continuwuity/docs/plans/2026-03-17-space-permission-cascading.md

Space Permission Cascading Implementation Plan

For Claude: REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task.

Goal: Implement server-side Space permission cascading — power levels and role-based access flow from Spaces to their direct child rooms.

Architecture: Custom state events (m.space.roles, m.space.role.member, m.space.role.room) define roles in Space rooms. An in-memory cache indexes these for fast enforcement. The server intercepts joins, membership changes, and state event updates to enforce cascading. A server-wide config flag (space_permission_cascading) gates the entire feature.

Tech Stack: Rust, ruma (Matrix types), conduwuit service layer, clap (admin commands), serde, LruCache/HashMap, tokio async

Design doc: docs/plans/2026-03-17-space-permission-cascading-design.md

---

Task 1: Add Config Flag

Files:

• Modify: src/core/config/mod.rs (add field to Config struct, near line 604)

Step 1: Add the config field

Add after the suspend_on_register field (around line 604) in the Config struct:

/// Enable space permission cascading (power levels and role-based access).
/// When enabled, power levels cascade from Spaces to child rooms and rooms
/// can require roles for access. Applies to all Spaces on this server.
///
/// default: false
#[serde(default)]
pub space_permission_cascading: bool,

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-core 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles successfully. The conduwuit-example.toml is auto-generated from doc comments by the #[config_example_generator] macro.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/core/config/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add space_permission_cascading config flag"

---

Task 2: Define Custom State Event Content Types

Files:

• Create: src/core/matrix/space_roles.rs
• Modify: src/core/matrix/mod.rs (add module declaration)

Step 1: Create the event content types

Create src/core/matrix/space_roles.rs with serde types for the three custom state events:

//! Custom state event content types for space permission cascading.
//!
//! These events live in Space rooms and define roles, user-role assignments,
//! and room-role requirements.

use std::collections::BTreeMap;

use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};

/// Content for `m.space.roles` (state key: "")
///
/// Defines available roles for a Space.
#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Deserialize, Serialize)]
pub struct SpaceRolesEventContent {
	pub roles: BTreeMap<String, RoleDefinition>,
}

/// A single role definition within a Space.
#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Serialize)]
pub struct RoleDefinition {
	pub description: String,

	/// If present, users with this role receive this power level in child
	/// rooms.
	#[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
	pub power_level: Option<i64>,
}

/// Content for `m.space.role.member` (state key: user ID)
///
/// Assigns roles to a user within a Space.
#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Deserialize, Serialize)]
pub struct SpaceRoleMemberEventContent {
	pub roles: Vec<String>,
}

/// Content for `m.space.role.room` (state key: room ID)
///
/// Declares which roles a child room requires for access.
#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Deserialize, Serialize)]
pub struct SpaceRoleRoomEventContent {
	pub required_roles: Vec<String>,
}

Step 2: Register the module

In src/core/matrix/mod.rs, add:

pub mod space_roles;

Step 3: Write tests for serde round-tripping

Add to the bottom of src/core/matrix/space_roles.rs:

#[cfg(test)]
mod tests {
	use super::*;

	#[test]
	fn serialize_space_roles() {
		let mut roles = BTreeMap::new();
		roles.insert(
			"admin".to_owned(),
			RoleDefinition {
				description: "Space administrator".to_owned(),
				power_level: Some(100),
			},
		);
		roles.insert(
			"nsfw".to_owned(),
			RoleDefinition {
				description: "NSFW access".to_owned(),
				power_level: None,
			},
		);
		let content = SpaceRolesEventContent { roles };
		let json = serde_json::to_string(&content).unwrap();
		let deserialized: SpaceRolesEventContent = serde_json::from_str(&json).unwrap();
		assert_eq!(deserialized.roles.len(), 2);
		assert_eq!(deserialized.roles["admin"].power_level, Some(100));
		assert!(deserialized.roles["nsfw"].power_level.is_none());
	}

	#[test]
	fn serialize_role_member() {
		let content = SpaceRoleMemberEventContent {
			roles: vec!["nsfw".to_owned(), "vip".to_owned()],
		};
		let json = serde_json::to_string(&content).unwrap();
		let deserialized: SpaceRoleMemberEventContent = serde_json::from_str(&json).unwrap();
		assert_eq!(deserialized.roles, vec!["nsfw", "vip"]);
	}

	#[test]
	fn serialize_role_room() {
		let content = SpaceRoleRoomEventContent {
			required_roles: vec!["nsfw".to_owned()],
		};
		let json = serde_json::to_string(&content).unwrap();
		let deserialized: SpaceRoleRoomEventContent = serde_json::from_str(&json).unwrap();
		assert_eq!(deserialized.required_roles, vec!["nsfw"]);
	}

	#[test]
	fn empty_roles_deserialize() {
		let json = r#"{"roles":{}}"#;
		let content: SpaceRolesEventContent = serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap();
		assert!(content.roles.is_empty());
	}
}

Step 4: Run tests

Run: cargo test -p conduwuit-core space_roles 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: All 4 tests pass.

Step 5: Commit

git add src/core/matrix/space_roles.rs src/core/matrix/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add custom state event types for space roles"

---

Task 3: Create the Space Roles Service

Files:

• Create: src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs
• Modify: src/service/rooms/mod.rs (add module)
• Modify: src/service/service.rs or equivalent service registry (register new service)

This is the core service that manages the in-memory cache and provides lookup methods.

Step 1: Create the service skeleton

Create src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs:

//! Space permission cascading service.
//!
//! Maintains an in-memory index of space roles, user-role assignments, and
//! room-role requirements. Source of truth is always the state events in the
//! Space room.

use std::{
	collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap, HashSet},
	fmt::Write,
	sync::Arc,
};

use async_trait::async_trait;
use conduwuit_core::{
	Result, implement,
	matrix::space_roles::{
		SpaceRoleRoomEventContent, SpaceRoleMemberEventContent, SpaceRolesEventContent,
		RoleDefinition,
	},
};
use ruma::{OwnedRoomId, OwnedUserId, RoomId, UserId};
use tokio::sync::RwLock;

use crate::{Dep, rooms};

pub struct Service {
	services: Services,
	/// Space ID -> role definitions
	pub roles: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, BTreeMap<String, RoleDefinition>>>,
	/// Space ID -> user ID -> assigned roles
	pub user_roles: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, HashMap<OwnedUserId, HashSet<String>>>>,
	/// Space ID -> child room ID -> required roles
	pub room_requirements: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, HashMap<OwnedRoomId, HashSet<String>>>>,
	/// Child room ID -> parent Space ID (reverse lookup)
	pub room_to_space: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, OwnedRoomId>>,
}

struct Services {
	state_accessor: Dep<rooms::state_accessor::Service>,
	state_cache: Dep<rooms::state_cache::Service>,
	state: Dep<rooms::state::Service>,
	spaces: Dep<rooms::spaces::Service>,
	timeline: Dep<rooms::timeline::Service>,
	server: Arc<conduwuit_core::Server>,
}

#[async_trait]
impl crate::Service for Service {
	fn build(args: crate::Args<'_>) -> Result<Arc<Self>> {
		Ok(Arc::new(Self {
			services: Services {
				state_accessor: args
					.depend::<rooms::state_accessor::Service>("rooms::state_accessor"),
				state_cache: args.depend::<rooms::state_cache::Service>("rooms::state_cache"),
				state: args.depend::<rooms::state::Service>("rooms::state"),
				spaces: args.depend::<rooms::spaces::Service>("rooms::spaces"),
				timeline: args.depend::<rooms::timeline::Service>("rooms::timeline"),
				server: args.server.clone(),
			},
			roles: RwLock::new(HashMap::new()),
			user_roles: RwLock::new(HashMap::new()),
			room_requirements: RwLock::new(HashMap::new()),
			room_to_space: RwLock::new(HashMap::new()),
		}))
	}

	async fn memory_usage(&self, out: &mut (dyn Write + Send)) -> Result {
		let roles = self.roles.read().await.len();
		let user_roles = self.user_roles.read().await.len();
		let room_requirements = self.room_requirements.read().await.len();
		let room_to_space = self.room_to_space.read().await.len();

		writeln!(out, "space_roles_definitions: {roles}")?;
		writeln!(out, "space_user_roles: {user_roles}")?;
		writeln!(out, "space_room_requirements: {room_requirements}")?;
		writeln!(out, "space_room_to_space_index: {room_to_space}")?;
		Ok(())
	}

	async fn clear_cache(&self) {
		self.roles.write().await.clear();
		self.user_roles.write().await.clear();
		self.room_requirements.write().await.clear();
		self.room_to_space.write().await.clear();
	}

	fn name(&self) -> &str { crate::service::make_name(std::module_path!()) }
}

Step 2: Register the module in rooms

In src/service/rooms/mod.rs, add:

pub mod roles;

Step 3: Register the service in the service registry

Find where services are registered (likely in src/service/services.rs or similar) and add the rooms::roles::Service following the same pattern as other room services. This requires reading the exact registration pattern used.

Step 4: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles successfully.

Step 5: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/ src/service/rooms/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add space roles service skeleton with cache structures"

---

Task 4: Implement Cache Population and Lookup Methods

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs

Step 1: Add the is_enabled() check

#[implement(Service)]
pub fn is_enabled(&self) -> bool {
	self.services.server.config.space_permission_cascading
}

Step 2: Add cache population from state events

/// Rebuild the cache for a single Space by reading its state events.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn populate_space(&self, space_id: &RoomId) -> Result {
	if !self.is_enabled() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	// Load role definitions from m.space.roles
	let roles_content: Option<SpaceRolesEventContent> = self
		.services
		.state_accessor
		.room_state_get_content(space_id, &StateEventType::from("m.space.roles"), "")
		.await
		.ok();

	if let Some(content) = roles_content {
		self.roles
			.write()
			.await
			.insert(space_id.to_owned(), content.roles);
	}

	// Load user role assignments from m.space.role.member state events
	// Iterate all state events of type m.space.role.member
	// Load room requirements from m.space.role.room state events
	// Build room_to_space reverse index from m.space.child events

	Ok(())
}

Step 3: Add lookup methods

/// Get a user's effective power level from Space roles.
/// Returns None if user has no roles with power levels.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn get_user_power_level(
	&self,
	space_id: &RoomId,
	user_id: &UserId,
) -> Option<i64> {
	let roles_map = self.roles.read().await;
	let user_roles_map = self.user_roles.read().await;

	let role_defs = roles_map.get(space_id)?;
	let user_assigned = user_roles_map.get(space_id)?.get(user_id)?;

	user_assigned
		.iter()
		.filter_map(|role_name| role_defs.get(role_name)?.power_level)
		.max()
}

/// Check if a user has all required roles for a room.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn user_qualifies_for_room(
	&self,
	space_id: &RoomId,
	room_id: &RoomId,
	user_id: &UserId,
) -> bool {
	let reqs = self.room_requirements.read().await;
	let Some(space_reqs) = reqs.get(space_id) else {
		return true; // no requirements tracked for this space
	};
	let Some(required) = space_reqs.get(room_id) else {
		return true; // room has no role requirements
	};
	if required.is_empty() {
		return true;
	}

	let user_map = self.user_roles.read().await;
	let Some(space_users) = user_map.get(space_id) else {
		return false;
	};
	let Some(user_assigned) = space_users.get(user_id) else {
		return false;
	};

	required.iter().all(|r| user_assigned.contains(r))
}

/// Get the parent Space of a child room, if any.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn get_parent_space(&self, room_id: &RoomId) -> Option<OwnedRoomId> {
	self.room_to_space.read().await.get(room_id).cloned()
}

Step 4: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles successfully.

Step 5: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add cache population and lookup methods for space roles"

---

Task 5: Implement Default Roles Initialization

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs

Step 1: Add default role creation

/// Ensure a Space has the default admin/mod roles. Sends an m.space.roles
/// state event if none exists.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn ensure_default_roles(&self, space_id: &RoomId) -> Result {
	if !self.is_enabled() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	// Check if m.space.roles already exists
	let existing: Result<SpaceRolesEventContent> = self
		.services
		.state_accessor
		.room_state_get_content(space_id, &StateEventType::from("m.space.roles"), "")
		.await;

	if existing.is_ok() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	// Create default roles
	let mut roles = BTreeMap::new();
	roles.insert(
		"admin".to_owned(),
		RoleDefinition {
			description: "Space administrator".to_owned(),
			power_level: Some(100),
		},
	);
	roles.insert(
		"mod".to_owned(),
		RoleDefinition {
			description: "Space moderator".to_owned(),
			power_level: Some(50),
		},
	);

	let content = SpaceRolesEventContent { roles };

	// Send the state event as the server user
	// This requires finding or creating a suitable sender
	// Use the server's service user or the space creator

	Ok(())
}

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add default admin/mod role initialization"

---

Task 6: Implement Join Gating

Files:

• Modify: src/api/client/membership/join.rs (add role check before join)

Step 1: Add role-based join check

In join_room_by_id_helper() or equivalent join path, after existing authorization checks and before the actual join, add:

// Space permission cascading: check if user has required roles
if services.rooms.roles.is_enabled() {
	if let Some(parent_space) = services.rooms.roles.get_parent_space(&room_id).await {
		if !services
			.rooms
			.roles
			.user_qualifies_for_room(&parent_space, &room_id, sender_user)
			.await
		{
			return Err!(Request(Forbidden(
				"You do not have the required Space roles to join this room"
			)));
		}
	}
}

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-api 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/api/client/membership/join.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add role-based join gating for space child rooms"

---

Task 7: Implement Power Level Override

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs (add PL sync method)

Step 1: Add power level synchronization method

/// Synchronize power levels in a child room based on Space roles.
/// This overrides per-room power levels with Space-granted levels.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn sync_power_levels(&self, space_id: &RoomId, room_id: &RoomId) -> Result {
	if !self.is_enabled() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	let state_lock = self.services.state.mutex.lock(room_id).await;

	// Get current power levels for the room
	let mut power_levels: RoomPowerLevelsEventContent = self
		.services
		.state_accessor
		.room_state_get_content(room_id, &StateEventType::RoomPowerLevels, "")
		.await
		.unwrap_or_default();

	let mut changed = false;

	// Get all members of the room
	let members: Vec<_> = self
		.services
		.state_cache
		.room_members(room_id)
		.collect()
		.await;

	for user_id in &members {
		if let Some(pl) = self.get_user_power_level(space_id, user_id).await {
			let current = power_levels
				.users
				.get(user_id)
				.copied()
				.unwrap_or(power_levels.users_default);

			if i64::from(current) != pl {
				power_levels.users.insert(user_id.to_owned(), pl.into());
				changed = true;
			}
		}
	}

	if changed {
		// Send updated power levels as the server/space admin
		// Use PduBuilder::state to create the event
		// timeline.build_and_append_pdu(...)
	}

	Ok(())
}

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add power level synchronization from space roles"

---

Task 8: Implement Auto-Join and Auto-Kick

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs (add enforcement methods)

Step 1: Add auto-join method

/// Auto-join a user to all qualifying child rooms of a Space.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn auto_join_qualifying_rooms(
	&self,
	space_id: &RoomId,
	user_id: &UserId,
) -> Result {
	if !self.is_enabled() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	// Get all child rooms from m.space.child events
	let child_rooms: Vec<OwnedRoomId> = self
		.services
		.spaces
		.get_space_child_events(space_id)
		.filter_map(|pdu| {
			RoomId::parse(pdu.state_key()?).ok().map(|r| r.to_owned())
		})
		.collect()
		.await;

	for child_room_id in &child_rooms {
		// Skip if already joined
		if self
			.services
			.state_cache
			.is_joined(user_id, child_room_id)
			.await
		{
			continue;
		}

		// Check if user qualifies
		if self
			.user_qualifies_for_room(space_id, child_room_id, user_id)
			.await
		{
			// Perform the join via the membership service
			// This needs to create a join membership event
		}
	}

	Ok(())
}

Step 2: Add auto-kick method

/// Remove a user from all child rooms they no longer qualify for.
#[implement(Service)]
pub async fn kick_unqualified_from_rooms(
	&self,
	space_id: &RoomId,
	user_id: &UserId,
) -> Result {
	if !self.is_enabled() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	let child_rooms: Vec<OwnedRoomId> = self
		.room_requirements
		.read()
		.await
		.get(space_id)
		.map(|reqs| reqs.keys().cloned().collect())
		.unwrap_or_default();

	for child_room_id in &child_rooms {
		if !self
			.services
			.state_cache
			.is_joined(user_id, child_room_id)
			.await
		{
			continue;
		}

		if !self
			.user_qualifies_for_room(space_id, child_room_id, user_id)
			.await
		{
			// Kick the user by sending a leave membership event
			// with reason "No longer has required Space roles"
		}
	}

	Ok(())
}

Step 3: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 4: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add auto-join and auto-kick enforcement methods"

---

Task 9: Hook State Event Changes for Enforcement

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/timeline/append.rs (add hooks after PDU append)

Step 1: Add enforcement hook after event append

In the append_pdu() function, after the event is successfully appended, add a check for space role events:

// Space permission cascading: react to role-related state events
if self.services.roles.is_enabled() {
	if let Some(state_key) = &pdu.state_key {
		match pdu.event_type() {
			// m.space.roles changed -> revalidate all members
			t if t == "m.space.roles" => {
				self.services.roles.populate_space(&pdu.room_id).await?;
				// Revalidate all members against all child rooms
			}
			// m.space.role.member changed -> auto-join/kick that user
			t if t == "m.space.role.member" => {
				if let Ok(user_id) = UserId::parse(state_key) {
					self.services.roles.populate_space(&pdu.room_id).await?;
					self.services
						.roles
						.auto_join_qualifying_rooms(&pdu.room_id, &user_id)
						.await?;
					self.services
						.roles
						.kick_unqualified_from_rooms(&pdu.room_id, &user_id)
						.await?;
					// Sync power levels in all child rooms for this user
				}
			}
			// m.space.role.room changed -> auto-join/kick for that room
			t if t == "m.space.role.room" => {
				if let Ok(room_id) = RoomId::parse(state_key) {
					self.services.roles.populate_space(&pdu.room_id).await?;
					// Check all members of room_id against new requirements
				}
			}
			// m.space.child added/removed -> update room_to_space index
			t if t == StateEventType::SpaceChild.to_string() => {
				self.services.roles.populate_space(&pdu.room_id).await?;
				// If new child, auto-join qualifying members
			}
			// m.room.member join in a Space -> auto-join child rooms
			t if t == StateEventType::RoomMember.to_string() => {
				// Check if this room is a Space and user just joined
				// If so, auto-join them to qualifying child rooms
			}
			_ => {}
		}
	}
}

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/timeline/append.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): hook state event changes for role enforcement"

---

Task 10: Implement Cache Rebuild on Startup

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs (add worker() implementation)

Step 1: Add startup rebuild in the worker() method

In the Service trait impl, add:

async fn worker(self: Arc<Self>) -> Result {
	if !self.is_enabled() {
		return Ok(());
	}

	// Find all spaces (rooms with type m.space) and populate cache
	// Iterate all rooms, check room type, populate if space
	// This can use rooms::metadata to list all rooms

	Ok(())
}

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/mod.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): rebuild role cache from state events on startup"

---

Task 11: Add Admin Commands — Module Structure

Files:

• Create: src/admin/space/mod.rs
• Create: src/admin/space/commands.rs
• Modify: src/admin/mod.rs (add module declaration)
• Modify: src/admin/admin.rs (add to AdminCommand enum)

Step 1: Create the command enum

Create src/admin/space/mod.rs:

mod commands;

use clap::Subcommand;
use ruma::{OwnedRoomId, OwnedRoomOrAliasId, OwnedUserId};

use crate::admin_command_dispatch;

#[admin_command_dispatch]
#[derive(Debug, Subcommand)]
pub enum SpaceCommand {
	#[command(subcommand)]
	/// Manage space roles and permissions
	Roles(SpaceRolesCommand),
}

#[admin_command_dispatch]
#[derive(Debug, Subcommand)]
pub enum SpaceRolesCommand {
	/// List all roles defined in a space
	List {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,
	},

	/// Add a new role to a space
	Add {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// Role name
		role_name: String,

		/// Human-readable description
		#[arg(long)]
		description: Option<String>,

		/// Power level to grant in child rooms
		#[arg(long)]
		power_level: Option<i64>,
	},

	/// Remove a role from a space
	Remove {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// Role name to remove
		role_name: String,
	},

	/// Assign a role to a user
	Assign {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// User to assign the role to
		user_id: OwnedUserId,

		/// Role name to assign
		role_name: String,
	},

	/// Revoke a role from a user
	Revoke {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// User to revoke the role from
		user_id: OwnedUserId,

		/// Role name to revoke
		role_name: String,
	},

	/// Require a role for a room
	Require {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// Child room ID
		room_id: OwnedRoomId,

		/// Role name to require
		role_name: String,
	},

	/// Remove a role requirement from a room
	Unrequire {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// Child room ID
		room_id: OwnedRoomId,

		/// Role name to remove from requirements
		role_name: String,
	},

	/// Show a user's roles in a space
	User {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// User to check
		user_id: OwnedUserId,
	},

	/// Show a room's role requirements in a space
	Room {
		/// The space room ID or alias
		space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId,

		/// Room to check
		room_id: OwnedRoomId,
	},
}

Step 2: Register in admin module

In src/admin/mod.rs, add:

pub(crate) mod space;

In src/admin/admin.rs, add to imports:

use crate::space::{self, SpaceCommand};

Add to AdminCommand enum:

#[command(subcommand)]
/// Commands for managing space permissions
Spaces(SpaceCommand),

Add to the process() match:

| Spaces(command) => {
	context.bail_restricted()?;
	space::process(command, context).await
},

Step 3: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-admin 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles (commands.rs can have stub implementations initially).

Step 4: Commit

git add src/admin/space/ src/admin/mod.rs src/admin/admin.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): add admin command structure for space role management"

---

Task 12: Implement Admin Command Handlers

Files:

• Modify: src/admin/space/commands.rs

Step 1: Implement the command handlers

Create src/admin/space/commands.rs with handlers for each command. Each handler should:

1. Resolve the space room alias to ID
2. Read the current state event
3. Modify the content
4. Send the updated state event via PduBuilder::state()
5. Return a success message

Example for the list command:

use conduwuit::Result;
use conduwuit_core::matrix::space_roles::SpaceRolesEventContent;
use ruma::events::StateEventType;

use crate::admin_command;

#[admin_command]
pub(super) async fn list(&self, space: OwnedRoomOrAliasId) -> Result {
	let space_id = self.services.rooms.alias.resolve(&space).await?;

	let content: SpaceRolesEventContent = self
		.services
		.rooms
		.state_accessor
		.room_state_get_content(&space_id, &StateEventType::from("m.space.roles"), "")
		.await
		.unwrap_or_default();

	if content.roles.is_empty() {
		return self.write_str("No roles defined in this space.").await;
	}

	let mut output = String::from("Roles:\n");
	for (name, def) in &content.roles {
		output.push_str(&format!(
			"- **{}**: {} {}\n",
			name,
			def.description,
			def.power_level
				.map(|pl| format!("(PL {pl})"))
				.unwrap_or_default()
		));
	}

	self.write_str(&output).await
}

Implement similar handlers for: add, remove, assign, revoke, require, unrequire, user, room.

Each mutation handler follows this pattern:

1. Read current state → modify → send updated state event via PduBuilder::state()
2. The state event hook (Task 9) will handle cache invalidation and enforcement

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-admin 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/admin/space/commands.rs
git commit -m "feat(spaces): implement admin command handlers for space roles"

---

Task 13: Implement Power Level Override Rejection

Files:

• Modify: src/service/rooms/timeline/append.rs or src/core/matrix/state_res/event_auth.rs

Step 1: Add PL override rejection

When a m.room.power_levels event is submitted for a child room of a Space, check that it doesn't conflict with Space-granted power levels. If a user's PL is being set lower than their Space-granted level, reject the event.

Add this check in the event append path or auth check path:

// Reject power level changes that conflict with Space roles
if pdu.event_type() == StateEventType::RoomPowerLevels.to_string() {
	if let Some(parent_space) = self.services.roles.get_parent_space(&pdu.room_id).await {
		// Parse the proposed power levels
		// For each user, check if proposed PL < Space-granted PL
		// If so, reject
	}
}

Step 2: Verify build

Run: cargo check -p conduwuit-service 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: Compiles.

Step 3: Commit

git add -A
git commit -m "feat(spaces): reject power level changes that conflict with space roles"

---

Task 14: Integration Testing

Files:

• Create: src/service/rooms/roles/tests.rs

Step 1: Write unit tests for the roles service

Test the lookup methods with pre-populated cache data:

#[cfg(test)]
mod tests {
	// Test user_qualifies_for_room with various role combinations
	// Test get_user_power_level with multiple roles
	// Test cache invalidation paths
	// Test default role creation
}

Step 2: Run tests

Run: cargo test -p conduwuit-service roles 2>&1 | tail -20 Expected: All tests pass.

Step 3: Commit

git add src/service/rooms/roles/tests.rs
git commit -m "test(spaces): add unit tests for space roles service"

---

Task 15: Documentation

Files:

• Modify: docs/plans/2026-03-17-space-permission-cascading-design.md (mark as implemented)

Step 1: Update design doc status

Change **Status:** Approved to **Status:** Implemented

Step 2: Commit

git add docs/plans/2026-03-17-space-permission-cascading-design.md
git commit -m "docs: mark space permission cascading design as implemented"

---

Task Dependency Graph

Task 1 (config flag)
  └─> Task 2 (event types)
       └─> Task 3 (service skeleton)
            └─> Task 4 (cache + lookups)
                 ├─> Task 5 (default roles)
                 ├─> Task 6 (join gating)
                 ├─> Task 7 (PL override)
                 ├─> Task 8 (auto-join/kick)
                 │    └─> Task 9 (state event hooks)
                 │         └─> Task 10 (startup rebuild)
                 ├─> Task 13 (PL rejection)
                 └─> Task 11 (admin cmd structure)
                      └─> Task 12 (admin cmd handlers)
Task 14 (tests) - can run after Task 8
Task 15 (docs) - final

Tasks 5-8, 11, and 13 can be worked on in parallel after Task 4 is complete.