CLN Onion Message Errors - Fix BOLT12 and Blind Path Issues

What Are CLN Onion Messages?

Onion messages allow nodes to send encrypted messages over the Lightning Network without opening a payment channel. Used for BOLT12 offers and blind paths.

Common Errors

• onion_message: peer does not support option_onion_messages
• send_onion_message failed: no path found
• onion_message timeout: no reply received
• invalid blinded path in onion message

Enable Onion Messages in CLN

# In lightningd config
experimental-onion-messages
experimental-offers

# Restart lightningd after adding these flags
systemctl restart lightningd

Test Onion Message Support

# Check your node features
lightning-cli getinfo | python3 -c "
import json,sys
d=json.load(sys.stdin)
feats=d.get('our_features',{})
print('onion_messages:', '0x28200' in str(feats) or 'onion' in str(feats).lower())
"

# Send a test onion message
lightning-cli sendoniondessage <node_id> 'test'

Debug Path Finding Issues

# Check peer features for onion message support
lightning-cli listpeers | python3 -c "
import json,sys
for p in json.load(sys.stdin)['peers']:
  feats = p.get('features','')
  print(p['id'][:20], 'onion_ok:', len(feats) > 40)
"

CLN BOLT12 or onion message issues? DM on Nostr for help.