diff --git a/deploy/synapse/.gitignore b/deploy/synapse/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fe47ae372
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/synapse/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Secrets — never commit
+.env
+synapse-credentials.env
+
+# Backups
+backups/
+
+# Generated config backups
+homeserver.yaml.bak
diff --git a/deploy/synapse/docker-compose.yml b/deploy/synapse/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ece8cc0f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/synapse/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+# Synapse Homeserver — Docker Compose Stack
+# Matrix Phase 1: Deploy Synapse on Ezra VPS
+#
+# Usage:
+#   cd deploy/synapse
+#   ./setup.sh                   # first-time deploy (generates config + keys)
+#   docker compose up -d         # start
+#   docker compose logs -f       # follow logs
+#   docker compose down          # stop
+#
+# Secrets:
+#   Never commit .env to version control.
+#   setup.sh generates secrets automatically.
+
+services:
+  synapse-db:
+    image: postgres:16-alpine
+    container_name: synapse-db
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    volumes:
+      - synapse_db:/var/lib/postgresql/data
+    environment:
+      POSTGRES_USER: synapse
+      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:?Set POSTGRES_PASSWORD in .env}
+      POSTGRES_INITDB_ARGS: "--encoding=UTF8 --lc-collate=C --lc-ctype=C"
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "pg_isready -U synapse"]
+      interval: 10s
+      timeout: 5s
+      retries: 5
+    networks:
+      - synapse_net
+    logging:
+      driver: "json-file"
+      options:
+        max-size: "20m"
+        max-file: "3"
+
+  synapse:
+    image: matrixdotorg/synapse:latest
+    container_name: synapse
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    depends_on:
+      synapse-db:
+        condition: service_healthy
+    volumes:
+      - synapse_data:/data
+    env_file:
+      - .env
+    environment:
+      SYNAPSE_CONFIG_PATH: /data/homeserver.yaml
+    ports:
+      - "127.0.0.1:8008:8008"   # Client-server API (localhost only)
+      - "8448:8448"              # Federation (public)
+    networks:
+      - synapse_net
+    healthcheck:
+      test: ["CMD", "curl", "-fSs", "http://localhost:8008/health"]
+      interval: 30s
+      timeout: 10s
+      retries: 3
+      start_period: 30s
+    logging:
+      driver: "json-file"
+      options:
+        max-size: "50m"
+        max-file: "5"
+    deploy:
+      resources:
+        limits:
+          cpus: "2.0"
+          memory: 2G
+        reservations:
+          memory: 512M
+
+volumes:
+  synapse_data:
+  synapse_db:
+
+networks:
+  synapse_net:
+    driver: bridge
diff --git a/deploy/synapse/homeserver.yaml b/deploy/synapse/homeserver.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4f67847fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/synapse/homeserver.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+# Synapse Homeserver Configuration
+# Generated by setup.sh — edit with care.
+#
+# Docs: https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html
+
+# Server name — your Matrix domain (e.g. matrix.example.com)
+server_name: "SERVER_NAME_PLACEHOLDER"
+
+# Signing key — generated by setup.sh
+signing_key_path: "/data/signing.key"
+
+# Trusted key servers (empty = trust only ourselves for our own keys)
+trusted_key_servers: []
+
+# Report stats to matrix.org (no for sovereignty)
+report_stats: false
+
+# Listeners
+listeners:
+  - port: 8008
+    tls: false
+    type: http
+    x_forwarded: true
+    resources:
+      - names: [client, federation]
+        compress: false
+
+# Database — PostgreSQL
+database:
+  name: psycopg2
+  args:
+    user: synapse
+    password: "${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}"
+    database: synapse
+    host: synapse-db
+    cp_min: 5
+    cp_max: 10
+
+# Media store
+media_store_path: "/data/media_store"
+
+# Upload limits
+max_upload_size: "50M"
+
+# URL previews (disable to reduce attack surface)
+url_preview_enabled: false
+
+# Enable room list publishing
+enable_room_list_search: true
+
+# Turn off public registration by default (create users via admin API)
+enable_registration: false
+enable_registration_without_verification: false
+
+# Rate limiting
+rc_message:
+  per_second: 0.2
+  burst_count: 10
+
+rc_registration:
+  per_second: 0.1
+  burst_count: 3
+
+rc_login:
+  address:
+    per_second: 0.05
+    burst_count: 2
+  account:
+    per_second: 0.05
+    burst_count: 2
+  failed_attempts:
+    per_second: 0.15
+    burst_count: 3
+
+# Retention — keep messages for 90 days by default
+retention:
+  enabled: true
+  default_policy:
+    min_lifetime: 1d
+    max_lifetime: 90d
+
+# Logging
+log_config: "/data/log.config"
+
+# Metrics (optional — enable if running Prometheus)
+enable_metrics: false
+
+# Presence
+use_presence: true
+
+# Federation
+federation_verify_certificates: true
+federation_sender_instances: 1
+
+# Appservice config directory
+app_service_config_files: []
+
+# Experimental features
+experimental_features:
+  # MSC3440: Threading support
+  msc3440_enabled: true
diff --git a/deploy/synapse/log.config b/deploy/synapse/log.config
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3a787c61c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/synapse/log.config
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# Synapse logging configuration
+# https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html#log_config
+
+version: 1
+
+formatters:
+  precise:
+    format: '%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(lineno)d - %(levelname)s - %(request)s - %(message)s'
+
+handlers:
+  console:
+    class: logging.StreamHandler
+    formatter: precise
+    level: INFO
+    stream: ext://sys.stdout
+
+  file:
+    class: logging.handlers.RotatingFileHandler
+    formatter: precise
+    filename: /data/homeserver.log
+    maxBytes: 104857600  # 100MB
+    backupCount: 3
+    level: INFO
+
+loggers:
+  synapse.storage.SQL:
+    level: WARNING
+  synapse.http.client:
+    level: INFO
+
+root:
+  level: INFO
+  handlers: [console, file]
diff --git a/deploy/synapse/manage.sh b/deploy/synapse/manage.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..f05fc0838
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/synapse/manage.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Synapse Homeserver — Management Utilities
+# Usage: ./manage.sh <command>
+#
+# Commands:
+#   status      Show container status and health
+#   restart     Restart Synapse (preserves data)
+#   logs        Tail Synapse logs
+#   create-user <username> <password> [admin]
+#   backup      Create timestamped backup of data volumes
+#   update      Pull latest Synapse image and recreate
+#   teardown    Stop and remove everything (DESTRUCTIVE)
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+CYAN='\033[0;36m'
+NC='\033[0m'
+
+info()  { echo -e "${GREEN}[MANAGE]${NC} $*"; }
+warn()  { echo -e "${YELLOW}[WARN]${NC} $*"; }
+error() { echo -e "${RED}[ERROR]${NC} $*"; exit 1; }
+
+COMMAND="${1:-help}"
+
+case "$COMMAND" in
+    status)
+        info "Container status:"
+        docker compose ps
+        echo ""
+        info "Synapse health:"
+        curl -sfS http://127.0.0.1:8008/health && echo "" || echo "Not responding"
+        echo ""
+        info "Disk usage:"
+        docker system df -v 2>/dev/null | grep -E "synapse|VOLUME" || true
+        ;;
+
+    restart)
+        info "Restarting Synapse..."
+        docker compose restart synapse
+        info "Waiting for health check..."
+        sleep 5
+        curl -sfS http://127.0.0.1:8008/health && echo "" && info "Synapse is healthy" || warn "Not responding yet"
+        ;;
+
+    logs)
+        shift
+        LINES="${1:-100}"
+        info "Tailing Synapse logs (last $LINES lines)..."
+        docker compose logs -f --tail="$LINES" synapse
+        ;;
+
+    create-user)
+        USERNAME="${2:?Usage: manage.sh create-user <username> <password> [admin]}"
+        PASSWORD="${3:?Usage: manage.sh create-user <username> <password> [admin]}"
+        IS_ADMIN="${4:-false}"
+        info "Creating user @$USERNAME..."
+        ADMIN_FLAG=""
+        if [ "$IS_ADMIN" = "admin" ] || [ "$IS_ADMIN" = "true" ]; then
+            ADMIN_FLAG="--admin"
+        fi
+        docker compose exec -T synapse register_new_matrix_user \
+            http://localhost:8008 \
+            -c /data/homeserver.yaml \
+            -u "$USERNAME" \
+            -p "$PASSWORD" \
+            $ADMIN_FLAG \
+            --no-extra-prompt
+        ;;
+
+    backup)
+        TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
+        BACKUP_DIR="./backups/${TIMESTAMP}"
+        mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"
+        info "Backing up PostgreSQL..."
+        docker compose exec -T synapse-db pg_dump -U synapse > "${BACKUP_DIR}/synapse_db.sql"
+        info "Backing up Synapse data volume..."
+        docker run --rm \
+            -v synapse_data:/source:ro \
+            -v "$(pwd)/${BACKUP_DIR}:/backup" \
+            alpine tar czf /backup/synapse_data.tar.gz -C /source .
+        info "Backup complete: $BACKUP_DIR"
+        ls -lh "$BACKUP_DIR"
+        ;;
+
+    update)
+        info "Pulling latest Synapse image..."
+        docker compose pull synapse
+        info "Recreating containers..."
+        docker compose up -d --force-recreate synapse
+        info "Waiting for health..."
+        sleep 10
+        curl -sfS http://127.0.0.1:8008/health && echo "" && info "Updated and healthy" || warn "Check logs"
+        ;;
+
+    teardown)
+        echo -e "${RED}WARNING: This will stop and remove all Synapse containers and volumes.${NC}"
+        echo -e "${RED}ALL DATA WILL BE LOST. This cannot be undone.${NC}"
+        echo ""
+        read -p "Type 'yes-delete-everything' to confirm: " CONFIRM
+        if [ "$CONFIRM" = "yes-delete-everything" ]; then
+            info "Stopping containers..."
+            docker compose down -v
+            info "Removing volumes..."
+            docker volume rm synapse_data synapse_db 2>/dev/null || true
+            info "Teardown complete."
+        else
+            info "Aborted."
+        fi
+        ;;
+
+    help|*)
+        echo "Synapse Homeserver Management"
+        echo ""
+        echo "Usage: ./manage.sh <command>"
+        echo ""
+        echo "Commands:"
+        echo "  status              Show container status and health"
+        echo "  restart             Restart Synapse"
+        echo "  logs [lines]        Tail Synapse logs (default: 100)"
+        echo "  create-user <u> <p> [admin]  Create a new Matrix user"
+        echo "  backup              Backup database + data volume"
+        echo "  update              Pull latest image and recreate"
+        echo "  teardown            Stop and remove everything (DESTRUCTIVE)"
+        ;;
+esac
diff --git a/deploy/synapse/setup.sh b/deploy/synapse/setup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..17e6d5134
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy/synapse/setup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Synapse Homeserver — One-Shot Setup Script
+# Matrix Phase 1: Deploy Synapse on Ezra VPS
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./setup.sh <server_name> [admin_user] [admin_password]
+#
+# Example:
+#   ./setup.sh matrix.timmy-time.xyz hermes-bot 'secure-pass-123'
+#
+# What it does:
+#   1. Generates .env with secrets
+#   2. Prepares homeserver.yaml with correct server name
+#   3. Generates signing key
+#   4. Starts Synapse + PostgreSQL via Docker Compose
+#   5. Waits for Synapse to be healthy
+#   6. Registers admin user + bot account
+#   7. Outputs Matrix credentials for hermes-agent
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+# --- Colors ---
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+CYAN='\033[0;36m'
+NC='\033[0m'
+
+info()  { echo -e "${GREEN}[SETUP]${NC} $*"; }
+warn()  { echo -e "${YELLOW}[WARN]${NC} $*"; }
+error() { echo -e "${RED}[ERROR]${NC} $*"; exit 1; }
+
+# --- Args ---
+SERVER_NAME="${1:?Usage: $0 <server_name> [admin_user] [admin_password]}"
+ADMIN_USER="${2:-timmy-admin}"
+ADMIN_PASS="${3:-$(openssl rand -hex 16)}"
+BOT_USER="${4:-hermes-bot}"
+BOT_PASS="${5:-$(openssl rand -hex 16)}"
+
+echo -e "${CYAN}"
+echo "╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗"
+echo "║   Synapse Homeserver — Matrix Phase 1 Deploy    ║"
+echo "╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝"
+echo -e "${NC}"
+info "Server name:  $SERVER_NAME"
+info "Admin user:   @$ADMIN_USER:$SERVER_NAME"
+info "Bot user:     @$BOT_USER:$SERVER_NAME"
+echo ""
+
+# --- Preflight ---
+info "Preflight checks..."
+command -v docker >/dev/null 2>&1 || error "docker not found. Install Docker first."
+command -v docker compose version >/dev/null 2>&1 || error "docker compose not found. Install Docker Compose plugin."
+info "Docker: $(docker --version | head -1)"
+info "Compose: $(docker compose version | head -1)"
+
+# --- Generate .env ---
+info "Generating .env..."
+POSTGRES_PASSWORD=$(openssl rand -hex 24)
+REGISTRATION_SECRET=$(openssl rand -hex 16)
+
+cat > .env <<EOF
+# Synapse deployment — generated $(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)
+# DO NOT COMMIT THIS FILE
+
+POSTGRES_PASSWORD=${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}
+SYNAPSE_SERVER_NAME=${SERVER_NAME}
+SYNAPSE_REPORT_STATS=no
+REGISTRATION_SECRET=${REGISTRATION_SECRET}
+EOF
+chmod 600 .env
+info ".env written with secure permissions"
+
+# --- Prepare homeserver.yaml ---
+info "Preparing homeserver.yaml..."
+sed -i.bak "s/SERVER_NAME_PLACEHOLDER/${SERVER_NAME}/g" homeserver.yaml
+rm -f homeserver.yaml.bak
+info "Server name set to: $SERVER_NAME"
+
+# --- Generate signing key ---
+info "Generating signing key..."
+# Synapse will generate its own key on first run if missing
+# But we pre-create the data volume structure
+docker volume create synapse_data >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+docker volume create synapse_db >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+# --- Start the stack ---
+info "Starting Synapse + PostgreSQL..."
+docker compose up -d
+
+# --- Wait for Synapse to be healthy ---
+info "Waiting for Synapse to start (up to 120s)..."
+MAX_WAIT=120
+ELAPSED=0
+while [ $ELAPSED -lt $MAX_WAIT ]; do
+    if curl -sfS http://127.0.0.1:8008/health >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        info "Synapse is healthy!"
+        break
+    fi
+    sleep 3
+    ELAPSED=$((ELAPSED + 3))
+    if [ $((ELAPSED % 15)) -eq 0 ]; then
+        info "Still waiting... (${ELAPSED}s)"
+    fi
+done
+
+if [ $ELAPSED -ge $MAX_WAIT ]; then
+    warn "Synapse did not respond within ${MAX_WAIT}s. Check logs:"
+    echo "  docker compose logs synapse"
+    error "Aborting registration."
+fi
+
+# --- Register admin user ---
+info "Registering admin user @$ADMIN_USER:$SERVER_NAME..."
+docker compose exec -T synapse register_new_matrix_user \
+    http://localhost:8008 \
+    -c /data/homeserver.yaml \
+    -u "$ADMIN_USER" \
+    -p "$ADMIN_PASS" \
+    --admin \
+    --no-extra-prompt 2>&1 || {
+    # User might already exist if re-running
+    warn "Admin user registration returned non-zero (may already exist)"
+}
+
+# --- Register bot user ---
+info "Registering bot user @$BOT_USER:$SERVER_NAME..."
+docker compose exec -T synapse register_new_matrix_user \
+    http://localhost:8008 \
+    -c /data/homeserver.yaml \
+    -u "$BOT_USER" \
+    -p "$BOT_PASS" \
+    --no-admin \
+    --no-extra-prompt 2>&1 || {
+    warn "Bot user registration returned non-zero (may already exist)"
+}
+
+# --- Get bot access token ---
+info "Acquiring bot access token..."
+BOT_TOKEN_RESPONSE=$(curl -sfS -X POST "http://127.0.0.1:8008/_matrix/client/v3/login" \
+    -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
+    -d "{
+        \"type\": \"m.login.password\",
+        \"identifier\": {
+            \"type\": \"m.id.user\",
+            \"user\": \"${BOT_USER}\"
+        },
+        \"password\": \"${BOT_PASS}\",
+        \"device_name\": \"Hermes Agent\"
+    }")
+
+BOT_ACCESS_TOKEN=$(echo "$BOT_TOKEN_RESPONSE" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['access_token'])" 2>/dev/null || echo "FAILED_TO_EXTRACT")
+BOT_DEVICE_ID=$(echo "$BOT_TOKEN_RESPONSE" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['device_id'])" 2>/dev/null || echo "UNKNOWN")
+
+if [ "$BOT_ACCESS_TOKEN" = "FAILED_TO_EXTRACT" ]; then
+    warn "Could not extract bot access token automatically."
+    warn "Login manually: curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:8008/_matrix/client/v3/login ..."
+fi
+
+# --- Write credentials file ---
+CREDENTIALS_FILE="synapse-credentials.env"
+cat > "$CREDENTIALS_FILE" <<EOF
+# Synapse Credentials — generated $(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)
+# Add these to hermes-agent's ~/.hermes/.env
+
+# Matrix integration
+MATRIX_HOMESERVER=http://${SERVER_NAME}:8008
+MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN=${BOT_ACCESS_TOKEN}
+MATRIX_USER_ID=@${BOT_USER}:${SERVER_NAME}
+MATRIX_DEVICE_ID=${BOT_DEVICE_ID}
+MATRIX_ENCRYPTION=true
+
+# Admin credentials (for user management)
+SYNAPSE_ADMIN_USER=@${ADMIN_USER}:${SERVER_NAME}
+SYNAPSE_ADMIN_PASSWORD=${ADMIN_PASS}
+
+# Bot credentials
+SYNAPSE_BOT_USER=@${BOT_USER}:${SERVER_NAME}
+SYNAPSE_BOT_PASSWORD=${BOT_PASS}
+EOF
+chmod 600 "$CREDENTIALS_FILE"
+info "Credentials written to: $CREDENTIALS_FILE"
+
+# --- Summary ---
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${NC}"
+echo -e "${GREEN}║          Synapse Deployed Successfully!         ║${NC}"
+echo -e "${GREEN}╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "  Server:       ${CYAN}https://${SERVER_NAME}${NC}"
+echo -e "  Client API:   ${CYAN}http://127.0.0.1:8008${NC}"
+echo -e "  Federation:   ${CYAN}https://${SERVER_NAME}:8448${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "  Admin:        ${YELLOW}@${ADMIN_USER}:${SERVER_NAME}${NC}"
+echo -e "  Bot:          ${YELLOW}@${BOT_USER}:${SERVER_NAME}${NC}"
+echo -e "  Bot Token:    ${YELLOW}${BOT_ACCESS_TOKEN:0:20}...${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "  Credentials:  ${CYAN}${SCRIPT_DIR}/${CREDENTIALS_FILE}${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}Next steps:${NC}"
+echo "  1. Point DNS: ${SERVER_NAME} → $(curl -s ifconfig.me 2>/dev/null || echo '<VPS_IP>')"
+echo "  2. Set up TLS: nginx/certbot reverse proxy for :8008 and :8448"
+echo "  3. Copy credentials to hermes-agent: cp ${CREDENTIALS_FILE} ~/.hermes/.env"
+echo "  4. Start hermes: hermes gateway --platform matrix"
+echo ""
+echo "  Manage: docker compose logs -f | docker compose restart | docker compose down"
+echo "  Users:  docker compose exec synapse register_new_matrix_user http://localhost:8008 -c /data/homeserver.yaml -u <user> -p <pass>"
+echo ""
diff --git a/docs/synapse-deployment.md b/docs/synapse-deployment.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1b9ff924c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/synapse-deployment.md
@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+# Synapse Homeserver Deployment Guide
+
+## Matrix Phase 1: Deploy Synapse on Ezra VPS
+
+Part of [Epic #269: Matrix Integration — Sovereign Messaging for Timmy](https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/hermes-agent/issues/269).
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│ Ezra VPS (143.198.27.163)                       │
+│                                                 │
+│  ┌──────────┐     ┌─────────────────────────┐   │
+│  │  Nginx   │────▶│ Synapse (Docker)        │   │
+│  │ :443→8008│     │ Client API: localhost:8008│  │
+│  │ :8448→8448│    │ Federation: 0.0.0.0:8448│   │
+│  └──────────┘     └──────────┬──────────────┘   │
+│                              │                   │
+│                     ┌────────▼──────────┐        │
+│                     │ PostgreSQL 16     │        │
+│                     │ (Docker volume)   │        │
+│                     └───────────────────┘        │
+│                                                 │
+│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
+│  │ hermes-agent (gateway)                   │   │
+│  │ MATRIX_HOMESERVER=http://localhost:8008   │   │
+│  └──────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Docker + Docker Compose plugin on Ezra VPS
+- SSH access: `ssh root@143.198.27.163`
+- DNS A record pointing to the VPS IP
+- (Recommended) Nginx + Certbot for TLS termination
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+# SSH into Ezra
+ssh root@143.198.27.163
+
+# Clone hermes-agent (if not present)
+cd /root
+git clone https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/hermes-agent.git
+cd hermes-agent/deploy/synapse
+
+# Deploy Synapse
+chmod +x setup.sh
+./setup.sh matrix.timmy-time.xyz
+
+# This will:
+#   1. Generate .env with database password
+#   2. Prepare homeserver.yaml
+#   3. Start Synapse + PostgreSQL via Docker Compose
+#   4. Wait for health
+#   5. Register admin + bot accounts
+#   6. Acquire bot access token
+#   7. Write synapse-credentials.env
+```
+
+## Step-by-Step
+
+### 1. DNS Configuration
+
+Point your Matrix domain to Ezra's IP:
+
+```
+Type  Name    Value
+A     matrix  143.198.27.163
+```
+
+Federation uses SRV records for port discovery, but direct `:8448` works without them.
+
+### 2. Deploy Synapse
+
+```bash
+cd /root/hermes-agent/deploy/synapse
+./setup.sh matrix.timmy-time.xyz hermes-bot 'your-secure-password'
+```
+
+Arguments:
+| Arg | Default | Description |
+|-----|---------|-------------|
+| `server_name` | (required) | Matrix domain (e.g., `matrix.timmy-time.xyz`) |
+| `admin_user` | `timmy-admin` | Admin account username |
+| `admin_password` | (random) | Admin account password |
+| `bot_user` | `hermes-bot` | Bot account username |
+| `bot_password` | (random) | Bot account password |
+
+### 3. TLS Termination (Nginx)
+
+Install Nginx + Certbot:
+
+```bash
+apt install -y nginx certbot python3-certbot-nginx
+
+# Client-server API
+cat > /etc/nginx/sites-available/matrix <<'EOF'
+server {
+    listen 443 ssl http2;
+    server_name matrix.timmy-time.xyz;
+
+    ssl_certificate /etc/letsencrypt/live/matrix.timmy-time.xyz/fullchain.pem;
+    ssl_certificate_key /etc/letsencrypt/live/matrix.timmy-time.xyz/privkey.pem;
+
+    location / {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8008;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        client_max_body_size 50M;
+    }
+}
+
+server {
+    listen 8448 ssl http2;
+    server_name matrix.timmy-time.xyz;
+
+    ssl_certificate /etc/letsencrypt/live/matrix.timmy-time.xyz/fullchain.pem;
+    ssl_certificate_key /etc/letsencrypt/live/matrix.timmy-time.xyz/privkey.pem;
+
+    location / {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8008;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+    }
+}
+EOF
+
+ln -sf /etc/nginx/sites-available/matrix /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
+nginx -t && systemctl reload nginx
+
+# Get cert
+certbot --nginx -d matrix.timmy-time.xyz
+```
+
+### 4. Wire Hermes Agent
+
+Copy the generated credentials to hermes-agent's environment:
+
+```bash
+# From synapse-credentials.env, add to ~/.hermes/.env:
+MATRIX_HOMESERVER=https://matrix.timmy-time.xyz
+MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN=<from synapse-credentials.env>
+MATRIX_USER_ID=@hermes-bot:matrix.timmy-time.xyz
+MATRIX_DEVICE_ID=<from synapse-credentials.env>
+MATRIX_ENCRYPTION=true
+```
+
+Then start the gateway:
+
+```bash
+hermes gateway --platform matrix
+```
+
+### 5. Verify
+
+```bash
+# Check Synapse health
+curl -s https://matrix.timmy-time.xyz/_matrix/client/versions
+
+# Check federation
+curl -s https://matrix.timmy-time.xyz:8448/_matrix/federation/v1/version
+
+# Check bot is connected
+# (should appear online in Element or any Matrix client)
+```
+
+## Management
+
+Use the management script for day-to-day operations:
+
+```bash
+cd /root/hermes-agent/deploy/synapse
+
+./manage.sh status        # container health
+./manage.sh logs          # tail logs
+./manage.sh restart       # restart Synapse
+./manage.sh backup        # backup DB + data
+./manage.sh update        # pull latest image
+./manage.sh create-user alice 'password123'
+./manage.sh create-user admin 'secret' admin
+```
+
+## Backups
+
+```bash
+./manage.sh backup
+# Creates: backups/YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS/
+#   ├── synapse_db.sql       (PostgreSQL dump)
+#   └── synapse_data.tar.gz  (media store + keys)
+```
+
+Automate with cron:
+
+```bash
+# Daily backup at 3 AM
+0 3 * * * cd /root/hermes-agent/deploy/synapse && ./manage.sh backup >> /var/log/synapse-backup.log 2>&1
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Synapse won't start
+```bash
+docker compose logs synapse
+# Common: PostgreSQL not ready. Wait for healthcheck.
+```
+
+### Bot can't connect
+```bash
+# Verify token is valid
+curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
+  https://matrix.timmy-time.xyz/_matrix/client/v3/account/whoami
+```
+
+### Federation not working
+```bash
+# Check port 8448 is open
+ss -tlnp | grep 8448
+# Check firewall
+ufw status
+```
+
+### High memory usage
+```bash
+# Check resource limits in docker-compose.yml
+docker stats synapse
+# Tune in homeserver.yaml: event_cache_size, caches
+```
+
+## Security Notes
+
+- Registration is disabled by default (`enable_registration: false`)
+- Rate limiting is enforced on login, registration, and messages
+- Federation certificate verification is enabled
+- `.env` and `synapse-credentials.env` are `chmod 600`
+- Client API binds to `127.0.0.1` only (use Nginx for public access)
+- Consider: firewall rules, fail2ban, regular backups
+
+## References
+
+- [Synapse Documentation](https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/)
+- [Matrix Spec](https://spec.matrix.org/)
+- [Epic #269: Matrix Integration](https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/hermes-agent/issues/269)
+- [Issue #272: Deploy Synapse on Ezra](https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/Timmy_Foundation/hermes-agent/issues/272)
+- [Hermes Matrix Setup Guide](docs/matrix-setup.md)