@aztec/p2p 0.0.1-commit.d6f2b3f94 → 0.0.1-commit.d939eb5aa

package/src/msg_validators/attestation_validator/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Attestation Validation
+
+This module validates `CheckpointAttestation` gossipsub messages. Attestations are signatures from committee members endorsing a checkpoint proposal.
+
+**Topic**: `checkpoint_attestation` | **Snappy size limit**: 5 KB
+
+## Stage 1: AttestationValidator (Gossipsub Validation)
+
+| # | Rule | Consequence | Severity | File |
+|---|------|-------------|----------|------|
+| 1 | **Slot timeliness**: `currentSlot` or `nextSlot`. Previous slot within 500ms: IGNORE. Older: REJECT. | REJECT or IGNORE | HighToleranceError | `attestation_validator.ts` |
+| 2 | **Attester signature**: `getSender()` must recover valid address | REJECT | LowToleranceError | same |
+| 3 | **Attester in committee**: recovered address in committee for slot | REJECT | HighToleranceError | same |
+| 4 | **Proposer exists**: `getProposerAttesterAddressInSlot` must return defined | REJECT | HighToleranceError | same |
+| 5 | **Proposer signature**: `getProposer()` must recover valid address | REJECT | LowToleranceError | same |
+| 6 | **Proposer matches expected**: recovered proposer = expected for slot | REJECT | HighToleranceError | same |
+| 7 | **NoCommitteeError**: committee unavailable | REJECT | LowToleranceError | same |
+
+**Fisherman mode extension** (`FishermanAttestationValidator`): if a checkpoint proposal for the same archive exists in pool, the attestation's `ConsensusPayload` must `.equals()` the stored proposal's payload. On mismatch: REJECT + LowToleranceError.
+
+## Stage 2: Pool Admission
+
+| # | Rule | Consequence |
+|---|------|-------------|
+| 8 | Sender recoverable (pool-side) | Silent drop |
+| 9 | Not a duplicate (same slot + proposalId + signer) | IGNORE |
+| 10 | Per-signer cap: `MAX_ATTESTATIONS_PER_SLOT_AND_SIGNER` = 2 | IGNORE |
+
+Own attestations added via `addOwnCheckpointAttestations` bypass the per-signer cap.
+
+## Stage 3: Equivocation Detection
+
+When a signer's attestation count for a slot reaches exactly 2 (different proposals): `duplicateAttestationCallback` fires -> `WANT_TO_SLASH_EVENT` with `OffenseType.DUPLICATE_ATTESTATION`. Attestation still ACCEPTED and rebroadcast. Callback fires once (not again at count 3+).
+
+## Validation at L1 Checkpoint Submission (Archiver)
+
+| Rule | Consequence | File |
+|------|-------------|------|
+| Each attestation must have recoverable signature (or address-only is allowed but does not count toward quorum) | Checkpoint rejected as invalid | `archiver/src/modules/validation.ts` |
+| Attestation at index `i` must correspond to committee member at index `i` | Checkpoint rejected as invalid | same |
+| Valid attestation count >= floor(committee * 2/3) + 1 | Checkpoint rejected as invalid | same |
+| No committee / escape hatch open | Accepted unconditionally | same |
+
+Note: `skipValidateCheckpointAttestations` config flag bypasses all archiver attestation validation.
+
+## Gossipsub Topic Scoring
+
+P3 enabled with expected messages per slot = `targetCommitteeSize`. Conservative threshold (30% of convergence value). Max P3 penalty = -34 per topic.
+

package/src/msg_validators/attestation_validator/attestation_validator.ts

@@ -8,14 +8,21 @@ import {
   type ValidationResult,
 } from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
 
-import { isWithinClockTolerance } from '../clock_tolerance.js';
+import { PipeliningWindow, isWithinClockTolerance } from '../clock_tolerance.js';
 
 export class CheckpointAttestationValidator implements P2PValidator<CheckpointAttestation> {
   protected epochCache: EpochCacheInterface;
   protected logger: Logger;
+  private readonly pipeliningWindow: PipeliningWindow;
 
-  constructor(epochCache: EpochCacheInterface) {
+  constructor(
+    epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
+    opts: {
+      l1PublishingTime?: number;
+    },
+  ) {
     this.epochCache = epochCache;
+    this.pipeliningWindow = new PipeliningWindow(epochCache, { l1PublishingTime: opts.l1PublishingTime });
     this.logger = createLogger('p2p:checkpoint-attestation-validator');
   }
 
@@ -23,18 +30,23 @@ export class CheckpointAttestationValidator implements P2PValidator<CheckpointAt
     const slotNumber = message.payload.header.slotNumber;
 
     try {
-      const { currentSlot, nextSlot } = this.epochCache.getCurrentAndNextSlot();
+      // Use target slots since proposals target pipeline slots (slot + 1 when pipelining).
+      const { targetSlot, nextSlot } = this.epochCache.getTargetAndNextSlot();
 
-      if (slotNumber !== currentSlot && slotNumber !== nextSlot) {
-        // Check if message is for previous slot and within clock tolerance
-        if (!isWithinClockTolerance(slotNumber, currentSlot, this.epochCache)) {
+      if (slotNumber !== targetSlot && slotNumber !== nextSlot) {
+        // When pipelining, accept attestations for the current slot (built in the previous slot)
+        // until the target slot reaches its L1 publish cutoff.
+        if (this.pipeliningWindow.acceptsAttestation(slotNumber)) {
+          // Fall through to remaining validation (signature, committee, etc.)
+        } else if (!isWithinClockTolerance(slotNumber, targetSlot, this.epochCache)) {
           this.logger.warn(
-            `Checkpoint attestation slot ${slotNumber} is not current (${currentSlot}) or next (${nextSlot}) slot`,
+            `Checkpoint attestation slot ${slotNumber} is not current (${targetSlot}) or next (${nextSlot}) slot`,
           );
           return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.HighToleranceError };
+        } else {
+          this.logger.debug(`Ignoring checkpoint attestation for previous slot ${slotNumber} within clock tolerance`);
+          return { result: 'ignore' };
         }
-        this.logger.debug(`Ignoring checkpoint attestation for previous slot ${slotNumber} within clock tolerance`);
-        return { result: 'ignore' };
       }
 
       // Verify the signature is valid

package/src/msg_validators/attestation_validator/fisherman_attestation_validator.ts

@@ -20,8 +20,11 @@ export class FishermanAttestationValidator extends CheckpointAttestationValidato
     epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
     private attestationPool: AttestationPoolApi,
     telemetryClient: TelemetryClient,
+    opts: {
+      l1PublishingTime?: number;
+    } = {},
   ) {
-    super(epochCache);
+    super(epochCache, opts);
     this.logger = this.logger.createChild('[FISHERMAN]');
 
     const meter = telemetryClient.getMeter('FishermanAttestationValidator');

package/src/msg_validators/clock_tolerance.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { EpochCacheInterface } from '@aztec/epoch-cache';
 import { SlotNumber } from '@aztec/foundation/branded-types';
+import { DEFAULT_P2P_PROPAGATION_TIME, createPipelinedCheckpointTimingModel } from '@aztec/stdlib/timetable';
 
 /**
  * Maximum clock disparity tolerance for P2P message validation (in milliseconds).
@@ -36,10 +37,11 @@ export function isWithinClockTolerance(
   }
 
   // Check how far we are into the current slot (in milliseconds)
-  const { ts: slotStartTs, nowMs, slot } = epochCache.getEpochAndSlotNow();
+  const { ts: slotStartTs, nowMs } = epochCache.getEpochAndSlotNow();
+  const targetSlot = epochCache.getTargetSlot();
 
-  // Sanity check: ensure the epoch cache's current slot matches the expected current slot
-  if (slot !== currentSlot) {
+  // Sanity check: ensure the epoch cache's target slot matches the expected current slot
+  if (targetSlot !== currentSlot) {
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -49,3 +51,70 @@ export function isWithinClockTolerance(
 
   return elapsedMs < MAXIMUM_GOSSIP_CLOCK_DISPARITY_MS;
 }
+
+/**
+ * Checks if a message should be accepted under the pipelining grace period.
+ *
+ * When pipelining is enabled, `targetSlot = slotNow + 1`. A proposal built in slot N-1
+ * for slot N arrives when validators are in slot N, so their `targetSlot = N+1`.
+ * This function accepts proposals for the current wallclock slot if we're within the
+ * first `windowSeconds` seconds of the slot (the pipelining grace period). - see stdlib/timetable/index.ts
+ *
+ * @param messageSlot - The slot number from the received message
+ * @param epochCache - EpochCache to get timing and pipelining state
+ * @param windowSeconds - The window grace period allowed for attestations into the next slot
+ * @returns true if pipelining is enabled, the message is for the current slot, and we're within the grace period
+ */
+function isWithinPipeliningWindow(
+  messageSlot: SlotNumber,
+  epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
+  windowSeconds: number,
+): boolean {
+  if (!epochCache.isProposerPipeliningEnabled()) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const currentSlot = epochCache.getSlotNow();
+  if (messageSlot !== currentSlot) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const { ts: slotStartTs, nowMs } = epochCache.getEpochAndSlotNow();
+  const slotStartMs = slotStartTs * 1000n;
+  const elapsedMs = Number(nowMs - slotStartMs);
+  const windowMs = windowSeconds * 1000 + MAXIMUM_GOSSIP_CLOCK_DISPARITY_MS;
+
+  return elapsedMs < windowMs;
+}
+
+export class PipeliningWindow {
+  private readonly proposalWindowIntoTargetSlot: number;
+  private readonly attestationWindowIntoTargetSlot: number;
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
+    opts: {
+      p2pPropagationTime?: number;
+      l1PublishingTime?: number;
+    } = {},
+  ) {
+    const l1Constants = epochCache.getL1Constants();
+    const checkpointTiming = createPipelinedCheckpointTimingModel({
+      aztecSlotDuration: l1Constants.slotDuration,
+      ethereumSlotDuration: l1Constants.ethereumSlotDuration,
+      l1PublishingTime: opts.l1PublishingTime ?? l1Constants.ethereumSlotDuration,
+      p2pPropagationTime: opts.p2pPropagationTime ?? DEFAULT_P2P_PROPAGATION_TIME,
+    });
+
+    this.proposalWindowIntoTargetSlot = checkpointTiming.proposalWindowIntoTargetSlot;
+    this.attestationWindowIntoTargetSlot = checkpointTiming.attestationWindowIntoTargetSlot;
+  }
+
+  public acceptsProposal(messageSlot: SlotNumber): boolean {
+    return isWithinPipeliningWindow(messageSlot, this.epochCache, this.proposalWindowIntoTargetSlot);
+  }
+
+  public acceptsAttestation(messageSlot: SlotNumber): boolean {
+    return isWithinPipeliningWindow(messageSlot, this.epochCache, this.attestationWindowIntoTargetSlot);
+  }
+}

package/src/msg_validators/proposal_validator/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+# Proposal Validation
+
+This module validates `BlockProposal` and `CheckpointProposal` gossipsub messages. Both share the same base `ProposalValidator` (neither subclass overrides `validate()`), with checkpoint-specific logic layered on top in the gossipsub handler.
+
+## BlockProposal
+
+**Topic**: `block_proposal` | **Snappy size limit**: 10 MB
+
+### Stage 1: Gossipsub Validation (ProposalValidator)
+
+File: `proposal_validator.ts`
+
+| # | Rule | Consequence | Severity |
+|---|------|-------------|----------|
+| 1 | **Slot check**: must be `currentSlot` or `nextSlot`. Previous slot within 500ms tolerance: IGNORE. | REJECT | HighToleranceError |
+| 2 | **Signature**: `getSender()` must recover a valid address. If `signedTxs` present, its recovered sender must match. | REJECT | MidToleranceError |
+| 3 | **Txs permitted**: if `disableTransactions`, must have 0 txHashes and 0 embedded txs | REJECT | MidToleranceError |
+| 4 | **Max txs**: `txHashes.length <= maxTxsPerBlock` | REJECT | MidToleranceError |
+| 5 | **Embedded txs in txHashes**: every embedded tx's hash must appear in `txHashes` | REJECT | MidToleranceError |
+| 6 | **Proposer check**: signer must match expected proposer for slot (skipped if committee size = 0) | REJECT | MidToleranceError |
+| 7 | **Tx hash integrity**: each embedded tx's recomputed hash must match declared hash | REJECT | LowToleranceError |
+| 8 | **NoCommitteeError**: epoch cache cannot determine committee | REJECT | LowToleranceError |
+
+Deserialization guards: `BlockProposal.fromBuffer` and `SignedTxs.fromBuffer` both enforce `txCount <= MAX_TXS_PER_BLOCK` (65536). Violation -> REJECT + LowToleranceError.
+
+### Stage 2: Mempool (Attestation Pool)
+
+| # | Rule | Consequence |
+|---|------|-------------|
+| 9 | **Duplicate**: same archive root already stored | IGNORE (no penalty) |
+| 10 | **Per-position cap**: max 2 proposals per (slot, indexWithinCheckpoint) | REJECT + HighToleranceError |
+| 11 | **Equivocation**: >1 distinct proposal for same (slot, index) | ACCEPT (rebroadcast for detection). At count=2: `duplicateProposalCallback` fires -> slash event (`OffenseType.DUPLICATE_PROPOSAL`, configured via `slashDuplicateProposalPenalty`) |
+
+### Stage 3: Validator-Client Processing (BlockProposalHandler)
+
+Only runs on validator nodes. Non-validator nodes use a default handler that triggers tx collection without deep validation.
+
+| # | Rule | Failure Reason |
+|---|------|----------------|
+| 12 | Signature re-check | `invalid_proposal` |
+| 13 | ProposalValidator re-run | `invalid_proposal` |
+| 14 | Self-proposal filter | Ignored silently |
+| 15 | Parent block exists (`lastArchive.root` matches known block or genesis) | `parent_block_not_found` |
+| 16 | Parent block slot <= proposal slot | `parent_block_wrong_slot` |
+| 17 | Block number not already in archiver | `block_number_already_exists` |
+| 18 | Checkpoint number consistency (multiple sub-rules for first/non-first blocks) | `invalid_proposal` |
+| 19 | Global variables consistency (non-first block: chainId, version, slot, timestamp, coinbase, feeRecipient, gasFees match parent) | `global_variables_mismatch` |
+| 20 | L1-to-L2 message hash matches `proposal.inHash` | `in_hash_mismatch` |
+| 21 | All txs referenced by `txHashes` obtainable | `txs_not_available` |
+| 22 | **Re-execution**: processed tx count matches `txHashes.length` | `timeout` (ReExTimeoutError) |
+| 23 | **Re-execution**: no failed txs | `failed_txs` (ReExFailedTxsError) -- **SLASHABLE** |
+| 24 | **Re-execution**: archive root and header match proposal | `state_mismatch` (ReExStateMismatchError) -- **SLASHABLE** |
+
+**Escape hatch**: during escape hatch periods (`isEscapeHatchOpenAtSlot`), re-execution and slashing are both disabled, and the proposal is rejected locally.
+
+**Conditional re-execution**: rules 22-24 only run when at least one condition is true: `fishermanMode` enabled, `slashBroadcastedInvalidBlockPenalty > 0`, committee membership, `alwaysReexecuteBlockProposals`, or `blobClient.canUpload()`.
+
+**Slashing**: only `state_mismatch` and `failed_txs` trigger on-chain slashing (`OffenseType.BROADCASTED_INVALID_BLOCK_PROPOSAL`, gated by `slashBroadcastedInvalidBlockPenalty > 0`). Unknown errors during re-execution do NOT slash.
+
+**Embedded tx validation**: txs in `signedTxs` are validated via `createTxValidatorForBlockProposalReceivedTxs` (well-formedness only) when stored in the tx pool. Invalid embedded txs are rejected from the pool but do not cause the block proposal itself to be rejected at gossipsub level.
+
+### Gossipsub Topic Scoring
+
+| Parameter | Effect |
+|-----------|--------|
+| P4 (invalidMessageDeliveries) | weight = -20, decay over 4 slots |
+| P3 (meshMessageDeliveries) | Enabled only when `expectedBlockProposalsPerSlot > 0` (MBPS mode) |
+| P1/P2 | Only active when P3 is enabled |
+
+---
+
+## CheckpointProposal
+
+**Topic**: `checkpoint_proposal` | **Snappy size limit**: 10 MB
+
+### Stage 1: Gossipsub Validation (ProposalValidator)
+
+Same `ProposalValidator.validate()` as BlockProposal (shared implementation, neither subclass overrides it). See BlockProposal Stage 1 rules 1-8.
+
+### Stage 2: Embedded Block Proposal Validation (if `lastBlock` present)
+
+The checkpoint's embedded `lastBlock` is extracted via `getBlockProposal()` and validated through `BlockProposalValidator.validate()` plus block mempool checks.
+
+| Rule | Consequence | File |
+|------|-------------|------|
+| Block proposal must pass `BlockProposalValidator.validate()` | If REJECT: entire checkpoint REJECTED | `libp2p_service.ts` |
+| Block proposal must not exceed per-position cap (2) | Checkpoint REJECTED + HighToleranceError | same |
+| Block equivocation detected (>1 proposals for same slot+index) | Checkpoint REJECTED (block itself is ACCEPT for re-broadcast) | same |
+
+### Stage 3: Mempool (Attestation Pool)
+
+| Rule | Consequence | File |
+|------|-------------|------|
+| Duplicate (same archive ID) | IGNORE (no penalty). Embedded block still processed if valid. | `attestation_pool.ts` |
+| Per-slot cap: `MAX_CHECKPOINT_PROPOSALS_PER_SLOT` = 2 | REJECT + HighToleranceError. Embedded block still processed. | same |
+
+### Stage 4: Equivocation Detection
+
+When >1 checkpoint proposals exist for same slot (count > 1): ACCEPT (re-broadcast). At count == 2 (exactly): `duplicateProposalCallback` fires. Proposal NOT further processed. Callback fires only once per equivocation pair.
+
+### Stage 5: Validator-Client Consensus Validation
+
+Determines whether the validator signs an attestation.
+
+| Rule | Consequence | File |
+|------|-------------|------|
+| Escape hatch open | No attestation | `validator-client/src/validator.ts` |
+| Signature invalid (re-check) | No attestation | same |
+| Self-proposal | No attestation (ignored) | same |
+| `feeAssetPriceModifier` outside [-100, +100] bps | No attestation | same |
+| Not in committee (unless fisherman mode) | No attestation | same |
+| Checkpoint header mismatch (computed vs proposal) | No attestation | same |
+| Archive root mismatch | No attestation | same |
+| Epoch out hash mismatch | No attestation | same |
+| Last block not found / not matching | No attestation | same |
+| Already attested to this or earlier slot | No attestation (unless `attestToEquivocatedProposals`) | same |
+
+**`skipCheckpointProposalValidation` config**: when true, the re-execution checks (header/archive/epoch hash) are all skipped. Signature, fee modifier, committee, escape hatch, and equivocation checks still apply.
+
+### Gossipsub Topic Scoring
+
+P3 enabled with expected rate of 1 message per slot. P4 weight = -20, max P3 penalty = -34 per topic.
+

package/src/msg_validators/proposal_validator/block_proposal_validator.ts

@@ -1,10 +1,23 @@
 import type { EpochCacheInterface } from '@aztec/epoch-cache';
-import type { BlockProposal, P2PValidator } from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
+import type { BlockProposal, P2PValidator, ValidationResult } from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
 
 import { ProposalValidator } from '../proposal_validator/proposal_validator.js';
 
-export class BlockProposalValidator extends ProposalValidator<BlockProposal> implements P2PValidator<BlockProposal> {
-  constructor(epochCache: EpochCacheInterface, opts: { txsPermitted: boolean }) {
-    super(epochCache, opts, 'p2p:block_proposal_validator');
+export class BlockProposalValidator implements P2PValidator<BlockProposal> {
+  private proposalValidator: ProposalValidator;
+
+  constructor(
+    epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
+    opts: { txsPermitted: boolean; maxTxsPerBlock?: number; p2pPropagationTime?: number },
+  ) {
+    this.proposalValidator = new ProposalValidator(epochCache, opts, 'p2p:block_proposal_validator');
+  }
+
+  async validate(proposal: BlockProposal): Promise<ValidationResult> {
+    const headerResult = await this.proposalValidator.validate(proposal);
+    if (headerResult.result !== 'accept') {
+      return headerResult;
+    }
+    return this.proposalValidator.validateTxs(proposal);
   }
 }

package/src/msg_validators/proposal_validator/checkpoint_proposal_validator.ts

@@ -1,13 +1,29 @@
 import type { EpochCacheInterface } from '@aztec/epoch-cache';
-import type { CheckpointProposal, P2PValidator } from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
+import type { CheckpointProposal, P2PValidator, ValidationResult } from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
 
 import { ProposalValidator } from '../proposal_validator/proposal_validator.js';
 
-export class CheckpointProposalValidator
-  extends ProposalValidator<CheckpointProposal>
-  implements P2PValidator<CheckpointProposal>
-{
-  constructor(epochCache: EpochCacheInterface, opts: { txsPermitted: boolean }) {
-    super(epochCache, opts, 'p2p:checkpoint_proposal_validator');
+export class CheckpointProposalValidator implements P2PValidator<CheckpointProposal> {
+  private proposalValidator: ProposalValidator;
+
+  constructor(
+    epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
+    opts: { txsPermitted: boolean; maxTxsPerBlock?: number; p2pPropagationTime?: number },
+  ) {
+    this.proposalValidator = new ProposalValidator(epochCache, opts, 'p2p:checkpoint_proposal_validator');
+  }
+
+  async validate(proposal: CheckpointProposal): Promise<ValidationResult> {
+    const headerResult = await this.proposalValidator.validate(proposal);
+    if (headerResult.result !== 'accept') {
+      return headerResult;
+    }
+
+    const blockProposal = proposal.getBlockProposal();
+    if (blockProposal) {
+      return this.proposalValidator.validateTxs(blockProposal);
+    }
+
+    return { result: 'accept' };
   }
 }

package/src/msg_validators/proposal_validator/proposal_validator.ts

@@ -1,34 +1,54 @@
 import type { EpochCacheInterface } from '@aztec/epoch-cache';
 import { NoCommitteeError } from '@aztec/ethereum/contracts';
 import { type Logger, createLogger } from '@aztec/foundation/log';
-import { BlockProposal, CheckpointProposal, PeerErrorSeverity, type ValidationResult } from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
+import {
+  type BlockProposal,
+  type CheckpointProposalCore,
+  PeerErrorSeverity,
+  type ValidationResult,
+} from '@aztec/stdlib/p2p';
 
-import { isWithinClockTolerance } from '../clock_tolerance.js';
+import { PipeliningWindow, isWithinClockTolerance } from '../clock_tolerance.js';
 
-export abstract class ProposalValidator<TProposal extends BlockProposal | CheckpointProposal> {
-  protected epochCache: EpochCacheInterface;
-  protected logger: Logger;
-  protected txsPermitted: boolean;
+/** Validates header-level and tx-level fields of block and checkpoint proposals. */
+export class ProposalValidator {
+  private epochCache: EpochCacheInterface;
+  private logger: Logger;
+  private txsPermitted: boolean;
+  private maxTxsPerBlock?: number;
+  private pipeliningWindow: PipeliningWindow;
 
-  constructor(epochCache: EpochCacheInterface, opts: { txsPermitted: boolean }, loggerName: string) {
+  constructor(
+    epochCache: EpochCacheInterface,
+    opts: { txsPermitted: boolean; maxTxsPerBlock?: number; p2pPropagationTime?: number },
+    loggerName: string,
+  ) {
     this.epochCache = epochCache;
     this.txsPermitted = opts.txsPermitted;
+    this.maxTxsPerBlock = opts.maxTxsPerBlock;
+    this.pipeliningWindow = new PipeliningWindow(epochCache, { p2pPropagationTime: opts.p2pPropagationTime });
     this.logger = createLogger(loggerName);
   }
 
-  public async validate(proposal: TProposal): Promise<ValidationResult> {
+  /** Validates header-level fields: slot, signature, and proposer. */
+  public async validate(proposal: BlockProposal | CheckpointProposalCore): Promise<ValidationResult> {
     try {
-      // Slot check
-      const { currentSlot, nextSlot } = this.epochCache.getCurrentAndNextSlot();
+      // Slot check: use target slots since proposals target pipeline slots (slot + 1 when pipelining).
+      const { targetSlot, nextSlot } = this.epochCache.getTargetAndNextSlot();
+
       const slotNumber = proposal.slotNumber;
-      if (slotNumber !== currentSlot && slotNumber !== nextSlot) {
-        // Check if message is for previous slot and within clock tolerance
-        if (!isWithinClockTolerance(slotNumber, currentSlot, this.epochCache)) {
-          this.logger.warn(`Penalizing peer for invalid slot number ${slotNumber}`, { currentSlot, nextSlot });
+      if (slotNumber !== targetSlot && slotNumber !== nextSlot) {
+        // When pipelining, accept proposals for the current slot (built in the previous slot)
+        // if they're still within the shared proposal acceptance window.
+        if (this.pipeliningWindow.acceptsProposal(slotNumber)) {
+          // Fall through to remaining validation (signature, proposer, etc.)
+        } else if (!isWithinClockTolerance(slotNumber, targetSlot, this.epochCache)) {
+          this.logger.warn(`Penalizing peer for invalid slot number ${slotNumber}`, { targetSlot, nextSlot });
           return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.HighToleranceError };
+        } else {
+          this.logger.verbose(`Ignoring proposal for previous slot ${slotNumber} within clock tolerance`);
+          return { result: 'ignore' };
         }
-        this.logger.verbose(`Ignoring proposal for previous slot ${slotNumber} within clock tolerance`);
-        return { result: 'ignore' };
       }
 
       // Signature validity
@@ -38,30 +58,6 @@ export abstract class ProposalValidator<TProposal extends BlockProposal | Checkp
         return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
       }
 
-      // Transactions permitted check
-      const embeddedTxCount = proposal.txs?.length ?? 0;
-      if (!this.txsPermitted && (proposal.txHashes.length > 0 || embeddedTxCount > 0)) {
-        this.logger.warn(
-          `Penalizing peer for proposal with ${proposal.txHashes.length} transaction(s) when transactions are not permitted`,
-        );
-        return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
-      }
-
-      // Embedded txs must be listed in txHashes
-      const hashSet = new Set(proposal.txHashes.map(h => h.toString()));
-      const missingTxHashes =
-        embeddedTxCount > 0
-          ? proposal.txs!.filter(tx => !hashSet.has(tx.getTxHash().toString())).map(tx => tx.getTxHash().toString())
-          : [];
-      if (embeddedTxCount > 0 && missingTxHashes.length > 0) {
-        this.logger.warn('Penalizing peer for embedded transaction(s) not included in txHashes', {
-          embeddedTxCount,
-          txHashesLength: proposal.txHashes.length,
-          missingTxHashes,
-        });
-        return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
-      }
-
       // Proposer check
       const expectedProposer = await this.epochCache.getProposerAttesterAddressInSlot(slotNumber);
       if (expectedProposer !== undefined && !proposer.equals(expectedProposer)) {
@@ -72,15 +68,6 @@ export abstract class ProposalValidator<TProposal extends BlockProposal | Checkp
         return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
       }
 
-      // Validate tx hashes for all txs embedded in the proposal
-      if (!(await Promise.all(proposal.txs?.map(tx => tx.validateTxHash()) ?? [])).every(v => v)) {
-        this.logger.warn(`Penalizing peer for invalid tx hashes in proposal`, {
-          proposer,
-          slotNumber,
-        });
-        return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.LowToleranceError };
-      }
-
       return { result: 'accept' };
     } catch (e) {
       if (e instanceof NoCommitteeError) {
@@ -89,4 +76,47 @@ export abstract class ProposalValidator<TProposal extends BlockProposal | Checkp
       throw e;
     }
   }
+
+  /** Validates transaction-related fields of a block proposal. */
+  public async validateTxs(proposal: BlockProposal): Promise<ValidationResult> {
+    // Transactions permitted check
+    const embeddedTxCount = proposal.txs?.length ?? 0;
+    if (!this.txsPermitted && (proposal.txHashes.length > 0 || embeddedTxCount > 0)) {
+      this.logger.warn(
+        `Penalizing peer for proposal with ${proposal.txHashes.length} transaction(s) when transactions are not permitted`,
+      );
+      return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
+    }
+
+    // Max txs per block check
+    if (this.maxTxsPerBlock !== undefined && proposal.txHashes.length > this.maxTxsPerBlock) {
+      this.logger.warn(
+        `Penalizing peer for proposal with ${proposal.txHashes.length} transaction(s) when max is ${this.maxTxsPerBlock}`,
+      );
+      return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
+    }
+
+    // Embedded txs must be listed in txHashes
+    const hashSet = new Set(proposal.txHashes.map(h => h.toString()));
+    const missingTxHashes =
+      embeddedTxCount > 0
+        ? proposal.txs!.filter(tx => !hashSet.has(tx.getTxHash().toString())).map(tx => tx.getTxHash().toString())
+        : [];
+    if (embeddedTxCount > 0 && missingTxHashes.length > 0) {
+      this.logger.warn('Penalizing peer for embedded transaction(s) not included in txHashes', {
+        embeddedTxCount,
+        txHashesLength: proposal.txHashes.length,
+        missingTxHashes,
+      });
+      return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.MidToleranceError };
+    }
+
+    // Validate tx hashes for all txs embedded in the proposal
+    if (!(await Promise.all(proposal.txs?.map(tx => tx.validateTxHash()) ?? [])).every(v => v)) {
+      this.logger.warn(`Penalizing peer for invalid tx hashes in proposal`);
+      return { result: 'reject', severity: PeerErrorSeverity.LowToleranceError };
+    }
+
+    return { result: 'accept' };
+  }
 }