diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/federation/NetworkMap3D.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/federation/NetworkMap3D.vue
index d6700ce1..31834fac 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/federation/NetworkMap3D.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/federation/NetworkMap3D.vue
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
       <span class="node-map-legend-item"><span class="node-map-dot" :style="{ background: motionTokens.color.trusted }"></span>Trusted</span>
       <span class="node-map-legend-item"><span class="node-map-dot" :style="{ background: motionTokens.color.observer }"></span>Observer</span>
       <span class="node-map-legend-item"><span class="node-map-dot" :style="{ background: motionTokens.color.untrusted }"></span>Untrusted</span>
+      <span v-if="requests?.length" class="node-map-legend-item"><span class="node-map-dot" :style="{ background: motionTokens.color.pending }"></span>Request</span>
     </div>
     <!-- 2D/3D projection toggle — tweens the camera between the flat radial
          layout and the depth view -->
@@ -26,7 +27,22 @@
       >{{ m.toUpperCase() }}</button>
     </div>
 
-    <div v-if="peerCount === 0" class="node-map-empty">
+    <!-- Peer request popover: black glass, centred over the scene -->
+    <Transition name="nm-pop">
+      <div v-if="activeRequest" class="node-map-popover" role="dialog" aria-label="Peer request" @click.stop>
+        <button class="node-map-popover-close" aria-label="Dismiss" @click="activeRequest = null">✕</button>
+        <span class="node-map-popover-badge">Peer request</span>
+        <p class="node-map-popover-title">{{ activeRequest.label }}</p>
+        <p class="node-map-popover-sub">wants to peer with your node</p>
+        <p v-if="activeRequest.message" class="node-map-popover-msg">“{{ activeRequest.message }}”</p>
+        <div class="node-map-popover-actions">
+          <button class="node-map-popover-btn nm-reject" @click="decideRequest('reject')">Reject</button>
+          <button class="node-map-popover-btn nm-accept" @click="decideRequest('approve')">Accept</button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </Transition>
+
+    <div v-if="peerCount === 0 && (requests?.length ?? 0) === 0" class="node-map-empty">
       <p class="node-map-empty-title">No peers yet</p>
       <p class="node-map-empty-sub">Invite a peer or discover nodes to grow your federation</p>
     </div>
@@ -52,13 +68,24 @@ export interface MapLink {
   target: string
 }
 
+/** Inbound peer request awaiting a decision — rendered as a blinking yellow
+ *  globe on the outermost orbit. */
+export interface MapRequest {
+  id: string
+  label: string
+  message: string | null
+}
+
 const props = defineProps<{
   nodes: MapNode[]
   links: MapLink[]
+  requests?: MapRequest[]
 }>()
 
 const emit = defineEmits<{
   (e: 'select', did: string): void
+  (e: 'approve', id: string): void
+  (e: 'reject', id: string): void
 }>()
 
 const containerRef = ref<HTMLDivElement>()
@@ -116,7 +143,31 @@ interface PeerVis {
   depth: number
 }
 
+/** A pending request on the map. Shares the peer projection maths; adds a
+ *  blink phase and decision-animation fields (deathScale for the reject pop,
+ *  a tweenable ringRadius for the accept glide). */
+interface RequestVis {
+  req: MapRequest
+  angle: number
+  ringRadius: number
+  yJitter: number
+  bobPhase: number
+  p: number
+  blinking: boolean
+  deathScale: number
+  el: SVGGElement
+  outline: SVGCircleElement
+  halo: SVGCircleElement
+  coreGlow: SVGCircleElement
+  label: SVGTextElement
+  linkEl: SVGPathElement
+  dots: GlobeDot[]
+  radiusPx: number
+  depth: number
+}
+
 let peers: PeerVis[] = []
+let requestVis: RequestVis[] = []
 let selfEl: SVGGElement | null = null
 const selfState = { p: 0 }
 let ringPaths: { el: SVGPathElement; radius: number }[] = []
@@ -193,9 +244,11 @@ function clearScene() {
   const svg = svgRef.value
   if (svg) while (svg.firstChild) svg.removeChild(svg.firstChild)
   peers = []
+  requestVis = []
   ringPaths = []
   selfEl = null
   selfDots = []
+  activeRequest.value = null
   nodesLayer = null
   linksLayer = null
   ringsLayer = null
@@ -390,6 +443,81 @@ function buildScene() {
       depth: 0,
     })
   })
+
+  // Inbound peer requests: blinking yellow globes on an orbit OUTSIDE the
+  // peers — visually "knocking at the door", linked to self by a dotted line.
+  const reqs = props.requests ?? []
+  if (reqs.length) {
+    const maxPeerRingRadius = peerNodes.length
+      ? 1 + ringFor(peerNodes.length - 1, peerNodes.length).ring * 0.65
+      : 1
+    const reqRing = maxPeerRingRadius + 0.65
+    const color = motionTokens.color.pending
+    const ringEl = el('path', {
+      fill: 'none',
+      stroke: color,
+      'stroke-opacity': '0.12',
+      'stroke-width': '1',
+      'stroke-dasharray': '4 5',
+      opacity: '0',
+    })
+    ringsLayer.appendChild(ringEl)
+    ringPaths.push({ el: ringEl, radius: reqRing })
+
+    reqs.forEach((req, i) => {
+      const r = 7.5
+      const g = el('g', { cursor: 'pointer' }) as SVGGElement
+      const halo = el('circle', { r: String(r * 2), fill: color, opacity: '0.14' })
+      const outline = el('circle', {
+        r: String(r), fill: 'none', stroke: color,
+        'stroke-width': '1', 'stroke-opacity': '0.5', 'stroke-dasharray': '3 3',
+      })
+      const coreGlow = el('circle', { r: String(r * 0.4), fill: color, opacity: '0.25' })
+      g.append(halo, outline, coreGlow)
+      const dots = makeGlobe(g, r, color, 24)
+      const label = el('text', {
+        dy: String(r + 15),
+        'text-anchor': 'middle',
+        class: 'nm-label',
+        fill: motionTokens.color.textSecondary,
+        'font-size': '11px',
+        'font-family': "'Avenir Next', system-ui, sans-serif",
+      })
+      label.textContent = req.label
+      const title = el('title')
+      title.textContent = `Peer request from ${req.label}`
+      g.append(label, title)
+      // stopPropagation: the same click must not bubble to the container's
+      // popover-dismiss handler and immediately close what it just opened
+      g.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); activeRequest.value = req })
+      nodesLayer!.appendChild(g)
+      const linkEl = el('path', {
+        fill: 'none', stroke: color,
+        'stroke-width': '1.2', 'stroke-opacity': '0.3', 'stroke-dasharray': '2 5',
+      })
+      linksLayer!.appendChild(linkEl)
+
+      requestVis.push({
+        req,
+        angle: (i / reqs.length) * Math.PI * 2 + 0.35,
+        ringRadius: reqRing,
+        yJitter: (hash01(i + 40) - 0.5) * 0.2,
+        bobPhase: hash01(i + 140) * Math.PI * 2,
+        p: 0,
+        blinking: true,
+        deathScale: 1,
+        el: g,
+        outline,
+        halo,
+        coreGlow,
+        label,
+        linkEl,
+        dots,
+        radiusPx: r,
+        depth: 0,
+      })
+    })
+  }
 }
 
 /** One frame: project every element through the camera and write attrs. */
@@ -455,12 +583,34 @@ function render() {
     }
   }
 
+  // Pending requests: same projection as peers, plus the attention blink
+  // (skipped once a decision animation has started or under reduced motion)
+  for (const rv of requestVis) {
+    const dist = rv.ringRadius * (1.9 - 0.9 * rv.p)
+    const sway = staticMode ? 0 : Math.sin(elapsed * 0.55 + rv.bobPhase) * 0.04
+    const a = rv.angle + sway
+    const x = Math.cos(a) * dist
+    const z = Math.sin(a) * dist
+    const y = rv.yJitter
+    const pt = project(x, y, z)
+    rv.depth = pt.z
+    if (updateDots) renderGlobe(rv.dots, rv.radiusPx, cam.rotY + elapsed * 0.18 + rv.bobPhase, 0.95)
+    const blink = rv.blinking && !staticMode ? 0.55 + 0.45 * Math.sin(elapsed * 3.2 + rv.bobPhase) : 1
+    const s = pt.s * cam.zoom * (0.4 + 0.6 * rv.p) * rv.deathScale
+    rv.el.setAttribute('transform', `translate(${pt.x},${pt.y}) scale(${Math.max(s, 0.001)})`)
+    rv.el.setAttribute('opacity', String(rv.p * blink))
+    const mid = project(x * 0.5, y * 0.5 - 0.12, z * 0.5)
+    rv.linkEl.setAttribute('d', `M${origin.x.toFixed(1)} ${origin.y.toFixed(1)} Q${mid.x.toFixed(1)} ${mid.y.toFixed(1)} ${pt.x.toFixed(1)} ${pt.y.toFixed(1)}`)
+    rv.linkEl.setAttribute('opacity', String(rv.p * Math.min(blink + 0.2, 1)))
+  }
+
   // Painter's order: farthest first so near nodes overlap far ones. The self
   // node sits at z=0 (mid-plane) and takes part in the same sort, so peers
   // orbiting in front genuinely pass over it. Only touch the DOM when the
   // order actually changed.
-  if (nodesLayer && peers.length > 0) {
+  if (nodesLayer && (peers.length > 0 || requestVis.length > 0)) {
     const drawables: { el: SVGGElement; depth: number }[] = peers.map(p => ({ el: p.el, depth: p.depth }))
+    for (const rv of requestVis) drawables.push({ el: rv.el, depth: rv.depth })
     if (selfEl) drawables.push({ el: selfEl, depth: 0 })
     drawables.sort((a, b) => b.depth - a.depth)
     let dirty = false
@@ -500,6 +650,7 @@ function playIntro() {
     cam.zoom = 1
     selfState.p = 1
     for (const p of peers) p.p = 1
+    for (const rv of requestVis) rv.p = 1
     for (const r of ringPaths) r.el.setAttribute('opacity', '1')
     render()
     return
@@ -523,6 +674,59 @@ function playIntro() {
       stagger: { each: 0.07, from: 'random' },
     }, 0.45)
   }
+  if (requestVis.length) {
+    intro.to(requestVis, {
+      p: 1,
+      duration: 0.7,
+      ease: motionTokens.ease.arrive,
+      stagger: 0.08,
+    }, 0.7)
+  }
+}
+
+/* ----------------------- request popover ------------------------- */
+
+const activeRequest = ref<MapRequest | null>(null)
+
+function decideRequest(decision: 'approve' | 'reject') {
+  const req = activeRequest.value
+  if (!req) return
+  activeRequest.value = null
+  const rv = requestVis.find(v => v.req.id === req.id)
+  if (rv && !staticMode) {
+    rv.blinking = false
+    if (decision === 'reject') {
+      // Pop out of existence: a quick swell, then collapse — the dotted
+      // link dies with the node.
+      gsap.timeline()
+        .to(rv, { deathScale: 1.22, duration: 0.14, ease: 'power2.out' })
+        .to(rv, { deathScale: 0.001, p: 0.0001, duration: 0.32, ease: 'back.in(2.4)' })
+    } else {
+      // Join: green burst ring, the point cloud and link morph to the
+      // trusted colour, and the globe glides inward onto the peer orbit.
+      const trusted = motionTokens.color.trusted
+      const burst = el('circle', {
+        r: String(rv.radiusPx), fill: 'none',
+        stroke: trusted, 'stroke-width': '2', opacity: '0.8',
+      })
+      rv.el.appendChild(burst)
+      gsap.to(burst, { attr: { r: rv.radiusPx * 3.2 }, opacity: 0, duration: 0.9, ease: 'sine.out' })
+      rv.outline.removeAttribute('stroke-dasharray')
+      rv.linkEl.removeAttribute('stroke-dasharray')
+      gsap.to(rv.dots.map(d => d.el), { attr: { fill: trusted }, duration: 0.6, ease: motionTokens.ease.inOut })
+      gsap.to([rv.halo, rv.coreGlow], { attr: { fill: trusted }, duration: 0.6, ease: motionTokens.ease.inOut })
+      gsap.to([rv.outline, rv.linkEl], { attr: { stroke: trusted }, duration: 0.6, ease: motionTokens.ease.inOut })
+      gsap.to(rv, { ringRadius: 1, duration: 0.9, ease: motionTokens.ease.inOut, delay: 0.15 })
+    }
+  }
+  if (decision === 'approve') emit('approve', req.id)
+  else emit('reject', req.id)
+}
+
+/** Tapping empty map space dismisses the popover (request-node clicks
+ *  stopPropagation, and the popover itself uses @click.stop). */
+function onStageClick() {
+  if (activeRequest.value) activeRequest.value = null
 }
 
 /* --------------------------- interaction --------------------------- */
@@ -668,6 +872,7 @@ function measure() {
 const graphSignature = computed(() => JSON.stringify({
   nodes: props.nodes.map(n => [n.did, n.label, n.trust_level, n.online, n.app_count, n.is_self]),
   links: props.links.map(l => [l.source, l.target]),
+  requests: (props.requests ?? []).map(r => [r.id, r.label]),
 }))
 
 let hasIntroPlayed = false
@@ -684,8 +889,12 @@ function rebuild(replayIntro: boolean) {
     selfState.p = 1
     if (staticMode) {
       for (const p of peers) p.p = 1
+      for (const rv of requestVis) rv.p = 1
     } else {
       gsap.to(peers, { p: 1, duration: 0.5, ease: motionTokens.ease.arrive, stagger: 0.03 })
+      if (requestVis.length) {
+        gsap.to(requestVis, { p: 1, duration: 0.5, ease: motionTokens.ease.arrive, stagger: 0.05 })
+      }
     }
     for (const r of ringPaths) r.el.setAttribute('opacity', '1')
     render()
@@ -700,6 +909,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
     resizeObserver.observe(containerRef.value)
     containerRef.value.addEventListener('pointerdown', onPointerDown)
     containerRef.value.addEventListener('click', onClickCapture, true)
+    containerRef.value.addEventListener('click', onStageClick)
     // Window-level so a drag that leaves the container keeps tracking
     window.addEventListener('pointermove', onPointerMove)
     window.addEventListener('pointerup', onPointerUp)
@@ -826,6 +1036,105 @@ watch(graphSignature, () => rebuild(false))
   pointer-events: none;
   margin: 0;
 }
+.node-map-popover {
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 50%;
+  top: 50%;
+  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
+  width: min(300px, calc(100% - 32px));
+  padding: 18px 16px 14px;
+  border-radius: 1rem;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.78);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(24px);
+  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(24px);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.16);
+  text-align: center;
+}
+.node-map-popover-close {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 6px;
+  right: 8px;
+  min-height: 0 !important;
+  padding: 4px 8px;
+  font-size: 12px;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
+}
+.node-map-popover-close:hover {
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+}
+.node-map-popover-badge {
+  display: inline-block;
+  padding: 2px 8px;
+  border-radius: 9999px;
+  font-size: 9px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  color: #facc15;
+  background: rgba(250, 204, 21, 0.12);
+  margin-bottom: 8px;
+}
+.node-map-popover-title {
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95);
+  margin: 0;
+  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+}
+.node-map-popover-sub {
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+  margin: 2px 0 0;
+}
+.node-map-popover-msg {
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  font-style: italic;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75);
+  margin: 10px 0 0;
+  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+}
+.node-map-popover-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 8px;
+  margin-top: 14px;
+}
+.node-map-popover-btn {
+  flex: 1;
+  padding: 9px 0;
+  border-radius: 0.6rem;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
+  transition: background-color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
+}
+.node-map-popover-btn.nm-accept {
+  color: #4ade80;
+  background: rgba(74, 222, 128, 0.12);
+}
+.node-map-popover-btn.nm-accept:hover {
+  background: rgba(74, 222, 128, 0.22);
+  border-color: rgba(74, 222, 128, 0.4);
+}
+.node-map-popover-btn.nm-reject {
+  color: #f87171;
+  background: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.10);
+}
+.node-map-popover-btn.nm-reject:hover {
+  background: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.2);
+  border-color: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.4);
+}
+/* Popover enter/leave: quick glass pop */
+.nm-pop-enter-active,
+.nm-pop-leave-active {
+  transition: opacity 0.22s ease, transform 0.22s ease;
+}
+.nm-pop-enter-from,
+.nm-pop-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0.92);
+}
+
 .node-map-empty {
   position: absolute;
   inset: 0;
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/utils/motion.ts b/neode-ui/src/utils/motion.ts
index c9478921..74257aba 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/utils/motion.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/utils/motion.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ export const motionTokens = {
     observer: '#fb923c',
     untrusted: '#ef4444',
     neutral: '#9ca3af',
+    /** Pending/attention — inbound peer requests awaiting a decision. */
+    pending: '#facc15',
     /** Text/line opacities on the dark glass ground. */
     textPrimary: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95)',
     textSecondary: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7)',
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/Federation.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/Federation.vue
index e69793af..3a451ff4 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/Federation.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/Federation.vue
@@ -46,7 +46,14 @@
 
     <!-- Network Map View — fills all remaining height to the bottom edge -->
     <div v-if="mapActive" class="flex-1 min-h-0">
-      <NetworkMap3D :nodes="mapNodes" :links="mapLinks" @select="onMapSelect" />
+      <NetworkMap3D
+        :nodes="mapNodes"
+        :links="mapLinks"
+        :requests="mapRequests"
+        @select="onMapSelect"
+        @approve="approvePending"
+        @reject="rejectPending"
+      />
     </div>
 
     <template v-if="activeView === 'list'">
@@ -367,6 +374,16 @@ const mapLinks = computed(() => {
   }))
 })
 
+/** Inbound pending requests for the map — blinking yellow nodes the user can
+ *  accept/reject in place (same RPCs as the pending panel). */
+const mapRequests = computed(() => pendingRequests.value
+  .filter(r => !r.outbound && r.state === 'pending')
+  .map(r => ({
+    id: r.id,
+    label: r.from_name || `${r.from_nostr_npub.slice(0, 12)}…`,
+    message: r.message,
+  })))
+
 const dwnStatusRes = useCachedResource<DwnStatus>({
   key: 'federation.dwn-status',
   fetcher: (signal) => rpcClient.call<DwnStatus>({ method: 'dwn.status', signal, dedup: true, maxRetries: 1 }),