Examples and samples ready for Zephyr release

victronble_watch_set(true) queues and logs adverts from any Victron
device — MAC, RSSI, record type, key-check byte, decode results — for
device discovery and key debugging at the bench.

.gitignore

@@ -72,4 +72,12 @@ venv/
 env/
 
 *.tar.gz
+# Compiled host binaries
 tests/vectors/victronble_test
+examples/NativeDecode/nativedecode
+
+# Zephyr build trees
+samples/*/build/
+build/
+twister-out/
+twister-out.*/

QUICK_START.md

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ your-project/
 
 ### Step 3: Update the Example Code
 
-Open `examples/MultiDevice/main.cpp` and update these lines with YOUR device information:
+Open `examples/MultiDevice/src/main.cpp` and update these lines with YOUR device information:
 
 ```cpp
 // Replace these with YOUR actual device details:
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ pio run -t upload && pio device monitor
 ```
 
 #### Arduino IDE:
-1. Open `examples/MultiDevice/main.cpp` as an .ino file
+1. Open `examples/MultiDevice/src/main.cpp` as an .ino file
 2. Select your ESP32 board from Tools → Board
 3. Select your COM port from Tools → Port
 4. Click Upload

README.md

@@ -1,22 +1,22 @@
 # VictronBLE
 
-A portable Arduino library for reading Victron Energy device data via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisements — runs on both **ESP32** and **nRF52840**.
+A portable library for reading Victron Energy device data via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisements. Use it as an **Arduino** library on ESP32 and nRF52840, as a **Zephyr** module on any Bluetooth-capable board, or drop the **pure C99 core** into anything else.
 
-v0.6 adds **multi-platform support** (ESP32 + nRF52840) via a hardware-abstracted BLE backend and dependency-free bundled crypto. (v0.5 brought the decoding accuracy fixes and AC charger support; v0.4 reworked the internals — function-pointer callback API, reduced memory usage, non-blocking scanning.) See [VERSIONS](VERSIONS) for full details. A stable **v1.0** release with a consistent, long-term API is coming soon.
+v0.7 splits the library into a **dependency-free pure C99 core** (decode + decrypt, no BLE stack, no allocation, no I/O) plus thin platform layers: the Arduino C++ wrapper, and a **Zephyr module** with its own observer API. (v0.6 added multi-platform support for ESP32 + nRF52840; v0.5 brought the decoding accuracy fixes and AC charger support.) See [VERSIONS](VERSIONS) for full details. A stable **v1.0** release with a consistent, long-term API is coming soon.
 
 ---
 
 Why another library? Most of the Victron BLE examples are built into other frameworks (e.g. ESPHome) or are locked to a single chip. The goal here is one library that works across ESP32 and nRF52 (and is easy to extend to more), usable standalone or inside ESPHome and other frameworks, with a long-term plan to move others onto it and improve the code with many eyes.
 
-Supports **ESP32** (original, S and C series — tested on older ESP32, ESP32-S3 and ESP32-C3) and **nRF52840** (Adafruit/Seeed Bluefruit core, e.g. Seeed XIAO nRF52840). All decoding and decryption is shared; only a thin BLE scanning backend is platform-specific (`src/esp32/`, `src/nrf52/`), so other chipsets can be added by implementing one more backend.
+Under Arduino it supports **ESP32** (original, S and C series — tested on older ESP32, ESP32-S3 and ESP32-C3) and **nRF52840** (Adafruit/Seeed Bluefruit core, e.g. Seeed XIAO nRF52840). Under **Zephyr** it is board-agnostic — anything with a Bluetooth controller and the observer role (tested on nRF52840DK and RAK4631). All decoding and decryption is shared; only the BLE scanning layer is platform-specific, so other stacks can be added by implementing one more backend.
 
 ## Features
 
-- ✅ **Multi-Platform**: One API for ESP32 and nRF52840; backend chosen at compile time
+- ✅ **Multi-Platform**: ESP32 and nRF52840 under Arduino, any Bluetooth board under Zephyr
 - ✅ **No External Dependencies**: Bundled AES-128-CTR — no mbedTLS or crypto library needed
 - ✅ **Multiple Device Support**: Monitor multiple Victron devices simultaneously
 - ✅ **All Device Types**: Solar chargers, battery monitors, inverters, DC-DC converters, AC chargers
-- ✅ **Framework Friendly**: Works with Arduino (and ESP-IDF on ESP32)
+- ✅ **Framework Friendly**: Arduino library, Zephyr module, or the bare C core
 - ✅ **Clean API**: Simple, intuitive interface with callback support
 - ✅ **No Pairing Required**: Reads BLE advertisement data directly
 - ✅ **Low Power**: Uses passive BLE scanning
@@ -35,11 +35,13 @@ Supports **ESP32** (original, S and C series — tested on older ESP32, ESP32-S3
 ## Hardware Requirements
 
 - An ESP32 (original / S / C series) **or** an nRF52840 board (Adafruit/Seeed
-  Bluefruit core — e.g. Seeed XIAO nRF52840)
+  Bluefruit core — e.g. Seeed XIAO nRF52840) for the Arduino API
+- Or any Zephyr-supported board with a Bluetooth controller (tested on
+  nRF52840DK and RAK4631)
 - Victron devices with BLE "Instant Readout" enabled
 
-The BLE backend is selected automatically at compile time from the board's
-architecture — no code changes are needed to switch platforms.
+Under Arduino the BLE backend is selected automatically at compile time from
+the board's architecture — no code changes are needed to switch platforms.
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -87,6 +89,78 @@ example's `platformio.ini` includes ready-made ESP32 and nRF52 environments.
 2. Move the `VictronBLE` folder to your Arduino libraries directory
 3. Restart Arduino IDE
 
+### Zephyr
+
+The repository is a Zephyr module (`zephyr/module.yml`), so Zephyr finds it
+automatically once it is in your workspace. Add it to your `west.yml`:
+
+```yaml
+manifest:
+  remotes:
+    - name: sh3d
+      url-base: https://gitea.sh3d.com.au/Sh3d
+  projects:
+    - name: VictronBLE
+      remote: sh3d
+      revision: main
+      path: modules/lib/victronble
+```
+
+Then `west update`, and enable it in your `prj.conf`:
+
+```
+CONFIG_BT=y
+CONFIG_BT_OBSERVER=y
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE=y
+CONFIG_CBPRINTF_FP_SUPPORT=y   # only if you print the float fields
+```
+
+`CONFIG_VICTRONBLE` depends on `CONFIG_BT_OBSERVER`, and the application must
+call `bt_enable()` before `victronble_start()` — the library scans, it does not
+own the Bluetooth stack.
+
+To build against a local checkout that is not in the manifest, point Zephyr at
+it directly instead:
+
+```sh
+west build -b nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -d /tmp/build /path/to/app \
+    -- -DZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES=/path/to/VictronBLE
+```
+
+#### Zephyr API
+
+```c
+#include "victronble_zephyr.h"
+
+int  victronble_cb_register(struct victronble_cb *cb);
+int  victronble_device_add(const bt_addr_le_t *addr, const uint8_t key[16]);
+int  victronble_device_remove(const bt_addr_le_t *addr);
+void victronble_watch_set(bool on);      /* log every advert, no keys needed */
+int  victronble_start(void);
+int  victronble_stop(void);
+void victronble_get_stats(struct victronble_stats *out);
+```
+
+Records are decoded on a dedicated thread, not the Bluetooth RX thread, so
+your `record` callback can log freely without stalling the controller.
+
+#### Kconfig options
+
+| Option | Default | Purpose |
+|---|---|---|
+| `VICTRONBLE_MAX_DEVICES` | 4 | Size of the monitored-device registry |
+| `VICTRONBLE_QUEUE_DEPTH` | 8 | Adverts buffered between the RX and decode threads |
+| `VICTRONBLE_THREAD_STACK_SIZE` | 2048 | Decode thread stack |
+| `VICTRONBLE_THREAD_PRIORITY` | 10 | Decode thread priority (preemptible) |
+| `VICTRONBLE_DEDUP` | y | Suppress repeated adverts by nonce |
+| `VICTRONBLE_SCAN_INTERVAL` | 2048 | Scan interval, 0.625 ms units (1.28 s) |
+| `VICTRONBLE_SCAN_WINDOW` | 18 | Scan window, 0.625 ms units (11.25 ms) |
+| `VICTRONBLE_LOG_LEVEL` | — | Standard Zephyr per-module log level |
+
+Working applications are in [`samples/`](samples/) — start with
+[`samples/scan`](samples/scan/) to discover your devices, then
+[`samples/observer`](samples/observer/) to read them.
+
 ## Quick Start
 
 ### 1. Get Your Encryption Keys
@@ -379,6 +453,12 @@ void setup() {
 5. **Disconnect VictronConnect**: App must be disconnected from device
 6. **Enable debug**: `victron.setDebug(true);` to see detailed logs
 
+On **Zephyr**, the stats line from `victronble_get_stats()` narrows this down
+fast. If `adverts` climbs but `queued` and `decoded` stay at zero, the device
+is being heard but never matched: check the Bluetooth address **type**, which
+must be `random` for Victron devices, not `public`. Or run `samples/scan`,
+which needs neither addresses nor keys.
+
 ### Decryption Failures
 
 - Encryption key must match exactly
@@ -407,31 +487,45 @@ Based on official [Victron BLE documentation](https://www.victronenergy.com/live
 The library keeps everything platform-independent except the BLE radio:
 
 ```
+include/
+├── victronble.h            Pure C99 core API — decode one advert, no I/O
+└── victronble_zephyr.h     Zephyr observer API
 src/
-├── VictronBLE.{h,cpp}      Common API, device management, payload decoding
+├── victronble_core.c       Decrypt + parse; no BLE, no alloc, reentrant
 ├── crypto/vble_aes.{h,c}   Bundled AES-128-CTR (no external dependency)
+├── VictronBLE.{h,cpp}      Arduino C++ wrapper over the core
 ├── esp32/                  ESP32 backend  — Bluedroid BLEScan
-└── nrf52/                  nRF52 backend  — Bluefruit passive scan
+├── nrf52/                  nRF52 backend  — Bluefruit passive scan
+└── victronble_zephyr.c     Zephyr backend — passive scan + decode thread
+CMakeLists.txt, Kconfig     Zephyr module glue (ignored by PlatformIO)
 ```
 
+- **A portable core.** `victronble_core.c` is C99 with no dependencies: no
+  Arduino, no BLE stack, no allocation, no I/O, reentrant. Give it a
+  manufacturer-data blob and a key, get a record back. Everything else —
+  scanning, device registries, rate limiting, logging — belongs to the
+  platform layers. `examples/NativeDecode` runs it on a PC.
 - **One BLE HAL.** Each backend extracts the manufacturer data, MAC and RSSI
-  from a scan result and calls the shared `onAdvertisement()`. All decryption and
-  decoding is common code. The correct backend is selected automatically at
-  compile time from the board architecture (`ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32` /
-  `ARDUINO_ARCH_NRF52`) — there is nothing platform-specific in your sketch.
+  from a scan result and hands it to the core. Under Arduino the correct
+  backend is selected automatically at compile time from the board
+  architecture (`ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32` / `ARDUINO_ARCH_NRF52`) — there is
+  nothing platform-specific in your sketch. Under Zephyr the backend is
+  `victronble_zephyr.c`, selected by `CONFIG_VICTRONBLE`.
 - **No external crypto.** AES-128-CTR is bundled (a trimmed, NIST-verified
   tiny-AES), so the library no longer depends on mbedTLS or any crypto library
   and builds identically on every target.
 - **Adding a platform** means implementing one more backend (scan → extract →
-  `onAdvertisement`); the rest is reused unchanged.
+  hand to the core); the rest is reused unchanged.
 
-> The data callback runs in the BLE event context (the scan task on ESP32, the
-> SoftDevice/Bluefruit handler on nRF52). Keep work in the callback light — copy
-> what you need and process it from `loop()`.
+> Under Arduino the data callback runs in the BLE event context (the scan task
+> on ESP32, the SoftDevice/Bluefruit handler on nRF52). Keep work in the
+> callback light — copy what you need and process it from `loop()`.
+> Under Zephyr this does not apply: records are delivered from the library's
+> own decode thread, so callbacks may log and block.
 
 ## Examples
 
-See the `examples/` directory for:
+Arduino / PlatformIO, in [`examples/`](examples/):
 
 - **MultiDevice**: Monitor multiple devices with callbacks. One sketch, multiple
   PlatformIO environments — builds for ESP32 (`esp32dev`, …) and nRF52840
@@ -441,6 +535,18 @@ See the `examples/` directory for:
 - **Receiver**: Receive ESPNow packets from a Repeater and display data
 - **FakeRepeater**: Generate test ESPNow packets without real Victron hardware
 
+Zephyr, in [`samples/`](samples/):
+
+- **scan**: List every Victron device advertising nearby. No keys needed —
+  run this first to find your MAC addresses.
+- **observer**: Monitor known devices and log every decoded field. The
+  reference for the Zephyr API.
+
+No hardware at all, in [`examples/`](examples/):
+
+- **NativeDecode**: Decode an advertisement on your PC with plain `make`.
+  Good for checking a key or a sniffer capture before you flash anything.
+
 ## Contributing
 
 The primary repository is hosted on [Gitea](https://gitea.sh3d.com.au/Sh3d/VictronBLE),

VERSIONS

@@ -38,9 +38,32 @@ Pure C core + Zephyr support. One repo now serves three ecosystems: Arduino
   a west project or via `-DZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES=<path>`; see
   `docs/ZEPHYR_PORT.md` for the porting plan this implements.
 
+- Watch mode (`victronble_watch_set(true)`): logs every Victron product
+  advert heard, registered or not — MAC, RSSI, record type, length and
+  key-check byte. Reads only the plaintext header, so it needs no keys.
+  Discovery and key debugging; `samples/scan` is built around it.
+
+### Samples and examples
+- `samples/observer/` — Zephyr reference app: known devices from a table of
+  MAC + key, full field decode for every device type, and a 30-second stats
+  line for diagnosing a quiet console. Builds for `nrf52840dk/nrf52840` and
+  `rak4631/nrf52840`.
+- `samples/scan/` — Zephyr discovery app: watch mode only, no keys or
+  addresses needed. Run it first to find what you have.
+- Both carry a `sample.yaml`, so `west twister -T samples` build-tests them.
+- `examples/NativeDecode/` — decode an advertisement on a PC with plain
+  `make`. No board, no BLE stack; exercises the pure C core directly, which
+  makes it useful for checking a key or a sniffer capture.
+
 ### Fixed
 - `library.properties` URL now points at the real repo (gitea) instead of a
   nonexistent GitHub mirror.
+- `library.json` no longer claims the `espidf` framework. There is no ESP-IDF
+  BLE backend — `src/esp32/` is Arduino/Bluedroid only — so the claim was
+  never true. The pure C core works fine under ESP-IDF; scanning is the
+  missing piece, and a native backend is future work.
+- `QUICK_START.md` pointed at `examples/MultiDevice/main.cpp`; the file is at
+  `examples/MultiDevice/src/main.cpp`.
 
 ## 0.6.0 (2026-06-04)
 

docs/ZEPHYR_PORT.md

@@ -344,12 +344,13 @@ victronble/
 ├── src/
 │   ├── victronble_core.c     # pure C99, no dependencies
 │   ├── victronble_aes_sw.c
-│   ├── victronble_aes_psa.c
+│   ├── victronble_aes_psa.c  # not implemented — Kconfig ships software only
 │   ├── victronble_zephyr.c   # scan + workqueue + device registry
 │   ├── VictronBLE.cpp        # Arduino wrapper
 │   └── ble_backend_*.cpp     # NimBLE / Bluefruit
 ├── samples/
-│   └── observer/             # Zephyr sample app
+│   ├── observer/             # Zephyr sample app — known devices, full records
+│   └── scan/                 # Zephyr sample app — watch mode discovery
 └── tests/
     └── vectors/              # host-runnable, also Ztest under native_sim
 ```
@@ -520,11 +521,17 @@ configure — it will pay for itself during the record-type work.
 
 ## Stage 5 — Publish
 
-1. `samples/observer/` that builds for `nrf52840dk/nrf52840` and `rak4631/nrf52840`.
+1. **Done.** `samples/observer/` and `samples/scan/` build for
+   `nrf52840dk/nrf52840` and `rak4631/nrf52840` (verified against Zephyr
+   v4.4.0), each with a `sample.yaml` so twister can build-test them:
+   `west twister -T samples -p nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -p rak4631/nrf52840`.
+   `examples/NativeDecode/` covers the no-hardware case with plain `make`.
    A sample that builds for a DK anyone owns is what makes people try it.
 2. GitHub Actions: host vector tests, plus `west build` for both boards and `native_sim`.
-3. README with the west manifest snippet up front — the first question every Zephyr user
-   has is how to add it to their workspace:
+3. **Done.** README has a Zephyr section with the west manifest snippet, the
+   `ZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES` alternative for local development, the API summary
+   and the Kconfig table — the first question every Zephyr user has is how to
+   add it to their workspace:
 
 ```yaml
 manifest:

examples/NativeDecode/Makefile

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# Build the native (host) VictronBLE example.
+#
+#   make          build ./nativedecode
+#   make run      build and decode the built-in sample advert
+#   make clean
+#
+# No board, no PlatformIO, no toolchain beyond a C compiler — the library core
+# is plain C99. Mirrors the build line in tests/vectors/run.sh.
+
+ROOT    := ../..
+CC      ?= cc
+CFLAGS  ?= -std=c99 -Wall -Wextra -O2
+LDLIBS  := -lm
+
+SRCS := \
+	$(ROOT)/src/victronble_core.c \
+	$(ROOT)/src/victronble_aes_sw.c \
+	$(ROOT)/src/crypto/vble_aes.c \
+	main.c
+
+nativedecode: $(SRCS)
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -I$(ROOT)/include -I$(ROOT)/src $(SRCS) $(LDLIBS) -o $@
+
+run: nativedecode
+	./nativedecode
+
+clean:
+	rm -f nativedecode
+
+.PHONY: run clean

examples/NativeDecode/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# NativeDecode — decode an advertisement on your PC
+
+Decodes one Victron "Instant Readout" advertisement on the host. No board, no
+BLE stack, no PlatformIO — just a C compiler. The library's core
+(`src/victronble_core.c`) is plain C99 with no dependencies, so the same
+decoder that runs on an ESP32, an nRF52 or under Zephyr also runs here.
+
+Handy for:
+
+- checking an advertisement key before you flash anything
+- decoding a capture from nRF Connect, `btmon` or a sniffer
+- seeing the record layout and which fields your device actually sends
+
+## Build and run
+
+```sh
+make
+./nativedecode
+```
+
+With no arguments it decodes a built-in sample advert (a SmartSolar MPPT in
+bulk charge, taken from `tests/vectors/`):
+
+```
+advert           31 bytes
+device type      solar charger (0x01)
+model id         0xa060
+nonce            4660 (0x1234)
+fields:
+  state            bulk (error 0)
+  battery          13.24 V
+  current          5.4 A
+  pv power         340 W
+  yield today      1200 Wh
+  load current     n/a
+```
+
+## Your own capture
+
+```sh
+./nativedecode <advert-hex> <key-hex>
+```
+
+`advert-hex` is the manufacturer-specific data **starting at the company ID**
+(`e1 02 ...`), exactly as a sniffer reports it. Separators are ignored, so
+`e1:02:10…` and `e10210…` both work. `key-hex` is the 32-character
+advertisement key from VictronConnect → device → gear icon → Product info →
+*Instant readout via Bluetooth*.
+
+```sh
+./nativedecode "e1021089a30002efbe0d4108532f0d44a51c62a051e97c1fae2fe9e82a0e15" \
+               0df4d0395b7d5d4f5a0d0af52e1b4c1e
+```
+
+## Reading the output
+
+`n/a` means the device did not send that field — the core returns `NAN` for
+absent floats and `0xFFFF` for an unavailable time-to-go, and this example
+renders both as `n/a`. An MPPT with no load output always shows
+`load current n/a`; that is not a fault.
+
+Three failure messages are worth telling apart:
+
+| Message | Meaning |
+|---|---|
+| `not a Victron product advertisement` | wrong company ID, or not a product record — you captured something else |
+| `key check failed` | the advert is Victron's, but this key belongs to a different device |
+| `decode failed: unsupported type` | a real Victron record the library has no decoder for yet (e.g. GX devices) |
+
+## Which API this shows
+
+```c
+victronble_parse_key()        /* 32 hex chars -> 16 bytes           */
+victronble_is_product_adv()   /* cheap pre-filter, no crypto        */
+victronble_key_matches()      /* key-check byte, still no crypto    */
+victronble_decode()           /* decrypt + parse into a record      */
+victronble_strerror()
+victronble_device_type_str()
+victronble_state_str()
+```
+
+That is the whole portable core. See `include/victronble.h` for the record
+structures, and `samples/observer/` for the same printing logic driven by a
+live BLE scan under Zephyr.

examples/NativeDecode/main.c

@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+/**
+ * VictronBLE native (host) example.
+ *
+ * Decodes a Victron "Instant Readout" advertisement on your PC — no board, no
+ * BLE stack, no toolchain beyond a C compiler. The library's core is plain
+ * C99, so the same code that runs on an ESP32, an nRF52 or under Zephyr also
+ * runs here.
+ *
+ * Useful for checking a key, understanding the record layout, or debugging a
+ * capture from a BLE sniffer before you flash anything.
+ *
+ *   make && ./nativedecode                     # built-in sample advert
+ *   ./nativedecode <advert-hex> <key-hex>      # your own capture
+ *
+ * The advert hex is the manufacturer-specific data starting at the company ID
+ * (e1 02 ...), exactly as a sniffer or nRF Connect reports it. Separators are
+ * ignored, so "e1:02:10" and "e10210" both work.
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Scott Penrose
+ * License: MIT
+ */
+
+#include <math.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "victronble.h"
+
+/*
+ * Sample advertisement from the library's own test vectors
+ * (tests/vectors/test_vectors.h): a SmartSolar MPPT in bulk charge.
+ */
+static const char DEFAULT_ADVERT[] =
+	"e1021060a000013412 0d53b0254c65d34a923470 3a6c19737e65f6a442d056";
+static const char DEFAULT_KEY[] = "0df4d0395b7d5d4f5a0d0af52e1b4c1e";
+
+/* --- input parsing ----------------------------------------------------- */
+
+static int hex_nibble(char c)
+{
+	if (c >= '0' && c <= '9') {
+		return c - '0';
+	}
+	if (c >= 'a' && c <= 'f') {
+		return c - 'a' + 10;
+	}
+	if (c >= 'A' && c <= 'F') {
+		return c - 'A' + 10;
+	}
+	return -1;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Parse a hex string into bytes, skipping any separator (space, colon, dash).
+ * Returns the byte count, or -1 on a stray character or an odd digit count.
+ * (Keys are 32 hex characters exactly, so those use the library's own
+ * victronble_parse_key() instead of this.)
+ */
+static int parse_hex(const char *s, uint8_t *out, size_t max)
+{
+	size_t n = 0;
+	int hi = -1;
+
+	for (; *s != '\0'; s++) {
+		if (*s == ' ' || *s == ':' || *s == '-' || *s == '\t') {
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		int v = hex_nibble(*s);
+
+		if (v < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "bad hex character '%c'\n", *s);
+			return -1;
+		}
+		if (hi < 0) {
+			hi = v;
+			continue;
+		}
+		if (n >= max) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "advert too long (max %zu bytes)\n",
+				max);
+			return -1;
+		}
+		out[n++] = (uint8_t)((hi << 4) | v);
+		hi = -1;
+	}
+
+	if (hi >= 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "hex string has an odd number of digits\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+	return (int)n;
+}
+
+/* --- record printing --------------------------------------------------- */
+
+/* Fields the device did not send come back as NAN — report them as "n/a"
+ * rather than printing "nan", which reads like a fault. */
+static void pf(const char *label, float v, const char *unit, int dp)
+{
+	if (isnan(v)) {
+		printf("  %-16s n/a\n", label);
+	} else {
+		printf("  %-16s %.*f %s\n", label, dp, (double)v, unit);
+	}
+}
+
+static void print_solar(const victronble_solar_charger_t *s)
+{
+	printf("  %-16s %s (error %u)\n", "state",
+	       victronble_state_str(s->state), s->error);
+	pf("battery", s->battery_voltage, "V", 2);
+	pf("current", s->battery_current, "A", 1);
+	pf("pv power", s->pv_power, "W", 0);
+	printf("  %-16s %u Wh\n", "yield today", s->yield_today_wh);
+	pf("load current", s->load_current, "A", 1);
+}
+
+static void print_batmon(const victronble_battery_monitor_t *m)
+{
+	static const char *const aux_mode[] = { "aux voltage", "midpoint",
+						"temperature", "none" };
+
+	pf("battery", m->voltage, "V", 2);
+	pf("current", m->current, "A", 2);
+	pf("soc", m->soc, "%", 1);
+	pf("consumed", m->consumed_ah, "Ah", 1);
+
+	/* 0xFFFF is the wire's "not available", not 45 days of runtime. */
+	if (m->remaining_minutes == 0xFFFF) {
+		printf("  %-16s n/a\n", "time to go");
+	} else {
+		printf("  %-16s %u min\n", "time to go", m->remaining_minutes);
+	}
+
+	printf("  %-16s %s\n", "aux mode",
+	       m->aux_mode < 4 ? aux_mode[m->aux_mode] : "?");
+	pf("aux voltage", m->aux_voltage, "V", 2);
+	pf("temperature", m->temperature, "degC", 1);
+	printf("  %-16s 0x%04x\n", "alarm", m->alarm);
+}
+
+static void print_record(const victronble_record_t *rec)
+{
+	printf("device type      %s (0x%02x)\n",
+	       victronble_device_type_str(rec->type), rec->record_type);
+	printf("model id         0x%04x\n", rec->model_id);
+	printf("nonce            %u (0x%04x)\n", rec->nonce, rec->nonce);
+	printf("fields:\n");
+
+	switch (rec->type) {
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_SOLAR_CHARGER:
+		print_solar(&rec->u.solar);
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_BATTERY_MONITOR:
+		print_batmon(&rec->u.batmon);
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_INVERTER:
+		printf("  %-16s %s\n", "state",
+		       victronble_state_str(rec->u.inverter.state));
+		pf("battery", rec->u.inverter.battery_voltage, "V", 2);
+		pf("current", rec->u.inverter.battery_current, "A", 2);
+		pf("ac power", rec->u.inverter.ac_power, "W", 0);
+		printf("  %-16s 0x%02x\n", "alarms", rec->u.inverter.alarms);
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_DCDC_CONVERTER:
+		printf("  %-16s %s (error %u)\n", "state",
+		       victronble_state_str(rec->u.dcdc.state),
+		       rec->u.dcdc.error);
+		pf("input", rec->u.dcdc.input_voltage, "V", 2);
+		pf("output", rec->u.dcdc.output_voltage, "V", 2);
+		pf("output current", rec->u.dcdc.output_current, "A", 1);
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_AC_CHARGER:
+		printf("  %-16s %s (error %u)\n", "state",
+		       victronble_state_str(rec->u.ac.state), rec->u.ac.error);
+		pf("output 1", rec->u.ac.voltage1, "V", 2);
+		pf("current 1", rec->u.ac.current1, "A", 1);
+		pf("output 2", rec->u.ac.voltage2, "V", 2);
+		pf("current 2", rec->u.ac.current2, "A", 1);
+		pf("output 3", rec->u.ac.voltage3, "V", 2);
+		pf("current 3", rec->u.ac.current3, "A", 1);
+		pf("ac current", rec->u.ac.ac_current, "A", 1);
+		pf("temperature", rec->u.ac.temperature, "degC", 1);
+		break;
+	default:
+		printf("  (decoded, but this build has no field printer for "
+		       "that device type)\n");
+		break;
+	}
+}
+
+/* --- main -------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+int main(int argc, char **argv)
+{
+	const char *advert_hex = argc > 1 ? argv[1] : DEFAULT_ADVERT;
+	const char *key_hex = argc > 2 ? argv[2] : DEFAULT_KEY;
+	uint8_t advert[VICTRONBLE_MIN_MFG_LEN + VICTRONBLE_MAX_CIPHER_LEN];
+	uint8_t key[VICTRONBLE_KEY_LEN];
+	victronble_record_t rec;
+	victronble_err_t err;
+	int len;
+
+	if (argc > 3 || (argc == 2 && strcmp(argv[1], "-h") == 0)) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "usage: %s [advert-hex [key-hex]]\n", argv[0]);
+		return 2;
+	}
+	if (argc == 1) {
+		printf("(no arguments — decoding the built-in sample advert)\n\n");
+	}
+
+	len = parse_hex(advert_hex, advert, sizeof(advert));
+	if (len < 0) {
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	if (!victronble_parse_key(key_hex, key)) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "key must be exactly 32 hex characters\n");
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	printf("advert           %d bytes\n", len);
+
+	/* Cheap pre-filter: company ID and record type only, no crypto. On a
+	 * real scanner this is what keeps every other BLE beacon out of the
+	 * decode path. */
+	if (!victronble_is_product_adv(advert, (size_t)len)) {
+		printf("not a Victron product advertisement\n");
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	/* Key-check byte. Lets a scanner pick the right key out of several
+	 * without doing the AES work — and tells you a wrong key apart from a
+	 * corrupt payload. */
+	if (!victronble_key_matches(advert, (size_t)len, key)) {
+		printf("key check failed — this key is not for this device\n");
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	err = victronble_decode(advert, (size_t)len, key, &rec);
+	if (err != VICTRONBLE_OK) {
+		printf("decode failed: %s (%d)\n", victronble_strerror(err),
+		       err);
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	print_record(&rec);
+	return 0;
+}

include/victronble_zephyr.h

@@ -56,6 +56,12 @@ int victronble_device_add(const bt_addr_le_t *addr,
 /** Stop monitoring a device. Returns -ENOENT if unknown. */
 int victronble_device_remove(const bt_addr_le_t *addr);
 
+/** Watch mode: when on, every Victron product advert heard — registered or
+ *  not — is logged (MAC, RSSI, record type, key-check byte). Discovery and
+ *  key debugging; unregistered devices are not nonce-deduped, so expect a
+ *  line or two per device per second. */
+void victronble_watch_set(bool on);
+
 /** Start the passive scan (bt_enable() must have succeeded first). */
 int victronble_start(void);
 

library.json

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 {
   "name": "victronble",
   "version": "0.7.0",
-  "description": "Portable Arduino library for reading Victron Energy device data via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisements. Runs on ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and nRF52 (nRF52840, nRF52832). Supports SmartSolar MPPT, SmartShunt, BMV, MultiPlus, Orion, Blue Smart AC chargers and other Victron devices. No external crypto dependency.",
-  "keywords": "victron, ble, bluetooth, solar, mppt, battery, smartshunt, smartsolar, bmv, inverter, multiplus, esp32, esp32-s3, esp32-c3, nrf52, nrf52840, nrf52832, xiao, iot, energy, monitoring",
+  "description": "Portable Arduino library for reading Victron Energy device data via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisements. Runs on ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and nRF52 (nRF52840, nRF52832). Supports SmartSolar MPPT, SmartShunt, BMV, MultiPlus, Orion, Blue Smart AC chargers and other Victron devices. No external crypto dependency. Also ships a Zephyr module (CONFIG_VICTRONBLE) and a dependency-free pure C99 core usable on any platform.",
+  "keywords": "victron, ble, zephyr, bluetooth, solar, mppt, battery, smartshunt, smartsolar, bmv, inverter, multiplus, esp32, esp32-s3, esp32-c3, nrf52, nrf52840, nrf52832, xiao, iot, energy, monitoring",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
     "url": "https://gitea.sh3d.com.au/Sh3d/VictronBLE.git"
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
   ],
   "license": "MIT",
   "homepage": "https://gitea.sh3d.com.au/Sh3d/VictronBLE",
-  "frameworks": ["arduino", "espidf"],
+  "frameworks": ["arduino"],
   "platforms": ["espressif32", "nordicnrf52"],
   "headers": ["VictronBLE.h"],
   "dependencies": [],
@@ -46,11 +46,19 @@
       "name": "FakeRepeater",
       "base": "examples/FakeRepeater",
       "files": ["src/main.cpp"]
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "NativeDecode",
+      "base": "examples/NativeDecode",
+      "files": ["main.c", "Makefile", "README.md"]
     }
   ],
   "export": {
     "exclude": [
       "examples/*/.pio",
+      "examples/NativeDecode/nativedecode",
+      "samples/*/build",
+      "experiment",
       "examples/*/.vscode",
       "examples/*/test",
       "test",

samples/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+# Zephyr samples
+
+Zephyr applications live here; `examples/` holds the Arduino/PlatformIO ones.
+
+| Sample | What it does |
+|---|---|
+| [`scan/`](scan/) | Lists every Victron device advertising nearby. No keys needed. **Start here.** |
+| [`observer/`](observer/) | Monitors known devices and decodes their records. |
+
+Both need `CONFIG_VICTRONBLE=y`, which depends on `CONFIG_BT_OBSERVER=y`. See
+the Zephyr section of the top-level [README](../README.md) for how to add this
+library to a west workspace.
+
+## Building
+
+The library is a Zephyr module. If it is already in your `west.yml`, the
+samples build with no extra flags:
+
+```sh
+west build -p -b nrf52840dk/nrf52840 samples/observer
+```
+
+For local development against a checkout that is *not* in the manifest, point
+Zephyr at it directly:
+
+```sh
+west build -p -b nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -d /tmp/vb_obs \
+    /path/to/VictronBLE/samples/observer \
+    -- -DZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES=/path/to/VictronBLE
+```
+
+Then `west flash`, and watch the console at 115200 baud.
+
+Tested on `nrf52840dk/nrf52840` and `rak4631/nrf52840` with Zephyr v4.4.0. Any
+board with a Bluetooth controller and the observer role should work — nothing
+in the library is nRF-specific.
+
+Build-test both samples without hardware. For a checkout outside the manifest,
+twister needs the same module hint via the environment:
+
+```sh
+ZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES=$PWD \
+    west twister -T samples -p nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -p rak4631/nrf52840
+```

samples/observer/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20.0)
+
+find_package(Zephyr REQUIRED HINTS $ENV{ZEPHYR_BASE})
+project(victronble_observer)
+
+target_sources(app PRIVATE src/main.c)

samples/observer/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+# observer — decode records from known devices
+
+Monitors a list of Victron devices, decrypts their Instant Readout
+advertisements and logs every field. This is the reference for using the
+Zephyr API.
+
+Don't know your devices' addresses yet? Build [`../scan`](../scan/) first.
+
+## Configure your devices
+
+Edit the `known_devices` table at the top of [`src/main.c`](src/main.c):
+
+```c
+static const struct { ... } known_devices[] = {
+	{
+		.name = "Rainbow48V",
+		.addr = "E4:05:42:34:14:F3",
+		.addr_type = "random",
+		.key = "0ec3adf7433dd61793ff2f3b8ad32ed8",
+	},
+};
+```
+
+The key is in VictronConnect: device → gear icon → Product info → *Instant
+readout via Bluetooth* → show/copy the encryption key (32 hex characters).
+
+**The address type must be `random`.** Victron devices use random static
+Bluetooth addresses, and the registry lookup compares the type as well as the
+bytes. Get it wrong and the symptom is quiet and confusing: `adverts` climbs
+in the stats line but `decoded` stays at zero, because the adverts arrive and
+never match a registered device.
+
+Add more than four devices and you also need to raise
+`CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_MAX_DEVICES` in `prj.conf`.
+
+## Build and run
+
+```sh
+west build -p -b nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -d /tmp/vb_obs samples/observer \
+    -- -DZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES=$PWD
+west flash -d /tmp/vb_obs
+```
+
+Console (115200 baud):
+
+```
+<inf> observer: VictronBLE observer starting
+<inf> observer: monitoring Rainbow48V (E4:05:42:34:14:F3)
+<inf> victronble: observing (interval 2048 window 18)
+<inf> observer: E4:05:42:34:14:F3 (random)  solar charger  rssi -67  model 0xa060  nonce 4660
+<inf> observer:   state bulk  error 0
+<inf> observer:   battery 13.24 V 5.4 A   pv 340 W   yield today 1200 Wh
+<inf> observer:   load n/a
+<inf> observer: stats: adverts 61 queued 30 dropped 0 decoded 28 dup 2 err 0
+```
+
+## Reading the stats line
+
+Printed every 30 s, and the fastest way to diagnose a quiet console:
+
+| Counter | Meaning if it misbehaves |
+|---|---|
+| `adverts` | Victron adverts seen from **any** device. Zero → nothing in range, or Instant Readout is off on the device. |
+| `queued` | adverts from your registered devices. Zero while `adverts` climbs → wrong address or wrong address type. |
+| `dropped` | queue was full. Raise `CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_QUEUE_DEPTH`. |
+| `decoded` | records delivered to the callback. |
+| `dup` | repeats suppressed by nonce dedup. A steady trickle is normal — each advert is broadcast on three channels. |
+| `err` | decode failures. A wrong key shows up here, and in the `decode failed: key mismatch` warning. |
+
+## What the code demonstrates
+
+- `bt_enable()` **before** `victronble_start()` — the application owns the
+  Bluetooth stack, the library only scans.
+- `bt_addr_le_from_str()` + `victronble_parse_key()` to turn human-readable
+  config into what `victronble_device_add()` wants.
+- `victronble_cb_register()` with both `record` and `decode_error` set.
+  Callbacks run on the library's decode thread, not the Bluetooth RX thread,
+  so logging in them is safe.
+- Formatting a record: `isnan()` guards on every float, and
+  `remaining_minutes == 0xFFFF` for time-to-go. Absent fields are normal —
+  an MPPT with no load output always reports `load n/a`.
+- `victronble_get_stats()` for the periodic health line.
+
+Printing floats needs `CONFIG_CBPRINTF_FP_SUPPORT=y`; without it the numbers
+come out empty.
+
+To decode a captured advert on your PC instead — no board involved — see
+[`examples/NativeDecode`](../../examples/NativeDecode/).

samples/observer/prj.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# Bluetooth: observer role only — no connections, no pairing, no advertising.
+CONFIG_BT=y
+CONFIG_BT_OBSERVER=y
+CONFIG_BT_DEVICE_NAME="victron-observer"
+
+# Advertising reports are "discardable" HCI events. The default pool is easy
+# to exhaust with a passive scan in a dense RF environment; if the stats line
+# shows adverts arriving in bursts and then stalling, raise this further.
+CONFIG_BT_BUF_EVT_DISCARDABLE_COUNT=20
+
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE=y
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_MAX_DEVICES=4
+
+CONFIG_LOG=y
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_LOG_LEVEL_INF=y
+
+# Records carry floats (volts, amps, watts). Without this, %f in LOG_INF()
+# and snprintk() prints nothing useful.
+CONFIG_CBPRINTF_FP_SUPPORT=y

samples/observer/sample.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+sample:
+  name: VictronBLE observer
+  description: Decode Victron Instant Readout advertisements from known devices
+tests:
+  sample.victronble.observer:
+    build_only: true
+    platform_allow:
+      - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
+      - rak4631/nrf52840
+    tags: bluetooth victron

samples/observer/src/main.c

@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/**
+ * VictronBLE Zephyr observer sample.
+ *
+ * Monitors a fixed list of Victron devices, decodes their Instant Readout
+ * advertisements and logs every record. Prints a statistics line every 30 s
+ * so a silent console can be diagnosed without a sniffer.
+ *
+ * Don't know your devices' MAC addresses yet? Build samples/scan first — it
+ * lists every Victron device in range.
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Scott Penrose
+ * License: MIT
+ */
+
+#include <math.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <zephyr/kernel.h>
+#include <zephyr/bluetooth/bluetooth.h>
+#include <zephyr/logging/log.h>
+#include <zephyr/sys/util.h>
+
+#include "victronble_zephyr.h"
+
+LOG_MODULE_REGISTER(observer, LOG_LEVEL_INF);
+
+#define STATS_INTERVAL K_SECONDS(30)
+
+/*
+ * Your devices. The advertisement key is in VictronConnect:
+ *   device -> gear icon -> Product info -> "Instant readout via Bluetooth"
+ *   -> SHOW / copy the encryption key (32 hex characters).
+ *
+ * Victron devices use a random static Bluetooth address, so the address type
+ * is "random" — not "public". Getting this wrong is the usual reason a device
+ * never matches: the adverts arrive (the stats line counts them) but no
+ * record is ever decoded, because the registry lookup compares the type too.
+ */
+static const struct {
+	const char *name;
+	const char *addr;
+	const char *addr_type;
+	const char *key;
+} known_devices[] = {
+	{
+		.name = "Rainbow48V",
+		.addr = "E4:05:42:34:14:F3",
+		.addr_type = "random",
+		.key = "0ec3adf7433dd61793ff2f3b8ad32ed8",
+	},
+	{
+		.name = "ScottTrailer",
+		.addr = "E6:45:59:78:3C:FB",
+		.addr_type = "random",
+		.key = "3fa658aded4f309b9bc17a2318cb1f56",
+	},
+};
+
+/* --- record formatting ------------------------------------------------- */
+
+#define FBUF_LEN 20
+
+/*
+ * A float field the device did not send comes back as NAN (see
+ * include/victronble.h). Render that as "n/a" rather than letting "nan" leak
+ * into the log — a missing load-current reading is not a fault. The unit goes
+ * in here too, so an absent field reads "n/a" and not "n/a A".
+ *
+ * Needs CONFIG_CBPRINTF_FP_SUPPORT=y, or every number comes out empty.
+ */
+static const char *flt(char *buf, float v, int dp, const char *unit)
+{
+	if (isnan(v)) {
+		strcpy(buf, "n/a");
+	} else {
+		snprintk(buf, FBUF_LEN, "%.*f %s", dp, (double)v, unit);
+	}
+	return buf;
+}
+
+static void print_solar(const victronble_solar_charger_t *s)
+{
+	char a[FBUF_LEN], b[FBUF_LEN], c[FBUF_LEN], d[FBUF_LEN];
+
+	LOG_INF("  state %s  error %u", victronble_state_str(s->state),
+		s->error);
+	LOG_INF("  battery %s %s   pv %s   yield today %u Wh",
+		flt(a, s->battery_voltage, 2, "V"),
+		flt(b, s->battery_current, 1, "A"),
+		flt(c, s->pv_power, 0, "W"), s->yield_today_wh);
+	LOG_INF("  load %s", flt(d, s->load_current, 1, "A"));
+}
+
+static void print_batmon(const victronble_battery_monitor_t *m)
+{
+	char a[FBUF_LEN], b[FBUF_LEN], c[FBUF_LEN], d[FBUF_LEN];
+
+	LOG_INF("  battery %s %s   soc %s", flt(a, m->voltage, 2, "V"),
+		flt(b, m->current, 2, "A"), flt(c, m->soc, 1, "%"));
+	LOG_INF("  consumed %s   alarm 0x%04x",
+		flt(d, m->consumed_ah, 1, "Ah"), m->alarm);
+
+	/* 0xFFFF is the wire's "not available", not 45 days of runtime. */
+	if (m->remaining_minutes == 0xFFFF) {
+		LOG_INF("  time to go n/a");
+	} else {
+		LOG_INF("  time to go %u min", m->remaining_minutes);
+	}
+
+	/* The aux channel is one of three things, chosen on the device. */
+	switch (m->aux_mode) {
+	case 0:
+		LOG_INF("  aux voltage %s", flt(a, m->aux_voltage, 2, "V"));
+		break;
+	case 2:
+		LOG_INF("  temperature %s", flt(a, m->temperature, 1, "degC"));
+		break;
+	default:
+		break;
+	}
+}
+
+static void print_record(const bt_addr_le_t *addr, int8_t rssi,
+			 const victronble_record_t *rec)
+{
+	char addr_str[BT_ADDR_LE_STR_LEN];
+	char a[FBUF_LEN], b[FBUF_LEN], c[FBUF_LEN];
+
+	bt_addr_le_to_str(addr, addr_str, sizeof(addr_str));
+
+	LOG_INF("%s  %s  rssi %d  model 0x%04x  nonce %u", addr_str,
+		victronble_device_type_str(rec->type), rssi, rec->model_id,
+		rec->nonce);
+
+	switch (rec->type) {
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_SOLAR_CHARGER:
+		print_solar(&rec->u.solar);
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_BATTERY_MONITOR:
+		print_batmon(&rec->u.batmon);
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_INVERTER:
+		LOG_INF("  state %s  battery %s %s  ac %s",
+			victronble_state_str(rec->u.inverter.state),
+			flt(a, rec->u.inverter.battery_voltage, 2, "V"),
+			flt(b, rec->u.inverter.battery_current, 2, "A"),
+			flt(c, rec->u.inverter.ac_power, 0, "W"));
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_DCDC_CONVERTER:
+		LOG_INF("  state %s  in %s  out %s %s",
+			victronble_state_str(rec->u.dcdc.state),
+			flt(a, rec->u.dcdc.input_voltage, 2, "V"),
+			flt(b, rec->u.dcdc.output_voltage, 2, "V"),
+			flt(c, rec->u.dcdc.output_current, 1, "A"));
+		break;
+	case VICTRONBLE_DEV_AC_CHARGER:
+		LOG_INF("  state %s  out1 %s %s  temp %s",
+			victronble_state_str(rec->u.ac.state),
+			flt(a, rec->u.ac.voltage1, 2, "V"),
+			flt(b, rec->u.ac.current1, 1, "A"),
+			flt(c, rec->u.ac.temperature, 1, "degC"));
+		break;
+	default:
+		LOG_INF("  (no decoder for record type 0x%02x)",
+			rec->record_type);
+		break;
+	}
+}
+
+/* --- callbacks --------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+/*
+ * These run on the victronble decode thread, not the Bluetooth RX thread, so
+ * logging here is fine — it cannot stall the controller.
+ */
+static void on_record(const bt_addr_le_t *addr, int8_t rssi,
+		      const victronble_record_t *rec)
+{
+	print_record(addr, rssi, rec);
+}
+
+static void on_decode_error(const bt_addr_le_t *addr, victronble_err_t err)
+{
+	char addr_str[BT_ADDR_LE_STR_LEN];
+
+	bt_addr_le_to_str(addr, addr_str, sizeof(addr_str));
+	LOG_WRN("%s decode failed: %s", addr_str, victronble_strerror(err));
+}
+
+static struct victronble_cb callbacks = {
+	.record = on_record,
+	.decode_error = on_decode_error,
+};
+
+/* --- setup ------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+static int register_devices(void)
+{
+	int registered = 0;
+
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(known_devices); i++) {
+		bt_addr_le_t addr;
+		uint8_t key[VICTRONBLE_KEY_LEN];
+		int err;
+
+		err = bt_addr_le_from_str(known_devices[i].addr,
+					  known_devices[i].addr_type, &addr);
+		if (err != 0) {
+			LOG_ERR("%s: bad address '%s' (%d)",
+				known_devices[i].name, known_devices[i].addr,
+				err);
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		if (!victronble_parse_key(known_devices[i].key, key)) {
+			LOG_ERR("%s: key must be 32 hex characters",
+				known_devices[i].name);
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		err = victronble_device_add(&addr, key);
+		if (err != 0) {
+			LOG_ERR("%s: victronble_device_add failed (%d)",
+				known_devices[i].name, err);
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		LOG_INF("monitoring %s (%s)", known_devices[i].name,
+			known_devices[i].addr);
+		registered++;
+	}
+
+	return registered;
+}
+
+int main(void)
+{
+	struct victronble_stats stats;
+	int err;
+
+	LOG_INF("VictronBLE observer starting");
+
+	/* The application owns the Bluetooth stack: victronble_start() needs
+	 * it up already. */
+	err = bt_enable(NULL);
+	if (err != 0) {
+		LOG_ERR("bt_enable failed (%d)", err);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	err = victronble_cb_register(&callbacks);
+	if (err != 0) {
+		LOG_ERR("victronble_cb_register failed (%d)", err);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	if (register_devices() == 0) {
+		LOG_ERR("no devices registered — nothing to observe");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	err = victronble_start();
+	if (err != 0) {
+		LOG_ERR("victronble_start failed (%d)", err);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	while (1) {
+		k_sleep(STATS_INTERVAL);
+
+		victronble_get_stats(&stats);
+		LOG_INF("stats: adverts %u queued %u dropped %u decoded %u dup %u err %u",
+			stats.adverts, stats.queued, stats.dropped,
+			stats.decoded, stats.duplicates, stats.errors);
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}

samples/scan/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20.0)
+
+find_package(Zephyr REQUIRED HINTS $ENV{ZEPHYR_BASE})
+project(victronble_scan)
+
+target_sources(app PRIVATE src/main.c)

samples/scan/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# scan — find your Victron devices
+
+Logs every Victron "Instant Readout" advertisement in range. **No
+advertisement keys and no device list required**, so this is the first thing
+to run: it tells you what you have and what its Bluetooth address is.
+
+The whole sample is `victronble_watch_set(true)` plus `victronble_start()` —
+all the output comes from the library's own log module.
+
+## Build and run
+
+```sh
+west build -p -b nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -d /tmp/vb_scan samples/scan \
+    -- -DZEPHYR_EXTRA_MODULES=$PWD
+west flash -d /tmp/vb_scan
+```
+
+Console (115200 baud):
+
+```
+<inf> scan: VictronBLE discovery — logging every Victron advert in range
+<inf> victronble: observing (interval 96 window 48)
+<inf> victronble: watch: E4:05:42:34:14:F3 (random) rssi -67 type 0x01 (solar charger) len 31 keycheck 0x0d
+<inf> victronble: watch: E6:45:59:78:3C:FB (random) rssi -82 type 0x02 (battery monitor) len 31 keycheck 0x3f
+<inf> scan: stats: adverts 61 queued 61 dropped 0
+```
+
+Each line gives you everything you need for `samples/observer`:
+
+| Field | Use |
+|---|---|
+| address + `(random)` | Victron uses **random** static addresses — that address type matters |
+| `type` | which device family it is, before any decryption |
+| `keycheck` | first byte of the advertisement key; confirms you copied the right key |
+| `rssi` | how well you can hear it — useful for placing the node |
+
+Nothing here is decrypted. Watch mode reads only the plaintext header, which
+is why it works without keys.
+
+## Next step
+
+Copy the addresses into the `known_devices` table in
+[`../observer/src/main.c`](../observer/src/main.c) along with each device's key
+from VictronConnect (device → gear icon → Product info → *Instant readout via
+Bluetooth*), then build `observer`.
+
+## Notes
+
+- Unregistered devices are **not** deduplicated by nonce, so expect roughly
+  one line per device per second. That is the point — it shows liveness.
+- `prj.conf` raises the scan duty cycle to 60 ms / 30 ms
+  (`BT_GAP_SCAN_FAST_*`) instead of the library default 1.28 s / 11.25 ms.
+  Discovery should be quick; `observer` uses the low-power default.
+- `CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_QUEUE_DEPTH=16` because watch mode queues every advert,
+  not just the ones from known devices. If `dropped` climbs on a busy site,
+  raise it further.
+- `adverts 0` after a minute means either nothing is in range or the device
+  has *Instant readout via Bluetooth* switched off in VictronConnect.

samples/scan/prj.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Bluetooth: observer role only — no connections, no pairing, no advertising.
+CONFIG_BT=y
+CONFIG_BT_OBSERVER=y
+CONFIG_BT_DEVICE_NAME="victron-scan"
+
+# Discovery hears every Victron in range, so the advertising-report pool and
+# the library's decode queue both see more traffic than in normal operation.
+CONFIG_BT_BUF_EVT_DISCARDABLE_COUNT=20
+
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE=y
+
+# Watch mode queues every Victron advert, not just the registered ones.
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_QUEUE_DEPTH=16
+
+# No devices are registered — this sample never decrypts anything.
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_MAX_DEVICES=1
+
+# Discovery wants to find things quickly, so trade power for a much higher
+# duty cycle than the library's defaults: 60 ms interval / 30 ms window
+# (BT_GAP_SCAN_FAST_*) instead of 1.28 s / 11.25 ms.
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_SCAN_INTERVAL=96
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_SCAN_WINDOW=48
+
+CONFIG_LOG=y
+CONFIG_VICTRONBLE_LOG_LEVEL_INF=y

samples/scan/sample.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+sample:
+  name: VictronBLE scan
+  description: List every Victron device advertising nearby, no keys required
+tests:
+  sample.victronble.scan:
+    build_only: true
+    platform_allow:
+      - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
+      - rak4631/nrf52840
+    tags: bluetooth victron

samples/scan/src/main.c

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+/**
+ * VictronBLE Zephyr discovery sample.
+ *
+ * Turns on the library's watch mode and does nothing else. No advertisement
+ * keys, no device list: every Victron Instant Readout advert in range is
+ * logged with its address, RSSI, device type and key-check byte.
+ *
+ * Run this first to find out what you have and what its MAC address is, then
+ * put the addresses and keys into samples/observer.
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Scott Penrose
+ * License: MIT
+ */
+
+#include <zephyr/kernel.h>
+#include <zephyr/bluetooth/bluetooth.h>
+#include <zephyr/logging/log.h>
+
+#include "victronble_zephyr.h"
+
+LOG_MODULE_REGISTER(scan, LOG_LEVEL_INF);
+
+#define STATS_INTERVAL K_SECONDS(30)
+
+int main(void)
+{
+	struct victronble_stats stats;
+	int err;
+
+	LOG_INF("VictronBLE discovery — logging every Victron advert in range");
+
+	/* The application owns the Bluetooth stack: victronble_start() needs
+	 * it up already. */
+	err = bt_enable(NULL);
+	if (err != 0) {
+		LOG_ERR("bt_enable failed (%d)", err);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	/* All output comes from the library's own log module (victronble).
+	 * Unregistered devices are not nonce-deduplicated, so expect roughly
+	 * one line per device per second. */
+	victronble_watch_set(true);
+
+	err = victronble_start();
+	if (err != 0) {
+		LOG_ERR("victronble_start failed (%d)", err);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	while (1) {
+		k_sleep(STATS_INTERVAL);
+
+		victronble_get_stats(&stats);
+		LOG_INF("stats: adverts %u queued %u dropped %u", stats.adverts,
+			stats.queued, stats.dropped);
+
+		if (stats.adverts == 0) {
+			LOG_WRN("nothing heard yet — check the device has "
+				"'Instant readout via Bluetooth' enabled in "
+				"VictronConnect");
+		}
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}

src/victronble_zephyr.c

@@ -48,6 +48,12 @@ static struct k_mutex dev_mtx;
 static sys_slist_t callbacks = SYS_SLIST_STATIC_INIT(&callbacks);
 static struct victronble_stats stats;
 static bool scanning;
+static bool watch_mode;
+
+void victronble_watch_set(bool on)
+{
+	watch_mode = on;
+}
 
 static struct vb_device *find_device(const bt_addr_le_t *addr)
 {
@@ -80,8 +86,9 @@ static bool ad_cb(struct bt_data *data, void *user_data)
 	stats.adverts++;
 
 	/* Registry check is a handful of compares — cheap enough here, and
-	 * it keeps other people's Victrons out of the queue. */
-	if (find_device(ctx->addr) == NULL) {
+	 * it keeps other people's Victrons out of the queue. Watch mode
+	 * queues everything so the decode thread can log it. */
+	if (!watch_mode && find_device(ctx->addr) == NULL) {
 		return false;
 	}
 
@@ -121,8 +128,17 @@ static void decode_frame(const struct vb_frame *frame)
 	k_mutex_lock(&dev_mtx, K_FOREVER);
 	struct vb_device *dev = find_device(&frame->addr);
 
-	if (dev == NULL) { /* removed while queued */
+	if (dev == NULL) { /* unregistered (watch mode) or removed while queued */
 		k_mutex_unlock(&dev_mtx);
+		if (watch_mode && frame->len > 9) {
+			char mac[BT_ADDR_LE_STR_LEN];
+
+			bt_addr_le_to_str(&frame->addr, mac, sizeof(mac));
+			LOG_INF("watch: %s rssi %d type 0x%02x (%s) len %u keycheck 0x%02x",
+				mac, frame->rssi, frame->data[6],
+				victronble_device_type_str(frame->data[6]),
+				frame->len, frame->data[9]);
+		}
 		return;
 	}
 	memcpy(key, dev->key, sizeof(key));
@@ -137,7 +153,15 @@ static void decode_frame(const struct vb_frame *frame)
 
 	if (err != VICTRONBLE_OK) {
 		stats.errors++;
+		if (watch_mode) {
+			char mac[BT_ADDR_LE_STR_LEN];
+
+			bt_addr_le_to_str(&frame->addr, mac, sizeof(mac));
+			LOG_INF("watch: %s decode failed: %s", mac,
+				victronble_strerror(err));
+		} else {
 			LOG_DBG("decode failed: %s", victronble_strerror(err));
+		}
 		SYS_SLIST_FOR_EACH_CONTAINER(&callbacks, cb, node) {
 			if (cb->decode_error != NULL) {
 				cb->decode_error(&frame->addr, err);
@@ -161,8 +185,18 @@ static void decode_frame(const struct vb_frame *frame)
 	k_mutex_unlock(&dev_mtx);
 
 	stats.decoded++;
+	if (watch_mode) {
+		char mac[BT_ADDR_LE_STR_LEN];
+
+		bt_addr_le_to_str(&frame->addr, mac, sizeof(mac));
+		LOG_INF("watch: %s decoded %s nonce 0x%04x rssi %d", mac,
+			victronble_device_type_str(rec.type), rec.nonce,
+			frame->rssi);
+	} else {
 		LOG_DBG("%s record, nonce 0x%04x, rssi %d",
-		victronble_device_type_str(rec.type), rec.nonce, frame->rssi);
+			victronble_device_type_str(rec.type), rec.nonce,
+			frame->rssi);
+	}
 
 	SYS_SLIST_FOR_EACH_CONTAINER(&callbacks, cb, node) {
 		if (cb->record != NULL) {