diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 0a78d24..090d759 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 AFFILIATE_SOURCE=GambleCodez
+DEVICE=vps
 ADMIN_IDS=6668510825
 BOT_TOKEN=
 DISCORD_CODE_GENERATION_IMAGE_URL=https://github.com/gamblecodezcom/Runewager/blob/38c1bbab2d954238829852981514ce92c49d8b10/images/discord_code_generation.png
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
index 409c0c7..3325f99 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -151,13 +151,16 @@ Mode: \`${DEPLOY_MODE}\`
 By: \`${{ github.actor }}\`"
 
   # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  # Job 2: Deploy to VPS (skipped on dry-run)
+  # Job 2: Deploy to VPS — DISABLED
+  # Deployments are performed directly on the VPS by running deploy.sh.
+  # GitHub Actions must NEVER launch, restart, or host the bot.
+  # To deploy: SSH into the VPS and run:  bash /var/www/html/Runewager/deploy.sh
   # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
   deploy:
-    name: Deploy to VPS
+    name: Deploy to VPS (DISABLED — run deploy.sh on VPS directly)
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: quality-gates
-    if: ${{ github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event.inputs.dry_run != 'true' }}
+    if: false  # GitHub must never trigger VPS restarts or bot launches
     environment:
       name: production
 
diff --git a/deploy.sh b/deploy.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4b54587
--- /dev/null
+++ b/deploy.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# =============================================================
+# Runewager — VPS Deployment Script
+#
+# Run this directly on the VPS to deploy the latest code.
+# GitHub Actions does NOT run this script — it is VPS-only.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   bash /var/www/html/Runewager/deploy.sh
+#
+# What it does:
+#   1. git fetch + reset to origin/main (clean, no merge conflicts)
+#   2. npm ci --omit=dev  (install/update production deps)
+#   3. systemctl restart runewager
+#   4. Confirm service status
+# =============================================================
+set -euo pipefail
+
+PROJECT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+APP_NAME="runewager"
+
+say()  { printf '[%s] %s\n' "$APP_NAME" "$*"; }
+warn() { printf '[%s][warn] %s\n' "$APP_NAME" "$*" >&2; }
+
+say "=== Runewager VPS Deployment ==="
+say "Project: $PROJECT_DIR"
+say "Date:    $(date -u '+%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')"
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+# 1) Pull latest code from origin/main
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+say "Step 1/4 — Fetching latest code from origin/main…"
+git fetch --all
+git reset --hard origin/main
+say "Now at: $(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+# 2) Install / update production dependencies
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+say "Step 2/4 — Installing production dependencies…"
+if [[ -f package-lock.json ]]; then
+    npm ci --omit=dev
+else
+    npm install --omit=dev
+fi
+say "Dependencies installed."
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+# 3) Restart via systemctl
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+say "Step 3/4 — Restarting bot via systemctl…"
+if command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    systemctl restart "${APP_NAME}.service"
+    say "Bot restarted."
+else
+    warn "systemctl not found. Restart manually: node $PROJECT_DIR/index.js"
+fi
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+# 4) Confirm service status
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+say "Step 4/4 — Confirming bot status…"
+sleep 3
+ACTIVE="$(systemctl is-active "${APP_NAME}.service" 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+say "Service status: $ACTIVE"
+
+say ""
+say "=== Deployment complete. ==="
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 25f8a6c..3667184 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ const DEFAULT_BONUS_RULE = `Wager 3,000 SC in any rolling 7-day period → 30 SC
 // Channel username (or chat_id) for admin announcements via /announce
 const ANNOUNCE_CHANNEL = process.env.ANNOUNCE_CHANNEL || '@GambleCodezDrops';
 
+// Group username (or chat_id) for automatic silent tips
+const TIPS_GROUP = process.env.TIPS_GROUP || '@GambleCodezPrizeHub';
+
 // ── Images ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 // Images live in /images/ next to index.js.
 // If HOSTED_*_URL env vars are set they take priority (CDN / public URL).
@@ -140,6 +143,37 @@ const giveawayStore = {
   counter: 1,
 };
 
+// =========================
+// Tips Store — rotating silent group posts
+// =========================
+const DEFAULT_TIPS_LIST = [
+  { id: 1, text: '💡 *Did you know?* Runewager gives *instant crypto redemptions* on all sweepstakes prizes. No delays, no stress — just claim and flex.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 2, text: '👋 New here? Tap /start in the bot to unlock your *FREE SC bonuses*, link your account, and join our giveaways.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 3, text: '🏆 Runewager\'s weekly leaderboard is *LIVE* — climb the ranks, earn bragging rights, and win real prizes. All 100% free to play.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 4, text: '🔗 *Pro tip:* Linking your Runewager username in the bot unlocks bonuses, giveaways, and faster support.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 5, text: '🎁 Want more SC? Join our Telegram channel for surprise drops, flash bonuses, and exclusive codes.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 6, text: '🎮 Runewager features top providers like *Hacksaw*, *BGaming*, *Betsoft*, and more — all sweepstakes‑safe and free to play.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 7, text: '🔒 Make sure you\'re Discord‑verified in the bot — it unlocks extra rewards and keeps your account secure.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 8, text: '🎉 Tap *Giveaways* in the bot menu to join our SC giveaways with automatic eligibility checks.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 9, text: '🌍 Runewager accepts players worldwide — no region blocks, no deposit requirements, just pure sweepstakes fun.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 10, text: '💰 Your bonuses refresh often — check the bot for new user bonuses, 30 SC rewards, and seasonal promos.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 11, text: '🤝 Want to help the community grow? Share the bot link with a friend — more players means bigger giveaways.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 12, text: '❓ If you ever get stuck, tap *Help / Commands* in the bot for a full guide, tooltips, and troubleshooting.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 13, text: '📱 Runewager\'s mini‑app loads instantly inside Telegram — or switch to browser mode in *Settings* if you prefer.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 14, text: '👀 Stay active in the group — admins drop surprise SC codes and leaderboard boosts at random times.', enabled: true },
+  { id: 15, text: '🆓 Reminder: Runewager is *100% free to play*. No deposits, no wagering, no risk — just sweepstakes fun and instant crypto prizes.', enabled: true },
+];
+
+const tipsStore = {
+  tips: DEFAULT_TIPS_LIST.map((t) => ({ ...t })),
+  systemEnabled: true,
+  intervalHours: 4,
+  targetGroup: TIPS_GROUP,
+  nextTipId: 16,
+};
+
+let tipsTimerRef = null;
+
 const dataDir = path.join(__dirname, 'data');
 const promoHistoryFile = path.join(dataDir, 'promo-history.json');
 const analyticsFile = path.join(dataDir, 'analytics.json');
@@ -287,6 +321,13 @@ function createRuntimeStateSnapshot() {
       running: Array.from(giveawayStore.running.entries()).map(([id, g]) => ([id, serializeGiveaway(g)])),
       history: Array.from(giveawayStore.history.entries()).map(([id, g]) => ([id, serializeGiveaway(g)])),
     },
+    tipsStore: {
+      tips: tipsStore.tips,
+      systemEnabled: tipsStore.systemEnabled,
+      intervalHours: tipsStore.intervalHours,
+      targetGroup: tipsStore.targetGroup,
+      nextTipId: tipsStore.nextTipId,
+    },
   };
 }
 
@@ -383,6 +424,20 @@ function loadRuntimeState() {
       }
     }
   }
+
+  if (raw.tipsStore) {
+    if (Array.isArray(raw.tipsStore.tips) && raw.tipsStore.tips.length > 0) {
+      tipsStore.tips = raw.tipsStore.tips;
+    }
+    if (typeof raw.tipsStore.systemEnabled === 'boolean') tipsStore.systemEnabled = raw.tipsStore.systemEnabled;
+    if (typeof raw.tipsStore.intervalHours === 'number' && raw.tipsStore.intervalHours > 0) {
+      tipsStore.intervalHours = raw.tipsStore.intervalHours;
+    }
+    if (typeof raw.tipsStore.targetGroup === 'string' && raw.tipsStore.targetGroup) {
+      tipsStore.targetGroup = raw.tipsStore.targetGroup;
+    }
+    if (typeof raw.tipsStore.nextTipId === 'number') tipsStore.nextTipId = raw.tipsStore.nextTipId;
+  }
 }
 
 function persistRuntimeState() {
@@ -5119,6 +5174,59 @@ bot.on('text', async (ctx) => {
     return;
   }
 
+  // Tips system: await new tip text
+  if (action.type === 'await_tip_add_text') {
+    if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+    if (!text) {
+      await ctx.reply('Tip text cannot be empty. Please send the tip you want to add.');
+      return;
+    }
+    const newTip = { id: tipsStore.nextTipId, text, enabled: true };
+    tipsStore.tips.push(newTip);
+    tipsStore.nextTipId += 1;
+    user.pendingAction = null;
+    persistRuntimeState();
+    await ctx.reply(`Added as Tip #${newTip.id}.`);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Tips system: await edited tip text
+  if (action.type === 'await_tip_edit_text') {
+    if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+    if (!text) {
+      await ctx.reply('Tip text cannot be empty. Please send the updated tip text.');
+      return;
+    }
+    const tipId = action.data && action.data.tipId;
+    const tip = tipsStore.tips.find((t) => t.id === tipId);
+    if (!tip) {
+      user.pendingAction = null;
+      await ctx.reply('Tip not found — it may have been removed.');
+      return;
+    }
+    tip.text = text;
+    user.pendingAction = null;
+    persistRuntimeState();
+    await ctx.reply(`Tip #${tipId} updated.`);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Tips system: await new interval (hours)
+  if (action.type === 'await_tip_settings_interval') {
+    if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+    const hours = Number(text);
+    if (!Number.isFinite(hours) || hours <= 0) {
+      await ctx.reply('Please send a valid number of hours (e.g. `4`).', { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+      return;
+    }
+    tipsStore.intervalHours = hours;
+    user.pendingAction = null;
+    persistRuntimeState();
+    startTipsScheduler(); // re-arm with new interval
+    await ctx.reply(`✅ Tip interval updated to every ${hours} hour(s). Scheduler restarted.`);
+    return;
+  }
+
   // Admin announce: await announcement text
   if (action.type === 'await_announcement_text') {
     if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
@@ -5289,6 +5397,243 @@ bot.action('announce_send_channel', async (ctx) => {
   }
 });
 
+// =========================
+// Tips System — scheduler + admin commands + callbacks
+// =========================
+
+/**
+ * Start (or restart) the tips scheduler.
+ * Clears any existing timer then arms a fresh one using the current interval.
+ */
+function startTipsScheduler() {
+  if (tipsTimerRef) clearInterval(tipsTimerRef);
+  const ms = (tipsStore.intervalHours || 4) * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+  tipsTimerRef = setInterval(async () => {
+    if (!tipsStore.systemEnabled) return;
+    const enabled = tipsStore.tips.filter((t) => t.enabled);
+    if (!enabled.length) return;
+    const tip = enabled[Math.floor(Math.random() * enabled.length)];
+    try {
+      await bot.telegram.sendMessage(tipsStore.targetGroup, tip.text, {
+        parse_mode: 'Markdown',
+        disable_notification: true,
+      });
+      logEvent('info', 'Group tip posted', { tipId: tip.id });
+    } catch (e) {
+      logEvent('warn', 'Failed to post group tip', { tipId: tip.id, error: e.message });
+    }
+  }, ms);
+}
+
+/** Build the Tips Manager dashboard keyboard */
+function tipsDashboardKeyboard() {
+  return Markup.inlineKeyboard([
+    [Markup.button.callback('➕ Add Tip', 'tips_cmd_add'), Markup.button.callback('✏️ Edit Tip', 'tips_cmd_edit')],
+    [Markup.button.callback('❌ Remove Tip', 'tips_cmd_remove'), Markup.button.callback('🔁 Toggle System', 'tips_cmd_toggle')],
+    [Markup.button.callback('📋 View All Tips', 'tips_cmd_list'), Markup.button.callback('🧪 Test Random Tip', 'tips_cmd_test')],
+    [Markup.button.callback('⚙️ Settings', 'tips_cmd_settings')],
+    [Markup.button.callback('↩ Admin Menu', 'pamenu_back_admin')],
+  ]);
+}
+
+/** Build a keyboard with one button per tip (for select-to-edit or select-to-remove) */
+function tipSelectKeyboard(action) {
+  const rows = [];
+  let row = [];
+  for (const tip of tipsStore.tips) {
+    row.push(Markup.button.callback(`#${tip.id}${tip.enabled ? '' : ' 🔇'}`, `${action}_${tip.id}`));
+    if (row.length === 5) { rows.push(row); row = []; }
+  }
+  if (row.length) rows.push(row);
+  rows.push([Markup.button.callback('❌ Cancel', 'tips_select_cancel')]);
+  return Markup.inlineKeyboard(rows);
+}
+
+/** Send (or re-send) the Tips Manager dashboard */
+async function sendTipsDashboard(ctx) {
+  const total = tipsStore.tips.length;
+  const enabled = tipsStore.tips.filter((t) => t.enabled).length;
+  const status = tipsStore.systemEnabled ? '🟢 Enabled' : '🔴 Disabled';
+  const text = `📝 *Tips Manager*\n\nStatus: ${status}\nTotal Tips: ${total} (${enabled} active)\nInterval: every ${tipsStore.intervalHours}h\nTarget: ${tipsStore.targetGroup}`;
+  await ctx.reply(text, { parse_mode: 'Markdown', ...tipsDashboardKeyboard() });
+}
+
+// ── /tips /tiplist /tipadd /tipremove /tipedit /tiptoggle /tiptest /tipsettings ──
+
+async function handleTipsCommand(ctx) {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await sendTipsDashboard(ctx);
+}
+
+bot.command('tips', handleTipsCommand);
+bot.command('t', handleTipsCommand);
+bot.command('tp', handleTipsCommand);
+
+bot.command('tiplist', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  const lines = ['📋 *Current Tips:*\n'];
+  for (const tip of tipsStore.tips) {
+    const preview = tip.text.replace(/\*/g, '').slice(0, 80);
+    lines.push(`${tip.id}. ${tip.enabled ? '' : '🔇 '}${preview}${tip.text.length > 80 ? '…' : ''}`);
+  }
+  await ctx.reply(lines.join('\n'), { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+});
+
+bot.command('tipadd', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  const user = getUser(ctx);
+  clearPendingAction(user);
+  user.pendingAction = { type: 'await_tip_add_text' };
+  await ctx.reply('Send the new tip text. HTML and Markdown are both allowed.');
+});
+
+bot.command('tipremove', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  if (!tipsStore.tips.length) { await ctx.reply('No tips to remove.'); return; }
+  await ctx.reply('Remove which tip?', tipSelectKeyboard('tip_remove'));
+});
+
+bot.command('tipedit', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  if (!tipsStore.tips.length) { await ctx.reply('No tips to edit.'); return; }
+  await ctx.reply('Edit which tip?', tipSelectKeyboard('tip_edit_select'));
+});
+
+bot.command('tiptoggle', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  tipsStore.systemEnabled = !tipsStore.systemEnabled;
+  persistRuntimeState();
+  const status = tipsStore.systemEnabled ? '🟢 Tips System Enabled' : '🔴 Tips System Disabled';
+  await ctx.reply(status);
+});
+
+bot.command('tiptest', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  const enabled = tipsStore.tips.filter((t) => t.enabled);
+  if (!enabled.length) { await ctx.reply('No enabled tips to preview.'); return; }
+  const tip = enabled[Math.floor(Math.random() * enabled.length)];
+  await ctx.reply(`Here is a random tip preview:\n\n${tip.text}`, { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+});
+
+bot.command('tipsettings', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  const text = `⚙️ *Tips Settings*\n\nInterval: every ${tipsStore.intervalHours} hours\nSilent mode: Always ON\nTarget group: ${tipsStore.targetGroup}\n\nTo change the interval, reply with the number of hours (e.g. \`4\`).`;
+  const user = getUser(ctx);
+  clearPendingAction(user);
+  user.pendingAction = { type: 'await_tip_settings_interval' };
+  await ctx.reply(text, { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+});
+
+// ── Tips Dashboard inline button actions ──
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_add', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  const user = getUser(ctx);
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  clearPendingAction(user);
+  user.pendingAction = { type: 'await_tip_add_text' };
+  await ctx.reply('Send the new tip text. HTML and Markdown are both allowed.');
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_edit', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  if (!tipsStore.tips.length) { await ctx.reply('No tips to edit.'); return; }
+  await ctx.reply('Edit which tip?', tipSelectKeyboard('tip_edit_select'));
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_remove', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  if (!tipsStore.tips.length) { await ctx.reply('No tips to remove.'); return; }
+  await ctx.reply('Remove which tip?', tipSelectKeyboard('tip_remove'));
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_toggle', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  tipsStore.systemEnabled = !tipsStore.systemEnabled;
+  persistRuntimeState();
+  const status = tipsStore.systemEnabled ? '🟢 Tips System Enabled' : '🔴 Tips System Disabled';
+  await ctx.reply(status);
+  await sendTipsDashboard(ctx);
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_list', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  const lines = ['📋 *Current Tips:*\n'];
+  for (const tip of tipsStore.tips) {
+    const preview = tip.text.replace(/\*/g, '').slice(0, 80);
+    lines.push(`${tip.id}. ${tip.enabled ? '' : '🔇 '}${preview}${tip.text.length > 80 ? '…' : ''}`);
+  }
+  await ctx.reply(lines.join('\n'), { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_test', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  const enabled = tipsStore.tips.filter((t) => t.enabled);
+  if (!enabled.length) { await ctx.reply('No enabled tips to preview.'); return; }
+  const tip = enabled[Math.floor(Math.random() * enabled.length)];
+  await ctx.reply(`Here is a random tip preview:\n\n${tip.text}`, { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_cmd_settings', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  const user = getUser(ctx);
+  clearPendingAction(user);
+  user.pendingAction = { type: 'await_tip_settings_interval' };
+  const text = `⚙️ *Tips Settings*\n\nInterval: every ${tipsStore.intervalHours} hours\nSilent mode: Always ON\nTarget group: ${tipsStore.targetGroup}\n\nSend the new interval in hours (e.g. \`4\`).`;
+  await ctx.reply(text, { parse_mode: 'Markdown' });
+});
+
+bot.action('tips_select_cancel', async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  const user = getUser(ctx);
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery('Cancelled');
+  clearPendingAction(user);
+  await ctx.reply('Cancelled.');
+});
+
+// tip_remove_<id>
+bot.action(/^tip_remove_(\d+)$/, async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  const tipId = Number(ctx.match[1]);
+  const idx = tipsStore.tips.findIndex((t) => t.id === tipId);
+  if (idx === -1) { await ctx.reply('Tip not found.'); return; }
+  tipsStore.tips.splice(idx, 1);
+  persistRuntimeState();
+  await ctx.reply(`Tip #${tipId} removed.`);
+});
+
+// tip_edit_select_<id>
+bot.action(/^tip_edit_select_(\d+)$/, async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  const tipId = Number(ctx.match[1]);
+  const tip = tipsStore.tips.find((t) => t.id === tipId);
+  if (!tip) { await ctx.reply('Tip not found.'); return; }
+  const user = getUser(ctx);
+  clearPendingAction(user);
+  user.pendingAction = { type: 'await_tip_edit_text', data: { tipId } };
+  await ctx.reply(`Send the updated text for Tip #${tipId}.\n\nCurrent text:\n${tip.text}`);
+});
+
+// tip_toggle_<id> (per-tip enable/disable, accessible from tiplist)
+bot.action(/^tip_toggle_(\d+)$/, async (ctx) => {
+  if (!requireAdmin(ctx)) return;
+  await ctx.answerCbQuery();
+  const tipId = Number(ctx.match[1]);
+  const tip = tipsStore.tips.find((t) => t.id === tipId);
+  if (!tip) { await ctx.reply('Tip not found.'); return; }
+  tip.enabled = !tip.enabled;
+  persistRuntimeState();
+  await ctx.reply(`Tip #${tipId} is now ${tip.enabled ? '✅ enabled' : '🔇 disabled'}.`);
+});
+
 // =========================
 // Giveaway Wizard action handlers
 // =========================
@@ -6645,54 +6990,76 @@ async function startBot() {
     for (const adminId of ADMIN_IDS) {
       bot.telegram.sendMessage(adminId, onlineMsg, { parse_mode: 'Markdown', disable_notification: true }).catch(() => {});
     }
+
+    // Start the rotating group tips scheduler
+    startTipsScheduler();
+    logEvent('info', 'Tips scheduler started', { intervalHours: tipsStore.intervalHours, target: tipsStore.targetGroup });
   } catch (e) {
     logEvent('error', 'Failed to launch bot', { error: e.message });
     process.exit(1);
   }
 }
 
-const healthServer = startHealthServer();
-startBot();
-
-const WEEK_MS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
-setInterval(() => {
-  runWeeklyWagerReminder().catch(() => {
-    // ignore reminder errors to keep bot alive
-  });
-}, WEEK_MS);
+// =========================
+// Runtime environment guard
+//
+// GitHub CI  → CI=true or DISABLE_RUNTIME=1  → log and skip (no process.exit so
+//              smoke tests can require() this file and verify it loads cleanly).
+// Non-VPS    → DEVICE !== "vps"               → exit(0) immediately.
+//              Set DEVICE=vps in the VPS .env to allow the bot to start.
+//
+// All bot handler registrations above this block are pure in-memory operations
+// and are safe to run in any environment.
+// =========================
+if (process.env.CI === 'true' || process.env.DISABLE_RUNTIME === '1') {
+  console.log('CI mode detected — bot runtime disabled.');
+} else if (process.env.DEVICE !== 'vps') {
+  console.log('Bot runtime disabled — not running on VPS. Set DEVICE=vps in .env to enable.');
+  process.exit(0);
+} else {
+  const healthServer = startHealthServer();
+  startBot();
+
+  const WEEK_MS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+  setInterval(() => {
+    runWeeklyWagerReminder().catch(() => {
+      // ignore reminder errors to keep bot alive
+    });
+  }, WEEK_MS);
 
-setInterval(() => {
-  persistAnalytics();
-  persistRuntimeState();
-  buildDashboard();
-}, 60 * 1000);
+  setInterval(() => {
+    persistAnalytics();
+    persistRuntimeState();
+    buildDashboard();
+  }, 60 * 1000);
 
-setInterval(() => {
-  referralStore.weekly.clear();
-}, WEEK_MS);
+  setInterval(() => {
+    referralStore.weekly.clear();
+  }, WEEK_MS);
 
-setInterval(() => {
-  try {
-    if (fs.existsSync(runtimeStateFile)) {
-      const backupPath = createRuntimeBackup();
-      logEvent('info', 'Runtime backup created', { backupPath });
+  setInterval(() => {
+    try {
+      if (fs.existsSync(runtimeStateFile)) {
+        const backupPath = createRuntimeBackup();
+        logEvent('info', 'Runtime backup created', { backupPath });
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      logEvent('error', 'Runtime backup failed', { error: e.message });
     }
-  } catch (e) {
-    logEvent('error', 'Runtime backup failed', { error: e.message });
-  }
-}, 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);
+  }, 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);
 
-process.once('SIGINT', () => {
-  persistAnalytics();
-  persistRuntimeState();
-  buildDashboard();
-  healthServer.close();
-  bot.stop('SIGINT');
-});
-process.once('SIGTERM', () => {
-  persistAnalytics();
-  persistRuntimeState();
-  buildDashboard();
-  healthServer.close();
-  bot.stop('SIGTERM');
-});
+  process.once('SIGINT', () => {
+    persistAnalytics();
+    persistRuntimeState();
+    buildDashboard();
+    healthServer.close();
+    bot.stop('SIGINT');
+  });
+  process.once('SIGTERM', () => {
+    persistAnalytics();
+    persistRuntimeState();
+    buildDashboard();
+    healthServer.close();
+    bot.stop('SIGTERM');
+  });
+}