diff --git a/NIP.md b/NIP.md
index 1dda1fe..4cd026b 100644
--- a/NIP.md
+++ b/NIP.md
@@ -2245,6 +2245,53 @@ unforgeable (founder `p` tag + invitee attestation).
 Founders also retain a shareable **link/message** invite for people not yet on
 Nostr, and a shortcut to add a member key directly in crew settings.
 
+#### Join requests (kind `31969`) — the symmetric, notifiable inverse of invites
+
+An invite flows moderator → skater. A **join request** flows the other way:
+a skater asks a crew to let them in. To keep the two directions symmetric —
+i.e. so a request lands in the leadership's **notification bell** with a
+one-click action, rather than getting lost in a DM inbox — a request is a
+public, addressable event (kind `31969`) that `p`-tags the founder **and** every
+admin. It carries nothing sensitive: just an optional note.
+
+```json
+{
+  "kind": 31969,
+  "content": "Local, skate the plaza most nights — would love to roll with you.",
+  "tags": [
+    ["d", "35006:<founder>:<crewDtag>:<requesterPubkey>"],
+    ["a", "35006:<founder>:<crewDtag>"],
+    ["crew_name", "Barcelona Night Crew"],
+    ["p", "<founderPubkey>"],
+    ["p", "<adminPubkey>"],
+    ["alt", "Crew join request: Barcelona Night Crew on SkateSpots"]
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+| Tag | Description |
+|-----|-------------|
+| `d` | Deterministic id `<crewCoord>:<requesterPubkey>` — re-requesting **replaces** the prior request (addressable), so a crew never accrues duplicate asks from the same person. |
+| `a` | The crew coordinate (`35006:pubkey:d`) being requested. |
+| `crew_name` | Readable crew name for rendering the notification without a second fetch. |
+| `p` | One entry per **founder + admin**. Queryable at the relay level so each moderator finds requests addressed to them: `{ kinds: [31969], "#p": ["<me>"] }`. |
+
+**Flow:**
+
+1. **Request.** A logged-out-of-the-crew skater publishes the request. The event
+   is authored by the requester (`pubkey`), so the "who wants in" claim is
+   cryptographically bound to them — no spoofing.
+2. **Notify.** Each moderator's client queries `#p` requests, filters to crews
+   they actually lead/help run, and surfaces a card with **Add to crew**
+   (founder only) / **Dismiss**.
+3. **Approve.** Only the **founder** can add the requester's `p` tag to the crew
+   event (they author it); the requester then confirms with their own NIP-32
+   attestation, exactly as with an invite. Admins can surface and dismiss but
+   cannot add.
+4. **Dismiss.** Because a moderator can't delete an event they didn't author,
+   handled/ignored requests are cleared from *their* bell via a local dismissal
+   set.
+
 #### Private Crew Chat (Cordn / MLS) — the `coordinator` tag
 
 A crew's **public** identity (roster, spots, events, treasury, sponsor) lives on
diff --git a/src/components/CrewForm.tsx b/src/components/CrewForm.tsx
index 3128b95..844435a 100644
--- a/src/components/CrewForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/CrewForm.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import { genUserName } from '@/lib/genUserName';
 import { SpotPicker } from '@/components/SpotPicker';
 import { LabLinkField } from '@/components/LabLinkField';
 import { isCrewVideoUrl, parseCrewVideo } from '@/lib/videoEmbed';
+import { CrewSponsorPicker } from '@/components/crew/CrewSponsorPicker';
 import { NofferField } from '@/components/NofferField';
 import {
   SKATE_CREW_KIND,
@@ -885,21 +886,14 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
 
           {/* Sponsor shop */}
           <div className="space-y-2 rounded-lg border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/[0.04] p-4">
-            <Label htmlFor="crew-sponsor" className="flex items-center gap-2 text-amber-400">
+            <Label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-amber-400">
               <Store className="h-4 w-4" /> Sponsored by <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· optional</span>
             </Label>
             <p className="text-xs text-gray-500">
-              If a local shop backs your crew, paste their shop address here to show a
-              “Sponsored by” banner linking to them. Use the shop's coordinate:
-              <code className="text-amber-300"> 30017:pubkey:d</code>.
+              If a local shop backs your crew, pick them here to show a
+              “Sponsored by” banner linking to their shop.
             </p>
-            <Input
-              id="crew-sponsor"
-              placeholder="30017:pubkey:shop-id"
-              value={sponsorRef}
-              onChange={(e) => setSponsorRef(e.target.value)}
-              className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700 font-mono text-xs"
-            />
+            <CrewSponsorPicker value={sponsorRef} onChange={setSponsorRef} />
           </div>
 
           {/* Encrypted chat coordinator (Cordn / MLS) */}
diff --git a/src/components/CrewRequestToJoin.tsx b/src/components/CrewRequestToJoin.tsx
index 0d8dc36..8b23de5 100644
--- a/src/components/CrewRequestToJoin.tsx
+++ b/src/components/CrewRequestToJoin.tsx
@@ -11,67 +11,44 @@ import {
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
 import { useCurrentUser } from '@/hooks/useCurrentUser';
-import { useNostrLogin } from '@nostrify/react/login';
-import { useSendDirectMessage } from '@/hooks/useDirectMessages';
+import { useSendJoinRequest } from '@/hooks/useCrewInvites';
 import { useToast } from '@/hooks/useToast';
-import { hasNip44 as checkNip44 } from '@/lib/signerCapabilities';
-import { UserPlus, Loader2, Lock } from 'lucide-react';
+import { UserPlus, Loader2, Bell } from 'lucide-react';
+import type { SkateCrew } from '@/lib/types';
 
 interface CrewRequestToJoinProps {
-  crewName: string;
-  founderPubkey: string;
-  /** Delegated admins — they also receive the request so growth isn't founder-only. */
-  admins?: string[];
+  crew: SkateCrew;
 }
 
 /**
- * Lets a skater request to join a crew via an encrypted NIP-17 DM to the
- * founder and admins. This removes the founder-push-only bottleneck: anyone can
- * knock, and any admin can then add them from the crew editor.
- *
- * Privacy: the request is a gift-wrapped DM (kinds 14/13/1059) — only the
- * recipients can read it. No public "join" event leaks the social graph.
+ * Lets a skater request to join a crew by publishing a structured, notifiable
+ * join-request (kind 31969) addressed to the founder + admins. Their clients
+ * surface it in the notification bell with a one-click "Add to crew" (founder),
+ * so requests aren't lost in a DM inbox. Nothing sensitive is published — just
+ * an optional note.
  */
-export function CrewRequestToJoin({ crewName, founderPubkey, admins = [] }: CrewRequestToJoinProps) {
+export function CrewRequestToJoin({ crew }: CrewRequestToJoinProps) {
   const { user } = useCurrentUser();
-  const { logins } = useNostrLogin();
-  const { mutateAsync: sendMessage, isPending } = useSendDirectMessage();
+  const { mutateAsync: sendJoinRequest, isPending } = useSendJoinRequest();
   const { toast } = useToast();
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   const [note, setNote] = useState('');
 
   if (!user) return null;
 
-  const recipients = Array.from(new Set([founderPubkey, ...admins])).filter(
+  const recipients = Array.from(new Set([crew.pubkey, ...crew.admins])).filter(
     (pk) => pk !== user.pubkey,
   );
 
   // Don't show for people already in the leadership.
   if (recipients.length === 0) return null;
 
-  const canDM = checkNip44(user, logins);
-
   const handleSend = async () => {
-    if (!canDM) {
-      toast({
-        title: 'Encryption unavailable',
-        description: 'Your signer does not support NIP-44 encryption. Please upgrade your extension.',
-        variant: 'destructive',
-      });
-      return;
-    }
     try {
-      const body =
-        `🛹 Request to join ${crewName}` +
-        (note.trim() ? `\n\n${note.trim()}` : '\n\nWould love to roll with the crew.');
-      await sendMessage({
-        recipients,
-        content: body,
-        subject: `${crewName} — join request`,
-      });
+      await sendJoinRequest({ crew, note });
       toast({
-        title: 'Request sent!',
-        description: `The ${crewName} crew leadership got your encrypted message.`,
+        title: 'Request sent! 🛹',
+        description: `The ${crew.name} leadership will see it in their notifications.`,
       });
       setOpen(false);
       setNote('');
@@ -98,11 +75,11 @@ export function CrewRequestToJoin({ crewName, founderPubkey, admins = [] }: Crew
       <DialogContent className="max-w-md">
         <DialogHeader>
           <DialogTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <UserPlus className="h-5 w-5 text-teal-400" /> Join {crewName}
+            <UserPlus className="h-5 w-5 text-teal-400" /> Join {crew.name}
           </DialogTitle>
           <DialogDescription className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
-            <Lock className="h-3 w-3 text-teal-400" />
-            Sends a private, encrypted message to the crew's founder &amp; admins.
+            <Bell className="h-3 w-3 text-teal-400" />
+            Notifies the crew's founder &amp; admins so they can add you.
           </DialogDescription>
         </DialogHeader>
         <Textarea
diff --git a/src/components/JoinRequestCard.tsx b/src/components/JoinRequestCard.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7e548c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/JoinRequestCard.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { nip19 } from 'nostr-tools';
+import { Avatar, AvatarFallback, AvatarImage } from '@/components/ui/avatar';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { useCurrentUser } from '@/hooks/useCurrentUser';
+import { useAuthor } from '@/hooks/useAuthor';
+import { useApproveJoinRequest, useDismissJoinRequest } from '@/hooks/useCrewInvites';
+import { useToast } from '@/hooks/useToast';
+import { genUserName } from '@/lib/genUserName';
+import { parseAddrCoord, type CrewJoinRequest, type SkateCrew } from '@/lib/types';
+import { UserPlus, Check, X, Loader2, Hand } from 'lucide-react';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+function npubSafe(pubkey: string): string {
+  try {
+    return nip19.npubEncode(pubkey);
+  } catch {
+    return pubkey;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * A single incoming join-request card, shown to a crew's founder/admins. The
+ * FOUNDER gets a one-click "Add to crew" (publishes the updated crew member
+ * list); admins can only dismiss (they can't edit the founder's event). Either
+ * way the request can be cleared locally so it stops nagging.
+ */
+export function JoinRequestCard({
+  request,
+  crew,
+  onResolved,
+  compact,
+}: {
+  request: CrewJoinRequest;
+  crew: SkateCrew;
+  onResolved?: () => void;
+  compact?: boolean;
+}) {
+  const { user } = useCurrentUser();
+  const requester = useAuthor(request.requester);
+  const requesterName = requester.data?.metadata?.name ?? genUserName(request.requester);
+  const requesterPic = requester.data?.metadata?.picture;
+  const { toast } = useToast();
+  const { mutateAsync: approve, isPending: approving } = useApproveJoinRequest();
+  const { mutateAsync: dismiss, isPending: dismissing } = useDismissJoinRequest();
+  const [done, setDone] = useState<'approved' | 'dismissed' | null>(null);
+
+  const coord = parseAddrCoord(request.crewCoord);
+  const crewHref = coord ? `/crew/${coord.pubkey}/${coord.identifier}` : '/crews';
+  const isFounder = !!user && user.pubkey.toLowerCase() === crew.pubkey.toLowerCase();
+
+  const handleApprove = async () => {
+    try {
+      await approve({ request, crew });
+      setDone('approved');
+      toast({
+        title: `Added ${requesterName} to ${crew.name} 🛹`,
+        description: "They'll confirm from their side to appear as a member.",
+      });
+      onResolved?.();
+    } catch (err) {
+      toast({
+        title: 'Could not add member',
+        description: err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Please try again.',
+        variant: 'destructive',
+      });
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleDismiss = async () => {
+    try {
+      await dismiss({ request });
+      setDone('dismissed');
+      onResolved?.();
+    } catch {
+      toast({ title: 'Could not dismiss', variant: 'destructive' });
+    }
+  };
+
+  if (done) {
+    return (
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 rounded-xl border border-white/10 bg-white/[0.03] px-3 py-2.5 text-sm text-gray-400">
+        {done === 'approved' ? (
+          <>
+            <Check className="h-4 w-4 text-emerald-400" />
+            Added <span className="font-bold text-white">{requesterName}</span> to {crew.name}
+          </>
+        ) : (
+          <>
+            <X className="h-4 w-4 text-gray-500" />
+            Dismissed request from {requesterName}
+          </>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  const busy = approving || dismissing;
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        'rounded-xl border border-emerald-500/25 bg-gradient-to-br from-emerald-500/[0.08] to-transparent p-3',
+        compact && 'p-2.5',
+      )}
+    >
+      <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+        <div className="flex h-9 w-9 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-emerald-500/15">
+          <Hand className="h-4 w-4 text-emerald-400" />
+        </div>
+        <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+          <p className="text-sm leading-snug text-gray-200">
+            <Link
+              to={`/${npubSafe(request.requester)}`}
+              className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 font-bold text-white hover:text-emerald-300"
+            >
+              <Avatar className="h-4 w-4">
+                <AvatarImage src={requesterPic} alt={requesterName} />
+                <AvatarFallback className="text-[8px]">{requesterName.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase()}</AvatarFallback>
+              </Avatar>
+              {requesterName}
+            </Link>{' '}
+            wants to join{' '}
+            <Link to={crewHref} className="font-black text-emerald-300 hover:underline">
+              {crew.name}
+            </Link>
+          </p>
+          {request.note && (
+            <p className="mt-1 rounded-lg bg-black/30 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-xs italic text-gray-400 break-words [overflow-wrap:anywhere]">
+              “{request.note}”
+            </p>
+          )}
+          <div className="mt-2.5 flex items-center gap-2">
+            {isFounder ? (
+              <Button
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={handleApprove}
+                disabled={busy}
+                className="h-8 flex-1 gap-1.5 bg-emerald-500 font-bold text-black hover:bg-emerald-600"
+              >
+                {approving ? <Loader2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5 animate-spin" /> : <UserPlus className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
+                Add to crew
+              </Button>
+            ) : (
+              <span className="flex-1 text-xs text-gray-500">
+                Only the founder can add members.
+              </span>
+            )}
+            <Button
+              size="sm"
+              variant="outline"
+              onClick={handleDismiss}
+              disabled={busy}
+              className={cn(
+                'h-8 gap-1.5 border-white/15 text-gray-400 hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white',
+                !isFounder && 'flex-1',
+              )}
+            >
+              {dismissing ? <Loader2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5 animate-spin" /> : <X className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
+              Dismiss
+            </Button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx b/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx
index c0a0604..60fc867 100644
--- a/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx
+++ b/src/components/NotificationBell.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { Popover, PopoverContent, PopoverTrigger } from '@/components/ui/popover
 import { ScrollArea } from '@/components/ui/scroll-area';
 import { Avatar, AvatarFallback, AvatarImage } from '@/components/ui/avatar';
 import { CrewInviteCard } from '@/components/CrewInviteCard';
+import { JoinRequestCard } from '@/components/JoinRequestCard';
 import { useCrewNotifications, useIsPendingMember } from '@/hooks/useCrewNotifications';
 import { useConfirmMembership } from '@/hooks/useMembershipAttestation';
 import { useAuthor } from '@/hooks/useAuthor';
@@ -125,10 +126,13 @@ function PendingConfirmCard({ crew, onResolved }: { crew: SkateCrew; onResolved?
  */
 export function NotificationBell({ className }: { className?: string }) {
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
-  const { user, invites, listedCrews, isLoading } = useCrewNotifications();
+  const { user, invites, listedCrews, joinRequests, isLoading } = useCrewNotifications();
 
   // The bell only makes sense when logged in.
-  const total = useMemo(() => invites.length + listedCrews.length, [invites, listedCrews]);
+  const total = useMemo(
+    () => invites.length + listedCrews.length + joinRequests.length,
+    [invites, listedCrews, joinRequests],
+  );
 
   if (!user) return null;
 
@@ -182,6 +186,10 @@ export function NotificationBell({ className }: { className?: string }) {
               </div>
             )}
 
+            {joinRequests.map(({ request, crew }) => (
+              <JoinRequestCard key={request.id} request={request} crew={crew} compact />
+            ))}
+
             {invites.map((invite) => (
               <CrewInviteCard key={invite.id} invite={invite} compact />
             ))}
diff --git a/src/components/crew/CrewSponsorPicker.tsx b/src/components/crew/CrewSponsorPicker.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe76a28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/crew/CrewSponsorPicker.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+import { useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+import { Store, Search, X, Check, Loader2, MapPin } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
+import { Avatar, AvatarFallback, AvatarImage } from '@/components/ui/avatar';
+import { useSkateShops } from '@/hooks/useSkateShops';
+import { SKATE_SHOP_KIND, parseAddrCoord, type SkateShop } from '@/lib/types';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+/**
+ * Pick a sponsoring skate shop by searching the shop directory — no raw
+ * coordinates. Emits the selected shop's coordinate (`30017:pubkey:d`) via
+ * `onChange`, or `''` when cleared.
+ */
+export function CrewSponsorPicker({
+  value,
+  onChange,
+}: {
+  value: string;
+  onChange: (coord: string) => void;
+}) {
+  const { data: shops, isLoading } = useSkateShops(200);
+  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
+
+  // Resolve the currently-selected coordinate back to a shop for the preview.
+  const selected = useMemo(() => {
+    const coord = parseAddrCoord(value);
+    if (!coord) return null;
+    return shops?.find((s) => s.pubkey === coord.pubkey && s.identifier === coord.identifier) ?? null;
+  }, [value, shops]);
+
+  const results = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!shops) return [];
+    const q = query.trim().toLowerCase();
+    const list = q
+      ? shops.filter(
+          (s) =>
+            s.name.toLowerCase().includes(q) ||
+            s.location?.toLowerCase().includes(q),
+        )
+      : shops;
+    return list.slice(0, 8);
+  }, [shops, query]);
+
+  const coordOf = (s: SkateShop) => `${SKATE_SHOP_KIND}:${s.pubkey}:${s.identifier}`;
+
+  // A shop is selected but not yet resolvable (still loading, or off-relay):
+  // keep the coordinate but show a neutral chip so the choice isn't lost.
+  const hasValueButUnresolved = !!parseAddrCoord(value) && !selected;
+
+  if (value) {
+    return (
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-3 rounded-xl border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/[0.06] p-3">
+        {selected ? (
+          <>
+            <Avatar className="h-10 w-10 rounded-lg border border-amber-500/40">
+              <AvatarImage src={selected.images?.[0]} alt={selected.name} className="object-cover" />
+              <AvatarFallback className="rounded-lg bg-amber-500/15 text-amber-300">
+                <Store className="h-4 w-4" />
+              </AvatarFallback>
+            </Avatar>
+            <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+              <p className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[10px] font-black uppercase tracking-widest text-amber-400/80">
+                <Check className="h-3 w-3" /> Sponsor selected
+              </p>
+              <p className="truncate text-sm font-black text-white">{selected.name}</p>
+              {selected.location && (
+                <p className="truncate text-xs text-gray-400">{selected.location}</p>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          </>
+        ) : (
+          <div className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-2 text-sm text-gray-400">
+            {isLoading ? <Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin text-amber-400" /> : <Store className="h-4 w-4 text-amber-400" />}
+            <span className="truncate">
+              {hasValueButUnresolved ? 'Sponsor set (shop loading…)' : 'Sponsor set'}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+        )}
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          onClick={() => onChange('')}
+          className="flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-white/10 text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:border-red-500/40 hover:text-red-400"
+          aria-label="Clear sponsor"
+        >
+          <X className="h-4 w-4" />
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-2">
+      <div className="relative">
+        <Search className="pointer-events-none absolute left-3 top-1/2 h-4 w-4 -translate-y-1/2 text-gray-500" />
+        <Input
+          value={query}
+          onChange={(e) => setQuery(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="Search skate shops by name or city…"
+          className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700 pl-9 text-sm"
+        />
+      </div>
+
+      {isLoading ? (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-1 py-3 text-sm text-gray-500">
+          <Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin" /> Loading shops…
+        </div>
+      ) : results.length === 0 ? (
+        <p className="px-1 py-3 text-sm text-gray-500">
+          {query ? 'No shops match — try a different search.' : 'No shops found yet.'}
+        </p>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="max-h-56 space-y-1.5 overflow-y-auto pr-1">
+          {results.map((s) => (
+            <button
+              key={coordOf(s)}
+              type="button"
+              onClick={() => onChange(coordOf(s))}
+              className={cn(
+                'flex w-full items-center gap-3 rounded-xl border border-gray-700 bg-gray-800/60 p-2 text-left transition-all hover:border-amber-500/40 hover:bg-amber-500/[0.06] active:scale-[0.99]',
+              )}
+            >
+              <Avatar className="h-9 w-9 rounded-lg">
+                <AvatarImage src={s.images?.[0]} alt={s.name} className="object-cover" />
+                <AvatarFallback className="rounded-lg bg-amber-500/15 text-amber-300">
+                  <Store className="h-4 w-4" />
+                </AvatarFallback>
+              </Avatar>
+              <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                <p className="truncate text-sm font-bold text-white">{s.name}</p>
+                {s.location && (
+                  <p className="flex items-center gap-1 truncate text-xs text-gray-500">
+                    <MapPin className="h-3 w-3 shrink-0" /> {s.location}
+                  </p>
+                )}
+              </div>
+            </button>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/hooks/useCrewInvites.ts b/src/hooks/useCrewInvites.ts
index b0b21cf..7247ee4 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useCrewInvites.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useCrewInvites.ts
@@ -5,11 +5,15 @@ import { useSkateRelays } from '@/hooks/useSkateRelays';
 import { useConfirmMembership } from '@/hooks/useMembershipAttestation';
 import {
   CREW_INVITE_KIND,
+  CREW_JOIN_REQUEST_KIND,
   SKATE_CREW_KIND,
   crewInviteD,
+  crewJoinRequestD,
   parseCrewInvite,
+  parseCrewJoinRequest,
   parseAddrCoord,
   type CrewInvite,
+  type CrewJoinRequest,
   type SkateCrew,
   type MemberVisibility,
 } from '@/lib/types';
@@ -230,3 +234,153 @@ export function useDeclineCrewInvite() {
     },
   });
 }
+
+// ─── Join requests (notifiable) ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+// A skater asks to join a crew. We publish a structured, addressable event
+// (kind 31969) p-tagged to the founder + admins so it shows in THEIR notification
+// bell with a one-click "Add to crew" (founder) — parallel to invites, so the
+// two directions are symmetric. Handled requests are cleared via a local
+// dismissal set on the moderator's device.
+
+const JOIN_DISMISS_KEY = 'skatespots:dismissed-join-requests';
+
+function readJoinDismissed(): Set<string> {
+  try {
+    const raw = localStorage.getItem(JOIN_DISMISS_KEY);
+    return new Set(raw ? (JSON.parse(raw) as string[]) : []);
+  } catch {
+    return new Set();
+  }
+}
+
+function dismissJoinRequest(id: string) {
+  try {
+    const set = readJoinDismissed();
+    set.add(id);
+    localStorage.setItem(JOIN_DISMISS_KEY, JSON.stringify([...set]));
+  } catch {
+    // ignore
+  }
+}
+
+/** Publish a structured join-request to a crew's founder + admins. */
+export function useSendJoinRequest() {
+  const { nostr } = useNostr();
+  const { user } = useCurrentUser();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({
+      crew,
+      note = '',
+    }: {
+      crew: SkateCrew;
+      note?: string;
+    }) => {
+      if (!user) throw new Error('You must be logged in to request to join.');
+      const crewCoord = `${SKATE_CREW_KIND}:${crew.pubkey}:${crew.identifier}`;
+      const recipients = Array.from(new Set([crew.pubkey, ...crew.admins])).filter(
+        (pk) => pk.toLowerCase() !== user.pubkey.toLowerCase(),
+      );
+
+      const event = await user.signer.signEvent({
+        kind: CREW_JOIN_REQUEST_KIND,
+        content: note.slice(0, 500),
+        created_at: Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000),
+        tags: [
+          ['d', crewJoinRequestD(crewCoord, user.pubkey.toLowerCase())],
+          ['a', crewCoord],
+          ['crew_name', crew.name],
+          ...recipients.map((pk) => ['p', pk]),
+          ['alt', `Crew join request: ${crew.name} on SkateSpots`],
+        ],
+      });
+      await nostr.event(event, { signal: AbortSignal.timeout(15000) });
+      return event;
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['crew-join-requests'] });
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+/** Incoming join-requests addressed to the given moderator (founder/admin). */
+export function useIncomingJoinRequests(pubkey: string | undefined) {
+  const { querySkateContent, getQueryKeySuffix } = useSkateRelays();
+
+  return useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['crew-join-requests', 'incoming', pubkey, getQueryKeySuffix()],
+    enabled: !!pubkey,
+    staleTime: 30_000,
+    refetchOnMount: 'always',
+    queryFn: async (): Promise<CrewJoinRequest[]> => {
+      if (!pubkey) return [];
+      const signal = AbortSignal.timeout(10000);
+      const events = await querySkateContent(
+        [{ kinds: [CREW_JOIN_REQUEST_KIND], '#p': [pubkey], limit: 100 }],
+        { signal },
+      );
+      const dismissed = readJoinDismissed();
+      const seen = new Map<string, CrewJoinRequest>();
+      for (const ev of events) {
+        const req = parseCrewJoinRequest(ev);
+        if (!req) continue;
+        if (!req.recipients.includes(pubkey.toLowerCase())) continue;
+        if (dismissed.has(req.id)) continue;
+        // Dedup by (crew + requester) — newest wins.
+        const key = `${req.crewCoord}:${req.requester}`;
+        const prev = seen.get(key);
+        if (!prev || req.createdAt > prev.createdAt) seen.set(key, req);
+      }
+      return [...seen.values()].sort((a, b) => b.createdAt - a.createdAt);
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Approve a join-request: the FOUNDER adds the requester to the crew's member
+ * (`p`) list. The requester then confirms with their own key (standard
+ * attestation). Only the founder can do this (they author the crew event); an
+ * admin dismisses/handles out-of-band.
+ */
+export function useApproveJoinRequest() {
+  const { nostr } = useNostr();
+  const { user } = useCurrentUser();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({ request, crew }: { request: CrewJoinRequest; crew: SkateCrew }) => {
+      if (!user) throw new Error('You must be logged in.');
+      if (user.pubkey.toLowerCase() !== crew.pubkey.toLowerCase()) {
+        throw new Error('Only the crew founder can add members.');
+      }
+      const alreadyMember = crew.members.some(
+        (m) => m.toLowerCase() === request.requester.toLowerCase(),
+      );
+      if (!alreadyMember) {
+        const updated = republishCrewWithMember(crew.event, request.requester, 'member');
+        const signed = await user.signer.signEvent(updated);
+        await nostr.event(signed, { signal: AbortSignal.timeout(15000) });
+      }
+      dismissJoinRequest(request.id);
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['crew-join-requests'] });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['skate-crews'] });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['skate-crew'] });
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+/** Dismiss a join-request locally (moderator handled/ignored it). */
+export function useDismissJoinRequest() {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  return useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async ({ request }: { request: CrewJoinRequest }) => {
+      dismissJoinRequest(request.id);
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['crew-join-requests'] });
+    },
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/hooks/useCrewNotifications.ts b/src/hooks/useCrewNotifications.ts
index 3896812..9b5a73a 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useCrewNotifications.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useCrewNotifications.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import { useMemo } from 'react';
 import { useCurrentUser } from '@/hooks/useCurrentUser';
-import { useMyCrewInvites } from '@/hooks/useCrewInvites';
+import { useMyCrewInvites, useIncomingJoinRequests } from '@/hooks/useCrewInvites';
 import { useCrews } from '@/hooks/useCrews';
 import { useCollectiveMembers } from '@/hooks/useCollectiveMembers';
-import { SKATE_CREW_KIND, type CrewInvite, type SkateCrew } from '@/lib/types';
+import { SKATE_CREW_KIND, type CrewInvite, type CrewJoinRequest, type SkateCrew } from '@/lib/types';
 
 export interface CrewNotification {
   /** Stable id for the notification (invite id or crew coord). */
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export interface CrewNotification {
 export function useCrewNotifications() {
   const { user } = useCurrentUser();
   const { data: invites, isLoading: invitesLoading } = useMyCrewInvites(user?.pubkey);
+  const { data: joinRequests, isLoading: joinLoading } = useIncomingJoinRequests(user?.pubkey);
   const { data: crews, isLoading: crewsLoading } = useCrews(200);
 
   // Crews that list me as a member (candidates for "pending confirmation").
@@ -40,11 +41,31 @@ export function useCrewNotifications() {
     );
   }, [user, crews]);
 
+  // Resolve each incoming join-request to its crew (for approval + display).
+  const requestsWithCrew = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!user || !joinRequests?.length || !crews) return [];
+    return joinRequests
+      .map((req) => {
+        const crew = crews.find(
+          (c) => `${SKATE_CREW_KIND}:${c.pubkey}:${c.identifier}` === req.crewCoord,
+        );
+        return crew ? { request: req, crew } : null;
+      })
+      .filter((x): x is { request: CrewJoinRequest; crew: SkateCrew } => !!x)
+      // Only show requests for crews I actually lead or help run.
+      .filter(
+        ({ crew }) =>
+          crew.pubkey.toLowerCase() === user.pubkey.toLowerCase() ||
+          crew.admins.some((a) => a.toLowerCase() === user.pubkey.toLowerCase()),
+      );
+  }, [user, joinRequests, crews]);
+
   return {
     user,
     invites: invites ?? [],
     listedCrews,
-    isLoading: invitesLoading || crewsLoading,
+    joinRequests: requestsWithCrew,
+    isLoading: invitesLoading || joinLoading || crewsLoading,
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/types.ts b/src/lib/types.ts
index a77d942..53b3db3 100644
--- a/src/lib/types.ts
+++ b/src/lib/types.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ export const SPOT_CHAT_KIND = 24899; // Ephemeral geohash-anchored local chat ("
 export const SASQUATCH_PRO_KIND = 32671; // Addressable "Sasquatch Pro" membership receipt (self-signed, references the zap payment). SkateSpots-native.
 export const SPOT_STATUS_KIND = 2259; // Regular event - community "spot status report" (active/bust/skate-stopped/gone/closed). SkateSpots-native.
 export const CREW_INVITE_KIND = 36229; // Addressable crew invitation — founder/admin invites a specific npub to a crew. SkateSpots-native.
+export const CREW_JOIN_REQUEST_KIND = 31969; // Addressable crew join-request — a skater asks to join a crew (notifiable). SkateSpots-native.
 
 /**
  * Lab provider entity type.
@@ -315,6 +316,51 @@ export function crewInviteD(crewCoord: string, inviteePubkey: string): string {
   return `${crewCoord}:${inviteePubkey}`;
 }
 
+/**
+ * A structured crew join-request (kind 31969) — a skater asks to join a crew.
+ * Public and addressable (keyed by crew + requester, so re-requesting replaces),
+ * `p`-tagged to the founder + admins so their clients can surface it as a
+ * notification with a one-click "Add to crew". Carries nothing sensitive — just
+ * an optional note.
+ */
+export interface CrewJoinRequest {
+  id: string;
+  requester: string;     // pubkey asking to join
+  crewCoord: string;     // 35006:pubkey:d
+  crewName: string;
+  note: string;          // optional personal message
+  /** Founder + admin pubkeys this request is addressed to (from `p` tags). */
+  recipients: string[];
+  createdAt: number;
+  event: NostrEvent;
+}
+
+export function parseCrewJoinRequest(event: NostrEvent): CrewJoinRequest | null {
+  if (event.kind !== CREW_JOIN_REQUEST_KIND) return null;
+  const crewCoord = event.tags.find(([n]) => n === 'a')?.[1];
+  if (!crewCoord) return null;
+  const c = parseAddrCoord(crewCoord);
+  if (!c || c.kind !== SKATE_CREW_KIND) return null;
+  const recipients = event.tags
+    .filter(([n, v]) => n === 'p' && /^[0-9a-f]{64}$/i.test(v ?? ''))
+    .map(([, v]) => v.toLowerCase());
+  return {
+    id: event.id,
+    requester: event.pubkey,
+    crewCoord,
+    crewName: event.tags.find(([n]) => n === 'crew_name')?.[1] ?? 'a crew',
+    note: event.content.slice(0, 500),
+    recipients,
+    createdAt: event.created_at,
+    event,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Deterministic d-tag for a join-request: crew coord + requester. */
+export function crewJoinRequestD(crewCoord: string, requesterPubkey: string): string {
+  return `${crewCoord}:${requesterPubkey}`;
+}
+
 /**
  * Validate a CLINK Offer code (noffer1...) — a Nostr-native, self-custodial
  * static payment code (see https://github.com/shocknet/clink, kind 21001).
diff --git a/src/pages/CrewDetailPage.tsx b/src/pages/CrewDetailPage.tsx
index d587087..f1bda9d 100644
--- a/src/pages/CrewDetailPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/CrewDetailPage.tsx
@@ -298,13 +298,7 @@ export default function CrewDetailPage() {
                         <Users className="h-3 w-3" /> Member
                       </Badge>
                     )}
-                    {role === 'none' && (
-                      <CrewRequestToJoin
-                        crewName={crew.name}
-                        founderPubkey={crew.pubkey}
-                        admins={crew.admins}
-                      />
-                    )}
+                      {role === 'none' && <CrewRequestToJoin crew={crew} />}
                   </>
                 ) : null
               }