diff --git a/lxst-relay b/lxst-relay
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/lxst_relay.py b/lxst_relay.py
index eb75947..32e7c17 100644
--- a/lxst_relay.py
+++ b/lxst_relay.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ with ``/create_channel <name>``. Each channel is its own
 Reticulum node with a unique identity.
 """
 
+import json
+
 import RNS
 import LXMF
 import os
@@ -467,11 +469,13 @@ class LXSTRelay(SignallingReceiver):
         rnsconfigdir=None,
         channel_name="default",
         verbosity=0,
+        announce_interval=0,
     ):
         super().__init__()
         self.configdir = configdir
         self.channel_name = channel_name
         self.should_run = False
+        self.announce_interval = announce_interval
 
         if self.configdir is None:
             if os.path.isdir("/etc/lxst-relay"):
@@ -626,6 +630,8 @@ class LXSTRelay(SignallingReceiver):
 
         if content.startswith("/create_channel"):
             self._cmd_create_channel(message, content, sender_hash)
+        elif content.startswith("/channels_json"):
+            self._cmd_list_channels_as_json(message)
         elif content.startswith("/channels"):
             self._cmd_list_channels(message)
         else:
@@ -675,6 +681,15 @@ class LXSTRelay(SignallingReceiver):
             lines.append(f"  {name}  →  {hash_hex}")
         self._bot_reply(message, "\n".join(lines))
 
+    
+    def _cmd_list_channels_as_json(self, message):
+        if not self.channel_manager.channels:
+            self._bot_reply(message, "No channels created yet.")
+            return
+
+        channels = [RNS.hexrep(node.destination.hash, delimit=False) for node in self.channel_manager.channels.values()]
+        self._bot_reply(message, json.dumps(channels))
+
     # -- Send reply ----------------------------------------------------
 
     def _bot_reply(self, incoming_msg, text):
@@ -734,6 +749,11 @@ class LXSTRelay(SignallingReceiver):
         self.channel_manager.announce_all()
         RNS.log("Relay announced on network", RNS.LOG_NOTICE)
 
+    def _announce_loop(self):
+        while self.should_run:
+            time.sleep(self.announce_interval)
+            self.announce()
+
     def start(self):
         if self.should_run:
             return
@@ -761,6 +781,12 @@ class LXSTRelay(SignallingReceiver):
         )
         RNS.log("Waiting for calls and messages...", RNS.LOG_NOTICE)
 
+        if self.announce_interval > 0:
+            threading.Thread(
+                target=self._announce_loop,
+                daemon=True,
+            ).start()
+
         while self.should_run:
             time.sleep(1)
 
@@ -820,6 +846,12 @@ def main():
     parser.add_argument(
         "-v", "--verbose", action="count", default=0
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--announce_interval",
+        default=0,
+        help="seconds between announces (0 = announce once at startup, default)",
+        type=int,
+    )
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
@@ -828,6 +860,7 @@ def main():
         rnsconfigdir=args.rnsconfig,
         channel_name=args.channel,
         verbosity=args.verbose,
+        announce_interval=args.announce_interval,
     )
 
     try: