diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/insignia-iios-messaging-ui-0.1.0.tgz b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/insignia-iios-messaging-ui-0.1.0.tgz
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2ff680
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/insignia-iios-messaging-ui-0.1.0.tgz differ
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapter.ts b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapter.ts
index 1a13ff4..6df76e5 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapter.ts
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapter.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import type {
   Attachment,
+  ChannelSummary,
   Conversation,
+  CreateChannelInput,
   Membership,
   Message,
   MessageEvent,
@@ -53,4 +55,20 @@ export interface MessagingAdapter {
 
   /** Absent => treated as always connected (e.g. a pure-REST adapter). */
   isConnected?(): boolean;
+
+  // ── Channels (optional capability) ──────────────────────────────
+  // A channel is just a third membership beyond dm/group: a discoverable, joinable room.
+  // Implement all four to enable the channels UI; absent => the UI hides channels entirely.
+
+  /** Discoverable channels in the caller's scope, each flagged `joined`. */
+  browseChannels?(): Promise<ChannelSummary[]>;
+
+  /** Create a channel; the creator joins as admin. Returns the new thread id. */
+  createChannel?(input: CreateChannelInput): Promise<{ threadId: string }>;
+
+  /** Join a (public) channel by id. */
+  joinChannel?(threadId: string): Promise<void>;
+
+  /** Leave a channel by id. */
+  leaveChannel?(threadId: string): Promise<void>;
 }
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/kernel-client.ts b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/kernel-client.ts
index 3f3541e..5c148bc 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/kernel-client.ts
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/kernel-client.ts
@@ -188,7 +188,9 @@ export class KernelClientAdapter implements MessagingAdapter {
 
   private toConversation(t: ThreadSummary): Conversation {
     const others = t.participants.filter((p) => p !== this.me);
-    const membership: Membership | null = t.membership === 'dm' || t.membership === 'group' ? t.membership : null;
+    const membership: Membership | null =
+      t.membership === 'dm' || t.membership === 'group' || t.membership === 'channel' ? t.membership : null;
+    const topic = (t.metadata as { topic?: string } | null)?.topic;
     return {
       threadId: t.threadId,
       title: t.subject?.trim() || others.join(', ') || 'Conversation',
@@ -196,6 +198,7 @@ export class KernelClientAdapter implements MessagingAdapter {
       membership,
       participants: [...t.participants],
       unread: t.unread,
+      ...(topic != null ? { topic } : {}),
       ...(t.lastMessage ? { lastMessage: t.lastMessage } : {}),
       ...(t.lastAt ? { lastAt: t.lastAt } : {}),
     };
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/mock.ts b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/mock.ts
index fbd31b8..7d81433 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/mock.ts
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/adapters/mock.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 import type { MessagingAdapter } from '../adapter';
 import type {
   Attachment,
+  ChannelSummary,
+  ChannelVisibility,
   Conversation,
+  CreateChannelInput,
   Membership,
   Message,
   MessageEvent,
@@ -26,6 +29,8 @@ interface MockThread {
   subject: string | null;
   participants: string[];
   messages: Message[];
+  topic?: string | null;
+  visibility?: ChannelVisibility;
 }
 
 const nameById = new Map(MOCK_PEOPLE.map((p) => [p.id, p.name]));
@@ -66,6 +71,21 @@ export class MockAdapter implements MessagingAdapter {
         { id: 'm2', actorId: 'pp_dan', text: 'Crew is rolling out at 7.', at: seededAt, reactions: [] },
       ],
     });
+    // Channels: a joined public one, a joinable public one (I'm NOT in it → shows in browse only),
+    // and a private one I'm a member of.
+    this.threads.set('th_ch_general', {
+      threadId: 'th_ch_general', membership: 'channel', subject: 'general', topic: 'Company-wide chatter',
+      visibility: 'public', participants: [ME, 'pp_dan', 'pp_priya', 'pp_sofia'],
+      messages: [{ id: 'c1', actorId: 'pp_priya', text: 'Welcome to #general 👋', at: seededAt, reactions: [] }],
+    });
+    this.threads.set('th_ch_random', {
+      threadId: 'th_ch_random', membership: 'channel', subject: 'random', topic: 'Non-work banter',
+      visibility: 'public', participants: ['pp_dan', 'pp_sofia'], messages: [],
+    });
+    this.threads.set('th_ch_deals', {
+      threadId: 'th_ch_deals', membership: 'channel', subject: 'deals', topic: 'Big pipeline moves',
+      visibility: 'private', participants: [ME, 'pp_sofia'], messages: [],
+    });
   }
 
   currentActorId(): string {
@@ -73,19 +93,61 @@ export class MockAdapter implements MessagingAdapter {
   }
 
   async listConversations(): Promise<Conversation[]> {
-    return [...this.threads.values()].map((t) => {
-      const last = t.messages[t.messages.length - 1];
-      const others = t.participants.filter((p) => p !== ME);
-      return {
+    // Only threads I'm a member of — an un-joined public channel appears in browse, not here.
+    return [...this.threads.values()]
+      .filter((t) => t.participants.includes(ME))
+      .map((t) => {
+        const last = t.messages[t.messages.length - 1];
+        const others = t.participants.filter((p) => p !== ME);
+        return {
+          threadId: t.threadId,
+          title: t.subject || others.map((id) => nameById.get(id) ?? id).join(', ') || 'Conversation',
+          subject: t.subject,
+          membership: t.membership,
+          participants: [...t.participants],
+          unread: 0,
+          ...(t.topic != null ? { topic: t.topic } : {}),
+          ...(last ? { lastMessage: last.text, lastAt: last.at } : {}),
+        };
+      });
+  }
+
+  async browseChannels(): Promise<ChannelSummary[]> {
+    // Public channels are discoverable; private ones only if I'm already a member.
+    return [...this.threads.values()]
+      .filter((t) => t.membership === 'channel' && (t.visibility === 'public' || t.participants.includes(ME)))
+      .map((t) => ({
         threadId: t.threadId,
-        title: t.subject || others.map((id) => nameById.get(id) ?? id).join(', ') || 'Conversation',
-        subject: t.subject,
-        membership: t.membership,
-        participants: [...t.participants],
-        unread: 0,
-        ...(last ? { lastMessage: last.text, lastAt: last.at } : {}),
-      };
+        name: t.subject ?? 'channel',
+        topic: t.topic ?? null,
+        visibility: t.visibility ?? 'public',
+        memberCount: t.participants.length,
+        joined: t.participants.includes(ME),
+      }));
+  }
+
+  async createChannel(input: CreateChannelInput): Promise<{ threadId: string }> {
+    const threadId = `th_ch_${this.seq++}`;
+    this.threads.set(threadId, {
+      threadId,
+      membership: 'channel',
+      subject: input.name,
+      topic: input.topic ?? null,
+      visibility: input.visibility,
+      participants: [ME],
+      messages: [],
     });
+    return { threadId };
+  }
+
+  async joinChannel(threadId: string): Promise<void> {
+    const t = this.threads.get(threadId);
+    if (t && !t.participants.includes(ME)) t.participants = [...t.participants, ME];
+  }
+
+  async leaveChannel(threadId: string): Promise<void> {
+    const t = this.threads.get(threadId);
+    if (t) t.participants = t.participants.filter((p) => p !== ME);
   }
 
   async openThread(p: { participantIds: string[]; membership?: Membership; subject?: string }): Promise<{ threadId: string }> {
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/channel-browser.tsx b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/channel-browser.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..876eeba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/channel-browser.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import { useState, type FormEvent } from 'react';
+import { useChannels } from '../hooks/use-channels';
+import type { ChannelVisibility } from '../types';
+
+/** Browse + join discoverable channels, and create a new one. Shown in the main pane. */
+export function ChannelBrowser({ onJoined }: { onJoined?: (threadId: string) => void }) {
+  const { browsable, loading, error, join, create } = useChannels();
+  const [name, setName] = useState('');
+  const [topic, setTopic] = useState('');
+  const [visibility, setVisibility] = useState<ChannelVisibility>('public');
+  const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
+
+  async function submitCreate(e: FormEvent): Promise<void> {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    const n = name.trim();
+    if (!n || busy) return;
+    setBusy(true);
+    try {
+      const threadId = await create({ name: n, ...(topic.trim() ? { topic: topic.trim() } : {}), visibility });
+      setName('');
+      setTopic('');
+      onJoined?.(threadId);
+    } catch {
+      // surfaced via the hook's error
+    } finally {
+      setBusy(false);
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function doJoin(threadId: string): Promise<void> {
+    await join(threadId);
+    onJoined?.(threadId);
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="miu-browser">
+      <div className="miu-browser-head">Channels</div>
+
+      <form className="miu-channel-create" onSubmit={submitCreate}>
+        <input
+          className="miu-input"
+          value={name}
+          onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="New channel name"
+          aria-label="Channel name"
+        />
+        <input
+          className="miu-input"
+          value={topic}
+          onChange={(e) => setTopic(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="Topic (optional)"
+          aria-label="Channel topic"
+        />
+        <div className="miu-channel-vis">
+          <label>
+            <input type="radio" name="miu-vis" checked={visibility === 'public'} onChange={() => setVisibility('public')} /> Public
+          </label>
+          <label>
+            <input type="radio" name="miu-vis" checked={visibility === 'private'} onChange={() => setVisibility('private')} /> Private
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <button type="submit" className="miu-send" disabled={!name.trim() || busy}>
+          Create
+        </button>
+      </form>
+
+      <div className="miu-browser-list">
+        {loading && browsable.length === 0 ? <div className="miu-empty">Loading…</div> : null}
+        {error ? <div className="miu-empty miu-error">{error}</div> : null}
+        {!loading && browsable.length === 0 ? <div className="miu-empty">No channels yet — create one above.</div> : null}
+        {browsable.map((c) => (
+          <div key={c.threadId} className="miu-browser-row">
+            <span className="miu-channel-glyph" aria-hidden="true">{c.visibility === 'private' ? '🔒' : '#'}</span>
+            <span className="miu-browser-main">
+              <span className="miu-browser-name">{c.name}</span>
+              {c.topic ? <span className="miu-browser-topic">{c.topic}</span> : null}
+              <span className="miu-browser-meta">
+                {c.memberCount} member{c.memberCount === 1 ? '' : 's'}
+              </span>
+            </span>
+            {c.joined ? (
+              <span className="miu-browser-joined">Joined</span>
+            ) : (
+              <button type="button" className="miu-join" onClick={() => void doJoin(c.threadId)}>
+                Join
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </div>
+        ))}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/channels.test.tsx b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/channels.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05cfe61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/channels.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { render, screen, fireEvent, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { MessagingProvider } from '../provider';
+import { Messenger } from './messenger';
+import { MockAdapter } from '../adapters/mock';
+
+function mount() {
+  return render(
+    <MessagingProvider adapter={new MockAdapter()}>
+      <Messenger />
+    </MessagingProvider>,
+  );
+}
+
+describe('channels (mock adapter)', () => {
+  it('browse returns public channels + private ones I am in, with a joined flag', async () => {
+    const a = new MockAdapter();
+    const list = await a.browseChannels();
+    const byId = new Map(list.map((c) => [c.threadId, c]));
+    expect(byId.get('th_ch_general')?.joined).toBe(true); // public, I'm in
+    expect(byId.get('th_ch_random')?.joined).toBe(false); // public, I'm NOT in
+    expect(byId.get('th_ch_deals')?.joined).toBe(true); // private, I'm in
+    // A private channel I'm not in must never surface in browse — none seeded, so all private here are mine.
+    expect(list.every((c) => c.visibility === 'public' || c.joined)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('join adds me and the channel then appears in my conversation list', async () => {
+    const a = new MockAdapter();
+    expect((await a.listConversations()).some((c) => c.threadId === 'th_ch_random')).toBe(false);
+    await a.joinChannel('th_ch_random');
+    expect((await a.listConversations()).some((c) => c.threadId === 'th_ch_random')).toBe(true);
+    expect((await a.browseChannels()).find((c) => c.threadId === 'th_ch_random')?.joined).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('create makes a channel I am a member of', async () => {
+    const a = new MockAdapter();
+    const { threadId } = await a.createChannel({ name: 'design', topic: 'UI stuff', visibility: 'public' });
+    const conv = (await a.listConversations()).find((c) => c.threadId === threadId);
+    expect(conv?.membership).toBe('channel');
+    expect(conv?.topic).toBe('UI stuff');
+  });
+
+  it('UI: browse, then join a channel — it moves into the Channels section', async () => {
+    mount();
+    // Open the browser via the Channels section "+".
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByTitle('Browse channels'));
+    // #random is browse-only (not joined) → has a Join button.
+    expect(await screen.findByText('random')).toBeTruthy();
+    const joinButtons = screen.getAllByText('Join');
+    fireEvent.click(joinButtons[0]!);
+    // After joining, we jump to the thread and the browser closes → composer is shown.
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByLabelText('Message')).toBeTruthy());
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/conversation-list.tsx b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/conversation-list.tsx
index 14e75fb..828a910 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/conversation-list.tsx
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/conversation-list.tsx
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export function ConversationList({
             onClick={() => onSelect(c.threadId)}
           >
             <span className="miu-avatar" aria-hidden="true">
-              {initials(c.title)}
+              {c.membership === 'channel' ? '#' : initials(c.title)}
             </span>
             <span className="miu-convrow-main">
               <span className="miu-convrow-title">{c.title}</span>
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.test.tsx b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.test.tsx
index 1a78968..d58e0b1 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.test.tsx
@@ -23,9 +23,8 @@ describe('<Messenger /> (rendered UI over an adapter)', () => {
 
   it('sends a message through the adapter and shows it in the thread', async () => {
     mount();
-    await screen.findByText('Crew is rolling out at 7.');
-
-    const input = screen.getByLabelText('Message') as HTMLInputElement;
+    // Wait for the auto-selected thread's composer (avoids a race with the auto-select effect).
+    const input = (await screen.findByLabelText('Message')) as HTMLInputElement;
     fireEvent.change(input, { target: { value: 'on our way' } });
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Send'));
 
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.tsx b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.tsx
index da4cc7e..604df07 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.tsx
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/components/messenger.tsx
@@ -1,31 +1,80 @@
-import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
 import { useConversations } from '../hooks/use-conversations';
+import { useAdapter } from '../provider';
 import { ConversationList } from './conversation-list';
+import { ChannelBrowser } from './channel-browser';
 import { Thread } from './thread';
 
 /**
- * The drop-in messenger: conversation list + open thread. Owns only selection state;
- * all data flows through the injected adapter via the hooks. Auto-selects the first
- * conversation so the pane is never empty on load.
+ * The drop-in messenger: sectioned conversation list (Channels / Direct messages) + open thread,
+ * with a channel browser when the adapter supports channels. Owns only selection + browse state;
+ * all data flows through the injected adapter via the hooks.
  */
 export function Messenger() {
-  const { conversations, loading, error } = useConversations();
+  const { conversations, loading, error, refetch } = useConversations();
+  const adapter = useAdapter();
+  const channelsSupported = typeof adapter.browseChannels === 'function';
+
   const [selected, setSelected] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [browsing, setBrowsing] = useState(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
+    if (browsing) return;
     if (selected && conversations.some((c) => c.threadId === selected)) return;
     setSelected(conversations[0]?.threadId ?? null);
-  }, [conversations, selected]);
+  }, [conversations, selected, browsing]);
+
+  const channels = useMemo(() => conversations.filter((c) => c.membership === 'channel'), [conversations]);
+  const dms = useMemo(() => conversations.filter((c) => c.membership !== 'channel'), [conversations]);
+
+  function pick(threadId: string): void {
+    setBrowsing(false);
+    setSelected(threadId);
+  }
 
   return (
     <div className="miu-messenger">
       <aside className="miu-sidebar">
         {loading && conversations.length === 0 ? <div className="miu-empty">Loading…</div> : null}
         {error ? <div className="miu-empty miu-error">{error}</div> : null}
-        <ConversationList conversations={conversations} selectedId={selected} onSelect={setSelected} />
+
+        {channelsSupported ? (
+          <div className="miu-section">
+            <div className="miu-section-head">
+              <span>Channels</span>
+              <button type="button" className="miu-section-add" title="Browse channels" onClick={() => setBrowsing(true)}>
+                ＋
+              </button>
+            </div>
+            {channels.length > 0 ? (
+              <ConversationList conversations={channels} selectedId={browsing ? null : selected} onSelect={pick} />
+            ) : (
+              <div className="miu-empty miu-empty-sm">Browse to join a channel.</div>
+            )}
+          </div>
+        ) : null}
+
+        <div className="miu-section">
+          {channelsSupported ? (
+            <div className="miu-section-head">
+              <span>Direct messages</span>
+            </div>
+          ) : null}
+          <ConversationList conversations={dms} selectedId={browsing ? null : selected} onSelect={pick} />
+        </div>
       </aside>
+
       <section className="miu-main">
-        <Thread threadId={selected} />
+        {browsing ? (
+          <ChannelBrowser
+            onJoined={(threadId) => {
+              refetch();
+              pick(threadId);
+            }}
+          />
+        ) : (
+          <Thread threadId={selected} />
+        )}
       </section>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-channels.ts b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-channels.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de47e3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-channels.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { useAdapter } from '../provider';
+import type { ChannelSummary, CreateChannelInput } from '../types';
+
+export interface ChannelsState {
+  /** Discoverable channels (public + private-I'm-in), each flagged `joined`. */
+  browsable: ChannelSummary[];
+  loading: boolean;
+  error: string | null;
+  /** Whether the adapter implements channels at all — drives showing/hiding the channels UI. */
+  supported: boolean;
+  refetch: () => void;
+  create: (input: CreateChannelInput) => Promise<string>;
+  join: (threadId: string) => Promise<void>;
+  leave: (threadId: string) => Promise<void>;
+}
+
+export function useChannels(): ChannelsState {
+  const adapter = useAdapter();
+  const supported = typeof adapter.browseChannels === 'function';
+  const [browsable, setBrowsable] = useState<ChannelSummary[]>([]);
+  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(supported);
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [nonce, setNonce] = useState(0);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!adapter.browseChannels) {
+      setLoading(false);
+      return;
+    }
+    let alive = true;
+    setLoading(true);
+    adapter
+      .browseChannels()
+      .then((list) => {
+        if (!alive) return;
+        setBrowsable(list);
+        setError(null);
+      })
+      .catch((e: unknown) => {
+        if (!alive) return;
+        setError(e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e));
+        setBrowsable([]);
+      })
+      .finally(() => {
+        if (alive) setLoading(false);
+      });
+    return () => {
+      alive = false;
+    };
+  }, [adapter, nonce]);
+
+  const refetch = useCallback(() => setNonce((n) => n + 1), []);
+
+  const create = useCallback(
+    async (input: CreateChannelInput) => {
+      if (!adapter.createChannel) throw new Error('channels not supported by this adapter');
+      const { threadId } = await adapter.createChannel(input);
+      setNonce((n) => n + 1);
+      return threadId;
+    },
+    [adapter],
+  );
+
+  const join = useCallback(
+    async (threadId: string) => {
+      if (!adapter.joinChannel) throw new Error('channels not supported by this adapter');
+      await adapter.joinChannel(threadId);
+      setNonce((n) => n + 1);
+    },
+    [adapter],
+  );
+
+  const leave = useCallback(
+    async (threadId: string) => {
+      if (!adapter.leaveChannel) throw new Error('channels not supported by this adapter');
+      await adapter.leaveChannel(threadId);
+      setNonce((n) => n + 1);
+    },
+    [adapter],
+  );
+
+  return { browsable, loading, error, supported, refetch, create, join, leave };
+}
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-conversations.test.tsx b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-conversations.test.tsx
index 0970680..8413071 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-conversations.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/hooks/use-conversations.test.tsx
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ describe('useConversations', () => {
     expect(result.current.loading).toBe(true);
 
     await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.loading).toBe(false));
-    expect(result.current.conversations).toHaveLength(2);
+    // 2 DMs/groups + 2 channels I'm a member of (the un-joined public channel is browse-only).
+    expect(result.current.conversations).toHaveLength(4);
     expect(result.current.conversations[0]!.threadId).toBe('th_mock_1');
     expect(result.current.error).toBeNull();
   });
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ describe('useConversations', () => {
   it('refetch picks up newly opened threads', async () => {
     const adapter = new MockAdapter();
     const { result } = renderHook(() => useConversations(), { wrapper: wrap(adapter) });
-    await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.conversations).toHaveLength(2));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.conversations).toHaveLength(4));
 
     await act(async () => {
       await adapter.openThread({ participantIds: ['pp_dan'] });
@@ -44,6 +45,6 @@ describe('useConversations', () => {
       result.current.refetch();
     });
 
-    await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.conversations).toHaveLength(3));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.conversations).toHaveLength(5));
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/index.ts b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/index.ts
index 7558faa..dd18ac0 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/index.ts
@@ -6,19 +6,25 @@
 export { MessagingProvider, useAdapter } from './provider';
 export { useConversations } from './hooks/use-conversations';
 export { useMessages } from './hooks/use-messages';
+export { useChannels } from './hooks/use-channels';
 export { isOwnMessage } from './types';
 
 // Rendered UI. Pair with the './styles.css' export (or override the --miu-* tokens).
 export { Messenger } from './components/messenger';
 export { ConversationList } from './components/conversation-list';
+export { ChannelBrowser } from './components/channel-browser';
 export { Thread } from './components/thread';
 
 export type { MessagingAdapter } from './adapter';
 export type { ConversationsState } from './hooks/use-conversations';
 export type { MessagesState, UiMessage } from './hooks/use-messages';
+export type { ChannelsState } from './hooks/use-channels';
 export type {
   Attachment,
+  ChannelSummary,
+  ChannelVisibility,
   Conversation,
+  CreateChannelInput,
   Membership,
   Message,
   MessageEvent,
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/styles.css b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/styles.css
index 43efa1f..648761b 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/styles.css
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/styles.css
@@ -209,6 +209,132 @@
   cursor: not-allowed;
 }
 
+/* sidebar sections + channel browser */
+.miu-section {
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--miu-border);
+}
+.miu-section-head {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  padding: 10px 14px 4px;
+  font-size: 11px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+}
+.miu-section-add {
+  border: none;
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  font-size: 16px;
+  line-height: 1;
+  padding: 0 4px;
+}
+.miu-section-add:hover {
+  color: var(--miu-text);
+}
+.miu-empty-sm {
+  padding: 8px 14px 12px;
+  text-align: left;
+  font-size: 12.5px;
+}
+
+.miu-browser {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  height: 100%;
+  min-height: 0;
+  padding: 16px;
+  gap: 14px;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+}
+.miu-browser-head {
+  font-size: 16px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+}
+.miu-channel-create {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 8px;
+  padding: 12px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--miu-border);
+  border-radius: var(--miu-radius);
+  background: var(--miu-panel);
+}
+.miu-channel-vis {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 16px;
+  font-size: 13px;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+}
+.miu-channel-vis label {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 5px;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+.miu-browser-list {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 6px;
+}
+.miu-browser-row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 10px;
+  padding: 10px 12px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--miu-border);
+  border-radius: var(--miu-radius);
+  background: var(--miu-panel);
+}
+.miu-channel-glyph {
+  width: 30px;
+  height: 30px;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+  background: var(--miu-panel-2);
+}
+.miu-browser-main {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 1px;
+}
+.miu-browser-name {
+  font-weight: 600;
+}
+.miu-browser-topic {
+  font-size: 12.5px;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+}
+.miu-browser-meta {
+  font-size: 11.5px;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+}
+.miu-join {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  padding: 5px 14px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  border: none;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  color: var(--miu-accent-text);
+  background: var(--miu-accent);
+}
+.miu-browser-joined {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  font-size: 12px;
+  color: var(--miu-muted);
+}
+
 /* misc */
 .miu-empty {
   padding: 24px;
diff --git a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/types.ts b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/types.ts
index ae99f9b..ff667da 100644
--- a/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/iios-messaging-ui/src/types.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 // Domain types for the messaging UI. Zero imports on purpose: this file must never
 // reach for a transport package. Adapters map their own DTOs onto these.
 
-export type Membership = 'dm' | 'group';
+export type Membership = 'dm' | 'group' | 'channel';
+
+export type ChannelVisibility = 'public' | 'private';
 
 export interface Person {
   id: string;
@@ -18,6 +20,25 @@ export interface Conversation {
   unread: number;
   lastMessage?: string;
   lastAt?: string;
+  /** Channel description (channels only). */
+  topic?: string | null;
+}
+
+/** A discoverable channel (from browseChannels) — includes ones the caller has NOT joined. */
+export interface ChannelSummary {
+  threadId: string;
+  name: string;
+  topic: string | null;
+  visibility: ChannelVisibility;
+  memberCount: number;
+  /** True if the current user is already a member. */
+  joined: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface CreateChannelInput {
+  name: string;
+  topic?: string;
+  visibility: ChannelVisibility;
 }
 
 export interface Reaction {