diff --git a/conversations/src/chat.rs b/conversations/src/chat.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd4458f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/conversations/src/chat.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+use std::rc::Rc;
+
+use crate::{
+    common::{Chat, ChatStore, HasChatId},
+    errors::ChatError,
+    identity::Identity,
+    inbox::{Inbox, Introduction},
+    types::{AddressedEnvelope, ContentData},
+};
+
+/// ChatManager is the main entry point for the conversations API.
+/// It manages identity, inbox, and active chats.
+///
+/// This is a pure Rust API - for FFI bindings, use `Context` which wraps this
+/// with handle-based access.
+pub struct ChatManager {
+    identity: Rc<Identity>,
+    store: ChatStore,
+    inbox: Inbox,
+}
+
+impl ChatManager {
+    /// Create a new ChatManager with a fresh identity.
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        let identity = Rc::new(Identity::new());
+        let inbox = Inbox::new(Rc::clone(&identity));
+        Self {
+            identity,
+            store: ChatStore::new(),
+            inbox,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Create a new ChatManager with an existing identity.
+    pub fn with_identity(identity: Identity) -> Self {
+        let identity = Rc::new(identity);
+        let inbox = Inbox::new(Rc::clone(&identity));
+        Self {
+            identity,
+            store: ChatStore::new(),
+            inbox,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Get the local identity's public address.
+    pub fn local_address(&self) -> String {
+        self.identity.address()
+    }
+
+    /// Create an introduction bundle that can be shared with others.
+    /// They can use this to initiate a chat with you.
+    pub fn create_intro_bundle(&mut self) -> Result<Introduction, ChatError> {
+        let pkb = self.inbox.create_bundle();
+        Ok(Introduction::from(pkb))
+    }
+
+    /// Start a new private conversation with someone using their introduction bundle.
+    ///
+    /// Returns the chat ID and envelopes that must be delivered to the remote party.
+    pub fn start_private_chat(
+        &mut self,
+        remote_bundle: &Introduction,
+        initial_message: &str,
+    ) -> Result<(String, Vec<AddressedEnvelope>), ChatError> {
+        let (convo, payloads) = self
+            .inbox
+            .invite_to_private_convo(remote_bundle, initial_message.to_string())?;
+
+        let chat_id = convo.id().to_string();
+
+        let envelopes: Vec<AddressedEnvelope> = payloads
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|p| p.to_envelope(chat_id.clone()))
+            .collect();
+
+        self.store.insert_chat(convo);
+
+        Ok((chat_id, envelopes))
+    }
+
+    /// Send a message to an existing chat.
+    ///
+    /// Returns envelopes that must be delivered to chat participants.
+    pub fn send_message(
+        &mut self,
+        chat_id: &str,
+        content: &[u8],
+    ) -> Result<Vec<AddressedEnvelope>, ChatError> {
+        let chat = self
+            .store
+            .get_mut_chat(chat_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| ChatError::NoChatId(chat_id.to_string()))?;
+
+        let payloads = chat.send_message(content)?;
+
+        Ok(payloads
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|p| p.to_envelope(chat.remote_id()))
+            .collect())
+    }
+
+    /// Handle an incoming payload from the network.
+    ///
+    /// Returns the decrypted content if successful.
+    pub fn handle_incoming(&mut self, _payload: &[u8]) -> Result<ContentData, ChatError> {
+        // TODO: Implement proper payload handling
+        // 1. Determine if this is an inbox message or a chat message
+        // 2. Route to appropriate handler
+        // 3. Return decrypted content
+        Ok(ContentData {
+            conversation_id: "convo_id".into(),
+            data: vec![1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6],
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Get a reference to an active chat.
+    pub fn get_chat(&self, chat_id: &str) -> Option<&dyn Chat> {
+        self.store.get_chat(chat_id)
+    }
+
+    /// Get a mutable reference to an active chat.
+    pub fn get_chat_mut(&mut self, chat_id: &str) -> Option<&mut dyn Chat> {
+        self.store.get_mut_chat(chat_id)
+    }
+
+    /// List all active chat IDs.
+    pub fn list_chats(&self) -> Vec<String> {
+        self.store.chat_ids().map(|id| id.to_string()).collect()
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for ChatManager {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new()
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_create_chat_manager() {
+        let manager = ChatManager::new();
+        assert!(!manager.local_address().is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_create_intro_bundle() {
+        let mut manager = ChatManager::new();
+        let bundle = manager.create_intro_bundle();
+        assert!(bundle.is_ok());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_start_private_chat() {
+        let mut alice = ChatManager::new();
+        let mut bob = ChatManager::new();
+
+        // Bob creates an intro bundle
+        let bob_intro = bob.create_intro_bundle().unwrap();
+
+        // Alice starts a chat with Bob
+        let result = alice.start_private_chat(&bob_intro, "Hello Bob!");
+        assert!(result.is_ok());
+
+        let (chat_id, envelopes) = result.unwrap();
+        assert!(!chat_id.is_empty());
+        assert!(!envelopes.is_empty());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/conversations/src/context.rs b/conversations/src/context.rs
index 6e0f041..f401c37 100644
--- a/conversations/src/context.rs
+++ b/conversations/src/context.rs
@@ -1,113 +1,146 @@
-use std::{collections::HashMap, rc::Rc, sync::Arc};
+//! FFI-oriented context that wraps ChatManager with handle-based access.
+//!
+//! For pure Rust usage, prefer using `ChatManager` directly from `chat.rs`.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 use crate::{
-    common::{Chat, ChatStore, HasChatId},
+    chat::ChatManager,
     errors::ChatError,
-    identity::Identity,
-    inbox::Inbox,
     types::{AddressedEnvelope, ContentData},
 };
 
 pub use crate::inbox::Introduction;
 
-//Offset handles to make debuging easier
+// Offset handles to make debugging easier
 const INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE: u32 = 0xF5000001;
 
-/// Used to identify a conversation on the othersize of the FFI.
+/// Used to identify a conversation across the FFI boundary.
+/// This is an opaque integer handle that maps to an internal ChatId string.
 pub type ConvoHandle = u32;
 
-// This is the main entry point to the conversations api.
-// Ctx manages lifetimes of objects to process and generate payloads.
+/// Context is the FFI-oriented wrapper around ChatManager.
+///
+/// It provides handle-based access to chats, suitable for FFI consumers
+/// that can't work with Rust strings directly.
+///
+/// For pure Rust usage, prefer using `ChatManager` directly.
 pub struct Context {
-    _identity: Rc<Identity>,
-    store: ChatStore,
-    inbox: Inbox,
-    convo_handle_map: HashMap<u32, Arc<str>>,
-    next_convo_handle: ConvoHandle,
+    manager: ChatManager,
+    /// Maps FFI handles to internal chat IDs
+    handle_to_chat_id: HashMap<ConvoHandle, String>,
+    /// Maps chat IDs back to FFI handles for lookup
+    chat_id_to_handle: HashMap<String, ConvoHandle>,
+    next_handle: ConvoHandle,
 }
 
 impl Context {
     pub fn new() -> Self {
-        let identity = Rc::new(Identity::new());
-        let inbox = Inbox::new(Rc::clone(&identity)); //
         Self {
-            _identity: identity,
-            store: ChatStore::new(),
-            inbox,
-            convo_handle_map: HashMap::new(),
-            next_convo_handle: INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE,
+            manager: ChatManager::new(),
+            handle_to_chat_id: HashMap::new(),
+            chat_id_to_handle: HashMap::new(),
+            next_handle: INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE,
         }
     }
 
+    /// Create a Context wrapping an existing ChatManager.
+    pub fn with_manager(manager: ChatManager) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            manager,
+            handle_to_chat_id: HashMap::new(),
+            chat_id_to_handle: HashMap::new(),
+            next_handle: INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Access the underlying ChatManager for direct Rust API usage.
+    pub fn manager(&self) -> &ChatManager {
+        &self.manager
+    }
+
+    /// Access the underlying ChatManager mutably.
+    pub fn manager_mut(&mut self) -> &mut ChatManager {
+        &mut self.manager
+    }
+
+    /// Create an introduction bundle for sharing with other users.
+    pub fn create_intro_bundle(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>, ChatError> {
+        let intro = self.manager.create_intro_bundle()?;
+        Ok(intro.into())
+    }
+
+    /// Create a new private conversation using a remote party's introduction bundle.
+    ///
+    /// Returns an FFI handle and addressed envelopes to be delivered.
     pub fn create_private_convo(
         &mut self,
         remote_bundle: &Introduction,
         content: String,
     ) -> (ConvoHandle, Vec<AddressedEnvelope>) {
-        let (convo, payloads) = self
-            .inbox
-            .invite_to_private_convo(remote_bundle, content)
+        let (chat_id, envelopes) = self
+            .manager
+            .start_private_chat(remote_bundle, &content)
             .unwrap_or_else(|_| todo!("Log/Surface Error"));
 
-        let payload_bytes = payloads
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|p| p.to_envelope(convo.id().to_string()))
-            .collect();
-
-        let convo_handle = self.add_convo(convo);
-        (convo_handle, payload_bytes)
+        let handle = self.register_chat_id(chat_id);
+        (handle, envelopes)
     }
 
+    /// Send content to an existing conversation identified by handle.
     pub fn send_content(
         &mut self,
         convo_handle: ConvoHandle,
         content: &[u8],
     ) -> Result<Vec<AddressedEnvelope>, ChatError> {
-        // Lookup convo from handle
-        let convo = self.get_convo_mut(convo_handle)?;
-
-        // Generate encrypted payloads
-        let payloads = convo.send_message(content)?;
-
-        // Attach conversation_ids to Envelopes
-        Ok(payloads
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|p| p.to_envelope(convo.remote_id()))
-            .collect())
+        let chat_id = self.resolve_handle(convo_handle)?;
+        self.manager.send_message(&chat_id, content)
     }
 
-    pub fn handle_payload(&mut self, _payload: &[u8]) -> Option<ContentData> {
-        // !TODO Replace Mock
-        Some(ContentData {
-            conversation_id: "convo_id".into(),
-            data: vec![1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6],
-        })
+    /// Handle an incoming payload.
+    pub fn handle_payload(&mut self, payload: &[u8]) -> Option<ContentData> {
+        self.manager.handle_incoming(payload).ok()
     }
 
-    pub fn create_intro_bundle(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>, ChatError> {
-        let pkb = self.inbox.create_bundle();
-        Ok(Introduction::from(pkb).into())
+    /// Get the chat ID for a given handle.
+    pub fn get_chat_id(&self, handle: ConvoHandle) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.handle_to_chat_id.get(&handle).map(|s| s.as_str())
     }
 
-    fn add_convo(&mut self, convo: impl Chat + HasChatId + 'static) -> ConvoHandle {
-        let handle = self.next_convo_handle;
-        self.next_convo_handle += 1;
-        let convo_id = self.store.insert_chat(convo);
-        self.convo_handle_map.insert(handle, convo_id);
+    /// Get the handle for a given chat ID.
+    pub fn get_handle(&self, chat_id: &str) -> Option<ConvoHandle> {
+        self.chat_id_to_handle.get(chat_id).copied()
+    }
+
+    // --- Internal helpers ---
+
+    /// Register a chat ID and return its FFI handle.
+    fn register_chat_id(&mut self, chat_id: String) -> ConvoHandle {
+        // Check if already registered
+        if let Some(&handle) = self.chat_id_to_handle.get(&chat_id) {
+            return handle;
+        }
+
+        let handle = self.next_handle;
+        self.next_handle += 1;
+
+        self.handle_to_chat_id.insert(handle, chat_id.clone());
+        self.chat_id_to_handle.insert(chat_id, handle);
 
         handle
     }
 
-    // Returns a mutable reference to a Convo for a given ConvoHandle
-    fn get_convo_mut(&mut self, handle: ConvoHandle) -> Result<&mut dyn Chat, ChatError> {
-        let convo_id = self
-            .convo_handle_map
+    /// Resolve a handle to its chat ID.
+    fn resolve_handle(&self, handle: ConvoHandle) -> Result<String, ChatError> {
+        self.handle_to_chat_id
             .get(&handle)
-            .ok_or_else(|| ChatError::NoConvo(handle))?
-            .clone();
-
-        self.store
-            .get_mut_chat(&convo_id)
+            .cloned()
             .ok_or_else(|| ChatError::NoConvo(handle))
     }
 }
+
+impl Default for Context {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/conversations/src/errors.rs b/conversations/src/errors.rs
index 06cd563..27cc64a 100644
--- a/conversations/src/errors.rs
+++ b/conversations/src/errors.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ pub enum ChatError {
     BadParsing(&'static str),
     #[error("convo with handle: {0} was not found")]
     NoConvo(u32),
+    #[error("chat with id '{0}' was not found")]
+    NoChatId(String),
 }
 
 #[derive(Error, Debug)]
diff --git a/conversations/src/ffi/api.rs b/conversations/src/ffi/api.rs
index a3a8fd5..5a6a97f 100644
--- a/conversations/src/ffi/api.rs
+++ b/conversations/src/ffi/api.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ pub enum ErrorCode {
     UnknownError = -6,
 }
 
-use crate::context::{Context, ConvoHandle, Introduction};
+use super::context::{Context, ConvoHandle, Introduction};
 
 /// Opaque wrapper for Context
 #[derive_ReprC]
diff --git a/conversations/src/ffi/context.rs b/conversations/src/ffi/context.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f401c37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/conversations/src/ffi/context.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+//! FFI-oriented context that wraps ChatManager with handle-based access.
+//!
+//! For pure Rust usage, prefer using `ChatManager` directly from `chat.rs`.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+use crate::{
+    chat::ChatManager,
+    errors::ChatError,
+    types::{AddressedEnvelope, ContentData},
+};
+
+pub use crate::inbox::Introduction;
+
+// Offset handles to make debugging easier
+const INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE: u32 = 0xF5000001;
+
+/// Used to identify a conversation across the FFI boundary.
+/// This is an opaque integer handle that maps to an internal ChatId string.
+pub type ConvoHandle = u32;
+
+/// Context is the FFI-oriented wrapper around ChatManager.
+///
+/// It provides handle-based access to chats, suitable for FFI consumers
+/// that can't work with Rust strings directly.
+///
+/// For pure Rust usage, prefer using `ChatManager` directly.
+pub struct Context {
+    manager: ChatManager,
+    /// Maps FFI handles to internal chat IDs
+    handle_to_chat_id: HashMap<ConvoHandle, String>,
+    /// Maps chat IDs back to FFI handles for lookup
+    chat_id_to_handle: HashMap<String, ConvoHandle>,
+    next_handle: ConvoHandle,
+}
+
+impl Context {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            manager: ChatManager::new(),
+            handle_to_chat_id: HashMap::new(),
+            chat_id_to_handle: HashMap::new(),
+            next_handle: INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Create a Context wrapping an existing ChatManager.
+    pub fn with_manager(manager: ChatManager) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            manager,
+            handle_to_chat_id: HashMap::new(),
+            chat_id_to_handle: HashMap::new(),
+            next_handle: INITIAL_CONVO_HANDLE,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Access the underlying ChatManager for direct Rust API usage.
+    pub fn manager(&self) -> &ChatManager {
+        &self.manager
+    }
+
+    /// Access the underlying ChatManager mutably.
+    pub fn manager_mut(&mut self) -> &mut ChatManager {
+        &mut self.manager
+    }
+
+    /// Create an introduction bundle for sharing with other users.
+    pub fn create_intro_bundle(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<u8>, ChatError> {
+        let intro = self.manager.create_intro_bundle()?;
+        Ok(intro.into())
+    }
+
+    /// Create a new private conversation using a remote party's introduction bundle.
+    ///
+    /// Returns an FFI handle and addressed envelopes to be delivered.
+    pub fn create_private_convo(
+        &mut self,
+        remote_bundle: &Introduction,
+        content: String,
+    ) -> (ConvoHandle, Vec<AddressedEnvelope>) {
+        let (chat_id, envelopes) = self
+            .manager
+            .start_private_chat(remote_bundle, &content)
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| todo!("Log/Surface Error"));
+
+        let handle = self.register_chat_id(chat_id);
+        (handle, envelopes)
+    }
+
+    /// Send content to an existing conversation identified by handle.
+    pub fn send_content(
+        &mut self,
+        convo_handle: ConvoHandle,
+        content: &[u8],
+    ) -> Result<Vec<AddressedEnvelope>, ChatError> {
+        let chat_id = self.resolve_handle(convo_handle)?;
+        self.manager.send_message(&chat_id, content)
+    }
+
+    /// Handle an incoming payload.
+    pub fn handle_payload(&mut self, payload: &[u8]) -> Option<ContentData> {
+        self.manager.handle_incoming(payload).ok()
+    }
+
+    /// Get the chat ID for a given handle.
+    pub fn get_chat_id(&self, handle: ConvoHandle) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.handle_to_chat_id.get(&handle).map(|s| s.as_str())
+    }
+
+    /// Get the handle for a given chat ID.
+    pub fn get_handle(&self, chat_id: &str) -> Option<ConvoHandle> {
+        self.chat_id_to_handle.get(chat_id).copied()
+    }
+
+    // --- Internal helpers ---
+
+    /// Register a chat ID and return its FFI handle.
+    fn register_chat_id(&mut self, chat_id: String) -> ConvoHandle {
+        // Check if already registered
+        if let Some(&handle) = self.chat_id_to_handle.get(&chat_id) {
+            return handle;
+        }
+
+        let handle = self.next_handle;
+        self.next_handle += 1;
+
+        self.handle_to_chat_id.insert(handle, chat_id.clone());
+        self.chat_id_to_handle.insert(chat_id, handle);
+
+        handle
+    }
+
+    /// Resolve a handle to its chat ID.
+    fn resolve_handle(&self, handle: ConvoHandle) -> Result<String, ChatError> {
+        self.handle_to_chat_id
+            .get(&handle)
+            .cloned()
+            .ok_or_else(|| ChatError::NoConvo(handle))
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for Context {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/conversations/src/ffi/mod.rs b/conversations/src/ffi/mod.rs
index e5fdf85..96b95ea 100644
--- a/conversations/src/ffi/mod.rs
+++ b/conversations/src/ffi/mod.rs
@@ -1 +1,4 @@
 pub mod api;
+mod context;
+
+pub use context::{Context, ConvoHandle, Introduction};
diff --git a/conversations/src/inbox/inbox.rs b/conversations/src/inbox/inbox.rs
index b3a8d1b..2155933 100644
--- a/conversations/src/inbox/inbox.rs
+++ b/conversations/src/inbox/inbox.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ use std::rc::Rc;
 use crypto::{PrekeyBundle, SecretKey};
 
 use crate::common::{Chat, ChatId, HasChatId, InboundMessageHandler};
-use crate::context::Introduction;
 use crate::dm::privatev1::PrivateV1Convo;
 use crate::errors::ChatError;
 use crate::identity::Identity;
@@ -17,6 +16,8 @@ use crate::inbox::handshake::InboxHandshake;
 use crate::proto::{self, CopyBytes};
 use crate::types::{AddressedEncryptedPayload, ContentData};
 
+use super::Introduction;
+
 /// Compute the deterministic Delivery_address for an installation
 fn delivery_address_for_installation(_: PublicKey) -> String {
     // TODO: Implement Delivery Address
diff --git a/conversations/src/lib.rs b/conversations/src/lib.rs
index c40aaa0..a4109a2 100644
--- a/conversations/src/lib.rs
+++ b/conversations/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
+pub mod chat;
 pub mod common;
 pub mod dm;
 pub mod ffi;
 pub mod group;
 pub mod inbox;
 
-mod context;
 mod errors;
 mod identity;
 mod proto;