diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/components/RelayGroupCard.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/components/RelayGroupCard.kt
index b0c6a6db30..371939fece 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/components/RelayGroupCard.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/components/RelayGroupCard.kt
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
  */
 package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.components
 
+import androidx.compose.foundation.border
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Row
@@ -27,8 +28,11 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
 import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.CircleShape
+import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
+import androidx.compose.material3.CardDefaults
+import androidx.compose.material3.ElevatedCard
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
-import androidx.compose.material3.OutlinedCard
+import androidx.compose.material3.Surface
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
@@ -100,27 +104,28 @@ private fun RelayGroupCardContent(
 
     val autoPlayGif by accountViewModel.settings.autoPlayVideosFlow.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
     val memberCount = channel.memberCount()
-
-    // Relay host is known immediately; the member count fills in when the roster loads.
-    // Both render on the same single line so nothing reflows as the count arrives.
     val relayLabel = channel.groupId.relayUrl.displayUrl()
-    val subtitle =
-        if (memberCount > 0) {
-            "$relayLabel · ${pluralStringResource(R.plurals.relay_group_member_count, memberCount, memberCount)}"
-        } else {
-            relayLabel
+
+    // Closed (invite-only) is the more actionable signal to a prospective joiner than
+    // private, so it wins when both are set. Null for a plain open group.
+    val statusBadge =
+        when {
+            channel.isClosed() -> stringRes(R.string.relay_group_badge_invite_only)
+            channel.isPrivate() -> stringRes(R.string.relay_group_badge_private)
+            else -> null
         }
 
     // Shown only when the group actually has an about, so description-less groups stay
     // compact. It appears (a small one-time grow) once the relay-signed metadata loads.
     val description = channel.summary()?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
 
-    OutlinedCard(
+    ElevatedCard(
         onClick = {
             nav.nav(
                 Route.RelayGroup(channel.groupId.id, channel.groupId.relayUrl.url, inviteCode = inviteCode),
             )
         },
+        elevation = CardDefaults.elevatedCardElevation(defaultElevation = 2.dp),
         modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth().padding(vertical = 4.dp),
     ) {
         Column(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth().padding(12.dp)) {
@@ -133,7 +138,11 @@ private fun RelayGroupCardContent(
                     robot = channel.groupId.id,
                     model = channel.profilePicture(),
                     contentDescription = channel.toBestDisplayName(),
-                    modifier = Modifier.size(48.dp).clip(CircleShape),
+                    modifier =
+                        Modifier
+                            .size(52.dp)
+                            .clip(CircleShape)
+                            .border(1.5.dp, MaterialTheme.colorScheme.primary.copy(alpha = 0.35f), CircleShape),
                     loadProfilePicture = accountViewModel.settings.showProfilePictures(),
                     loadRobohash = accountViewModel.settings.isNotPerformanceMode(),
                     autoPlayGif = autoPlayGif,
@@ -142,38 +151,58 @@ private fun RelayGroupCardContent(
                 Column(Modifier.weight(1f)) {
                     Row(
                         verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
-                        horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(4.dp),
+                        horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(6.dp),
                     ) {
-                        if (channel.isPrivate()) {
-                            Icon(
-                                symbol = MaterialSymbols.Lock,
-                                contentDescription = null,
-                                tint = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-                                modifier = Modifier.size(14.dp),
-                            )
-                        }
                         Text(
                             text = channel.toBestDisplayName(),
+                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleMedium,
                             fontWeight = FontWeight.SemiBold,
                             maxLines = 1,
                             overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
                             modifier = Modifier.weight(1f, fill = false),
                         )
+                        if (statusBadge != null) {
+                            StatusPill(statusBadge)
+                        }
+                    }
+                    Row(
+                        verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+                        horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(4.dp),
+                    ) {
+                        if (memberCount > 0) {
+                            Icon(
+                                symbol = MaterialSymbols.Group,
+                                contentDescription = null,
+                                tint = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                                modifier = Modifier.size(14.dp),
+                            )
+                            Text(
+                                text = pluralStringResource(R.plurals.relay_group_member_count, memberCount, memberCount),
+                                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                                color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                            )
+                            Text(
+                                text = "·",
+                                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                                color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                            )
+                        }
+                        Text(
+                            text = relayLabel,
+                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                            color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                            maxLines = 1,
+                            overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
+                            modifier = Modifier.weight(1f, fill = false),
+                        )
                     }
-                    Text(
-                        text = subtitle,
-                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                        color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-                        maxLines = 1,
-                        overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
-                    )
                 }
 
                 Icon(
                     symbol = MaterialSymbols.ChevronRight,
                     contentDescription = stringRes(R.string.relay_group_open),
-                    tint = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-                    modifier = Modifier.size(20.dp),
+                    tint = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.primary,
+                    modifier = Modifier.size(22.dp),
                 )
             }
 
@@ -190,3 +219,19 @@ private fun RelayGroupCardContent(
         }
     }
 }
+
+/** A small tonal pill flagging group visibility/join policy (e.g. Private / Invite-only). */
+@Composable
+private fun StatusPill(text: String) {
+    Surface(
+        shape = RoundedCornerShape(6.dp),
+        color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.secondaryContainer,
+    ) {
+        Text(
+            text = text,
+            style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelSmall,
+            color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSecondaryContainer,
+            modifier = Modifier.padding(horizontal = 6.dp, vertical = 2.dp),
+        )
+    }
+}
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupBrowseScreen.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupBrowseScreen.kt
index 0c4d8707ba..2d87e85c63 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupBrowseScreen.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupBrowseScreen.kt
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.chats.publicChannels.relayGroup
 
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Row
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.rememberScrollState
@@ -77,12 +76,17 @@ fun RelayGroupBrowseScreen(
     nav: INav,
 ) {
     var relayUrl by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
+    var showError by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
 
     val joined by accountViewModel.account.relayGroupList.liveRelayGroupServers
         .collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
 
     fun open(url: String) {
-        val normalized = RelayUrlNormalizer.normalizeOrNull(url.trim()) ?: return
+        val normalized = RelayUrlNormalizer.normalizeOrNull(url.trim())
+        if (normalized == null) {
+            showError = true
+            return
+        }
         nav.nav(Route.RelayGroupServer(normalized.url))
     }
 
@@ -114,20 +118,26 @@ fun RelayGroupBrowseScreen(
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(horizontal = 16.dp, vertical = 12.dp),
             )
 
-            Row(
+            OutlinedTextField(
+                value = relayUrl,
+                onValueChange = {
+                    relayUrl = it
+                    showError = false
+                },
+                singleLine = true,
+                isError = showError,
+                supportingText =
+                    if (showError) {
+                        { Text(stringRes(R.string.relay_group_browse_invalid_url)) }
+                    } else {
+                        null
+                    },
+                label = { Text(stringRes(R.string.relay_group_browse_relay_label)) },
+                placeholder = { Text("wss://…") },
+                keyboardOptions = KeyboardOptions(keyboardType = KeyboardType.Uri, imeAction = ImeAction.Go),
+                keyboardActions = KeyboardActions(onGo = { open(relayUrl) }),
                 modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth().padding(horizontal = 16.dp),
-            ) {
-                OutlinedTextField(
-                    value = relayUrl,
-                    onValueChange = { relayUrl = it },
-                    singleLine = true,
-                    label = { Text(stringRes(R.string.relay_group_browse_relay_label)) },
-                    placeholder = { Text("wss://…") },
-                    keyboardOptions = KeyboardOptions(keyboardType = KeyboardType.Uri, imeAction = ImeAction.Go),
-                    keyboardActions = KeyboardActions(onGo = { open(relayUrl) }),
-                    modifier = Modifier.weight(1f),
-                )
-            }
+            )
 
             Button(
                 onClick = { open(relayUrl) },
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupThreadsScreen.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupThreadsScreen.kt
index 419eaac887..a176698ffe 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupThreadsScreen.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/publicChannels/relayGroup/RelayGroupThreadsScreen.kt
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.LazyColumn
-import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.items
+import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.itemsIndexed
 import androidx.compose.material3.FloatingActionButton
 import androidx.compose.material3.HorizontalDivider
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.icons.symbols.Icon
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.icons.symbols.MaterialSymbols
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.model.Note
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.model.nip29RelayGroups.RelayGroupChannel
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.relayClient.reqCommand.event.observeNoteReplyCount
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.navigation.navs.INav
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.navigation.routes.Route
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.navigation.topbars.TopBarExtensibleWithBackButton
@@ -98,6 +99,10 @@ private fun RelayGroupThreads(
     val threads by channel.threads.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
     var showCompose by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
 
+    // Only members can post a thread (the relay rejects a non-member's kind-11), so the
+    // compose FAB is hidden for everyone else.
+    val canPost = channel.membershipOf(accountViewModel.userProfile().pubkeyHex).isMember()
+
     Scaffold(
         topBar = {
             TopBarExtensibleWithBackButton(
@@ -122,12 +127,14 @@ private fun RelayGroupThreads(
             )
         },
         floatingActionButton = {
-            FloatingActionButton(onClick = { showCompose = true }) {
-                Icon(
-                    symbol = MaterialSymbols.Add,
-                    contentDescription = stringRes(R.string.relay_group_thread_new),
-                    modifier = Modifier.size(24.dp),
-                )
+            if (canPost) {
+                FloatingActionButton(onClick = { showCompose = true }) {
+                    Icon(
+                        symbol = MaterialSymbols.Add,
+                        contentDescription = stringRes(R.string.relay_group_thread_new),
+                        modifier = Modifier.size(24.dp),
+                    )
+                }
             }
         },
     ) { padding ->
@@ -142,9 +149,11 @@ private fun RelayGroupThreads(
             }
         } else {
             LazyColumn(modifier = Modifier.padding(padding)) {
-                items(threads, key = { it.idHex }) { thread ->
+                itemsIndexed(threads, key = { _, thread -> thread.idHex }) { index, thread ->
+                    if (index > 0) {
+                        HorizontalDivider(thickness = 0.25.dp, color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.outlineVariant)
+                    }
                     ThreadRow(thread, accountViewModel, nav) { nav.nav(Route.Note(thread.idHex)) }
-                    HorizontalDivider(thickness = 0.25.dp, color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.outlineVariant)
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -162,6 +171,9 @@ private fun ThreadRow(
     nav: INav,
     onClick: () -> Unit,
 ) {
+    // Observe the reply count so a kind-1111 comment arriving on an already-listed thread
+    // bumps it live (channel.threads only re-emits on add/remove of a thread).
+    val replyCount by observeNoteReplyCount(thread, accountViewModel)
     val event = thread.event as? ThreadEvent
     val title = event?.title()?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() } ?: stringRes(R.string.relay_group_thread_untitled)
     val preview =
@@ -170,7 +182,6 @@ private fun ThreadRow(
             ?.replace('\n', ' ')
             ?.trim()
             .orEmpty()
-    val replyCount = thread.replies.size
     val author = thread.author
 
     Row(
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 700854f53e..db1144d0e4 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -1969,6 +1969,9 @@
     <string name="relay_group_open">Open group</string>
     <string name="relay_group_channels_empty">No groups on this relay yet.</string>
     <string name="relay_group_invite_preparing">Preparing invite…</string>
+    <string name="relay_group_badge_private">Private</string>
+    <string name="relay_group_badge_invite_only">Invite-only</string>
+    <string name="relay_group_browse_invalid_url">Enter a valid relay URL (wss://…).</string>
     <string name="relay_group_threads_empty">No threads yet. Start one with the + button.</string>
     <string name="relay_group_thread_new">New thread</string>
     <string name="relay_group_thread_untitled">Untitled</string>