diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 5a9f960..ad19175 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Repository Guidelines
 
-Current version: `1.2.3` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
+Current version: `1.2.4` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
 
 ## Project Structure & Module Organization
 - `backend/app.py` wires FastAPI routes, MQTT lifecycle, and websocket broadcast flow.
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Current version: `1.2.3` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
 - `docker-compose.yaml` runs the service as `meshmap-live`.
 - `data/` stores persisted state (`state.json`), route history (`route_history.jsonl`), role overrides (`device_roles.json`), and optional neighbor overrides (`neighbor_overrides.json`).
 - `.env` holds dev runtime settings; `.env.example` mirrors template defaults.
-- `VERSION.txt` tracks the current version (now `1.2.3`); append changes in `VERSIONS.md`.
+- `VERSION.txt` tracks the current version (now `1.2.4`); append changes in `VERSIONS.md`.
 
 ## Build, Test, and Development Commands
 - `docker compose up -d --build` rebuilds and restarts the backend (preferred workflow).
diff --git a/ARCHITECTURE.md b/ARCHITECTURE.md
index 1f2a710..3ca9dcb 100644
--- a/ARCHITECTURE.md
+++ b/ARCHITECTURE.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Architecture Guide
 
 This document explains how the Mesh Live Map codebase is organized and how the components interact.
-Current version: `1.2.3` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
+Current version: `1.2.4` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
 
 ## High-Level Overview
 
@@ -367,4 +367,4 @@ npx eslint backend/static/app.js
 ```
 
 Versioning:
-- See `VERSIONS.md` for the changelog; `VERSION.txt` mirrors the latest entry (`1.2.3`).
+- See `VERSIONS.md` for the changelog; `VERSION.txt` mirrors the latest entry (`1.2.4`).
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 7c7a0ab..ccf1f76 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Thanks for helping improve the MeshCore Live Map. This repo is intentionally lig
 3) Verify: `curl -s http://localhost:8080/snapshot`
 
 ## Versioning
-- Current version: `1.2.3` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
+- Current version: `1.2.4` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
 - Update `VERSION.txt` when adding features.
 - Append a new section to `VERSIONS.md` describing the change set.
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7315f9c..6965ed6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Mesh Live Map
 
-Version: `1.2.3` (see [VERSIONS.md](VERSIONS.md))
+Version: `1.2.4` (see [VERSIONS.md](VERSIONS.md))
 
 Live MeshCore traffic map that renders nodes, routes, and activity in real time on a Leaflet map. The backend subscribes to MQTT over WebSockets+TLS or TCP, decodes MeshCore packets with `@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder`, and streams updates to the browser via WebSockets.
 
@@ -191,6 +191,8 @@ PROD_TOKEN=<random-string>
 
 Turnstile protection is also gated by `PROD_MODE=true`. If `PROD_MODE=false`,
 Turnstile stays off even when `TURNSTILE_ENABLED=true`.
+When Turnstile is enabled, its auth cookie now grants access to `/snapshot`, `/stats`,
+`/peers`, and the WebSocket without requiring a PROD token (prevents reconnect spam).
 Ensure `PROD_MODE`/`PROD_TOKEN` are set in `.env` (docker-compose passes them through).
 
 Generate a token:
diff --git a/VERSION.txt b/VERSION.txt
index 0495c4a..e8ea05d 100644
--- a/VERSION.txt
+++ b/VERSION.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.2.3
+1.2.4
diff --git a/VERSIONS.md b/VERSIONS.md
index 9903bf5..3c3b92d 100644
--- a/VERSIONS.md
+++ b/VERSIONS.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Versions
 
-## v1.2.3 (01-29-2026)
+## v1.2.4 (01-29-2026)
+- Turnstile auth now grants access to `/snapshot`, `/stats`, `/peers`, and WebSocket without requiring a PROD token (prevents WS reconnect spam).
 - Show Hops panel now includes total route distance (sum of hop-to-hop segments) and updates live with unit toggles.
 
 ## v1.2.2 (01-29-2026)
diff --git a/backend/app.py b/backend/app.py
index 34a7601..cf4aff2 100644
--- a/backend/app.py
+++ b/backend/app.py
@@ -575,9 +575,24 @@ def _extract_token(headers: Dict[str, str]) -> Optional[str]:
   return headers.get("x-access-token") or headers.get("x-token")
 
 
+def _extract_cookie_token(headers: Dict[str, str], key: str) -> Optional[str]:
+  cookie = headers.get("cookie")
+  if not cookie:
+    return None
+  for part in cookie.split(";"):
+    part = part.strip()
+    if not part:
+      continue
+    if part.startswith(f"{key}="):
+      return part[len(key) + 1 :]
+  return None
+
+
 def _require_prod_token(request: Request) -> None:
   if not PROD_MODE:
     return
+  if TURNSTILE_ENABLED and _check_turnstile_auth(request):
+    return
   if not PROD_TOKEN:
     raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="prod_token_not_set")
   token = request.query_params.get("token"
@@ -589,6 +604,11 @@ def _require_prod_token(request: Request) -> None:
 
 
 def _ws_authorized(ws: WebSocket) -> bool:
+  if TURNSTILE_ENABLED and turnstile_verifier:
+    auth_token = _extract_cookie_token(ws.headers, "meshmap_auth") or \
+                 _extract_token(ws.headers)
+    if auth_token and turnstile_verifier.verify_auth_token(auth_token):
+      return True
   if not PROD_MODE:
     return True
   if not PROD_TOKEN:
diff --git a/docs.md b/docs.md
index c8b1086..d691491 100644
--- a/docs.md
+++ b/docs.md
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 # Mesh Map Live: Implementation Notes
 
 This document captures the state of the project and the key changes made so far, so a new Codex session can pick up without losing context.
-Current version: `1.2.3` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
+Current version: `1.2.4` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
 
 ## Overview
 This project renders live MeshCore traffic on a Leaflet + OpenStreetMap map. A FastAPI backend subscribes to MQTT (WSS/TLS or TCP), decodes MeshCore packets using `@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder`, and broadcasts device updates and routes over WebSockets to the frontend. Core logic is split into config/state/decoder/LOS/history modules so changes are localized. The UI includes heatmap, LOS tools, map mode toggles, and a 24‑hour route history layer.
 
 ## Versioning
-- `VERSION.txt` holds the current version string (`1.2.3`).
+- `VERSION.txt` holds the current version string (`1.2.4`).
 - `VERSIONS.md` is an append-only changelog by version.
 
 ## Key Paths
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ This project renders live MeshCore traffic on a Leaflet + OpenStreetMap map. A F
   `TURNSTILE_ENABLED`, `TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY`, `TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY`,
   `TURNSTILE_API_URL`, and `TURNSTILE_TOKEN_TTL_SECONDS`.
 - `PROD_MODE`/`PROD_TOKEN` must be passed into the container (compose now forwards them).
+- Turnstile auth cookie now grants access to `/snapshot`, `/stats`, `/peers`, and WS
+  without a PROD token, which prevents reconnect spam.
 - Discord/social embeds can be preserved under Turnstile with
   `TURNSTILE_BOT_BYPASS` and `TURNSTILE_BOT_ALLOWLIST`.
 
diff --git a/howto.md b/howto.md
index 6100437..109250e 100644
--- a/howto.md
+++ b/howto.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # How-To: MQTT Broker + Live Map
 
 This guide covers two parts: stand up a MeshCore MQTT broker and point the live map at it.
-Current version: `1.2.3` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
+Current version: `1.2.4` (see `VERSIONS.md`).
 
 ## 1) MQTT broker (meshcore-mqtt-broker)