diff --git a/meshterm/persistence/repository.py b/meshterm/persistence/repository.py
index b862df1..46aa4be 100644
--- a/meshterm/persistence/repository.py
+++ b/meshterm/persistence/repository.py
@@ -1533,6 +1533,26 @@ class Repository:
         )
         self._conn.commit()
 
+    def delete_chat_history(self, peer: Optional[str]) -> int:
+        """Delete every stored message of one direct conversation.
+
+        The chat picker's per-contact history delete: removes only that peer's direct
+        messages — channel history and every other conversation stay untouched. The
+        peer matches how :meth:`record_chat_message` stores it (lowercased key prefix).
+
+        Args:
+            peer: The contact's key prefix (the direct conversation's identity).
+
+        Returns:
+            How many messages were deleted.
+        """
+        cur = self._conn.execute(
+            "DELETE FROM messages WHERE is_channel = 0 AND peer = ?",
+            ((peer or "").lower(),),
+        )
+        self._conn.commit()
+        return int(cur.rowcount or 0)
+
     def recent_chat_messages(
         self,
         *,
diff --git a/meshterm/tools/chat.py b/meshterm/tools/chat.py
index b6fbc54..3df05e7 100644
--- a/meshterm/tools/chat.py
+++ b/meshterm/tools/chat.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from ..services.trace_runner import NameKeyResolver, make_name_key_resolver
 from ..ui.chat import _MENTION, _split_channel_sender
 from ..ui.menus import fit_cells
 from ..ui.theme import name_style
-from ..ui.tui import Choice, Separator
+from ..ui.tui import Choice, DeleteRequest, Separator
 from ..ui.widgets import _NODE_GLYPHS, channel_glyph
 from .base import Tool, ToolResult, register
 
@@ -118,68 +118,113 @@ class ChatTool(Tool):
             The chosen :class:`~meshterm.core.models.Conversation`, or ``None`` if
             cancelled.
         """
-        # Through the session cache: this picker runs on every Chat open, and its two reads —
-        # the channel-slot probe and the contacts table — are the two slowest round-trips on a
-        # companion. Reading them from the device each time is what made opening Chat stall for
-        # seconds (the cached chat screen behind it never got the chance to help). The cache
-        # holds channels until the channel editor writes a slot and refreshes contacts in the
-        # background (see :class:`~meshterm.services.device_state.DeviceState`).
-        channels = _channels_from_slots(await ctx.devstate.channel_slots())
-        contacts = await ctx.devstate.contacts()
-        # A stable snapshot orders the rows (so the list doesn't reshuffle under the cursor),
-        # while a self-refreshing view feeds each row's live preview (see _LiveLasts).
-        lasts = ctx.repo.last_chat_messages()
-        live = _LiveLasts(ctx, seed=lasts)
-        # Names in previews/mentions resolve back to keys for their hue (the app-wide
-        # colour rule); a name no contact or stored advert carries stays muted.
-        key_of = make_name_key_resolver(contacts, ctx.repo.node_names())
+        while True:
+            # Through the session cache: this picker runs on every Chat open, and its two
+            # reads — the channel-slot probe and the contacts table — are the two slowest
+            # round-trips on a companion. Reading them from the device each time is what made
+            # opening Chat stall for seconds (the cached chat screen behind it never got the
+            # chance to help). The cache holds channels until the channel editor writes a
+            # slot and refreshes contacts in the background (see
+            # :class:`~meshterm.services.device_state.DeviceState`).
+            channels = _channels_from_slots(await ctx.devstate.channel_slots())
+            contacts = await ctx.devstate.contacts()
+            # Only companion nodes are listed — we don't DM repeaters, rooms, or sensors;
+            # a contact whose type was never advertised gets the benefit of the doubt.
+            companions = [c for c in contacts if c.node_type in (NODE_TYPE_CHAT, None)]
+            # A stable snapshot orders the rows (so the list doesn't reshuffle under the
+            # cursor), while a self-refreshing view feeds each row's live preview
+            # (see _LiveLasts).
+            lasts = ctx.repo.last_chat_messages()
+            live = _LiveLasts(ctx, seed=lasts)
+            # Names in previews/mentions resolve back to keys for their hue (the app-wide
+            # colour rule); a name no contact or stored advert carries stays muted.
+            key_of = make_name_key_resolver(contacts, ctx.repo.node_names())
 
-        items: list = [
-            Separator(_picker_header()),
-            Separator("── 📡 Channels ──", style="accent"),
-        ]
-        for conversation in channels:
-            items.append(
-                Choice(title=_row_title(ctx, conversation, live, key_of), value=conversation)
-            )
-
-        items.append(Separator("── 👤 Direct ──", style="accent"))
-        if contacts:
-            # List contacts by recency — those with messages first, newest exchange at the
-            # top — then the never-contacted ones alphabetically (see _recency_key).
-            direct = [
-                Conversation(label=c.name, is_channel=False, contact=c) for c in contacts
+            items: list = [
+                Separator(_picker_header()),
+                Separator("── 📡 Channels ──", style="accent"),
             ]
-            direct.sort(key=lambda conv: _recency_key(conv, lasts))
-            for conversation in direct:
+            for conversation in channels:
                 items.append(
                     Choice(
                         title=_row_title(ctx, conversation, live, key_of),
                         value=conversation,
                     )
                 )
-        else:
-            items.append(Separator("  (no contacts yet — receive an advert first)"))
 
-        items.append(Separator(" "))
-        items.append(Choice(title="Back", value="__back__"))
+            items.append(Separator("── 👤 Direct ──", style="accent"))
+            if companions:
+                # List contacts by recency — those with messages first, newest exchange at
+                # the top — then the never-contacted ones alphabetically (see _recency_key).
+                direct = [
+                    Conversation(label=c.name, is_channel=False, contact=c)
+                    for c in companions
+                ]
+                direct.sort(key=lambda conv: _recency_key(conv, lasts))
+                for conversation in direct:
+                    items.append(
+                        Choice(
+                            title=_row_title(ctx, conversation, live, key_of),
+                            value=conversation,
+                            # Del offers to delete this thread's stored history —
+                            # only where there is history to delete.
+                            deletable=lasts.get(conversation.key) is not None,
+                        )
+                    )
+            else:
+                items.append(Separator("  (no contacts yet — receive an advert first)"))
 
-        default = next(
-            (
-                it.value
-                for it in items
-                if isinstance(it, Choice)
-                and isinstance(it.value, Conversation)
-                and it.value.key == default_key
-            ),
-            None,
-        )
-        choice = await ctx.ui.select(
-            "Chat — pick a conversation", items, default=default, wrap=False
-        )
-        if choice in (None, "__back__"):
-            return None
-        return choice
+            items.append(Separator(" "))
+            items.append(Choice(title="Back", value="__back__"))
+
+            default = next(
+                (
+                    it.value
+                    for it in items
+                    if isinstance(it, Choice)
+                    and isinstance(it.value, Conversation)
+                    and it.value.key == default_key
+                ),
+                None,
+            )
+            choice = await ctx.ui.select(
+                "Chat — pick a conversation",
+                items,
+                default=default,
+                wrap=False,
+                delete_hint="Del delete history",
+            )
+            if isinstance(choice, DeleteRequest):
+                conversation = choice.value
+                await self._delete_history(ctx, conversation)
+                # Re-enter with fresh rows: a deleted thread's dot hollows and the row
+                # demotes to the uncontacted (alphabetical) tail; keep the cursor on it.
+                default_key = conversation.key
+                continue
+            if choice in (None, "__back__"):
+                return None
+            return choice
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def _delete_history(ctx: AppContext, conversation: Conversation) -> None:
+        """Confirm and delete one direct conversation's stored history.
+
+        Deleting history is irreversible data loss, so the confirm wears the reserved
+        red (``destructive``): Cancel on the left, the committing Delete on the right.
+        On confirm the peer's messages are removed from the database and the thread's
+        unread count is cleared; the contact itself (a device-side record) is untouched.
+        """
+        if not await ctx.ui.dialog(
+            f"Delete the chat history with {conversation.label}? Every stored "
+            "message in this conversation is removed.",
+            [("Cancel", False), ("Delete", True)],
+            title="Delete history",
+            default=1,
+            destructive=True,
+        ):
+            return
+        ctx.repo.delete_chat_history(conversation.peer)
+        ctx.chat.clear_unread(conversation.key)
 
     # -- CLI --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/surface.py b/meshterm/ui/surface.py
index 8a34406..e29077d 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/surface.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/surface.py
@@ -115,12 +115,14 @@ class Ui:
         default: Any = None,
         wrap: bool = True,
         filterable: bool = True,
+        delete_hint: str = "",
     ) -> Any:
         """Prompt the user to choose one item; return its value or ``None`` if cancelled.
 
         ``prompt`` draws an instruction inside the popup, above the list. Pass
         ``filterable=False`` for a short, fixed list so a stray key can't narrow (and
-        resize) it.
+        resize) it. ``delete_hint`` (with rows marked deletable) enables the Delete
+        key's remove flow — see :meth:`~meshterm.ui.tui.session.TuiSession.select`.
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
@@ -394,6 +396,7 @@ class PlainUi(Ui):
         default: Any = None,
         wrap: bool = True,
         filterable: bool = True,
+        delete_hint: str = "",
     ) -> Any:
         """Unsupported in scripted CLI mode."""
         raise self._no_prompt()
@@ -639,10 +642,12 @@ class TuiUi(Ui):
         default: Any = None,
         wrap: bool = True,
         filterable: bool = True,
+        delete_hint: str = "",
     ) -> Any:
         """Delegate to the session's select screen."""
         return await self.session.select(
-            title, items, prompt=prompt, default=default, wrap=wrap, filterable=filterable
+            title, items, prompt=prompt, default=default, wrap=wrap,
+            filterable=filterable, delete_hint=delete_hint,
         )
 
     async def select_startup(
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/tui/session.py b/meshterm/ui/tui/session.py
index 01088dd..3aa4b0d 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/tui/session.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/tui/session.py
@@ -362,15 +362,20 @@ class TuiSession:
         wrap: bool = True,
         filterable: bool = True,
         footer_hint: Optional[str] = None,
+        delete_hint: str = "",
     ) -> Any:
         """Show a select screen; return the chosen value or ``None`` if cancelled.
 
         ``prompt`` draws an instruction inside the box above the list; ``filterable`` and
         ``footer_hint`` are forwarded for short, fixed lists (a yes-or-no style choice) that
-        want no type-to-filter and a tailored hint.
+        want no type-to-filter and a tailored hint. ``delete_hint`` (with rows marked
+        :attr:`~meshterm.ui.tui.select.Choice.deletable`) surfaces the Delete key's atom
+        while the highlight sits on such a row; Delete then resolves a
+        :class:`~meshterm.ui.tui.select.DeleteRequest` the caller unwraps.
         """
         kwargs: dict[str, Any] = dict(
-            prompt=prompt, default=default, wrap=wrap, filterable=filterable
+            prompt=prompt, default=default, wrap=wrap, filterable=filterable,
+            delete_hint=delete_hint,
         )
         if footer_hint is not None:
             kwargs["footer_hint"] = footer_hint
diff --git a/tests/test_chat.py b/tests/test_chat.py
index be093e2..3c77cc8 100644
--- a/tests/test_chat.py
+++ b/tests/test_chat.py
@@ -1303,3 +1303,172 @@ async def test_open_chat_sends_through_real_session(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
         assert stored[0].outbound is True
     finally:
         await ctx.aclose()
+
+
+# -- the picker's companion filter and history delete -------------------------
+
+
+def test_delete_chat_history_removes_only_that_peer(repo: Repository) -> None:
+    """Deleting one direct thread leaves other peers and channel history untouched."""
+    repo.record_chat_message(ChatMessage(text="a", peer="aa"))
+    repo.record_chat_message(ChatMessage(text="b", peer="bb"))
+    repo.record_chat_message(ChatMessage(text="c", is_channel=True, channel_id="c0"))
+
+    assert repo.delete_chat_history("aa") == 1
+    assert repo.recent_chat_messages(is_channel=False, peer="aa") == []
+    assert [m.text for m in repo.recent_chat_messages(is_channel=False, peer="bb")] == ["b"]
+    assert [
+        m.text for m in repo.recent_chat_messages(is_channel=True, channel_id="c0")
+    ] == ["c"]
+
+
+class _PickerDevstate:
+    def __init__(self, contacts) -> None:
+        self._contacts = contacts
+
+    async def channel_slots(self):
+        return []
+
+    async def contacts(self):
+        return list(self._contacts)
+
+
+class _PickerChat(_FakeChat):
+    def __init__(self, unread=None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(unread or {})
+        self.cleared: list[str] = []
+
+    def clear_unread(self, key: str) -> None:
+        self.cleared.append(key)
+
+
+async def test_picker_lists_companions_only(repo: Repository) -> None:
+    """Only companion (and type-unknown) contacts appear in Direct — never repeaters."""
+    from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+    from meshterm.core.models import NODE_TYPE_REPEATER
+    from meshterm.tools.chat import ChatTool
+    from meshterm.ui.tui import Choice
+
+    contacts = [
+        Contact(name="Ally", public_key="d4" + "0" * 62, node_type=1),
+        Contact(name="Mystery", public_key="60" + "0" * 62),  # type never advertised
+        Contact(name="Tower", public_key="a1" + "0" * 62, node_type=NODE_TYPE_REPEATER),
+    ]
+
+    class _Ui:
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            self.items = None
+
+        async def select(self, title, items, **kw):
+            self.items = items
+            return None
+
+    ctx = SimpleNamespace(
+        devstate=_PickerDevstate(contacts), repo=repo, ui=_Ui(), chat=_PickerChat()
+    )
+    assert await ChatTool()._pick_conversation(ctx) is None
+    direct = [
+        it.value.label
+        for it in ctx.ui.items
+        if isinstance(it, Choice)
+        and isinstance(it.value, Conversation)
+        and not it.value.is_channel
+    ]
+    assert "Ally" in direct and "Mystery" in direct and "Tower" not in direct
+
+
+async def test_picker_del_deletes_history_after_a_red_confirm(repo: Repository) -> None:
+    """Del on a contacted thread: red destructive confirm, history gone, unread cleared,
+    and the re-entered picker's row is hollow (no longer deletable)."""
+    from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+    from meshterm.tools.chat import ChatTool
+    from meshterm.ui.tui import Choice, DeleteRequest
+
+    ally = Contact(name="Ally", public_key="d4" + "0" * 62, node_type=1)
+    conv = Conversation(label="Ally", is_channel=False, contact=ally)
+    repo.record_chat_message(ChatMessage(text="hi", peer=conv.peer))
+    repo.record_chat_message(ChatMessage(text="chan", is_channel=True, channel_id="c0"))
+
+    class _Ui:
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            self.selects = 0
+            self.dialogs: list[dict] = []
+
+        async def select(self, title, items, **kw):
+            self.selects += 1
+            assert kw.get("delete_hint") == "Del delete history"
+            row = next(
+                it
+                for it in items
+                if isinstance(it, Choice)
+                and isinstance(it.value, Conversation)
+                and not it.value.is_channel
+            )
+            if self.selects == 1:
+                assert row.deletable  # there is history to delete
+                return DeleteRequest(row.value)
+            assert not row.deletable  # history gone: the row demoted to uncontacted
+            return None
+
+        async def dialog(self, prompt, buttons, **kw):
+            self.dialogs.append({"prompt": prompt, "buttons": buttons, **kw})
+            return True  # commit the Delete
+
+    chat = _PickerChat()
+    ctx = SimpleNamespace(
+        devstate=_PickerDevstate([ally]), repo=repo, ui=_Ui(), chat=chat
+    )
+    assert await ChatTool()._pick_conversation(ctx) is None
+    assert ctx.ui.selects == 2  # the picker re-entered after the delete
+
+    confirm = ctx.ui.dialogs[0]
+    assert confirm["destructive"] is True  # the reserved red, data loss
+    assert confirm["buttons"] == [("Cancel", False), ("Delete", True)]
+
+    assert repo.recent_chat_messages(is_channel=False, peer=conv.peer) == []
+    assert [
+        m.text for m in repo.recent_chat_messages(is_channel=True, channel_id="c0")
+    ] == ["chan"]  # channel history survives
+    assert chat.cleared == [conv.key]
+
+
+async def test_picker_del_cancel_keeps_the_history(repo: Repository) -> None:
+    """Cancelling the confirm leaves the thread's messages untouched."""
+    from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+    from meshterm.tools.chat import ChatTool
+    from meshterm.ui.tui import Choice, DeleteRequest
+
+    ally = Contact(name="Ally", public_key="d4" + "0" * 62, node_type=1)
+    conv = Conversation(label="Ally", is_channel=False, contact=ally)
+    repo.record_chat_message(ChatMessage(text="hi", peer=conv.peer))
+
+    class _Ui:
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            self.selects = 0
+
+        async def select(self, title, items, **kw):
+            self.selects += 1
+            if self.selects == 1:
+                row = next(
+                    it
+                    for it in items
+                    if isinstance(it, Choice)
+                    and isinstance(it.value, Conversation)
+                    and not it.value.is_channel
+                )
+                return DeleteRequest(row.value)
+            return None
+
+        async def dialog(self, prompt, buttons, **kw):
+            return False  # Cancel backs out
+
+    chat = _PickerChat()
+    ctx = SimpleNamespace(
+        devstate=_PickerDevstate([ally]), repo=repo, ui=_Ui(), chat=chat
+    )
+    assert await ChatTool()._pick_conversation(ctx) is None
+    assert [m.text for m in repo.recent_chat_messages(is_channel=False, peer=conv.peer)] == ["hi"]
+    assert chat.cleared == []