diff --git a/client/public/version.js b/client/public/version.js
index 4a848ff..b3f58fa 100644
--- a/client/public/version.js
+++ b/client/public/version.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Maintainer-controlled web client version.
 // Format: YYYY.MM.DD Rn (example: 2026.02.20 R2)
-window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.25 R230";
+window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.25 R231";
 // Optional display timezone for timestamps. Falls back to America/Detroit if unset/invalid.
 window.CHGRID_TIME_ZONE = "America/Detroit";
diff --git a/client/src/main.ts b/client/src/main.ts
index c2562a5..ebe5ecf 100644
--- a/client/src/main.ts
+++ b/client/src/main.ts
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@ const renderer = new CanvasRenderer(dom.canvas);
 const audio = new AudioEngine();
 const settings = new SettingsStore();
 let worldGridSize = GRID_SIZE;
+let movementTickMs = MOVE_COOLDOWN_MS;
 let lastWallCollisionDirection: string | null = null;
 let statusTimeout: number | null = null;
 let lastFocusedElement: Element | null = null;
@@ -1122,7 +1123,7 @@ function handleMovement(): void {
   if (state.mode !== 'normal') return;
   if (activeTeleport) return;
   const now = Date.now();
-  if (now - state.player.lastMoveTime < MOVE_COOLDOWN_MS) return;
+  if (now - state.player.lastMoveTime < movementTickMs) return;
 
   let dx = 0;
   let dy = 0;
@@ -1154,7 +1155,7 @@ function handleMovement(): void {
   persistPlayerPosition();
   state.player.lastMoveTime = now;
   void refreshAudioSubscriptions(true);
-  void audio.playSample(randomFootstepUrl(), FOOTSTEP_GAIN, MOVE_COOLDOWN_MS);
+  void audio.playSample(randomFootstepUrl(), FOOTSTEP_GAIN, movementTickMs);
   signaling.send({ type: 'update_position', x: nextX, y: nextY });
 
   const namesOnTile = getPeerNamesAtPosition(nextX, nextY);
@@ -1307,7 +1308,6 @@ function getConnectionFlowDeps(): ConnectFlowDeps {
     signalingConnect: (handler) => signaling.connect(handler as (message: IncomingMessage) => Promise<void>),
     signalingDisconnect: () => signaling.disconnect(),
     onMessage: (message) => onSignalingMessage(message as IncomingMessage),
-    worldGridSize,
     persistPlayerPosition,
     peerManagerCleanupAll: () => peerManager.cleanupAll(),
     radioCleanupAll: () => radioRuntime.cleanupAll(),
@@ -1346,6 +1346,9 @@ const onAppMessage = createOnMessageHandler({
   setWorldGridSize: (size) => {
     worldGridSize = size;
   },
+  setMovementTickMs: (value) => {
+    movementTickMs = Math.max(1, value);
+  },
   setConnecting: (value) => {
     mediaSession.setConnecting(value);
     updateConnectAvailability();
diff --git a/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts b/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts
index 240f14c..7df4261 100644
--- a/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts
+++ b/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { type WorldItem } from '../state/gameState';
 type MessageHandlerDeps = {
   getWorldGridSize: () => number;
   setWorldGridSize: (size: number) => void;
+  setMovementTickMs: (value: number) => void;
   setConnecting: (value: boolean) => void;
   rendererSetGridSize: (size: number) => void;
   applyServerItemUiDefinitions: (defs: unknown) => boolean;
@@ -82,6 +83,9 @@ export function createOnMessageHandler(deps: MessageHandlerDeps): (message: Inco
         if (message.worldConfig?.gridSize && Number.isInteger(message.worldConfig.gridSize) && message.worldConfig.gridSize > 0) {
           deps.setWorldGridSize(message.worldConfig.gridSize);
         }
+        if (message.worldConfig?.movementTickMs && Number.isInteger(message.worldConfig.movementTickMs) && message.worldConfig.movementTickMs > 0) {
+          deps.setMovementTickMs(message.worldConfig.movementTickMs);
+        }
         deps.rendererSetGridSize(deps.getWorldGridSize());
         const schemaReady = deps.applyServerItemUiDefinitions(message.uiDefinitions);
         if (!schemaReady) {
@@ -92,8 +96,8 @@ export function createOnMessageHandler(deps: MessageHandlerDeps): (message: Inco
         deps.state.player.id = message.id;
         deps.state.running = true;
         deps.setConnecting(false);
-        deps.state.player.x = Math.max(0, Math.min(deps.getWorldGridSize() - 1, deps.state.player.x));
-        deps.state.player.y = Math.max(0, Math.min(deps.getWorldGridSize() - 1, deps.state.player.y));
+        deps.state.player.x = Math.max(0, Math.min(deps.getWorldGridSize() - 1, message.player.x));
+        deps.state.player.y = Math.max(0, Math.min(deps.getWorldGridSize() - 1, message.player.y));
         deps.dom.nicknameContainer.classList.add('hidden');
         deps.dom.connectButton.classList.add('hidden');
         deps.dom.disconnectButton.classList.remove('hidden');
diff --git a/client/src/network/protocol.ts b/client/src/network/protocol.ts
index 02919cd..2e10186 100644
--- a/client/src/network/protocol.ts
+++ b/client/src/network/protocol.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ export const itemSchema = z.object({
 export const welcomeMessageSchema = z.object({
   type: z.literal('welcome'),
   id: z.string(),
+  player: z.object({
+    id: z.string(),
+    nickname: z.string(),
+    x: z.number().int(),
+    y: z.number().int(),
+  }),
   users: z.array(
     z.object({
       id: z.string(),
@@ -32,6 +38,8 @@ export const welcomeMessageSchema = z.object({
   worldConfig: z
     .object({
       gridSize: z.number().int().positive(),
+      movementTickMs: z.number().int().positive().optional(),
+      movementMaxStepsPerTick: z.number().int().positive().optional(),
     })
     .optional(),
   serverInfo: z
diff --git a/client/src/session/connectionFlow.ts b/client/src/session/connectionFlow.ts
index 9e836cb..577f9af 100644
--- a/client/src/session/connectionFlow.ts
+++ b/client/src/session/connectionFlow.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ export type ConnectFlowDeps = {
   signalingConnect: (onMessage: (message: unknown) => Promise<void>) => Promise<void>;
   signalingDisconnect: () => void;
   onMessage: (message: unknown) => Promise<void>;
-  worldGridSize: number;
   persistPlayerPosition: () => void;
   peerManagerCleanupAll: () => void;
   radioCleanupAll: () => void;
@@ -66,25 +65,6 @@ export async function runConnectFlow(deps: ConnectFlowDeps): Promise<void> {
     return;
   }
 
-  deps.state.player.x = Math.floor(Math.random() * deps.worldGridSize);
-  deps.state.player.y = Math.floor(Math.random() * deps.worldGridSize);
-  const storedPosition = localStorage.getItem('spatialChatPosition');
-  if (storedPosition) {
-    try {
-      const parsed = JSON.parse(storedPosition) as { x?: number; y?: number };
-      if (Number.isFinite(parsed.x) && Number.isFinite(parsed.y)) {
-        const x = Math.floor(parsed.x as number);
-        const y = Math.floor(parsed.y as number);
-        if (x >= 0 && x < deps.worldGridSize && y >= 0 && y < deps.worldGridSize) {
-          deps.state.player.x = x;
-          deps.state.player.y = y;
-        }
-      }
-    } catch {
-      // Ignore malformed saved positions.
-    }
-  }
-
   try {
     await deps.mediaPopulateAudioDevices();
     if (deps.dom.audioInputSelect.options.length === 0) {
diff --git a/docs/protocol-notes.md b/docs/protocol-notes.md
index fe128f9..f1ec0a1 100644
--- a/docs/protocol-notes.md
+++ b/docs/protocol-notes.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ This is a behavior guide for packet semantics beyond raw schemas.
 
 ## Client -> Server
 
-- `update_position`: authoritative player position update.
+- `update_position`: client movement intent; server enforces world bounds and movement rate policy.
 - `update_nickname`: nickname change request (server enforces uniqueness).
 - `chat_message`: player chat.
 - `ping`: latency measurement.
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ This is a behavior guide for packet semantics beyond raw schemas.
 ## Welcome Metadata
 
 - `welcome.worldConfig.gridSize`: server-authoritative grid size used by clients for bounds/drawing.
+- `welcome.worldConfig.movementTickMs`: server movement-rate window used for client movement pacing.
+- `welcome.worldConfig.movementMaxStepsPerTick`: max allowed grid steps per movement window.
+- `welcome.player`: server-assigned spawn/current self position at connect time.
 - `welcome.serverInfo`: server process identity/version metadata:
   - `instanceId`: unique id generated at server startup
   - `version`: server package version (or `unknown` fallback)
@@ -60,6 +63,7 @@ This is a behavior guide for packet semantics beyond raw schemas.
 ## Validation Boundaries
 
 - Server is authoritative for all action validation and normalization.
+- Server is authoritative for movement acceptance (bounds + rate/delta checks).
 - Client validates incoming packet shapes and applies runtime behavior.
 - Client-side item edit validation is convenience only; server remains source of truth.
 
diff --git a/docs/runtime-flow.md b/docs/runtime-flow.md
index 1112f21..ffbd2a0 100644
--- a/docs/runtime-flow.md
+++ b/docs/runtime-flow.md
@@ -8,10 +8,13 @@
 4. Server sends `welcome` with users/items snapshot.
 5. Client:
    - applies `welcome.worldConfig.gridSize` for authoritative grid bounds/rendering
+   - applies `welcome.worldConfig.movementTickMs` as movement pacing guidance
+   - applies `welcome.worldConfig.movementMaxStepsPerTick` for movement-rate parity
+   - uses `welcome.player` as authoritative starting position
    - records `welcome.serverInfo` (`instanceId`, `version`) for restart detection
    - if `welcome.serverInfo.version` differs from running client version, auto-reloads the page
    - applies `welcome.uiDefinitions` for item menus/properties/options
-   - sends initial `update_position`
+   - sends initial `update_position` echo from server-assigned starting tile
    - sends initial `update_nickname`
    - creates peer runtimes for known users
    - syncs item runtimes (`radio`, `emit`)
@@ -24,6 +27,7 @@
 Each frame:
 
 - Handle local movement input.
+- Send movement intents; server remains authoritative on accepted movement updates.
 - Update spatial voice audio.
 - Update spatial radio audio.
 - Update spatial item emit audio.
diff --git a/server/app/client.py b/server/app/client.py
index 84c379a..5ebb60e 100644
--- a/server/app/client.py
+++ b/server/app/client.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ class ClientConnection:
     nickname: str = "user..."
     x: int = 20
     y: int = 20
+    last_position_update_ms: int = 0
 
     def summary(self) -> dict[str, str | int]:
         """Return a compact serializable snapshot for logs/diagnostics."""
diff --git a/server/app/config.py b/server/app/config.py
index b814114..726cb6b 100644
--- a/server/app/config.py
+++ b/server/app/config.py
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ class WorldConfigSection(BaseModel):
     """Authoritative world geometry options."""
 
     grid_size: int = Field(default=41, ge=1)
+    movement_tick_ms: int = Field(default=100, ge=1)
+    movement_max_steps_per_tick: int = Field(default=2, ge=1)
 
 
 class AppConfig(BaseModel):
diff --git a/server/app/models.py b/server/app/models.py
index a6b601b..57b08fb 100644
--- a/server/app/models.py
+++ b/server/app/models.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ class RemoteUser(BaseModel):
 class WelcomePacket(BasePacket):
     type: Literal["welcome"]
     id: str
+    player: RemoteUser
     users: list[RemoteUser]
     items: list[dict] | None = None
     worldConfig: dict | None = None
diff --git a/server/app/server.py b/server/app/server.py
index 515dee3..328bfa0 100644
--- a/server/app/server.py
+++ b/server/app/server.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from importlib.metadata import PackageNotFoundError, version as package_version
 import json
 import logging
 import os
+import random
 import re
 import ssl
 import time
@@ -88,6 +89,8 @@ class SignalingServer:
         max_message_size: int = 2_000_000,
         state_file: Path | None = None,
         grid_size: int = 41,
+        movement_tick_ms: int = 100,
+        movement_max_steps_per_tick: int = 2,
         state_save_debounce_ms: int = 200,
         state_save_max_delay_ms: int = 1000,
     ):
@@ -104,6 +107,8 @@ class SignalingServer:
         self.piano_recording_state_by_item: dict[str, dict] = {}
         self.piano_playback_tasks_by_item: dict[str, asyncio.Task[None]] = {}
         self.grid_size = max(1, grid_size)
+        self.movement_tick_ms = max(1, int(movement_tick_ms))
+        self.movement_max_steps_per_tick = max(1, int(movement_max_steps_per_tick))
         self.instance_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
         self.server_version = self._resolve_server_version()
         self.state_save_debounce_ms = max(1, int(state_save_debounce_ms))
@@ -564,6 +569,13 @@ class SignalingServer:
 
         return 0 <= x < self.grid_size and 0 <= y < self.grid_size
 
+    def _max_allowed_position_delta(self, client: ClientConnection, now_ms: int) -> int:
+        """Compute max allowed movement delta using server-authoritative rate policy."""
+
+        elapsed_ms = max(0, now_ms - max(0, client.last_position_update_ms))
+        windows = max(1, elapsed_ms // self.movement_tick_ms)
+        return max(1, windows * self.movement_max_steps_per_tick)
+
     @staticmethod
     def _normalize_clock_timezone(value: object) -> str:
         """Normalize timezone input to one of supported clock zones."""
@@ -650,6 +662,9 @@ class SignalingServer:
         """Handle one websocket client's connect/message/disconnect lifecycle."""
 
         client = ClientConnection(websocket=websocket, id=str(uuid.uuid4()))
+        client.x = random.randrange(self.grid_size)
+        client.y = random.randrange(self.grid_size)
+        client.last_position_update_ms = self.item_service.now_ms()
         self.clients[websocket] = client
         LOGGER.info("client connected id=%s total=%d", client.id, len(self.clients))
 
@@ -695,9 +710,14 @@ class SignalingServer:
         packet = WelcomePacket(
             type="welcome",
             id=client.id,
+            player=RemoteUser(id=client.id, nickname=client.nickname, x=client.x, y=client.y),
             users=users,
             items=[item.model_dump(exclude_none=True) for item in self.items.values()],
-            worldConfig={"gridSize": self.grid_size},
+            worldConfig={
+                "gridSize": self.grid_size,
+                "movementTickMs": self.movement_tick_ms,
+                "movementMaxStepsPerTick": self.movement_max_steps_per_tick,
+            },
             uiDefinitions=self._build_ui_definitions(),
             serverInfo={"instanceId": self.instance_id, "version": self.server_version},
         )
@@ -770,8 +790,24 @@ class SignalingServer:
                     self.grid_size,
                 )
                 return
+            now_ms = self.item_service.now_ms()
+            requested_delta = max(abs(packet.x - client.x), abs(packet.y - client.y))
+            max_delta = self._max_allowed_position_delta(client, now_ms)
+            if requested_delta > max_delta:
+                PACKET_LOGGER.warning(
+                    "position rate limit ignored id=%s from=%d,%d to=%d,%d requested_delta=%d max_delta=%d",
+                    client.id,
+                    client.x,
+                    client.y,
+                    packet.x,
+                    packet.y,
+                    requested_delta,
+                    max_delta,
+                )
+                return
             client.x = packet.x
             client.y = packet.y
+            client.last_position_update_ms = now_ms
             await self._broadcast(
                 BroadcastPositionPacket(type="update_position", id=client.id, x=client.x, y=client.y),
                 exclude=client.websocket,
@@ -1345,6 +1381,8 @@ def run() -> None:
         max_message_size=config.network.max_message_bytes,
         state_file=state_file,
         grid_size=config.world.grid_size,
+        movement_tick_ms=config.world.movement_tick_ms,
+        movement_max_steps_per_tick=config.world.movement_max_steps_per_tick,
         state_save_debounce_ms=config.storage.state_save_debounce_ms,
         state_save_max_delay_ms=config.storage.state_save_max_delay_ms,
     )
diff --git a/server/config.example.toml b/server/config.example.toml
index e4fa2fc..cb07e88 100644
--- a/server/config.example.toml
+++ b/server/config.example.toml
@@ -29,3 +29,7 @@ state_save_max_delay_ms = 1000
 [world]
 # Grid width/height in cells. Valid coordinates are 0..grid_size-1.
 grid_size = 41
+# Server-authoritative movement rate window in milliseconds.
+movement_tick_ms = 100
+# Max grid steps allowed per movement tick window.
+movement_max_steps_per_tick = 2