleteMesh(positionals[0] ?? "", { yes: !!flags.y || !!flags.yes })); break; }
     case "rename": { const { rename } = await import("~/commands/rename.js"); process.exit(await rename(positionals[0] ?? "", positionals[1] ?? "")); break; }
-    case "slug": { const { slug } = await import("~/commands/slug.js"); process.exit(await slug(positionals[0] ?? "", positionals[1] ?? "")); break; }
     case "share": case "invite": { const { invite } = await import("~/commands/invite.js"); process.exit(await invite(positionals[0], { mesh: flags.mesh as string, json: !!flags.json })); break; }
     case "disconnect": { const { runDisconnect } = await import("~/commands/kick.js"); process.exit(await runDisconnect(positionals[0], { mesh: flags.mesh as string, stale: flags.stale as string, all: !!flags.all })); break; }
     case "kick": { const { runKick } = await import("~/commands/kick.js"); process.exit(await runKick(positionals[0], { mesh: flags.mesh as string, stale: flags.stale as string, all: !!flags.all })); break; }

apps/cli/src/services/api/my.ts

@@ -19,20 +19,13 @@ export async function createMesh(
   return post<{ id: string; slug: string; name: string }>("/api/my/meshes", body, token);
 }
 
-export async function renameMesh(token: string, slug: string, newName: string) {
+export async function renameMesh(token: string, oldSlug: string, newSlug: string) {
   // Routed through /api/cli/* (not /api/my/*) because the CLI JWT
   // can't authenticate against the better-auth-protected myRouter.
   // The /api/cli/meshes/:slug route validates the JWT inline.
-  return request<{ slug: string; name: string }>({
+  // v0.7.0 collapse: rename = change slug. mesh.name kept in sync
-    path: `/api/cli/meshes/${slug}`,
+  // server-side (column stays for now, value mirrors slug).
-    method: "PATCH",
+  return request<{ slug: string }>({
-    body: { name: newName },
-    token,
-  });
-}
-
-export async function reslugMesh(token: string, oldSlug: string, newSlug: string) {
-  return request<{ slug: string; name: string }>({
     path: `/api/cli/meshes/${oldSlug}`,
     method: "PATCH",
     body: { slug: newSlug },

apps/cli/src/services/mesh/facade.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 export { listMeshes as list } from "./list.js";
 export { createMesh as create } from "./create.js";
-export { renameMesh as rename } from "./rename.js";
+export { renameMesh as rename, renameMesh as reslug } from "./rename.js";
-export { reslugMesh as reslug } from "./reslug.js";
 export { leaveMesh as leave } from "./leave.js";
 export { joinMesh as join, joinMesh } from "./join.js";
 export { resolveTarget } from "./resolve-target.js";

apps/cli/src/services/mesh/rename.ts

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { my } from "~/services/api/facade.js";
 import { getStoredToken } from "~/services/auth/facade.js";
 
-export async function renameMesh(slug: string, newName: string): Promise<void> {
+export async function renameMesh(oldSlug: string, newSlug: string): Promise<{ slug: string }> {
   const auth = getStoredToken();
   if (!auth) throw new Error("Not signed in");
-  await my.renameMesh(auth.session_token, slug, newName);
+  return await my.renameMesh(auth.session_token, oldSlug, newSlug);
 }

apps/cli/src/services/mesh/reslug.ts

@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-import { my } from "~/services/api/facade.js";
-import { getStoredToken } from "~/services/auth/facade.js";
-
-export async function reslugMesh(oldSlug: string, newSlug: string): Promise<{ slug: string; name: string }> {
-  const auth = getStoredToken();
-  if (!auth) throw new Error("Not signed in");
-  return await my.reslugMesh(auth.session_token, oldSlug, newSlug);
-}

apps/cli/src/ui/welcome/MeshPickerStep.ts

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import type { JoinedMesh } from "~/services/config/facade.js";
-import { bold, dim } from "../styles.js";
+import { bold } from "../styles.js";
 
 export function renderMeshPicker(meshes: JoinedMesh[]): void {
   console.log("\n  Select a mesh:\n");
   meshes.forEach((m, i) => {
-    console.log("    " + bold((i + 1) + ")") + " " + m.slug + " " + dim("(" + m.name + ")"));
+    console.log("    " + bold((i + 1) + ")") + " " + m.slug);
   });
   console.log("");
 }

apps/web/src/app/api/cli/meshes/[slug]/route.ts

@@ -79,20 +79,15 @@ export async function PATCH(
   }
 
   const { slug } = await params;
-  let body: { name?: string; slug?: string };
+  let body: { slug?: string };
   try {
-    body = (await request.json()) as { name?: string; slug?: string };
+    body = (await request.json()) as { slug?: string };
   } catch {
     return NextResponse.json({ error: "invalid JSON body" }, { status: 400 });
   }
-  const newName = body.name?.trim();
   const newSlug = body.slug?.trim();
-
+  if (!newSlug) {
-  if (!newName && !newSlug) {
+    return NextResponse.json({ error: "slug is required" }, { status: 400 });
-    return NextResponse.json({ error: "name or slug is required" }, { status: 400 });
-  }
-  if (newName !== undefined && newName.length > 80) {
-    return NextResponse.json({ error: "name too long (max 80 chars)" }, { status: 400 });
   }
   // Slug regex matches the CLI's pre-flight check. Lowercase only,
   // must start with alnum, may contain hyphens, 2-32 chars total.
@@ -100,7 +95,7 @@ export async function PATCH(
   // comment on mesh.slug — so we don't enforce a uniqueness collision
   // here. Local CLI configs key on slug, so the picker collides
   // locally; that's the user's call.
-  if (newSlug !== undefined && !/^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{1,31}$/.test(newSlug)) {
+  if (!/^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]{1,31}$/.test(newSlug)) {
     return NextResponse.json(
       { error: "slug must be 2-32 chars, lowercase alnum + hyphens, start with alnum" },
       { status: 400 },
@@ -132,15 +127,14 @@ export async function PATCH(
     );
   }
 
-  const patch: { name?: string; slug?: string } = {};
+  // Soft-collapse: name and slug are a single concept user-facing,
-  if (newName !== undefined) patch.name = newName;
+  // so we always sync name = slug. mesh.name column stays for now
-  if (newSlug !== undefined) patch.slug = newSlug;
+  // (avoids touching ~25 reader sites); a future migration drops it.
-
   const [updated] = await db
     .update(mesh)
-    .set(patch)
+    .set({ slug: newSlug, name: newSlug })
     .where(eq(mesh.slug, slug))
-    .returning({ slug: mesh.slug, name: mesh.name });
+    .returning({ slug: mesh.slug });
 
   return NextResponse.json(updated);
 }

docs/roadmap.md

@@ -298,6 +298,23 @@ level, or wire claudemesh to messaging surfaces beyond Claude Code.
   default returns last 30d). CLI: omitting `--mesh` on each
   verb routes through the matching aggregator. *Shipped
   2026-05-03 in CLI v1.16.0.*
+- **v0.7.0 — collapse `mesh.name` and `mesh.slug` into one identifier** —
+  pre-launch correction of a piece of generic SaaS scaffolding that
+  was earning no keep here. Every visible surface (CLI picker,
+  `--mesh` flag, dashboard sidebar, broker presence rows) already
+  keyed on slug; `name` was a parallel string that confused users
+  on rename ("I renamed it but nothing visible changed"). Now: slug
+  IS the identifier. `claudemesh rename <old-slug> <new-slug>` is
+  the entire rename surface — there is no separate display name.
+  CLI picker drops the `(parens)`. Server `PATCH /api/cli/meshes/:slug`
+  body becomes `{ slug }`; the route writes both columns to keep
+  them in sync. New mesh creation derives slug from input.name and
+  stores `name = slug`. The `mesh.name` DB column is kept for now
+  (avoids touching ~25 reader sites in queries.ts / v1-router.ts /
+  dashboard pages) and always equals slug; a follow-up migration
+  drops it. The just-shipped `claudemesh slug` verb (v0.6.2) is
+  removed — its semantics merge into `rename`. *Shipped 2026-05-03
+  in CLI v1.21.0 + web.*
 - **v0.6.2 — `claudemesh slug <old> <new>`** — change a mesh's
   URL-safe slug (the identifier the CLI picker, `--mesh` flag,
   and dashboard sidebar all key on). Slugs are NOT globally

packages/api/src/modules/mesh/mutations.ts

@@ -136,10 +136,13 @@ export const createMyMesh = async ({
     s.base64_variants.URLSAFE_NO_PADDING,
   );
 
+  // v0.7.0 collapse: mesh.name always == mesh.slug. Input.name is
+  // accepted from create UIs (dashboard, CLI) and used to derive the
+  // slug; we drop the original spelling so name and slug never drift.
   const [created] = await db
     .insert(mesh)
     .values({
-      name: input.name,
+      name: slug,
       slug,
       visibility: input.visibility,
       transport: input.transport,