Merge branch 'main' into ui-refactor

Resolve conflicts and complete the profile display-name -> ID migration
across the daemon, CLI, UI services, tray, and React frontend.

- Regenerate client/proto daemon.pb.go from the merged proto so it carries
  both branches' RPCs (ui-refactor: SubscribeStatus/RegisterUILog/ExtendAuthSession,
  main: RenameProfile + id fields); keep the v6.33.1 generator header
- server.go: combine ui-refactor's profile-list-changed events with main's
  id-bearing responses; publish profile-list-changed on rename
- Drop the deleted Fyne client_ui.go/profile.go and port main's profile-ID
  changes into the refactored services/tray
- UI services, tray and React: send the profile ID as the daemon handle and
  keep the display name for rendering only (activeProfileId vs activeProfile)
- Relax the profile-name input to match the daemon's sanitizeDisplayName
  (spaces, emoji, any valid UTF-8); cap at 128
- Expose RenameProfile via a Profiles.Rename services wrapper (+ regenerated
  bindings) for the frontend to wire up
- cmd/login.go: use the profile ID for GetProfileState

client/Dockerfile

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #   sudo podman build -t localhost/netbird:latest -f client/Dockerfile --ignorefile .dockerignore-client .
 #   sudo podman run --rm -it --cap-add={BPF,NET_ADMIN,NET_RAW} localhost/netbird:latest
 
-FROM alpine:3.23.3
+FROM alpine:3.24
 # iproute2: busybox doesn't display ip rules properly
 RUN apk add --no-cache \
     bash \
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ ENV \
     NB_ENTRYPOINT_SERVICE_TIMEOUT="30"
 
 ENTRYPOINT [ "/usr/local/bin/netbird-entrypoint.sh" ]
-
-ARG NETBIRD_BINARY=netbird
+ARG TARGETPLATFORM
+ARG NETBIRD_BINARY=$TARGETPLATFORM/netbird
 COPY client/netbird-entrypoint.sh /usr/local/bin/netbird-entrypoint.sh
 COPY "${NETBIRD_BINARY}"  /usr/local/bin/netbird

client/Dockerfile-rootless

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #   podman build -t localhost/netbird:latest -f client/Dockerfile --ignorefile .dockerignore-client .
 #   podman run --rm -it --cap-add={BPF,NET_ADMIN,NET_RAW} localhost/netbird:latest
 
-FROM alpine:3.22.0
+FROM alpine:3.24
 
 RUN apk add --no-cache \
       bash \
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ ENV \
     NB_ENTRYPOINT_SERVICE_TIMEOUT="30"
 
 ENTRYPOINT [ "/usr/local/bin/netbird-entrypoint.sh" ]
-
-ARG NETBIRD_BINARY=netbird
+ARG TARGETPLATFORM
+ARG NETBIRD_BINARY=$TARGETPLATFORM/netbird
 COPY client/netbird-entrypoint.sh /usr/local/bin/netbird-entrypoint.sh
 COPY "${NETBIRD_BINARY}"  /usr/local/bin/netbird

client/android/profile_manager.go

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
@@ -24,6 +23,7 @@ const (
 
 // Profile represents a profile for gomobile
 type Profile struct {
+	ID       string
 	Name     string
 	IsActive bool
 }
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@ func (p *ProfileArray) Get(i int) *Profile {
 ├── state.json                                  ← Default profile state
 ├── active_profile.json                         ← Active profile tracker (JSON with Name + Username)
 └── profiles/                                   ← Subdirectory for non-default profiles
-    ├── work.json                              ← Work profile config
-    ├── work.state.json                        ← Work profile state
-    ├── personal.json                          ← Personal profile config
-    └── personal.state.json                    ← Personal profile state
+    ├── work.json                              			← Legacy work profile config
+    ├── work.state.json                        			← Legacy work profile state
+    ├── 4c5f5c8198c3989cffb5b5394f5a7ae0.json  			← ID profile config
+    ├── 4c5f5c8198c3989cffb5b5394f5a7ae0.state.json ← ID profile state
 */
 
 // ProfileManager manages profiles for Android
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) ListProfiles() (*ProfileArray, error) {
 	var profiles []*Profile
 	for _, p := range internalProfiles {
 		profiles = append(profiles, &Profile{
+			ID:       p.ID.String(),
 			Name:     p.Name,
 			IsActive: p.IsActive,
 		})
@@ -108,55 +109,65 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) ListProfiles() (*ProfileArray, error) {
 }
 
 // GetActiveProfile returns the currently active profile name
-func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveProfile() (string, error) {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveProfile() (*Profile, error) {
 	// Use ServiceManager to stay consistent with ListProfiles
 	// ServiceManager uses active_profile.json
 	activeState, err := pm.serviceMgr.GetActiveProfileState()
 	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
-	return activeState.Name, nil
+
+	// ActiveProfileState only stores the ID (and username), not the display
+	// name. Resolve the ID to the full profile so callers get the real Name.
+	prof, err := pm.serviceMgr.ResolveProfile(activeState.ID.String(), androidUsername)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve active profile %q: %w", activeState.ID, err)
+	}
+	return &Profile{ID: prof.ID.String(), Name: prof.Name, IsActive: true}, nil
 }
 
 // SwitchProfile switches to a different profile
-func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(profileName string) error {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(id string) error {
 	// Use ServiceManager to stay consistent with ListProfiles
 	// ServiceManager uses active_profile.json
 	err := pm.serviceMgr.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     profileName,
+		ID:       profilemanager.ID(id),
 		Username: androidUsername,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("switched to profile: %s", profileName)
+	log.Infof("switched to profile: %s", id)
 	return nil
 }
 
 // AddProfile creates a new profile
 func (pm *ProfileManager) AddProfile(profileName string) error {
 	// Use ServiceManager (creates profile in profiles/ directory)
-	if err := pm.serviceMgr.AddProfile(profileName, androidUsername); err != nil {
+	profile, err := pm.serviceMgr.AddProfile(profileName, androidUsername)
+	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to add profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("created new profile: %s", profileName)
+	log.Infof("created new profile: %s", profile.ID)
 	return nil
 }
 
 // LogoutProfile logs out from a profile (clears authentication)
-func (pm *ProfileManager) LogoutProfile(profileName string) error {
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
-
-	configPath, err := pm.getProfileConfigPath(profileName)
+func (pm *ProfileManager) LogoutProfile(id string) error {
+	configPath, err := pm.getProfileConfigPath(id)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	if !profilemanager.IsValidProfileFilenameStem(profilemanager.ID(id)) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("id '%s' is not valid", id)
+	}
+
 	// Check if profile exists
 	if _, err := os.Stat(configPath); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		return fmt.Errorf("profile '%s' does not exist", profileName)
+		return fmt.Errorf("profile '%s' does not exist", id)
 	}
 
 	// Read current config using internal profilemanager
@@ -174,53 +185,57 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) LogoutProfile(profileName string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to save config: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("logged out from profile: %s", profileName)
+	log.Infof("logged out from profile: %s", id)
 	return nil
 }
 
 // RemoveProfile deletes a profile
-func (pm *ProfileManager) RemoveProfile(profileName string) error {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) RemoveProfile(id string) error {
 	// Use ServiceManager (removes profile from profiles/ directory)
-	if err := pm.serviceMgr.RemoveProfile(profileName, androidUsername); err != nil {
+	if err := pm.serviceMgr.RemoveProfile(profilemanager.ID(id), androidUsername); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("removed profile: %s", profileName)
+	log.Infof("removed profile: %s", id)
 	return nil
 }
 
 // getProfileConfigPath returns the config file path for a profile
 // This is needed for Android-specific path handling (netbird.cfg for default profile)
-func (pm *ProfileManager) getProfileConfigPath(profileName string) (string, error) {
-	if profileName == "" || profileName == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) getProfileConfigPath(id string) (string, error) {
+	if !profilemanager.IsValidProfileFilenameStem(profilemanager.ID(id)) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("id %q is not valid", id)
+	}
+
+	if id == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
 		// Android uses netbird.cfg for default profile instead of default.json
 		// Default profile is stored in root configDir, not in profiles/
 		return filepath.Join(pm.configDir, defaultConfigFilename), nil
 	}
 
-	// Non-default profiles are stored in profiles subdirectory
-	// This matches the Java Preferences.java expectation
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
 	profilesDir := filepath.Join(pm.configDir, profilesSubdir)
-	return filepath.Join(profilesDir, profileName+".json"), nil
+	return filepath.Join(profilesDir, id+".json"), nil
 }
 
-// GetConfigPath returns the config file path for a given profile
+// GetConfigPath returns the config file path for a given profile id
 // Java should call this instead of constructing paths with Preferences.configFile()
-func (pm *ProfileManager) GetConfigPath(profileName string) (string, error) {
-	return pm.getProfileConfigPath(profileName)
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetConfigPath(id string) (string, error) {
+	return pm.getProfileConfigPath(id)
 }
 
 // GetStateFilePath returns the state file path for a given profile
 // Java should call this instead of constructing paths with Preferences.stateFile()
-func (pm *ProfileManager) GetStateFilePath(profileName string) (string, error) {
-	if profileName == "" || profileName == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetStateFilePath(id string) (string, error) {
+	if id == "" || id == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
 		return filepath.Join(pm.configDir, "state.json"), nil
 	}
 
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
+	if !profilemanager.IsValidProfileFilenameStem(profilemanager.ID(id)) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("id %q is not valid", id)
+	}
+
 	profilesDir := filepath.Join(pm.configDir, profilesSubdir)
-	return filepath.Join(profilesDir, profileName+".state.json"), nil
+	return filepath.Join(profilesDir, id+".state.json"), nil
 }
 
 // GetActiveConfigPath returns the config file path for the currently active profile
@@ -230,7 +245,7 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveConfigPath() (string, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
-	return pm.GetConfigPath(activeProfile)
+	return pm.GetConfigPath(activeProfile.ID)
 }
 
 // GetActiveStateFilePath returns the state file path for the currently active profile
@@ -240,18 +255,5 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveStateFilePath() (string, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
-	return pm.GetStateFilePath(activeProfile)
-}
-
-// sanitizeProfileName removes invalid characters from profile name
-func sanitizeProfileName(name string) string {
-	// Keep only alphanumeric, underscore, and hyphen
-	var result strings.Builder
-	for _, r := range name {
-		if (r >= 'a' && r <= 'z') || (r >= 'A' && r <= 'Z') ||
-			(r >= '0' && r <= '9') || r == '_' || r == '-' {
-			result.WriteRune(r)
-		}
-	}
-	return result.String()
+	return pm.GetStateFilePath(activeProfile.ID)
 }

client/cmd/login.go

@@ -114,17 +114,19 @@ func doDaemonLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, providedSetupKey str
 		dnsLabelsReq = dnsLabelsValidated.ToSafeStringList()
 	}
 
+	handle := activeProf.ID.String()
+
 	loginRequest := proto.LoginRequest{
 		SetupKey:            providedSetupKey,
 		ManagementUrl:       managementURL,
 		IsUnixDesktopClient: isUnixRunningDesktop(),
 		Hostname:            hostName,
 		DnsLabels:           dnsLabelsReq,
-		ProfileName:         &activeProf.Name,
+		ProfileName:         &handle,
 		Username:            &username,
 	}
 
-	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.Name)
+	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", err)
 	} else if profileState.Email != "" {
@@ -191,7 +193,7 @@ func doExtendSession(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 	// without a hint if the lookup fails.
 	pm := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
 	if active, perr := pm.GetActiveProfile(); perr == nil {
-		if profState, sperr := pm.GetProfileState(active.Name); sperr == nil && profState.Email != "" {
+		if profState, sperr := pm.GetProfileState(active.ID); sperr == nil && profState.Email != "" {
 			req.Hint = &profState.Email
 		}
 	}
@@ -247,14 +249,13 @@ func getActiveProfile(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManager, pr
 	return activeProf, nil
 }
 
-func switchProfileOnDaemon(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManager, profileName string, username string) error {
-	err := switchProfile(context.Background(), profileName, username)
+func switchProfileOnDaemon(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManager, handle string, username string) error {
+	resolvedID, err := switchProfile(ctx, handle, username)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("switch profile on daemon: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	err = pm.SwitchProfile(profileName)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := pm.SwitchProfile(resolvedID); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("switch profile: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -282,11 +283,15 @@ func switchProfileOnDaemon(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManage
 	return nil
 }
 
-func switchProfile(ctx context.Context, profileName string, username string) error {
+// switchProfile asks the daemon to switch to the profile identified by
+// handle (a name, ID, or unique ID prefix). Returns the resolved profile
+// ID so the caller can update the local active-profile state without
+// re-resolving the handle.
+func switchProfile(ctx context.Context, handle string, username string) (profilemanager.ID, error) {
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
 		//nolint
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
 			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
 			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)
 	}
@@ -294,15 +299,15 @@ func switchProfile(ctx context.Context, profileName string, username string) err
 
 	client := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 
-	_, err = client.SwitchProfile(ctx, &proto.SwitchProfileRequest{
-		ProfileName: &profileName,
+	resp, err := client.SwitchProfile(ctx, &proto.SwitchProfileRequest{
+		ProfileName: &handle,
 		Username:    &username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("switch profile failed: %v", err)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("switch profile failed: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return profilemanager.ID(resp.Id), nil
 }
 
 func doForegroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, setupKey string, activeProf *profilemanager.Profile) error {
@@ -326,7 +331,7 @@ func doForegroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, setupKey string,
 		return fmt.Errorf("read config file %s: %v", configFilePath, err)
 	}
 
-	err = foregroundLogin(ctx, cmd, config, setupKey, activeProf.Name)
+	err = foregroundLogin(ctx, cmd, config, setupKey, activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("foreground login failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -354,7 +359,7 @@ func handleSSOLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, loginResp *proto.Lo
 	return nil
 }
 
-func foregroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profilemanager.Config, setupKey, profileName string) error {
+func foregroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profilemanager.Config, setupKey string, profileID profilemanager.ID) error {
 	authClient, err := auth.NewAuth(ctx, config.PrivateKey, config.ManagementURL, config)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create auth client: %v", err)
@@ -368,7 +373,7 @@ func foregroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profileman
 
 	jwtToken := ""
 	if setupKey == "" && needsLogin {
-		tokenInfo, err := foregroundGetTokenInfo(ctx, cmd, config, profileName)
+		tokenInfo, err := foregroundGetTokenInfo(ctx, cmd, config, profileID)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("interactive sso login failed: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -383,10 +388,10 @@ func foregroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profileman
 	return nil
 }
 
-func foregroundGetTokenInfo(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profilemanager.Config, profileName string) (*auth.TokenInfo, error) {
+func foregroundGetTokenInfo(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profilemanager.Config, profileID profilemanager.ID) (*auth.TokenInfo, error) {
 	hint := ""
 	pm := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
-	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(profileName)
+	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(profileID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", err)
 	} else if profileState.Email != "" {

client/cmd/login_test.go

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func TestLogin(t *testing.T) {
 	profilemanager.ActiveProfileStatePath = tempDir + "/active_profile.json"
 	sm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
 	err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "default",
+		ID:       "default",
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {

client/cmd/profile.go

@@ -2,11 +2,16 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os/user"
+	"strings"
+	"text/tabwriter"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
+	gstatus "google.golang.org/grpc/status"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
@@ -14,6 +19,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
+var profileListShowID bool
+
 var profileCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "profile",
 	Short: "Manage NetBird client profiles",
@@ -31,27 +38,40 @@ var profileListCmd = &cobra.Command{
 var profileAddCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "add <profile_name>",
 	Short: "Add a new profile",
-	Long:  `Add a new profile to the NetBird client. The profile name must be unique.`,
+	Long:  `Add a new profile. Profile name is free-form, a unique ID is generated for the on-disk config file.`,
 	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 	RunE:  addProfileFunc,
 }
 
+var profileRenameCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "rename <profile> <new_profile_name>",
+	Short: "Renames an existing profile",
+	Long:  `Renames an existing profile (by a name, ID, or unique ID prefix). Profile name is free-form.`,
+	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(2),
+	RunE:  renameProfileFunc,
+}
+
 var profileRemoveCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use:   "remove <profile_name>",
-	Short: "Remove a profile",
-	Long:  `Remove a profile from the NetBird client. The profile must not be inactive.`,
-	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
-	RunE:  removeProfileFunc,
+	Use:     "remove <profile>",
+	Short:   "Remove a profile",
+	Long:    `Remove a profile by name, ID, or unique ID prefix.`,
+	Aliases: []string{"rm"},
+	Args:    cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+	RunE:    removeProfileFunc,
 }
 
 var profileSelectCmd = &cobra.Command{
-	Use:   "select <profile_name>",
+	Use:   "select <profile>",
 	Short: "Select a profile",
-	Long:  `Make the specified profile active. This will switch the client to use the selected profile's configuration.`,
+	Long:  `Make the specified profile active. Accepts a name, ID, or unique ID prefix.`,
 	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 	RunE:  selectProfileFunc,
 }
 
+func init() {
+	profileListCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&profileListShowID, "show-id", false, "show the profile ID column")
+}
+
 func setupCmd(cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 	SetFlagsFromEnvVars(rootCmd)
 	SetFlagsFromEnvVars(cmd)
@@ -65,6 +85,7 @@ func setupCmd(cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 
 	return nil
 }
+
 func listProfilesFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
 	if err := setupCmd(cmd); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -83,25 +104,33 @@ func listProfilesFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
 
 	daemonClient := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 
-	profiles, err := daemonClient.ListProfiles(cmd.Context(), &proto.ListProfilesRequest{
+	resp, err := daemonClient.ListProfiles(cmd.Context(), &proto.ListProfilesRequest{
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// list profiles, add a tick if the profile is active
-	cmd.Println("Found", len(profiles.Profiles), "profiles:")
-	for _, profile := range profiles.Profiles {
-		// use a cross to indicate the passive profiles
-		activeMarker := "✗"
-		if profile.IsActive {
-			activeMarker = "✓"
-		}
-		cmd.Println(activeMarker, profile.Name)
+	tw := tabwriter.NewWriter(cmd.OutOrStdout(), 0, 0, 2, ' ', 0)
+	if profileListShowID {
+		fmt.Fprintln(tw, "ID\tNAME\tACTIVE")
+	} else {
+		fmt.Fprintln(tw, "NAME\tACTIVE")
 	}
-
-	return nil
+	for _, profile := range resp.Profiles {
+		marker := ""
+		if profile.IsActive {
+			marker = "✓"
+		}
+		name := profilemanager.StripCtrlChars(profile.Name)
+		id := profilemanager.ID(profile.Id)
+		if profileListShowID {
+			fmt.Fprintf(tw, "%s\t%s\t%s\n", id.ShortID(), name, marker)
+		} else {
+			fmt.Fprintf(tw, "%s\t%s\n", name, marker)
+		}
+	}
+	return tw.Flush()
 }
 
 func addProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
@@ -121,21 +150,82 @@ func addProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	daemonClient := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
-
 	profileName := args[0]
 
-	_, err = daemonClient.AddProfile(cmd.Context(), &proto.AddProfileRequest{
+	resp, err := daemonClient.AddProfile(cmd.Context(), &proto.AddProfileRequest{
 		ProfileName: profileName,
 		Username:    currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add profile request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	dupCount, _ := countProfilesWithName(cmd.Context(), daemonClient, currUser.Username, profileName)
+	if dupCount > 1 {
+		cmd.Printf("Warning: %d other profile(s) already use the name %q.\n", dupCount-1, profileName)
+		cmd.Println("Use `netbird profile list --show-id` to disambiguate later.")
+	}
+
+	id := profilemanager.ID(resp.Id)
+	cmd.Printf("Profile added: %s  %s\n", id.ShortID(), profilemanager.StripCtrlChars(profileName))
+	return nil
+
+}
+
+func renameProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	if err := setupCmd(cmd); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	cmd.Println("Profile added successfully:", profileName)
+	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(cmd.Context(), daemonAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("connect to service CLI interface: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	currUser, err := user.Current()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("get current user: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	daemonClient := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
+	handle := args[0]
+	newProfilename := args[1]
+
+	resp, err := daemonClient.RenameProfile(cmd.Context(), &proto.RenameProfileRequest{
+		Handle:         handle,
+		Username:       currUser.Username,
+		NewProfileName: newProfilename,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return wrapAmbiguityError(err, handle)
+	}
+
+	dupCount, _ := countProfilesWithName(cmd.Context(), daemonClient, currUser.Username, newProfilename)
+	if dupCount > 1 {
+		cmd.Printf("Warning: %d other profile(s) already use the name %q.\n", dupCount-1, newProfilename)
+		cmd.Println("Use `netbird profile list --show-id` to disambiguate later.")
+	}
+
+	cmd.Printf("Profile renamed from %s to %s\n", profilemanager.StripCtrlChars(resp.OldProfileName), profilemanager.StripCtrlChars(newProfilename))
+
 	return nil
 }
 
+func countProfilesWithName(ctx context.Context, c proto.DaemonServiceClient, username, name string) (int, error) {
+	resp, err := c.ListProfiles(ctx, &proto.ListProfilesRequest{Username: username})
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	n := 0
+	for _, p := range resp.Profiles {
+		if p.Name == name {
+			n++
+		}
+	}
+	return n, nil
+}
+
 func removeProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	if err := setupCmd(cmd); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -153,18 +243,17 @@ func removeProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	daemonClient := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
+	handle := args[0]
 
-	profileName := args[0]
-
-	_, err = daemonClient.RemoveProfile(cmd.Context(), &proto.RemoveProfileRequest{
-		ProfileName: profileName,
+	resp, err := daemonClient.RemoveProfile(cmd.Context(), &proto.RemoveProfileRequest{
+		ProfileName: handle,
 		Username:    currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return wrapAmbiguityError(err, handle)
 	}
 
-	cmd.Println("Profile removed successfully:", profileName)
+	cmd.Printf("Profile removed: %s\n", resp.Id)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -174,7 +263,7 @@ func selectProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	profileManager := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
-	profileName := args[0]
+	handle := args[0]
 
 	currUser, err := user.Current()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -191,32 +280,15 @@ func selectProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 	daemonClient := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 
-	profiles, err := daemonClient.ListProfiles(ctx, &proto.ListProfilesRequest{
-		Username: currUser.Username,
+	switchResp, err := daemonClient.SwitchProfile(ctx, &proto.SwitchProfileRequest{
+		ProfileName: &handle,
+		Username:    &currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("list profiles: %w", err)
+		return wrapAmbiguityError(err, handle)
 	}
 
-	var profileExists bool
-
-	for _, profile := range profiles.Profiles {
-		if profile.Name == profileName {
-			profileExists = true
-			break
-		}
-	}
-
-	if !profileExists {
-		return fmt.Errorf("profile %s does not exist", profileName)
-	}
-
-	if err := switchProfile(cmd.Context(), profileName, currUser.Username); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	err = profileManager.SwitchProfile(profileName)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := profileManager.SwitchProfile(profilemanager.ID(switchResp.Id)); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -231,6 +303,30 @@ func selectProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	cmd.Println("Profile switched successfully to:", profileName)
+	id := profilemanager.ID(switchResp.Id)
+	cmd.Printf("Profile switched to: %s\n", id.ShortID())
 	return nil
 }
+
+// wrapAmbiguityError turns the daemon's gRPC InvalidArgument errors
+// (which carry the resolver's message verbatim) into CLI-friendly text
+// that points the user at --show-id.
+func wrapAmbiguityError(err error, handle string) error {
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	st, ok := gstatus.FromError(err)
+	if !ok {
+		return err
+	}
+	switch st.Code() {
+	case codes.InvalidArgument:
+		msg := st.Message()
+		if strings.Contains(msg, "ambiguous") {
+			return errors.New(msg + "\nRun `netbird profile list --show-id` to see IDs, then select by ID prefix:\n  netbird profile select|remove <id-prefix>")
+		}
+	case codes.NotFound:
+		return fmt.Errorf("profile %q not found", handle)
+	}
+	return err
+}

client/cmd/root.go

@@ -190,6 +190,7 @@ func init() {
 	// profile commands
 	profileCmd.AddCommand(profileListCmd)
 	profileCmd.AddCommand(profileAddCmd)
+	profileCmd.AddCommand(profileRenameCmd)
 	profileCmd.AddCommand(profileRemoveCmd)
 	profileCmd.AddCommand(profileSelectCmd)
 

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -128,13 +128,12 @@ func upFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	var profileSwitched bool
 	// switch profile if provided
 	if profileName != "" {
-		err = switchProfile(cmd.Context(), profileName, username.Username)
+		resolvedID, err := switchProfile(cmd.Context(), profileName, username.Username)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("switch profile: %v", err)
 		}
 
-		err = pm.SwitchProfile(profileName)
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := pm.SwitchProfile(resolvedID); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("switch profile: %v", err)
 		}
 
@@ -190,7 +189,7 @@ func runInForegroundMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, activeProf *pr
 
 	_, _ = profilemanager.UpdateOldManagementURL(ctx, config, configFilePath)
 
-	err = foregroundLogin(ctx, cmd, config, providedSetupKey, activeProf.Name)
+	err = foregroundLogin(ctx, cmd, config, providedSetupKey, activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("foreground login failed: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -261,10 +260,10 @@ func runInDaemonMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, pm *profilemanager
 	}
 
 	// set the new config
-	req := setupSetConfigReq(customDNSAddressConverted, cmd, activeProf.Name, username.Username)
+	req := setupSetConfigReq(customDNSAddressConverted, cmd, activeProf.ID.String(), username.Username)
 	if _, err := client.SetConfig(ctx, req); err != nil {
 		if st, ok := gstatus.FromError(err); ok && st.Code() == codes.Unavailable {
-			log.Warnf("setConfig method is not available in the daemon")
+			log.Warnf("setConfig method is not available in the daemon: %s", st.Message())
 		} else {
 			return fmt.Errorf("call service setConfig method: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -289,10 +288,11 @@ func doDaemonUp(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, client proto.DaemonServ
 		return fmt.Errorf("setup login request: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	loginRequest.ProfileName = &activeProf.Name
+	profileID := activeProf.ID.String()
+	loginRequest.ProfileName = &profileID
 	loginRequest.Username = &username
 
-	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.Name)
+	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", err)
 	} else if profileState.Email != "" {
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ func doDaemonUp(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, client proto.DaemonServ
 	}
 
 	if _, err := client.Up(ctx, &proto.UpRequest{
-		ProfileName: &activeProf.Name,
+		ProfileName: &profileID,
 		Username:    &username,
 	}); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("call service up method: %v", err)

client/cmd/up_daemon_test.go

@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@ func TestUpDaemon(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	sm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
-	err = sm.AddProfile("test1", currUser.Username)
+	created, err := sm.AddProfile("test1", currUser.Username)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to add profile: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
 
 	err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "test1",
+		ID:       created.ID,
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {

client/internal/debug/debug_test.go

@@ -843,6 +843,7 @@ func TestAddConfig_AllFieldsCovered(t *testing.T) {
 		"PreSharedKey":      "sensitive: WireGuard pre-shared key",
 		"SSHKey":            "sensitive: SSH private key",
 		"ClientCertKeyPair": "non-config: parsed cert pair, not serialized",
+		"Name":              "non-config: profile name is not needed for debug purposes",
 		"policy":            "non-config: in-memory MDM policy snapshot, surfaced via Config.Policy() / GetConfigResponse.MDMManagedFields",
 	}
 

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -1745,6 +1745,13 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
 				return e.ctx.Err()
 			}
 
+			// Self-addressed heartbeat: the signal client's receive watchdog
+			// round-trips this through the server to confirm the receive stream
+			// is delivering. Liveness is already recorded before this handler.
+			if msg.GetBody().GetType() == sProto.Body_HEARTBEAT {
+				return nil
+			}
+
 			conn, ok := e.peerStore.PeerConn(msg.Key)
 			if !ok {
 				return fmt.Errorf("wrongly addressed message %s", msg.Key)

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -108,6 +108,10 @@ type ConfigInput struct {
 
 // Config Configuration type
 type Config struct {
+	// Name is the human-readable profile name shown in CLI/UI listings.
+	// It is independent of the profile's on-disk filename (which is the ID).
+	Name string
+
 	// Wireguard private key of local peer
 	PrivateKey                    string
 	PreSharedKey                  string
@@ -270,6 +274,16 @@ func createNewConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
 }
 
 func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
+	if config.Name != "" {
+		sanitized, err := sanitizeDisplayName(config.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile name: %w", err)
+		}
+		if sanitized != config.Name {
+			config.Name = sanitized
+			updated = true
+		}
+	}
 	if config.ManagementURL == nil {
 		log.Infof("using default Management URL %s", DefaultManagementURL)
 		config.ManagementURL, err = parseURL("Management URL", DefaultManagementURL)

client/internal/profilemanager/id.go

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+package profilemanager
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode"
+	"unicode/utf8"
+)
+
+const (
+	// profileIDByteLen is the number of random bytes generated for a new
+	// profile ID. The resulting hex string is twice this length.
+	profileIDByteLen = 16
+
+	// shortIDLen is the number of leading characters of an ID we render in
+	// list output. Profiles per device are few, so 8 chars is collision-safe
+	// in practice and easy to type as a prefix.
+	shortIDLen = 8
+
+	// maxProfileNameLen caps the human-readable profile name to keep table
+	// output legible and prevent denial-of-service via huge JSON fields.
+	maxProfileNameLen = 128
+
+	// maxProfileIDLen bounds the on-disk filename we'll accept. New
+	// IDs are 32 hex chars, legacy stems are sanitized profile names. The
+	// cap is generous enough to cover both without permitting absurdly
+	// long filenames.
+	maxProfileIDLen = 64
+)
+
+type ID string
+
+// generateProfileID returns a new random hex ID for a profile file.
+func generateProfileID() (ID, error) {
+	buf := make([]byte, profileIDByteLen)
+	if _, err := rand.Read(buf); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("read random bytes: %w", err)
+	}
+	return ID(hex.EncodeToString(buf)), nil
+}
+
+// IsValidProfileFilenameStem reports whether id is safe to use as the stem
+// of a profile JSON filename.
+func IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id ID) bool {
+	s := id.String()
+	if s == "" || len(s) > maxProfileIDLen {
+		return false
+	}
+	if s == defaultProfileName {
+		return true
+	}
+	if strings.ContainsAny(s, `/\`) || strings.Contains(s, "..") {
+		return false
+	}
+	// filepath.Base catches any leftover separators on platforms with
+	// exotic path conventions.
+	if filepath.Base(s) != s {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, r := range s {
+		if !(unicode.IsLetter(r) || unicode.IsDigit(r) || r == '_' || r == '-') {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// sanitizeDisplayName normalizes a user-supplied profile display name for
+// storage. It strips ASCII control characters, rejects invalid UTF-8, and
+// caps the length. Emojis, spaces, punctuation, and non-ASCII letters are
+// preserved. Returns an error if nothing usable remains.
+func sanitizeDisplayName(name string) (string, error) {
+	if !utf8.ValidString(name) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("name is not valid UTF-8")
+	}
+	name = StripCtrlChars(name)
+	name = strings.TrimSpace(name)
+	if name == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("name is empty after sanitization")
+	}
+	if utf8.RuneCountInString(name) > maxProfileNameLen {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("name exceeds %d characters", maxProfileNameLen)
+	}
+	return name, nil
+}
+
+// StripCtrlChars control characters from a name before printing it.
+func StripCtrlChars(name string) string {
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.Grow(len(name))
+	for _, r := range name {
+		// Skip C0 controls and DEL, plus C1 controls (0x80–0x9F).
+		if r < 0x20 || r == 0x7F || (r >= 0x80 && r <= 0x9F) {
+			continue
+		}
+		b.WriteRune(r)
+	}
+	return b.String()
+}
+
+// ShortID truncates an ID for display.
+func (id ID) ShortID() string {
+	if id == DefaultProfileName {
+		return DefaultProfileName
+	}
+	runes := []rune(id)
+	if len(runes) <= shortIDLen {
+		return id.String()
+	}
+	return string(runes[:shortIDLen])
+}
+
+func (id ID) String() string {
+	return string(id)
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/profilemanager.go

@@ -19,19 +19,41 @@ const (
 )
 
 type Profile struct {
-	Name     string
+	// ID is the on-disk filename stem (without .json). For new profiles
+	// it is a 32-char hex string; legacy profiles created before the
+	// ID-keyed layout keep their original name as their ID. The reserved
+	// value "default" identifies the special default profile.
+	ID ID
+	// Name is the human-readable display name. Falls back to ID when the
+	// underlying JSON has no "name" field set.
+	Name string
+	// Path is the absolute path to the profile JSON. Populated by the
+	// loader so callers do not have to reconstruct it from ID + dir.
+	Path     string
 	IsActive bool
 }
 
 func (p *Profile) FilePath() (string, error) {
-	if p.Name == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("active profile name is empty")
+	if p.Path != "" {
+		return p.Path, nil
 	}
 
-	if p.Name == defaultProfileName {
+	id := p.ID
+	if id == "" {
+		id = ID(p.Name)
+	}
+	if id == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("profile ID is empty")
+	}
+
+	if id == defaultProfileName {
 		return DefaultConfigPath, nil
 	}
 
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
 	username, err := user.Current()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get current user: %w", err)
@@ -42,10 +64,13 @@ func (p *Profile) FilePath() (string, error) {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory for user %s: %w", username.Username, err)
 	}
 
-	return filepath.Join(configDir, p.Name+".json"), nil
+	return filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".json"), nil
 }
 
 func (p *Profile) IsDefault() bool {
+	if p.ID != "" {
+		return p.ID == defaultProfileName
+	}
 	return p.Name == defaultProfileName
 }
 
@@ -57,18 +82,24 @@ func NewProfileManager() *ProfileManager {
 	return &ProfileManager{}
 }
 
+// GetActiveProfile returns the active profile as recorded in the local
+// user state file. Only ID is populated.
 func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveProfile() (*Profile, error) {
 	pm.mu.Lock()
 	defer pm.mu.Unlock()
 
-	prof := pm.getActiveProfileState()
-	return &Profile{Name: prof}, nil
+	id := pm.getActiveProfileState()
+	return &Profile{ID: id}, nil
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(profileName string) error {
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
+// SwitchProfile records the given profile ID as active in the local user
+// state file.
+func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(id ID) error {
+	if id != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
 
-	if err := pm.setActiveProfileState(profileName); err != nil {
+	if err := pm.setActiveProfileState(id); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %w", err)
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -85,7 +116,7 @@ func sanitizeProfileName(name string) string {
 	}, name)
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) getActiveProfileState() string {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) getActiveProfileState() ID {
 
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -113,10 +144,10 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) getActiveProfileState() string {
 		return defaultProfileName
 	}
 
-	return profileName
+	return ID(profileName)
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) setActiveProfileState(profileName string) error {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) setActiveProfileState(id ID) error {
 
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -125,7 +156,7 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) setActiveProfileState(profileName string) error {
 
 	statePath := filepath.Join(configDir, activeProfileStateFilename)
 
-	err = os.WriteFile(statePath, []byte(profileName), 0600)
+	err = os.WriteFile(statePath, []byte(id), 0600)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -142,7 +173,7 @@ func GetLoginHint() string {
 		return ""
 	}
 
-	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.Name)
+	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", err)
 		return ""

client/internal/profilemanager/profilemanager_test.go

@@ -50,14 +50,14 @@ func TestServiceManager_CreateAndGetDefaultProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 			state, err := sm.GetActiveProfileState()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
-			assert.Equal(t, state.Name, defaultProfileName) // No active profile state yet
+			assert.Equal(t, defaultProfileName, state.ID.String()) // No active profile state yet
 
 			err = sm.SetActiveProfileStateToDefault()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 			active, err := sm.GetActiveProfileState()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
-			assert.Equal(t, "default", active.Name)
+			assert.Equal(t, "default", active.ID.String())
 		})
 	})
 }
@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ func TestServiceManager_SetActiveProfileState(t *testing.T) {
 			currUser, err := user.Current()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 			sm := &ServiceManager{}
-			state := &ActiveProfileState{Name: "foo", Username: currUser.Username}
+			state := &ActiveProfileState{ID: "foo", Username: currUser.Username}
 			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(state)
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 			// Should error on nil or incomplete state
 			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(nil)
 			assert.Error(t, err)
-			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{Name: "", Username: ""})
+			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{ID: "", Username: ""})
 			assert.Error(t, err)
 		})
 	})

client/internal/profilemanager/service.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package profilemanager
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
@@ -23,12 +24,43 @@ var (
 	DefaultConfigPathDir   = ""
 	DefaultConfigPath      = ""
 	ActiveProfileStatePath = ""
-)
 
-var (
 	ErrorOldDefaultConfigNotFound = errors.New("old default config not found")
 )
 
+// ErrAmbiguousHandle is returned when a profile handle (ID prefix or name)
+// matches more than one profile. Callers can render Candidates to help the
+// user disambiguate.
+type ErrAmbiguousHandle struct {
+	Handle     string
+	Candidates []Profile
+	Kind       AmbiguityKind
+}
+
+// AmbiguityKind describes which matcher produced the ambiguity, so callers
+// can tailor the error message.
+type AmbiguityKind int
+
+const (
+	AmbiguityKindIDPrefix AmbiguityKind = iota
+	AmbiguityKindName
+)
+
+// profileMeta is the minimal slice of a profile JSON we need, so we avoid
+// reading all fields
+type profileMeta struct {
+	Name string
+}
+
+func (e *ErrAmbiguousHandle) Error() string {
+	switch e.Kind {
+	case AmbiguityKindIDPrefix:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("ID prefix %q is ambiguous (matches %d profiles)", e.Handle, len(e.Candidates))
+	default:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("name %q is ambiguous (%d profiles share this name)", e.Handle, len(e.Candidates))
+	}
+}
+
 func init() {
 
 	DefaultConfigPathDir = "/var/lib/netbird/"
@@ -54,25 +86,34 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 type ActiveProfileState struct {
-	Name     string `json:"name"`
+	// ID is the on-disk filename stem of the active profile. The JSON tag stays
+	// as "name" for backwards compatibility with active state files written
+	// before the ID-based config files. Legacy values were profile names, which
+	// were also the legacy filename stems, so they still resolve to the correct
+	// file on disk.
+	ID       ID     `json:"name"`
 	Username string `json:"username"`
 }
 
 func (a *ActiveProfileState) FilePath() (string, error) {
-	if a.Name == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("active profile name is empty")
+	if a.ID == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("active profile ID is empty")
 	}
 
-	if a.Name == defaultProfileName {
+	if a.ID == defaultProfileName {
 		return DefaultConfigPath, nil
 	}
 
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(a.ID) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", a.ID)
+	}
+
 	configDir, err := getConfigDirForUser(a.Username)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory for user %s: %w", a.Username, err)
 	}
 
-	return filepath.Join(configDir, a.Name+".json"), nil
+	return filepath.Join(configDir, a.ID.String()+".json"), nil
 }
 
 type ServiceManager struct {
@@ -178,7 +219,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetActiveProfileState() (*ActiveProfileState, error) {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile to default: %w", err)
 			}
 			return &ActiveProfileState{
-				Name:     "default",
+				ID:       defaultProfileName,
 				Username: "",
 			}, nil
 		} else {
@@ -186,12 +227,12 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetActiveProfileState() (*ActiveProfileState, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if activeProfile.Name == "" {
+	if activeProfile.ID == "" {
 		if err := s.SetActiveProfileStateToDefault(); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile to default: %w", err)
 		}
 		return &ActiveProfileState{
-			Name:     "default",
+			ID:       defaultProfileName,
 			Username: "",
 		}, nil
 	}
@@ -216,25 +257,29 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) setDefaultActiveState() error {
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) SetActiveProfileState(a *ActiveProfileState) error {
-	if a == nil || a.Name == "" {
+	if a == nil || a.ID == "" {
 		return errors.New("invalid active profile state")
 	}
 
-	if a.Name != defaultProfileName && a.Username == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("username must be set for non-default profiles, got: %s", a.Name)
+	if a.ID != defaultProfileName && a.Username == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("username must be set for non-default profiles, got: %s", a.ID)
+	}
+
+	if a.ID != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(a.ID) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", a.ID)
 	}
 
 	if err := util.WriteJsonWithRestrictedPermission(context.Background(), ActiveProfileStatePath, a); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("active profile set to %s for %s", a.Name, a.Username)
+	log.Infof("active profile set to %s for %s", a.ID, a.Username)
 	return nil
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) SetActiveProfileStateToDefault() error {
 	return s.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "default",
+		ID:       defaultProfileName,
 		Username: "",
 	})
 }
@@ -243,57 +288,117 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) DefaultProfilePath() string {
 	return DefaultConfigPath
 }
 
-func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(profileName, username string) error {
+// AddProfile creates a new profile with a generated ID. The user-supplied
+// displayName is stored inside the JSON's name field, the on-disk filename
+// uses the generated ID.
+//
+// The returned Profile carries the freshly-generated ID so callers can
+// show it to the user (and so the gRPC AddProfileResponse can include
+// it).
+func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(displayName, username string) (*Profile, error) {
 	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
-
-	if profileName == defaultProfileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot create profile with reserved name: %s", defaultProfileName)
-	}
-
-	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".json")
-	profileExists, err := fileExists(profPath)
+	displayName, err = sanitizeDisplayName(displayName)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile exists: %w", err)
-	}
-	if profileExists {
-		return ErrProfileAlreadyExists
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile name: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	id, err := generateProfileID()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("generate profile id: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".json")
 	cfg, err := createNewConfig(ConfigInput{ConfigPath: profPath})
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create new config: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create new config: %w", err)
+	}
+	cfg.Name = displayName
+
+	if err := util.WriteJson(context.Background(), profPath, cfg); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to write profile config: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	err = util.WriteJson(context.Background(), profPath, cfg)
+	return &Profile{
+		ID:   id,
+		Name: displayName,
+		Path: profPath,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (s *ServiceManager) RenameProfile(id ID, username string, newName string) error {
+	displayName, err := sanitizeDisplayName(newName)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write profile config: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile name: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
+	profiles, err := s.loadAllProfiles(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("load profiles: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var target *Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == id {
+			target = &profiles[i]
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if target == nil {
+		return ErrProfileNotFound
+	}
+
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(target.Path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var cfg Config
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &cfg); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	cfg.Name = displayName
+
+	if err := util.WriteJson(context.Background(), target.Path, cfg); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write profile name: %w", err)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
-	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
+// RemoveProfile deletes the profile identified by id. Callers must have
+// already resolved any user-supplied handle to a concrete ID via
+// ResolveProfile.
+func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(id ID, username string) error {
+	if id == defaultProfileName {
+		defaultName := readProfileName(DefaultConfigPath)
+		if defaultName == "" {
+			defaultName = defaultProfileName
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove default profile with name: %s", defaultName)
+	}
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
 	}
 
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
-
-	if profileName == defaultProfileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove profile with reserved name: %s", defaultProfileName)
-	}
-	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".json")
-	profileExists, err := fileExists(profPath)
+	profiles, err := s.loadAllProfiles(username)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile exists: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("load profiles: %w", err)
 	}
-	if !profileExists {
+
+	var target *Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == id {
+			target = &profiles[i]
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if target == nil {
 		return ErrProfileNotFound
 	}
 
@@ -301,57 +406,26 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ErrNoActiveProfile) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
-
-	if activeProf != nil && activeProf.Name == profileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove active profile: %s", profileName)
+	if activeProf != nil && activeProf.ID == id {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove active profile: %s", id)
 	}
 
-	err = util.RemoveJson(profPath)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := util.RemoveJson(target.Path); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove profile config: %w", err)
 	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(target.Path), id.String()+".state.json")
+	if err := os.Remove(stateFile); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		log.Warnf("failed to remove profile state file %s: %v", stateFile, err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ListProfiles returns every profile for the given user, including the
+// default profile, with IsActive flags set.
 func (s *ServiceManager) ListProfiles(username string) ([]Profile, error) {
-	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	files, err := util.ListFiles(configDir, "*.json")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to list profile files: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	var filtered []string
-	for _, file := range files {
-		if strings.HasSuffix(file, "state.json") {
-			continue // skip state files
-		}
-		filtered = append(filtered, file)
-	}
-	sort.Strings(filtered)
-
-	var activeProfName string
-	activeProf, err := s.GetActiveProfileState()
-	if err == nil {
-		activeProfName = activeProf.Name
-	}
-
-	var profiles []Profile
-	// add default profile always
-	profiles = append(profiles, Profile{Name: defaultProfileName, IsActive: activeProfName == "" || activeProfName == defaultProfileName})
-	for _, file := range filtered {
-		profileName := strings.TrimSuffix(filepath.Base(file), ".json")
-		var isActive bool
-		if activeProfName != "" && activeProfName == profileName {
-			isActive = true
-		}
-		profiles = append(profiles, Profile{Name: profileName, IsActive: isActive})
-	}
-
-	return profiles, nil
+	return s.loadAllProfiles(username)
 }
 
 // GetStatePath returns the path to the state file based on the operating system
@@ -369,7 +443,12 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
-	if activeProf.Name == defaultProfileName {
+	if activeProf.ID == defaultProfileName {
+		return defaultStatePath
+	}
+
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(activeProf.ID) {
+		log.Warnf("invalid active profile ID %q, using default state path", activeProf.ID)
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
@@ -379,7 +458,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
-	return filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.Name+".state.json")
+	return filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.ID.String()+".state.json")
 }
 
 // getConfigDir returns the profiles directory, using profilesDir if set, otherwise getConfigDirForUser
@@ -390,3 +469,169 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) getConfigDir(username string) (string, error) {
 
 	return getConfigDirForUser(username)
 }
+
+// loadAllProfiles returns every profile visible to the daemon for the
+// given user, including the default profile. The returned slice is sorted
+// by ID for a stable display order.
+//
+// Each Profile is fully populated: ID is the filename stem, Name comes
+// from the JSON's "name" field (falling back to the filename stem when absent)
+// and Path is built from a basename read off disk.
+func (s *ServiceManager) loadAllProfiles(username string) ([]Profile, error) {
+	activeID, activeIsDefault := s.activeProfileID()
+	defaultName := readProfileName(DefaultConfigPath)
+	if defaultName == "" {
+		defaultName = defaultProfileName
+	}
+
+	profiles := []Profile{{
+		ID:       defaultProfileName,
+		Name:     defaultName,
+		Path:     DefaultConfigPath,
+		IsActive: activeIsDefault,
+	}}
+
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get config directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(configDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			return profiles, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read profile directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var fileProfiles []Profile
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		base := entry.Name()
+		if !strings.HasSuffix(base, ".json") {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasSuffix(base, ".state.json") {
+			continue
+		}
+		stem := ID(strings.TrimSuffix(base, ".json"))
+		if stem == defaultProfileName {
+			// default lives at the top-level config dir, not under /<user>
+			continue
+		}
+		if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(ID(stem)) {
+			continue
+		}
+		path := filepath.Join(configDir, base)
+		name := readProfileName(path)
+		if name == "" {
+			name = stem.String()
+		}
+		fileProfiles = append(fileProfiles, Profile{
+			ID:       stem,
+			Name:     name,
+			Path:     path,
+			IsActive: stem == ID(activeID),
+		})
+	}
+
+	sort.Slice(fileProfiles, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if fileProfiles[i].Name != fileProfiles[j].Name {
+			return fileProfiles[i].Name < fileProfiles[j].Name
+		}
+		// Sort tie-break on ID so duplicate names always render in the same order.
+		return fileProfiles[i].ID < fileProfiles[j].ID
+	})
+	profiles = append(profiles, fileProfiles...)
+	return profiles, nil
+}
+
+// readProfileName parses just the "name" field from the profile Json.
+func readProfileName(path string) string {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	var meta profileMeta
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &meta); err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return meta.Name
+}
+
+// activeProfileID returns the currently-active profile's ID. The second
+// return value is true when the active profile is the default one.
+func (s *ServiceManager) activeProfileID() (ID, bool) {
+	state, err := s.GetActiveProfileState()
+	if err != nil || state == nil {
+		return defaultProfileName, true
+	}
+	if state.ID == "" || state.ID == defaultProfileName {
+		return defaultProfileName, true
+	}
+	return state.ID, false
+}
+
+// ResolveProfile turns a user-supplied handle into a Profile. Resolution
+// precedence is: exact ID match, then unique exact name, then unique ID
+// prefix. Ambiguous matches return *ErrAmbiguousHandle so callers can
+// surface the candidates.
+func (s *ServiceManager) ResolveProfile(handle, username string) (*Profile, error) {
+	if handle == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("profile handle is empty")
+	}
+
+	profiles, err := s.loadAllProfiles(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == ID(handle) {
+			return &profiles[i], nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	var nameMatches []Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].Name == handle {
+			nameMatches = append(nameMatches, profiles[i])
+		}
+	}
+	if len(nameMatches) == 1 {
+		return &nameMatches[0], nil
+	}
+	if len(nameMatches) > 1 {
+		return nil, &ErrAmbiguousHandle{
+			Handle:     handle,
+			Candidates: nameMatches,
+			Kind:       AmbiguityKindName,
+		}
+	}
+
+	// ID prefix match. Skip the default profile so `select d` does not
+	// accidentally pick it via prefix.
+	var prefixMatches []Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == defaultProfileName {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(profiles[i].ID.String(), handle) {
+			prefixMatches = append(prefixMatches, profiles[i])
+		}
+	}
+	if len(prefixMatches) == 1 {
+		return &prefixMatches[0], nil
+	}
+	if len(prefixMatches) > 1 {
+		return nil, &ErrAmbiguousHandle{
+			Handle:     handle,
+			Candidates: prefixMatches,
+			Kind:       AmbiguityKindIDPrefix,
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil, ErrProfileNotFound
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/service_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+package profilemanager
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"os/user"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+// withTestSM wires up patched globals + a clean config dir and returns a
+// fully initialized ServiceManager plus the username we are scoped to.
+func withTestSM(t *testing.T, fn func(sm *ServiceManager, username string)) {
+	t.Helper()
+	withTempConfigDir(t, func(configDir string) {
+		withPatchedGlobals(t, configDir, func() {
+			u, err := user.Current()
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			sm := &ServiceManager{}
+			require.NoError(t, sm.CreateDefaultProfile())
+			fn(sm, u.Username)
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_ExactID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile(created.ID.String(), username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, created.ID, got.ID)
+		assert.Equal(t, "work", got.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_IDPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefix := created.ID[:4]
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile(prefix.String(), username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, created.ID, got.ID)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_AmbiguousPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		// Plant two profiles whose IDs share a known prefix by writing
+		// the files directly, since generated IDs are random.
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		for _, id := range []string{"abcd1111aaaa", "abcd2222bbbb"} {
+			path := filepath.Join(configDir, id+".json")
+			require.NoError(t, util.WriteJson(context.Background(), path, &Config{Name: id}))
+		}
+
+		_, err = sm.ResolveProfile("abcd", username)
+		var amb *ErrAmbiguousHandle
+		require.ErrorAs(t, err, &amb)
+		assert.Equal(t, AmbiguityKindIDPrefix, amb.Kind)
+		assert.Len(t, amb.Candidates, 2)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_ExactNameUnique(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "work", got.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_AmbiguousName(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		_, err = sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = sm.ResolveProfile("work", username)
+		var amb *ErrAmbiguousHandle
+		require.ErrorAs(t, err, &amb)
+		assert.Equal(t, AmbiguityKindName, amb.Kind)
+		assert.Len(t, amb.Candidates, 2)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_NotFound(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.ResolveProfile("nope", username)
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrProfileNotFound)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_DefaultByExactID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile(defaultProfileName, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, defaultProfileName, got.ID.String())
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_LegacyFilenameCoexists(t *testing.T) {
+	// Legacy profiles stored as <name>.json with no "name" JSON field
+	// should still be discoverable by name and removable by name.
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		path := filepath.Join(configDir, "legacy.json")
+		require.NoError(t, util.WriteJson(context.Background(), path, &Config{}))
+
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile("legacy", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "legacy", got.ID.String())
+		// Name falls back to the filename stem when JSON omits it.
+		assert.Equal(t, "legacy", got.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAddProfile_AllowsDuplicateWithFlag(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		first, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		second, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.NotEqual(t, first.ID, second.ID)
+		assert.Equal(t, "work", second.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAddProfile_RejectsInvalidNames(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		cases := []string{
+			"",                                       // empty
+			"\x00\x01",                               // only control chars (becomes empty)
+			strings.Repeat("a", maxProfileNameLen+1), // too long
+		}
+		for _, name := range cases {
+			_, err := sm.AddProfile(name, username)
+			assert.Error(t, err, "expected error for %q", name)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRemoveProfile_RejectsInvalidID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		err := sm.RemoveProfile("../escape", username)
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestSanitizeDisplayName(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		in      string
+		want    string
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{"work", "work", false},
+		{"My Work Account", "My Work Account", false},
+		{"emoji 🚀 ok", "emoji 🚀 ok", false},
+		{"漢字テスト", "漢字テスト", false},
+		{"with\x00null", "withnull", false},
+		{"\x01\x02\x03", "", true},
+		{"", "", true},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		got, err := sanitizeDisplayName(tc.in)
+		if tc.wantErr {
+			assert.Error(t, err, "case %q", tc.in)
+			continue
+		}
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "case %q", tc.in)
+		assert.Equal(t, tc.want, got, "case %q", tc.in)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIsValidProfileFilenameStem(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		in   string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"default", true},
+		{"abc123def456", true},
+		{"legacy-name", true},
+		{"legacy_name", true},
+		{"", false},
+		{"..", false},
+		{"../etc", false},
+		{"foo/bar", false},
+		{`foo\bar`, false},
+		{"with space", false},
+		{"with.dot", false},
+		{strings.Repeat("a", maxProfileIDLen+1), false},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		got := IsValidProfileFilenameStem(ID(tc.in))
+		assert.Equal(t, tc.want, got, "case %q", tc.in)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRemoveProfile_DeletesStateFile(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		statePath := filepath.Join(configDir, created.ID.String()+".state.json")
+		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(statePath, []byte(`{"email":"a@b"}`), 0600))
+
+		require.NoError(t, sm.RemoveProfile(created.ID, username))
+		_, err = os.Stat(statePath)
+		assert.True(t, errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist), "state file should be removed")
+	})
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/state.go

@@ -14,13 +14,20 @@ type ProfileState struct {
 	Email string `json:"email"`
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) GetProfileState(profileName string) (*ProfileState, error) {
+// GetProfileState reads the per-profile state file keyed by profile ID.
+// The state file lives in the user's config directory. Legacy state files
+// keyed by the old profile name remain readable.
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetProfileState(id ID) (*ProfileState, error) {
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".state.json")
+	if id != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".state.json")
 	stateFileExists, err := fileExists(stateFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile state file exists: %w", err)
@@ -52,7 +59,12 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) SetActiveProfileState(state *ProfileState) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.Name+".state.json")
+	id := activeProf.ID
+	if id != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid active profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".state.json")
 	err = util.WriteJsonWithRestrictedPermission(context.Background(), stateFile, state)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("write profile state: %w", err)

client/internal/routemanager/manager.go

@@ -333,6 +333,8 @@ func (m *DefaultManager) Stop(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	m.notifier.Close()
+
 	m.mux.Lock()
 	defer m.mux.Unlock()
 	m.clientRoutes = nil

client/internal/routemanager/notifier/notifier_android.go

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 type Notifier struct {
 	initialRoutes []*route.Route
 	currentRoutes []*route.Route
-	fakeIPRoutes []*route.Route
+	fakeIPRoutes  []*route.Route
 
 	listener    listener.NetworkChangeListener
 	listenerMux sync.Mutex
@@ -119,3 +119,7 @@ func (n *Notifier) GetInitialRouteRanges() []string {
 	sort.Strings(initialStrings)
 	return initialStrings
 }
+
+func (n *Notifier) Close() {
+	// unused
+}

client/internal/routemanager/notifier/notifier_ios.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package notifier
 
 import (
+	"container/list"
 	"net/netip"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
@@ -14,19 +15,26 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Notifier struct {
+	mu              sync.Mutex
+	cond            *sync.Cond
 	currentPrefixes []string
-
-	listener    listener.NetworkChangeListener
-	listenerMux sync.Mutex
+	listener        listener.NetworkChangeListener
+	queue           *list.List
+	closed          bool
 }
 
 func NewNotifier() *Notifier {
-	return &Notifier{}
+	n := &Notifier{
+		queue: list.New(),
+	}
+	n.cond = sync.NewCond(&n.mu)
+	go n.deliverLoop()
+	return n
 }
 
 func (n *Notifier) SetListener(listener listener.NetworkChangeListener) {
-	n.listenerMux.Lock()
-	defer n.listenerMux.Unlock()
+	n.mu.Lock()
+	defer n.mu.Unlock()
 	n.listener = listener
 }
 
@@ -43,32 +51,52 @@ func (n *Notifier) OnNewRoutes(route.HAMap) {
 }
 
 func (n *Notifier) OnNewPrefixes(prefixes []netip.Prefix) {
-	newNets := make([]string, 0)
+	newNets := make([]string, 0, len(prefixes))
 	for _, prefix := range prefixes {
 		newNets = append(newNets, prefix.String())
 	}
 
 	sort.Strings(newNets)
 
+	n.mu.Lock()
 	if slices.Equal(n.currentPrefixes, newNets) {
+		n.mu.Unlock()
 		return
 	}
-
 	n.currentPrefixes = newNets
-	n.notify()
+	routes := strings.Join(n.currentPrefixes, ",")
+	n.queue.PushBack(routes)
+	n.cond.Signal()
+	n.mu.Unlock()
 }
-func (n *Notifier) notify() {
-	n.listenerMux.Lock()
-	defer n.listenerMux.Unlock()
-	if n.listener == nil {
-		return
-	}
 
-	go func(l listener.NetworkChangeListener) {
-		l.OnNetworkChanged(strings.Join(n.currentPrefixes, ","))
-	}(n.listener)
+func (n *Notifier) Close() {
+	n.mu.Lock()
+	n.closed = true
+	n.cond.Signal()
+	n.mu.Unlock()
 }
 
 func (n *Notifier) GetInitialRouteRanges() []string {
 	return nil
 }
+
+func (n *Notifier) deliverLoop() {
+	for {
+		n.mu.Lock()
+		for n.queue.Len() == 0 && !n.closed {
+			n.cond.Wait()
+		}
+		if n.closed && n.queue.Len() == 0 {
+			n.mu.Unlock()
+			return
+		}
+		routes := n.queue.Remove(n.queue.Front()).(string)
+		l := n.listener
+		n.mu.Unlock()
+
+		if l != nil {
+			l.OnNetworkChanged(routes)
+		}
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/notifier/notifier_other.go

@@ -38,3 +38,7 @@ func (n *Notifier) OnNewPrefixes(prefixes []netip.Prefix) {
 func (n *Notifier) GetInitialRouteRanges() []string {
 	return []string{}
 }
+
+func (n *Notifier) Close() {
+	// unused
+}

client/proto/daemon.proto

@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ service DaemonService {
 
   rpc AddProfile(AddProfileRequest) returns (AddProfileResponse) {}
 
+  rpc RenameProfile(RenameProfileRequest) returns (RenameProfileResponse) {}
+
   rpc RemoveProfile(RemoveProfileRequest) returns (RemoveProfileResponse) {}
 
   rpc ListProfiles(ListProfilesRequest) returns (ListProfilesResponse) {}
@@ -683,11 +685,18 @@ message GetEventsResponse {
 }
 
 message SwitchProfileRequest {
+  // profileName is treated as a handle: exact ID, unique ID prefix, or
+  // unique display name. The daemon resolves it server-side.
   optional string profileName = 1;
   optional string username = 2;
 }
 
-message SwitchProfileResponse {}
+message SwitchProfileResponse {
+  // id is the resolved on-disk ID of the profile that became active.
+  // Lets CLI clients update their local active-profile state without
+  // duplicating the resolution logic.
+  string id = 1;
+}
 
 message SetConfigRequest {
   string username = 1;
@@ -754,17 +763,42 @@ message SetConfigResponse{}
 
 message AddProfileRequest {
   string username = 1;
+  // profileName carries the human-readable display name for the new
+  // profile. The on-disk filename is a separately-generated ID.
   string profileName = 2;
 }
 
-message AddProfileResponse {}
+message AddProfileResponse {
+  // id is the generated on-disk ID of the new profile. CLI clients
+  // display a truncated form, UI clients can ignore it.
+  string id = 1;
+}
+
+message RenameProfileRequest {
+  string username = 1;
+  // handle: an exact ID, a unique ID prefix, or a unique display name.
+  string handle = 2;
+  // newProfileName is the new human-readable display name for the profile.
+  string newProfileName = 3;
+}
+
+message RenameProfileResponse {
+  // confirm the old profile name after resolving handle.
+  string oldProfileName = 1;
+}
 
 message RemoveProfileRequest {
   string username = 1;
+  // profileName is treated as a handle: an exact ID, a unique ID
+  // prefix, or a unique display name. Resolution happens server-side.
   string profileName = 2;
 }
 
-message RemoveProfileResponse {}
+message RemoveProfileResponse {
+  // id is the full resolved ID of the removed profile, so callers can
+  // confirm exactly which profile a name/prefix handle resolved to.
+  string id = 1;
+}
 
 message ListProfilesRequest {
   string username = 1;
@@ -777,6 +811,7 @@ message ListProfilesResponse {
 message Profile {
   string name = 1;
   bool is_active = 2;
+  string id = 3;
 }
 
 message GetActiveProfileRequest {}
@@ -784,6 +819,7 @@ message GetActiveProfileRequest {}
 message GetActiveProfileResponse {
   string profileName = 1;
   string username = 2;
+  string id = 3;
 }
 
 message LogoutRequest {

client/proto/daemon_grpc.pb.go

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ const (
 	DaemonService_SwitchProfile_FullMethodName              = "/daemon.DaemonService/SwitchProfile"
 	DaemonService_SetConfig_FullMethodName                  = "/daemon.DaemonService/SetConfig"
 	DaemonService_AddProfile_FullMethodName                 = "/daemon.DaemonService/AddProfile"
+	DaemonService_RenameProfile_FullMethodName              = "/daemon.DaemonService/RenameProfile"
 	DaemonService_RemoveProfile_FullMethodName              = "/daemon.DaemonService/RemoveProfile"
 	DaemonService_ListProfiles_FullMethodName               = "/daemon.DaemonService/ListProfiles"
 	DaemonService_GetActiveProfile_FullMethodName           = "/daemon.DaemonService/GetActiveProfile"
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ type DaemonServiceClient interface {
 	SwitchProfile(ctx context.Context, in *SwitchProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*SwitchProfileResponse, error)
 	SetConfig(ctx context.Context, in *SetConfigRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*SetConfigResponse, error)
 	AddProfile(ctx context.Context, in *AddProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*AddProfileResponse, error)
+	RenameProfile(ctx context.Context, in *RenameProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RenameProfileResponse, error)
 	RemoveProfile(ctx context.Context, in *RemoveProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RemoveProfileResponse, error)
 	ListProfiles(ctx context.Context, in *ListProfilesRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*ListProfilesResponse, error)
 	GetActiveProfile(ctx context.Context, in *GetActiveProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetActiveProfileResponse, error)
@@ -486,6 +488,16 @@ func (c *daemonServiceClient) AddProfile(ctx context.Context, in *AddProfileRequ
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+func (c *daemonServiceClient) RenameProfile(ctx context.Context, in *RenameProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RenameProfileResponse, error) {
+	cOpts := append([]grpc.CallOption{grpc.StaticMethod()}, opts...)
+	out := new(RenameProfileResponse)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, DaemonService_RenameProfile_FullMethodName, in, out, cOpts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 func (c *daemonServiceClient) RemoveProfile(ctx context.Context, in *RemoveProfileRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RemoveProfileResponse, error) {
 	cOpts := append([]grpc.CallOption{grpc.StaticMethod()}, opts...)
 	out := new(RemoveProfileResponse)
@@ -726,6 +738,7 @@ type DaemonServiceServer interface {
 	SwitchProfile(context.Context, *SwitchProfileRequest) (*SwitchProfileResponse, error)
 	SetConfig(context.Context, *SetConfigRequest) (*SetConfigResponse, error)
 	AddProfile(context.Context, *AddProfileRequest) (*AddProfileResponse, error)
+	RenameProfile(context.Context, *RenameProfileRequest) (*RenameProfileResponse, error)
 	RemoveProfile(context.Context, *RemoveProfileRequest) (*RemoveProfileResponse, error)
 	ListProfiles(context.Context, *ListProfilesRequest) (*ListProfilesResponse, error)
 	GetActiveProfile(context.Context, *GetActiveProfileRequest) (*GetActiveProfileResponse, error)
@@ -862,6 +875,9 @@ func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) SetConfig(context.Context, *SetConfigReq
 func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) AddProfile(context.Context, *AddProfileRequest) (*AddProfileResponse, error) {
 	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method AddProfile not implemented")
 }
+func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) RenameProfile(context.Context, *RenameProfileRequest) (*RenameProfileResponse, error) {
+	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method RenameProfile not implemented")
+}
 func (UnimplementedDaemonServiceServer) RemoveProfile(context.Context, *RemoveProfileRequest) (*RemoveProfileResponse, error) {
 	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method RemoveProfile not implemented")
 }
@@ -1417,6 +1433,24 @@ func _DaemonService_AddProfile_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec
 	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
 }
 
+func _DaemonService_RenameProfile_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(RenameProfileRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(DaemonServiceServer).RenameProfile(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: DaemonService_RenameProfile_FullMethodName,
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(DaemonServiceServer).RenameProfile(ctx, req.(*RenameProfileRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
 func _DaemonService_RemoveProfile_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
 	in := new(RemoveProfileRequest)
 	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
@@ -1823,6 +1857,10 @@ var DaemonService_ServiceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 			MethodName: "AddProfile",
 			Handler:    _DaemonService_AddProfile_Handler,
 		},
+		{
+			MethodName: "RenameProfile",
+			Handler:    _DaemonService_RenameProfile_Handler,
+		},
 		{
 			MethodName: "RemoveProfile",
 			Handler:    _DaemonService_RemoveProfile_Handler,

client/server/login_overrides_test.go

@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func TestPersistLoginOverrides(t *testing.T) {
 			_, err := profilemanager.UpdateOrCreateConfig(seed)
 			require.NoError(t, err, "seed config")
 
-			activeProf := &profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{Name: "default"}
+			activeProf := &profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{ID: "default"}
 			err = persistLoginOverrides(activeProf, tt.newMgmtURL, tt.newPSK)
 			require.NoError(t, err, "persistLoginOverrides")
 

client/server/server.go

@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ func (s *Server) SetConfig(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.SetConfigReques
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	config, err := setConfigInputFromRequest(msg)
+	config, err := s.setConfigInputFromRequest(msg)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -445,17 +445,17 @@ func (s *Server) SetConfig(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.SetConfigReques
 // field is its own optional case. Returns the resolved ConfigInput
 // and a non-nil error only when the active profile file path cannot
 // be determined.
-func setConfigInputFromRequest(msg *proto.SetConfigRequest) (profilemanager.ConfigInput, error) {
+func (s *Server) setConfigInputFromRequest(msg *proto.SetConfigRequest) (profilemanager.ConfigInput, error) {
 	var config profilemanager.ConfigInput
 
-	profState := profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     msg.ProfileName,
-		Username: msg.Username,
-	}
-	profPath, err := profState.FilePath()
+	resolved, err := s.resolveProfileHandle(msg.ProfileName, msg.Username)
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to get active profile file path: %v", err)
-		return config, fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile file path: %w", err)
+		log.Errorf("failed to resolve profile %q: %v", msg.ProfileName, err)
+		return config, err
+	}
+	profPath := resolved.Path
+	if profPath == "" {
+		profPath = profilemanager.DefaultConfigPath
 	}
 	config.ConfigPath = profPath
 
@@ -582,30 +582,9 @@ func (s *Server) Login(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.LoginRequest) (*pro
 	}
 
 	if msg.ProfileName != nil {
-		if *msg.ProfileName != "default" && (msg.Username == nil || *msg.Username == "") {
-			log.Errorf("profile name is set to %s, but username is not provided", *msg.ProfileName)
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("profile name is set to %s, but username is not provided", *msg.ProfileName)
-		}
-
-		var username string
-		if *msg.ProfileName != "default" {
-			username = *msg.Username
-		}
-
-		if *msg.ProfileName != activeProf.Name && username != activeProf.Username {
-			if s.checkProfilesDisabled() {
-				log.Errorf("profiles are disabled, you cannot use this feature without profiles enabled")
-				return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, errProfilesDisabled)
-			}
-
-			log.Infof("switching to profile %s for user '%s'", *msg.ProfileName, username)
-			if err := s.profileManager.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-				Name:     *msg.ProfileName,
-				Username: username,
-			}); err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %v", err)
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %w", err)
-			}
+		if _, err := s.switchProfileIfNeeded(*msg.ProfileName, msg.Username, activeProf); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %v", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -615,7 +594,7 @@ func (s *Server) Login(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.LoginRequest) (*pro
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("active profile: %s for %s", activeProf.Name, activeProf.Username)
+	log.Infof("active profile: %s for %s", activeProf.ID, activeProf.Username)
 
 	s.mutex.Lock()
 
@@ -950,10 +929,10 @@ func (s *Server) Up(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.UpRequest) (*proto.UpR
 	}
 
 	if msg != nil && msg.ProfileName != nil {
-		if err := s.switchProfileIfNeeded(*msg.ProfileName, msg.Username, activeProf); err != nil {
+		if _, err := s.switchProfileIfNeeded(*msg.ProfileName, msg.Username, activeProf); err != nil {
 			s.mutex.Unlock()
 			log.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %v", err)
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %w", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -964,7 +943,7 @@ func (s *Server) Up(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.UpRequest) (*proto.UpR
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("active profile: %s for %s", activeProf.Name, activeProf.Username)
+	log.Infof("active profile: %s for %s", activeProf.ID, activeProf.Username)
 
 	config, _, err := s.getConfig(activeProf)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1011,34 +990,60 @@ func (s *Server) waitForUp(callerCtx context.Context) (*proto.UpResponse, error)
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *Server) switchProfileIfNeeded(profileName string, userName *string, activeProf *profilemanager.ActiveProfileState) error {
-	if profileName != "default" && (userName == nil || *userName == "") {
-		log.Errorf("profile name is set to %s, but username is not provided", profileName)
-		return fmt.Errorf("profile name is set to %s, but username is not provided", profileName)
+// resolveProfileHandle resolves a wire-level profile handle (display
+// name, ID, or unique ID prefix) to a concrete profile. Returns gRPC
+// status errors so handlers can return them directly.
+func (s *Server) resolveProfileHandle(handle, username string) (*profilemanager.Profile, error) {
+	p, err := s.profileManager.ResolveProfile(handle, username)
+	if err == nil {
+		return p, nil
+	}
+	var amb *profilemanager.ErrAmbiguousHandle
+	if errors.As(err, &amb) {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "%v", amb)
+	}
+	if errors.Is(err, profilemanager.ErrProfileNotFound) {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.NotFound, "profile %q not found", handle)
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve profile: %w", err)
+}
+
+// switchProfileIfNeeded resolves the user-supplied handle, updates the
+// active profile state if it differs from the current one, and returns
+// the resolved profile so callers can include its ID in RPC responses.
+func (s *Server) switchProfileIfNeeded(handle string, userName *string, activeProf *profilemanager.ActiveProfileState) (*profilemanager.Profile, error) {
+	if handle != profilemanager.DefaultProfileName && (userName == nil || *userName == "") {
+		log.Errorf("profile name is set to %s, but username is not provided", handle)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("profile name is set to %s, but username is not provided", handle)
 	}
 
 	var username string
-	if profileName != "default" {
+	if handle != profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
 		username = *userName
 	}
 
-	if profileName != activeProf.Name || username != activeProf.Username {
+	resolved, err := s.resolveProfileHandle(handle, username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if resolved.ID != activeProf.ID || username != activeProf.Username {
 		if s.checkProfilesDisabled() {
 			log.Errorf("profiles are disabled, you cannot use this feature without profiles enabled")
-			return gstatus.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, errProfilesDisabled)
+			return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, errProfilesDisabled)
 		}
 
-		log.Infof("switching to profile %s for user %s", profileName, username)
+		log.Infof("switching to profile %s (%s) for user %s", resolved.Name, resolved.ID, username)
 		if err := s.profileManager.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-			Name:     profileName,
+			ID:       resolved.ID,
 			Username: username,
 		}); err != nil {
 			log.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %v", err)
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %w", err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %w", err)
 		}
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return resolved, nil
 }
 
 // SwitchProfile switches the active profile in the daemon.
@@ -1053,9 +1058,9 @@ func (s *Server) SwitchProfile(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.SwitchProfi
 	}
 
 	if msg != nil && msg.ProfileName != nil {
-		if err := s.switchProfileIfNeeded(*msg.ProfileName, msg.Username, activeProf); err != nil {
+		if _, err := s.switchProfileIfNeeded(*msg.ProfileName, msg.Username, activeProf); err != nil {
 			log.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %v", err)
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %w", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
 	}
 	activeProf, err = s.profileManager.GetActiveProfileState()
@@ -1075,7 +1080,7 @@ func (s *Server) SwitchProfile(callerCtx context.Context, msg *proto.SwitchProfi
 		s.publishProfileListChanged(*msg.ProfileName)
 	}
 
-	return &proto.SwitchProfileResponse{}, nil
+	return &proto.SwitchProfileResponse{Id: activeProf.ID.String()}, nil
 }
 
 // Down engine work in the daemon.
@@ -1179,22 +1184,27 @@ func (s *Server) Logout(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.LogoutRequest) (*proto.L
 }
 
 func (s *Server) handleProfileLogout(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.LogoutRequest) (*proto.LogoutResponse, error) {
-	if err := s.validateProfileOperation(*msg.ProfileName, true); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
 	if msg.Username == nil || *msg.Username == "" {
 		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "username must be provided when profile name is specified")
 	}
 	username := *msg.Username
 
-	if err := s.logoutFromProfile(ctx, *msg.ProfileName, username); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to logout from profile %s: %v", *msg.ProfileName, err)
+	resolved, err := s.resolveProfileHandle(*msg.ProfileName, username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if err := s.validateProfileOperation(resolved.ID, true); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if err := s.logoutFromProfile(ctx, resolved); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to logout from profile %s: %v", resolved.ID, err)
 		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Internal, "logout: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	activeProf, _ := s.profileManager.GetActiveProfileState()
-	if activeProf != nil && activeProf.Name == *msg.ProfileName {
+	if activeProf != nil && activeProf.ID == resolved.ID {
 		if err := s.cleanupConnection(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ErrServiceNotUp) {
 			log.Errorf("failed to cleanup connection: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -1256,30 +1266,30 @@ func (s *Server) getConfig(activeProf *profilemanager.ActiveProfileState) (*prof
 	return config, configExisted, nil
 }
 
-func (s *Server) canRemoveProfile(profileName string) error {
-	if profileName == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
+func (s *Server) canRemoveProfile(id profilemanager.ID) error {
+	if id == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
 		return fmt.Errorf("remove profile with reserved name: %s", profilemanager.DefaultProfileName)
 	}
 
 	activeProf, err := s.profileManager.GetActiveProfileState()
-	if err == nil && activeProf.Name == profileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("remove active profile: %s", profileName)
+	if err == nil && activeProf.ID == id {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove active profile: %s", id)
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *Server) validateProfileOperation(profileName string, allowActiveProfile bool) error {
+func (s *Server) validateProfileOperation(id profilemanager.ID, allowActiveProfile bool) error {
 	if s.checkProfilesDisabled() {
 		return gstatus.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, errProfilesDisabled)
 	}
 
-	if profileName == "" {
+	if id == "" {
 		return gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "profile name must be provided")
 	}
 
 	if !allowActiveProfile {
-		if err := s.canRemoveProfile(profileName); err != nil {
+		if err := s.canRemoveProfile(id); err != nil {
 			return gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "%v", err)
 		}
 	}
@@ -1287,25 +1297,20 @@ func (s *Server) validateProfileOperation(profileName string, allowActiveProfile
 	return nil
 }
 
-// logoutFromProfile logs out from a specific profile by loading its config and sending logout request
-func (s *Server) logoutFromProfile(ctx context.Context, profileName, username string) error {
+func (s *Server) logoutFromProfile(ctx context.Context, profile *profilemanager.Profile) error {
 	activeProf, err := s.profileManager.GetActiveProfileState()
-	if err == nil && activeProf.Name == profileName && s.connectClient != nil {
+	if err == nil && activeProf.ID == profile.ID && s.connectClient != nil {
 		return s.sendLogoutRequest(ctx)
 	}
 
-	profileState := &profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     profileName,
-		Username: username,
-	}
-	profilePath, err := profileState.FilePath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("get profile path: %w", err)
+	cfgPath := profile.Path
+	if cfgPath == "" {
+		cfgPath = profilemanager.DefaultConfigPath
 	}
 
-	config, err := profilemanager.GetConfig(profilePath)
+	config, err := profilemanager.GetConfig(cfgPath)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("profile '%s' not found", profileName)
+		return fmt.Errorf("profile '%s' not found", profile.ID)
 	}
 
 	return s.sendLogoutRequestWithConfig(ctx, config)
@@ -1885,15 +1890,14 @@ func (s *Server) GetConfig(ctx context.Context, req *proto.GetConfigRequest) (*p
 		return nil, ctx.Err()
 	}
 
-	prof := profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     req.ProfileName,
-		Username: req.Username,
-	}
-
-	cfgPath, err := prof.FilePath()
+	resolved, err := s.resolveProfileHandle(req.ProfileName, req.Username)
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to get active profile file path: %v", err)
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile file path: %w", err)
+		log.Errorf("failed to resolve profile %q: %v", req.ProfileName, err)
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	cfgPath := resolved.Path
+	if cfgPath == "" {
+		cfgPath = profilemanager.DefaultConfigPath
 	}
 
 	cfg, err := profilemanager.GetConfig(cfgPath)
@@ -1998,14 +2002,43 @@ func (s *Server) AddProfile(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.AddProfileRequest) (
 		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "profile name and username must be provided")
 	}
 
-	if err := s.profileManager.AddProfile(msg.ProfileName, msg.Username); err != nil {
+	created, err := s.profileManager.AddProfile(msg.ProfileName, msg.Username)
+	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to create profile: %v", err)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	s.publishProfileListChanged(msg.ProfileName)
 
-	return &proto.AddProfileResponse{}, nil
+	return &proto.AddProfileResponse{Id: created.ID.String()}, nil
+}
+
+func (s *Server) RenameProfile(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.RenameProfileRequest) (*proto.RenameProfileResponse, error) {
+	s.mutex.Lock()
+	defer s.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	if s.checkProfilesDisabled() {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, errProfilesDisabled)
+	}
+
+	if msg.Handle == "" || msg.Username == "" || msg.NewProfileName == "" {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "profile name, username and new profile name must be provided")
+	}
+
+	resolved, err := s.resolveProfileHandle(msg.Handle, msg.Username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	err = s.profileManager.RenameProfile(resolved.ID, msg.Username, msg.NewProfileName)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to rename profile: %v", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to rename profile: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	s.publishProfileListChanged(msg.NewProfileName)
+
+	return &proto.RenameProfileResponse{OldProfileName: resolved.Name}, nil
 }
 
 // RemoveProfile removes a profile from the daemon.
@@ -2013,22 +2046,31 @@ func (s *Server) RemoveProfile(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.RemoveProfileRequ
 	s.mutex.Lock()
 	defer s.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	if err := s.validateProfileOperation(msg.ProfileName, false); err != nil {
+	if s.checkProfilesDisabled() {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, errProfilesDisabled)
+	}
+
+	if msg.ProfileName == "" {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.InvalidArgument, "profile name must be provided")
+	}
+
+	resolved, err := s.resolveProfileHandle(msg.ProfileName, msg.Username)
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	if err := s.logoutFromProfile(ctx, msg.ProfileName, msg.Username); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to logout from profile %s before removal: %v", msg.ProfileName, err)
+	if err := s.logoutFromProfile(ctx, resolved); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to logout from profile %s before removal: %v", resolved.ID, err)
 	}
 
-	if err := s.profileManager.RemoveProfile(msg.ProfileName, msg.Username); err != nil {
+	if err := s.profileManager.RemoveProfile(resolved.ID, msg.Username); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to remove profile: %v", err)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to remove profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	s.publishProfileListChanged(msg.ProfileName)
 
-	return &proto.RemoveProfileResponse{}, nil
+	return &proto.RemoveProfileResponse{Id: resolved.ID.String()}, nil
 }
 
 // publishProfileListChanged nudges the desktop UI to refresh its profile list
@@ -2091,6 +2133,7 @@ func (s *Server) ListProfiles(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.ListProfilesReques
 	}
 	for i, profile := range profiles {
 		response.Profiles[i] = &proto.Profile{
+			Id:       profile.ID.String(),
 			Name:     profile.Name,
 			IsActive: profile.IsActive,
 		}
@@ -2099,7 +2142,9 @@ func (s *Server) ListProfiles(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.ListProfilesReques
 	return response, nil
 }
 
-// GetActiveProfile returns the active profile in the daemon.
+// GetActiveProfile returns the active profile in the daemon. The ProfileName
+// field carries the display name for backwards compatibility with UI clients,
+// new callers should prefer Id.
 func (s *Server) GetActiveProfile(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.GetActiveProfileRequest) (*proto.GetActiveProfileResponse, error) {
 	s.mutex.Lock()
 	defer s.mutex.Unlock()
@@ -2110,9 +2155,23 @@ func (s *Server) GetActiveProfile(ctx context.Context, msg *proto.GetActiveProfi
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Fallback to legacy name == ID
+	displayName := activeProfile.ID.String()
+	if activeProfile.ID != profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
+		if profiles, lerr := s.profileManager.ListProfiles(activeProfile.Username); lerr == nil {
+			for _, p := range profiles {
+				if p.ID == activeProfile.ID {
+					displayName = p.Name
+					break
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	return &proto.GetActiveProfileResponse{
-		ProfileName: activeProfile.Name,
+		ProfileName: displayName,
 		Username:    activeProfile.Username,
+		Id:          activeProfile.ID.String(),
 	}, nil
 }
 

client/server/server_test.go

@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func TestConnectStopsRetryOnPermissionDenied(t *testing.T) {
 
 	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
 	err = pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "test-profile",
+		ID:       "test-profile",
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func TestServer_Up(t *testing.T) {
 
 	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
 	err = pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     profName,
+		ID:       profilemanager.ID(profName),
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ func TestServer_SubcribeEvents(t *testing.T) {
 
 	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
 	err = pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "default",
+		ID:       "default",
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {

client/server/setconfig_mdm_test.go

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func setupServerWithProfile(t *testing.T) (s *Server, ctx context.Context, profN
 
 	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
 	require.NoError(t, pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     profName,
+		ID:       profilemanager.ID(profName),
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	}))
 
@@ -107,9 +107,9 @@ func TestSetConfig_MDMReject_SingleField(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestSetConfig_MDMReject_MultipleFields(t *testing.T) {
 	withMDMPolicy(t, mdm.NewPolicy(map[string]any{
-		mdm.KeyManagementURL:     "https://mdm.example.com:443",
-		mdm.KeyBlockInbound:      true,
-		mdm.KeyRosenpassEnabled:  true,
+		mdm.KeyManagementURL:    "https://mdm.example.com:443",
+		mdm.KeyBlockInbound:     true,
+		mdm.KeyRosenpassEnabled: true,
 	}))
 
 	s, ctx, profName, username, _ := setupServerWithProfile(t)

client/server/setconfig_test.go

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func TestSetConfig_AllFieldsSaved(t *testing.T) {
 
 	pm := profilemanager.ServiceManager{}
 	err = pm.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     profName,
+		ID:       profilemanager.ID(profName),
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func TestSetConfig_AllFieldsSaved(t *testing.T) {
 		DisableNotifications:  &disableNotifications,
 		LazyConnectionEnabled: &lazyConnectionEnabled,
 		BlockInbound:          &blockInbound,
-		DisableIpv6:          &disableIPv6,
+		DisableIpv6:           &disableIPv6,
 		NatExternalIPs:        []string{"1.2.3.4", "5.6.7.8"},
 		CleanNATExternalIPs:   false,
 		CustomDNSAddress:      []byte("1.1.1.1:53"),
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func TestSetConfig_AllFieldsSaved(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	profState := profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     profName,
+		ID:       profilemanager.ID(profName),
 		Username: currUser.Username,
 	}
 	cfgPath, err := profState.FilePath()

client/ui/frontend/src/contexts/ProfileContext.tsx

@@ -18,14 +18,19 @@ const EVENT_PROFILE_CHANGED = "netbird:profile:changed";
 
 type ProfileContextValue = {
     username: string;
+    // activeProfile is the display NAME of the active profile (for rendering
+    // and the "default" check). activeProfileId is its stable on-disk ID, used
+    // as the handle for daemon requests and for active-profile comparisons,
+    // since display names can collide.
     activeProfile: string;
+    activeProfileId: string;
     profiles: Profile[];
     loaded: boolean;
     refresh: () => Promise<void>;
-    switchProfile: (name: string) => Promise<void>;
-    addProfile: (name: string) => Promise<void>;
-    removeProfile: (name: string) => Promise<void>;
-    logoutProfile: (name: string) => Promise<void>;
+    switchProfile: (id: string) => Promise<void>;
+    addProfile: (name: string) => Promise<string>;
+    removeProfile: (id: string) => Promise<void>;
+    logoutProfile: (id: string) => Promise<void>;
 };
 
 const ProfileContext = createContext<ProfileContextValue | null>(null);
@@ -41,6 +46,7 @@ export const useProfile = () => {
 export const ProfileProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
     const [username, setUsername] = useState("");
     const [activeProfile, setActiveProfile] = useState("");
+    const [activeProfileId, setActiveProfileId] = useState("");
     const [profiles, setProfiles] = useState<Profile[]>([]);
     const [loaded, setLoaded] = useState(false);
     const retryRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null);
@@ -58,6 +64,7 @@ export const ProfileProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
             ]);
             setUsername(u);
             setActiveProfile(active.profileName || "default");
+            setActiveProfileId(active.id || "default");
             setProfiles(list);
             setLoaded(true);
         } catch (e) {
@@ -94,33 +101,38 @@ export const ProfileProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
         };
     }, [refresh]);
 
+    // id is a handle: the daemon resolves an exact ID, ID prefix, or unique
+    // display name. The UI passes the profile's ID for precision.
     const switchProfile = useCallback(
-        async (name: string) => {
-            await ProfileSwitcher.SwitchActive({ profileName: name, username });
+        async (id: string) => {
+            await ProfileSwitcher.SwitchActive({ profileName: id, username });
             await refresh();
         },
         [username, refresh],
     );
 
+    // addProfile creates a profile by display name and returns the
+    // daemon-generated ID, so the caller can immediately address it by ID.
     const addProfile = useCallback(
         async (name: string) => {
-            await ProfilesSvc.Add({ profileName: name, username });
+            const id = await ProfilesSvc.Add({ profileName: name, username });
             await refresh();
+            return id;
         },
         [username, refresh],
     );
 
     const removeProfile = useCallback(
-        async (name: string) => {
-            await ProfilesSvc.Remove({ profileName: name, username });
+        async (id: string) => {
+            await ProfilesSvc.Remove({ profileName: id, username });
             await refresh();
         },
         [username, refresh],
     );
 
     const logoutProfile = useCallback(
-        async (name: string) => {
-            await Connection.Logout({ profileName: name, username });
+        async (id: string) => {
+            await Connection.Logout({ profileName: id, username });
             await refresh();
         },
         [username, refresh],
@@ -130,6 +142,7 @@ export const ProfileProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
         () => ({
             username,
             activeProfile,
+            activeProfileId,
             profiles,
             loaded,
             refresh,
@@ -141,6 +154,7 @@ export const ProfileProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
         [
             username,
             activeProfile,
+            activeProfileId,
             profiles,
             loaded,
             refresh,

client/ui/frontend/src/contexts/SettingsContext.tsx

@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ export const useAutostartSetting = () => {
 type LoadedConfig = { profileName: string; data: Config };
 
 const useSettingsState = () => {
-    const { username, activeProfile, loaded: profileLoaded } = useProfile();
+    const { username, activeProfileId, loaded: profileLoaded } = useProfile();
     const [loaded, setLoaded] = useState<LoadedConfig | null>(null);
     const [guiVersion, setGuiVersion] = useState<string>("—");
     const saveTimer = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null);
@@ -69,18 +69,18 @@ const useSettingsState = () => {
     }, [loaded]);
 
     useEffect(() => {
-        if (!profileLoaded || !activeProfile) return;
+        if (!profileLoaded || !activeProfileId) return;
         let cancelled = false;
 
         const load = async (showError: boolean) => {
             try {
                 const data = await SettingsSvc.GetConfig({
-                    profileName: activeProfile,
+                    profileName: activeProfileId,
                     username,
                 });
                 if (cancelled) return;
                 if (saveTimer.current) return;
-                setLoaded({ profileName: activeProfile, data });
+                setLoaded({ profileName: activeProfileId, data });
             } catch (e) {
                 if (cancelled || !showError) return;
                 await errorDialog({
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ const useSettingsState = () => {
             cancelled = true;
             off();
         };
-    }, [profileLoaded, activeProfile, username]);
+    }, [profileLoaded, activeProfileId, username]);
 
     useEffect(() => {
         let cancelled = false;

client/ui/frontend/src/modules/main/MainConnectionStatusSwitch.tsx

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ const errorMessage = formatErrorMessage;
 export const MainConnectionStatusSwitch = () => {
     const { t } = useTranslation();
     const { status, refresh } = useStatus();
-    const { activeProfile, username } = useProfile();
+    const { activeProfileId, username } = useProfile();
 
     const daemonState = status?.status ?? "Idle";
     const needsLogin = NEEDS_LOGIN_STATES.has(daemonState);
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ export const MainConnectionStatusSwitch = () => {
         setAction("connect");
         try {
             await Connection.Up({
-                profileName: activeProfile,
+                profileName: activeProfileId,
                 username,
             });
             await refresh();

client/ui/frontend/src/modules/profiles/ProfileCreationModal.tsx

@@ -22,13 +22,12 @@ type Props = {
     onCreate: (name: string, managementUrl: string) => void;
 };
 
-// Must match the daemon's silent profilemanager.sanitizeProfileName, else the in-flight
-// raw name diverges from what's stored, spawning a ghost row and breaking delete.
-const sanitizeProfileInput = (value: string): string =>
-    value
-        .toLowerCase()
-        .replace(/\s+/g, "-")
-        .replace(/[^a-z0-9_-]/g, "");
+// The daemon (profilemanager.sanitizeDisplayName) accepts free-form display
+// names — spaces, emoji, punctuation, any valid UTF-8 — stripping only control
+// characters and capping the length. Since #6367 the on-disk ID is separate
+// from the display name, so the raw input no longer needs to be coerced into a
+// filename-safe slug client-side; just trim and let the daemon canonicalize.
+const MAX_PROFILE_NAME_LEN = 128;
 
 export const ProfileCreationModal = ({ open, onOpenChange, onCreate }: Props) => {
     const { t } = useTranslation();
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@ export const ProfileCreationModal = ({ open, onOpenChange, onCreate }: Props) =>
         e.preventDefault();
         if (checking) return;
 
-        const sanitized = sanitizeProfileInput(name);
+        const sanitized = name.trim();
         if (sanitized.length === 0) {
             setNameError(t("profile.dialog.required"));
             nameRef.current?.focus();
@@ -106,7 +105,7 @@ export const ProfileCreationModal = ({ open, onOpenChange, onCreate }: Props) =>
     };
 
     const handleNameChange = (value: string) => {
-        setName(sanitizeProfileInput(value));
+        setName(value);
         if (nameError) setNameError(null);
     };
 
@@ -147,7 +146,7 @@ export const ProfileCreationModal = ({ open, onOpenChange, onCreate }: Props) =>
                                 value={name}
                                 onChange={(e) => handleNameChange(e.target.value)}
                                 error={nameError ?? undefined}
-                                maxLength={64}
+                                maxLength={MAX_PROFILE_NAME_LEN}
                                 spellCheck={false}
                                 autoComplete="off"
                                 autoCapitalize="off"

client/ui/frontend/src/modules/profiles/ProfileDropdown.tsx

@@ -19,13 +19,13 @@ const MANAGE_VALUE = "__manage_profiles__";
 
 export const ProfileDropdown = ({ onManageProfiles }: ProfileDropdownProps) => {
     const { t } = useTranslation();
-    const { activeProfile, profiles, switchProfile, loaded } = useProfile();
+    const { activeProfile, activeProfileId, profiles, switchProfile, loaded } = useProfile();
     const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
     const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
 
     const sortedProfiles = [...profiles].sort((a, b) => {
-        if (a.name === activeProfile) return -1;
-        if (b.name === activeProfile) return 1;
+        if (a.id === activeProfileId) return -1;
+        if (b.id === activeProfileId) return 1;
         return a.name.localeCompare(b.name);
     });
 
@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@ export const ProfileDropdown = ({ onManageProfiles }: ProfileDropdownProps) => {
         }
     };
 
-    const handleSelect = (name: string) => {
+    const handleSelect = (id: string) => {
         setOpen(false);
-        if (name === activeProfile) return;
-        void guarded(t("profile.error.switchTitle"), () => switchProfile(name));
+        if (id === activeProfileId) return;
+        void guarded(t("profile.error.switchTitle"), () => switchProfile(id));
     };
 
     const handleManage = () => {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export const ProfileDropdown = ({ onManageProfiles }: ProfileDropdownProps) => {
 
     if (!loaded) return <ProfileTriggerSkeleton />;
 
-    const hasProfile = !!activeProfile;
+    const hasProfile = !!activeProfileId;
     const displayName = hasProfile ? activeProfile : t("profile.selector.noProfile");
 
     return (
@@ -90,9 +90,9 @@ export const ProfileDropdown = ({ onManageProfiles }: ProfileDropdownProps) => {
                                         <Command.List>
                                             {sortedProfiles.map((profile) => (
                                                 <ProfileRow
-                                                    key={profile.name}
+                                                    key={profile.id}
                                                     profile={profile}
-                                                    isActive={profile.name === activeProfile}
+                                                    isActive={profile.id === activeProfileId}
                                                     onSelect={handleSelect}
                                                 />
                                             ))}
@@ -178,15 +178,15 @@ const ProfileTriggerButton = forwardRef<HTMLButtonElement, ProfileTriggerButtonP
 type ProfileRowProps = {
     profile: Profile;
     isActive: boolean;
-    onSelect: (name: string) => void;
+    onSelect: (id: string) => void;
 };
 
 const ProfileRow = ({ profile, isActive, onSelect }: ProfileRowProps) => {
     const showEmail = !!profile.email;
     return (
         <Command.Item
-            value={profile.name}
-            onSelect={() => onSelect(profile.name)}
+            value={profile.id}
+            onSelect={() => onSelect(profile.id)}
             className={cn(
                 "flex gap-2 px-2 py-2 pr-3 w-auto last:mb-1",
                 "rounded-md outline-none cursor-default text-sm",

client/ui/frontend/src/modules/profiles/ProfilesTab.tsx

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ export function ProfilesTab() {
     const { t } = useTranslation();
     const {
         profiles,
-        activeProfile,
+        activeProfileId,
         loaded,
         username,
         switchProfile,
@@ -45,16 +45,16 @@ export function ProfilesTab() {
         const { order, items } = reconcileOrder(
             orderRef.current,
             profiles,
-            (p) => p.name,
+            (p) => p.id,
             (a, b) => {
-                if (a.name === activeProfile) return -1;
-                if (b.name === activeProfile) return 1;
+                if (a.id === activeProfileId) return -1;
+                if (b.id === activeProfileId) return 1;
                 return a.name.localeCompare(b.name);
             },
         );
         orderRef.current = order;
         return items;
-    }, [profiles, activeProfile]);
+    }, [profiles, activeProfileId]);
 
     const guarded = async (title: string, fn: () => Promise<void>) => {
         if (busy) return;
@@ -71,27 +71,27 @@ export function ProfilesTab() {
         }
     };
 
-    const handleSwitch = async (name: string) => {
+    const handleSwitch = async (id: string, name: string) => {
         const ok = await confirm({
             title: t("profile.switch.title", { name }),
             description: t("profile.switch.message", { name }),
             confirmLabel: t("profile.switch.confirm"),
         });
         if (!ok) return;
-        await guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.switchTitle"), () => switchProfile(name));
+        await guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.switchTitle"), () => switchProfile(id));
     };
 
-    const handleDeregister = async (name: string) => {
+    const handleDeregister = async (id: string, name: string) => {
         const ok = await confirm({
             title: t("profile.deregister.title", { name }),
             description: t("profile.deregister.message", { name }),
             confirmLabel: t("profile.deregister.confirm"),
         });
         if (!ok) return;
-        void guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.deregisterTitle"), () => logoutProfile(name));
+        void guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.deregisterTitle"), () => logoutProfile(id));
     };
 
-    const handleDelete = async (name: string) => {
+    const handleDelete = async (id: string, name: string) => {
         if (name === DEFAULT_PROFILE) return;
         const ok = await confirm({
             title: t("profile.delete.title", { name }),
@@ -100,20 +100,21 @@ export function ProfilesTab() {
             danger: true,
         });
         if (!ok) return;
-        void guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.deleteTitle"), () => removeProfile(name));
+        void guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.deleteTitle"), () => removeProfile(id));
     };
 
     const handleCreate = async (name: string, managementUrl: string) => {
         await guarded(i18next.t("profile.error.createTitle"), async () => {
-            await addProfile(name);
-            // SetConfig is keyed by profile name, so it writes the not-yet-active
-            // profile. Write before switching so any reconnect targets the right deployment.
+            const id = await addProfile(name);
+            // SetConfig is keyed by the new profile's ID, so it writes the
+            // not-yet-active profile. Write before switching so any reconnect
+            // targets the right deployment.
             if (!isNetbirdCloud(managementUrl)) {
                 await SettingsSvc.SetConfig(
-                    new SetConfigParams({ profileName: name, username, managementUrl }),
+                    new SetConfigParams({ profileName: id, username, managementUrl }),
                 );
             }
-            await switchProfile(name);
+            await switchProfile(id);
         });
     };
 
@@ -131,12 +132,12 @@ export function ProfilesTab() {
                         <tbody>
                             {ordered.map((profile) => (
                                 <ProfileRow
-                                    key={profile.name}
+                                    key={profile.id}
                                     profile={profile}
-                                    isActive={profile.name === activeProfile}
-                                    onSwitch={() => handleSwitch(profile.name)}
-                                    onDeregister={() => handleDeregister(profile.name)}
-                                    onDelete={() => handleDelete(profile.name)}
+                                    isActive={profile.id === activeProfileId}
+                                    onSwitch={() => handleSwitch(profile.id, profile.name)}
+                                    onDeregister={() => handleDeregister(profile.id, profile.name)}
+                                    onDelete={() => handleDelete(profile.id, profile.name)}
                                 />
                             ))}
                         </tbody>

client/ui/frontend/src/modules/session/SessionExpirationDialog.tsx

@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ export default function SessionExpirationDialog() {
             const username = await ProfilesSvc.Username();
             const active = await ProfilesSvc.GetActive();
             await Connection.Logout({
-                profileName: active.profileName || "default",
+                profileName: active.id || "default",
                 username,
             });
             WindowManager.CloseSessionExpiration().catch(console.error);

client/ui/frontend/src/modules/welcome/WelcomeDialog.tsx

@@ -19,13 +19,15 @@ const WINDOW_WIDTH = 360;
 type WelcomeStep = "tray" | "management";
 
 function shouldShowManagementStep(
-    activeProfile: string,
+    activeProfileId: string,
     email: string,
     managementUrl: string,
     managedManagementUrl: string,
 ): boolean {
     if (managedManagementUrl) return false;
-    if (activeProfile !== "default") return false;
+    // The default profile's ID equals the literal "default", so this check
+    // holds whether we pass an ID or the legacy name.
+    if (activeProfileId !== "default") return false;
     if (email.trim() !== "") return false;
     return isNetbirdCloud(managementUrl);
 }
@@ -51,21 +53,21 @@ export default function WelcomeDialog() {
                     ProfilesSvc.Username(),
                     ProfilesSvc.GetActive(),
                 ]);
-                const profileName = active.profileName || "default";
+                const profileId = active.id || "default";
                 const [config, list, restrictions] = await Promise.all([
-                    SettingsSvc.GetConfig({ profileName, username }),
+                    SettingsSvc.GetConfig({ profileName: profileId, username }),
                     ProfilesSvc.List(username),
                     SettingsSvc.GetRestrictions().catch(() => new Restrictions()),
                 ]);
-                const profile = list.find((p) => p.name === profileName);
+                const profile = list.find((p) => p.id === profileId);
                 const email = profile?.email ?? "";
                 if (cancelled) return;
                 setInitial({
-                    profileName,
+                    profileName: profileId,
                     username,
                     managementUrl: config.managementUrl,
                     needsManagementStep: shouldShowManagementStep(
-                        profileName,
+                        profileId,
                         email,
                         config.managementUrl,
                         restrictions.mdm.managementURL,

client/ui/services/connection.go

@@ -122,7 +122,9 @@ func (s *Connection) Login(ctx context.Context, p LoginParams) (LoginResult, err
 	username := p.Username
 	if profileName == "" {
 		if active, aerr := cli.GetActiveProfile(ctx, &proto.GetActiveProfileRequest{}); aerr == nil {
-			profileName = active.GetProfileName()
+			// Address the active profile by ID (the daemon resolves it as a
+			// handle); names can collide, the ID cannot.
+			profileName = active.GetId()
 			if username == "" {
 				username = active.GetUsername()
 			}

client/ui/services/profile.go

@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Profile struct {
+	// ID is the daemon-generated on-disk identity of the profile. Display
+	// names can collide and be renamed, so the ID is the stable handle the
+	// daemon resolves switch/remove/logout requests against.
+	ID       string `json:"id"`
 	Name     string `json:"name"`
 	IsActive bool   `json:"isActive"`
 	// Email is read from the user-owned per-profile state file (CLI writes it
@@ -25,10 +29,28 @@ type ProfileRef struct {
 }
 
 type ActiveProfile struct {
+	// ID is the active profile's stable on-disk identity. Use it (not the
+	// display name) as the handle for daemon requests and active-profile
+	// comparisons, since names can collide.
+	ID          string `json:"id"`
 	ProfileName string `json:"profileName"`
 	Username    string `json:"username"`
 }
 
+// RenameProfileParams selects a profile by handle and carries its new display
+// name.
+type RenameProfileParams struct {
+	// Handle selects the profile to rename: an exact ID, a unique ID prefix,
+	// or a unique display name. The daemon resolves it server-side.
+	Handle string `json:"handle"`
+	// NewName is the new free-form display name. The daemon sanitizes it
+	// (strips control characters, trims, caps length) but keeps spaces, emoji,
+	// punctuation, and non-ASCII letters.
+	NewName string `json:"newName"`
+
+	Username string `json:"username"`
+}
+
 type Profiles struct {
 	conn DaemonConn
 }
@@ -58,8 +80,8 @@ func (s *Profiles) List(ctx context.Context, username string) ([]Profile, error)
 	pm := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
 	out := make([]Profile, 0, len(resp.GetProfiles()))
 	for _, p := range resp.GetProfiles() {
-		prof := Profile{Name: p.GetName(), IsActive: p.GetIsActive()}
-		if state, err := pm.GetProfileState(p.GetName()); err == nil {
+		prof := Profile{ID: p.GetId(), Name: p.GetName(), IsActive: p.GetIsActive()}
+		if state, err := pm.GetProfileState(profilemanager.ID(p.GetId())); err == nil {
 			prof.Email = state.Email
 		}
 		out = append(out, prof)
@@ -77,15 +99,20 @@ func (s *Profiles) GetActive(ctx context.Context) (ActiveProfile, error) {
 		return ActiveProfile{}, err
 	}
 	return ActiveProfile{
+		ID:          resp.GetId(),
 		ProfileName: resp.GetProfileName(),
 		Username:    resp.GetUsername(),
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func (s *Profiles) Switch(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error {
+// Switch sends a profile switch to the daemon and returns the resolved
+// on-disk ID of the now-active profile. ProfileName is treated as a handle
+// (exact ID, unique ID prefix, or unique display name); the daemon resolves
+// it server-side and echoes back the canonical ID.
+func (s *Profiles) Switch(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) (string, error) {
 	cli, err := s.conn.Client()
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return "", err
 	}
 	req := &proto.SwitchProfileRequest{}
 	if p.ProfileName != "" {
@@ -94,20 +121,29 @@ func (s *Profiles) Switch(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error {
 	if p.Username != "" {
 		req.Username = ptrStr(p.Username)
 	}
-	_, err = cli.SwitchProfile(ctx, req)
-	return err
+	resp, err := cli.SwitchProfile(ctx, req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return resp.GetId(), nil
 }
 
-func (s *Profiles) Add(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error {
+// Add creates a profile with the given display name and returns its
+// daemon-generated on-disk ID, so callers can address the new profile by ID
+// (e.g. to write config or switch to it) without re-resolving the name.
+func (s *Profiles) Add(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) (string, error) {
 	cli, err := s.conn.Client()
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return "", err
 	}
-	_, err = cli.AddProfile(ctx, &proto.AddProfileRequest{
+	resp, err := cli.AddProfile(ctx, &proto.AddProfileRequest{
 		ProfileName: p.ProfileName,
 		Username:    p.Username,
 	})
-	return err
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return resp.GetId(), nil
 }
 
 func (s *Profiles) Remove(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error {
@@ -121,3 +157,23 @@ func (s *Profiles) Remove(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error {
 	})
 	return err
 }
+
+// Rename changes a profile's display name. The on-disk ID is unaffected, so
+// the active profile and any ID-based references stay valid (the default
+// profile can be renamed too — only its display name changes). Returns the
+// profile's previous display name as confirmation.
+func (s *Profiles) Rename(ctx context.Context, p RenameProfileParams) (string, error) {
+	cli, err := s.conn.Client()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	resp, err := cli.RenameProfile(ctx, &proto.RenameProfileRequest{
+		Username:       p.Username,
+		Handle:         p.Handle,
+		NewProfileName: p.NewName,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return resp.GetOldProfileName(), nil
+}

client/ui/services/profileswitcher.go

@@ -55,15 +55,18 @@ func (s *ProfileSwitcher) SwitchActive(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error
 		s.feed.BeginProfileSwitch()
 	}
 
-	if err := s.profiles.Switch(ctx, p); err != nil {
+	resolvedID, err := s.profiles.Switch(ctx, p)
+	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("switch profile %q: %w", p.ProfileName, err)
 	}
 
 	// Mirror into the user-side ProfileManager state: the CLI's `netbird up`
-	// reads this file and sends the name back in the Up RPC, so if it diverges
+	// reads this file and sends the ID back in the Up RPC, so if it diverges
 	// the daemon reverts the UI switch on the next CLI `up`. Best-effort — the
 	// daemon is authoritative; a failure only leaves the CLI's view stale.
-	if err := profilemanager.NewProfileManager().SwitchProfile(p.ProfileName); err != nil {
+	// Use the daemon-resolved ID rather than the handle we sent, since the
+	// on-disk state is keyed by ID, not display name.
+	if err := profilemanager.NewProfileManager().SwitchProfile(profilemanager.ID(resolvedID)); err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("profileswitcher: mirror to user-side ProfileManager failed: %v", err)
 	}
 

client/ui/services/settings.go

@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ func (s *Settings) GetRestrictions(ctx context.Context) (Restrictions, error) {
 		return Restrictions{}, fmt.Errorf("get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
 	cfgResp, err := cli.GetConfig(ctx, &proto.GetConfigRequest{
-		ProfileName: active.GetProfileName(),
+		ProfileName: active.GetId(),
 		Username:    active.GetUsername(),
 	})
 	if err != nil {

client/ui/tray_profiles.go

@@ -10,9 +10,26 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/wailsapp/wails/v3/pkg/application"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ui/services"
 )
 
+// formatProfileLabel returns the display label for a profile. Profiles can
+// share the same Name, so when more than one profile in profiles carries this
+// Name, a short form of the ID is appended to disambiguate the entries.
+func formatProfileLabel(profile services.Profile, profiles []services.Profile) string {
+	count := 0
+	for _, p := range profiles {
+		if p.Name == profile.Name {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
+	if count <= 1 {
+		return profile.Name
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s)", profile.Name, profilemanager.ID(profile.ID).ShortID())
+}
+
 // loadConfig caches the active-profile identity and the notifications gate.
 // Runs in a startup goroutine so a slow daemon does not block menu construction.
 func (t *Tray) loadConfig() {
@@ -23,7 +40,13 @@ func (t *Tray) loadConfig() {
 		log.Debugf("get active profile: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
-	cfg, err := t.svc.Settings.GetConfig(ctx, services.ConfigParams(active))
+	// Address the active profile by ID (the daemon resolves it as a handle),
+	// since display names can collide. ConfigParams no longer matches
+	// ActiveProfile's shape for a struct conversion now that it carries an ID.
+	cfg, err := t.svc.Settings.GetConfig(ctx, services.ConfigParams{
+		ProfileName: active.ID,
+		Username:    active.Username,
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("get config: %v", err)
 		return
@@ -75,7 +98,12 @@ func (t *Tray) fillProfileSubmenu() {
 	username := t.profilesUser
 	t.profilesMu.Unlock()
 
-	sort.Slice(profiles, func(i, j int) bool { return profiles[i].Name < profiles[j].Name })
+	sort.Slice(profiles, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if profiles[i].Name != profiles[j].Name {
+			return profiles[i].Name < profiles[j].Name
+		}
+		return profiles[i].ID < profiles[j].ID
+	})
 
 	// Wails' systray does not reliably propagate a disabled parent to its
 	// children on every platform, so disable each row explicitly.
@@ -84,26 +112,28 @@ func (t *Tray) fillProfileSubmenu() {
 	t.profileSubmenu.Clear()
 	var activeName, activeEmail string
 	for _, p := range profiles {
-		name := p.Name
+		id := p.ID
+		// Display names can collide, so disambiguate with a short ID suffix.
+		display := formatProfileLabel(p, profiles)
 		active := p.IsActive
 		// Add, not AddCheckbox: Wails auto-toggles a checkbox on click before
 		// OnClick fires, so both old and new would briefly show checked during
 		// the switch. A plain item with a "✓ " prefix avoids the race.
-		label := name
+		label := display
 		if active {
-			label = "✓ " + name
+			label = "✓ " + display
 		}
 		item := t.profileSubmenu.Add(label)
 		item.OnClick(func(*application.Context) {
-			log.Infof("tray profile click: profile=%q wasActive=%v", name, active)
+			log.Infof("tray profile click: profile=%q id=%q wasActive=%v", display, id, active)
 			if active {
 				return
 			}
-			t.switchProfile(name)
+			t.switchProfile(id, display)
 		})
 		item.SetEnabled(!disableProfiles)
 		if active {
-			activeName = name
+			activeName = display
 			activeEmail = p.Email
 		}
 	}
@@ -130,7 +160,10 @@ func (t *Tray) fillProfileSubmenu() {
 // switchProfile cancels any in-flight switch before starting a new one, so
 // rapid clicks converge to the last selected profile. Optimistic paint and
 // event suppression live in ProfileSwitcher, shared with the React Status page.
-func (t *Tray) switchProfile(name string) {
+// switchProfile sends handle (the profile's ID) to the daemon, which resolves
+// it precisely even when display names collide. display is used only for the
+// failure notification.
+func (t *Tray) switchProfile(handle, display string) {
 	t.profileMu.Lock()
 	if t.switchCancel != nil {
 		t.switchCancel()
@@ -146,14 +179,14 @@ func (t *Tray) switchProfile(name string) {
 			return
 		}
 		if err := t.svc.ProfileSwitcher.SwitchActive(ctx, services.ProfileRef{
-			ProfileName: name,
+			ProfileName: handle,
 			Username:    username,
 		}); err != nil {
 			if ctx.Err() != nil {
 				return
 			}
 			log.Errorf("tray switchProfile: %v", err)
-			t.notifyError(t.loc.T("notify.error.switchProfile", "profile", name))
+			t.notifyError(t.loc.T("notify.error.switchProfile", "profile", display))
 			return
 		}
 		t.loadProfiles()