CLN Onion Message Errors - Fix BOLT12 and Blinded Path Issues

What Are CLN Onion Messages?

Onion messages allow nodes to send encrypted messages over the Lightning network without payment channels. Used by BOLT12 offers and blinded paths.

Common Errors

• onion_message: no route to peer
• send_onion_message failed: unknown next peer
• onion_message reply path not supported
• experimental-onion-messages not enabled

Enable Onion Messages

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

# Restart CLN
systemctl restart lightningd

Send a Test Onion Message

# Send message to peer
lightning-cli sendonionmessage <node_id> <message_hex>

# Check peer supports onion messages
lightning-cli listpeers | python3 -c "
import json,sys
for p in json.load(sys.stdin)['peers']:
  feats = str(p.get('features',''))
  print(p['id'][:20], 'onion_msg:', '273' in feats or '272' in feats)
"

Blinded Path Issues

# Generate a blinded path for receiving
lightning-cli fetchinvoice <bolt12_offer>

# If blinded path fails:
# 1. Ensure both nodes have experimental-onion-messages
# 2. Check intermediate nodes support onion messages
# 3. Try a shorter path (fewer hops)

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