1 files changed, 21 insertions, 3 deletions
diff --git a/packages/meshbay-node/src/meshbay_node/roster.py b/packages/meshbay-node/src/meshbay_node/roster.py
index f231792..dab1497 100644
--- a/packages/meshbay-node/src/meshbay_node/roster.py
+++ b/packages/meshbay-node/src/meshbay_node/roster.py
@@ -36,7 +36,22 @@ log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # when reading a code aloud or typing it from a phone screen.
 _ALPHABET = "0123456789ABCDEFGHJKMNPQRSTVWXYZ"
 CODE_LEN = 8                      # 8 × 5 bits = 40 bits of entropy
-DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL = 24 * 3600    # seconds
+
+# Two different rhythms, so two different lifetimes.
+#
+# An invitation crosses a human conversation: it is sent by mail or message and
+# answered whenever the other person next looks. A day is not enough — the code
+# dies over a weekend and someone has to be at a browser, with the node online, to
+# issue another one.
+#
+# Operator pairing crosses an SSH session: the code is printed and typed minutes
+# later. There is no reason for it to outlive the sitting.
+#
+# The longer window costs little: a code is single use, bound to one account,
+# never seen by the hub, and 40 bits do not fall to guessing in a week against the
+# node-wide lockout.
+DEFAULT_INVITE_TTL = 7 * 24 * 3600   # seconds — member invitations
+DEFAULT_PAIR_TTL = 24 * 3600         # seconds — operator pairing
 
 _SCHEMA = """\
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS identities (
@@ -358,14 +373,17 @@ async def open_roster(data_dir: Path) -> Roster:
     return roster
 
 
-def write_code_file(data_dir: Path, code: str, expires_at: str) -> Path:
+def write_code_file(data_dir: Path, code: str, expires_at: str,
+                    name: str = "pair-code") -> Path:
     """
     Leave the code in a file as well as on stdout.
 
     An operator working over SSH may not be able to copy out of their terminal,
     and a code that can only be read off a scrolled-away screen is a dead end.
+    Pairing and invitation codes go to different files so one does not overwrite
+    the other.
     """
-    path = data_dir / "pair-code"
+    path = data_dir / name
     path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     path.write_text(f"{code}\nexpires {expires_at}\n")
     os.chmod(path, 0o600)